You’d think video games and anime were a match made in heaven. They have established plots, cool abilities, and everything else a good game needs to be fun. Unfortunately, most anime-adapted games feel like they’re just cash grabs meant to take advantage of fans. However, some developers pour passion and skill into making great anime-inspired video games.
In this article, we’re going to look at 10 great anime that were made into great video games as well.
10) Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3
There have been so many Dragon Ball games made over 30+ decades, but we feel the Budokai games represent the series in the best light– with Budokai Tenkaichi 3 being the highlight. It features an insane roster of 161 characters from all three series: Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball GT. In college, my mates and I would host mini-tournaments to see who was the best. I mained Teenage Gohan and went toe-to-toe with Super Saiyan Gogeta. Ah, it brings back such good memories.
9) Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Legacy
Like Dragon Ball, there have been tons of Naruto games looking to capitalize on the immense success of the franchise. And the Ninja Storm series is the best by far. Ultimate Ninja Storm Legacy takes all of the 4 games and wraps them up in a nice, single package for you to experience the entire series. The combat is tight, and they also let you live out “what if” battles you want to see such as Itachi vs Madara. Or you can be like me, and go to town with Hinata and show everyone how much of a beast your favorite character truly is.
8) Yu-Gi-Oh: Master Duela
Yu-Gi-Oh: Master Duel brings one of the best trading card games to your favorite console and PC. It’s a carbon copy of the IRL game, giving you access to the 1,000s of cards to build your own deck. Admittedly, it can be difficult starting since others have had the time to build OP decks. And if you’re not familiar with all the mechanics of the cards, the learning curve can be challenging as well. Regardless, it brings back a lot of memories for me and it’s great on systems like the Switch where you can play on the go.
7) Attack On Titan 2: Final Battle
Even though Attack on Titan has exploded over the years, there aren’t a lot of games based on the series. Luckily, we’ve gotten Attack On Titan 2: Final Battle. The game follows the first two seasons where you create your own character and plopping them in a world filled with titans. There’s also DLC that lets you experience the third season. And we figure there will be an Attack on Titan 3 that tackles the final season and wraps up the story.
6) Dragon Ball FighterZ
We feel Dragon Ball deserves another entry on the list with FighterZ. It takes the same formula that Marvel vs Capcom uses and lets you pick three characters to make your team. It also features the iconic combo frenzies and aerial combat. Like Budokai Tenkaichi, it takes all the characters from all the sagas but also includes new additions from Super. That means you get to unleash the power of Super Saiyan God, Blue, and Ultra Instinct. Akira Toriyama even created some unique characters you’d have to play the game to see.
5) J-Stars Victory VS
J-Stars Victory VS is like the Super Smash Bros. for anime. It takes all your favorite characters from all your favorite series and puts them in one game. Now, we can see if Goku really is the best of the best. It features Naruto, One Piece, Bleach, Yu Yu Hakusho, and many more anime characters. Sure, its story leaves a lot to be desired but it’s awesome to see Yusuke Urimeshi go against Sasuke Uchiha. That alone is good enough for it to make our list.
4) Fairy Tail
Fairy Tail isn’t as popular as something like Naruto or Dragon Ball, but it can say that it has a pretty good game. Unlike other games on this list, it takes the RPG route and features a compelling story alongside turn-based combat. It goes over the same story as the anime but mixes in some additional side quests and content for you to get hours out of the game. It’s faithful to the source material and lets you experience it through the unique medium of video gaming.
3) Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Although Demon Slayer is relatively new compared to others on this list, it’s already gotten a fantastic game adaptation. You play the protagonist, Tanjiro, and it features everything you love about the series: gorgeous swordplay and scenarios, heartfelt stories, memorable characters, and a whole lot of powerful techniques. It works a bit like Ultimate Ninja Storm where you face off in a 3D environment. The story goes through the first season and up to the Mugen Train movie. That leads us to believe we’ll definitely see more Demon Slayer games in the future.
2) One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4
One Piece is the last of the Big 3, and it’s the most successful and popular series still running today. So, of course, it’s had quite a few games that have adapted the anime. But we think Pirate Warriors 4 takes the cake because it takes the gameplay of the Dynasty Warriors series and lets you play as Luffy and friends to wreak havoc. And unlike other games on this least, Pirate Warriors 4 features a completely original story.
1) Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet
If there’s one anime where a video game adaptation seems like fate, then it’s Sword Art Online. Fatal Bullet follows the second season where you get to create your own character and see how they fare in the VRMMORPG Gun Gale Online. Of course, you won’t don a VR headset for this one but it’s still fun and features a ton of customizability and environments for you to explore.
