Anime games have become a staple, and their popularity is spreading like wildfire, with a perfect blend of vibrant Japanese content and immersive gameplay.
This has led to the creation of countless titles designed to give players a unique gaming experience. Granted, making a list of the top 5 can be quite tricky and challenging. To make this easier, we have ranked them on the basis of factors such as storylines, gameplay, and adaptations. Two other factors informing our pick are commercial impact, and source authenticity.
Here are our top picks for the 5 best anime games of all time.
Persona 5
It's okay to say that Persona 5 was the spark that lit up the JRPG genre with its use of stylish visuals and a top-notch soundtrack. This game, developed by Atlus, has been alluded to for its thought-provoking narrative that follows the story of the Phantom Thieves; a group of teenagers fighting against social corruption. In this game, players get to navigate the intricate web of psychological struggles and master some of the game elements, such as social links, palace infiltration, and backhand negotiations.
Dragon Ball FighterZ
Since its release in 2018, Dragon Ball FighterZ has earned a spot as one of the top dogs of anime fighting games. Developed by Arc System Works, this game was built to give players the perfect fusion of stunning visuals and explosive gameplay.
Its gameplay mechanics are so smooth that it soon became a top pick by players. It's also not surprising that esports competitions like EVO soon adopted the game as one of their main competitive offerings.
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4
When it comes to giving a game a fitting finale, we are not sure that developers can do better than Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4. This arena fighter game was the culmination of a well written game series and fans worldwide loved it. We can say that the game was built for the player and its over 100 playable characters and various iterations points to that fact.
This CyberConnect2's masterpiece also has some exciting features like the Leader Swap system that intensifies ninja battles. In fact, the fight scenes were made with precision as each character mirrors their movement in the anime series thereby making it a seamless and stunning game.
Attack on Titan 2
Many questioned whether a game could capture the essence of the Attack on Titan's series. However, Omega Force were up to the task and they delivered perfection. This developer recreated the anime's dark, ominous atmosphere, drawing in players and giving us a hint of what the game is going to offer.
Beyond the game’s stunning visuals, Attack on Titan 2 also offered 3D action sequences and this made fight scenes even more thrilling. We just have to say that the game's excitement matched the source material, setting a new standard for adaptations.
Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom
If you ever saw the original Ni No Kuni, then you’d know that any developer that takes it up would have to either fail or make a banger. So when Level 5 took on this anime-inspired game development, they knew that they had some big shoes to step into. Thankfully, they delivered an exciting, engaging game and we absolutely love it.
The game treats players to stunning visuals, quick real-time combat, and magical abilities right from the get go. There is no time to catch your breath, as the experience is jaw dropping and filled with mesmerizing mechanics and abilities leaving players in awe. All in all, we can say that Ni No Kuni II expertly blends combat, exploration, and magic for an unforgettable experience.
Conclusion
Anime's influence on gaming continues to grow stronger, thanks to amazing storytelling, innovative mechanics, and unique art styles. This fusion has captivated players worldwide, immersing them in unforgettable experiences. So, If you are out there, looking to enjoy some exciting gaming adventures, the titles highlighted here are not ones to sleep on.