There's a general consensus within the anime community that anime games are pretty mediocre. While every game has it's downfalls, many believe that anime games are just poorly-produced cash grabs that don't deserve a second playthrough. Almost a year after its initial release, Jump Force players are now pondering whether or not the game can ever be saved, despite the DLC possibilities for this game. Despite upcoming releases like Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot and Tales of Arise that do seem promising, anime fans and gamers alike remain skeptical. We could go down a list of bad anime games all day, but in hopes that these next string of releases will be something to remember, here are 10 great video games out right now that are based on existing anime series, inspired anime series of their own, or borrowed some of anime's most famous conventions.
10 Sakura Wars: So Long My Love
Sakura Wars: So Long My Love is a satisfying blend between a slice-of-life dating sim with turn-based strategy gameplay. Throw in a 1928 version of New York City along with steam-powered robots and you've already got enough for an interesting story! Players will take control of Shinjiro Taiga, Captain-In-Training of the New York Combat Revue as he works to create bonds (and potential romances) with his teammates, all the while defeating gigantic robots around several iconic New York locations. Players will enjoy the episodic feel to this game, and will want to replay it over and over again to take full advantage of the sheer amount of choice this game offers over each day's events.
9 Dragon Ball: Xenoverse 2
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 gives players the option of creating their own Saiyan, Human, Majin, Namekian, or Frieza race character, complete with transformations for them all. It also lets players customize their character's skin color, height, and hairstyle, and gives them the option of equipping their warrior with techniques across the entire Dragon Ball franchise. Xenoverse 2 features an original Dragon Ball story, and gives players the opportunity to put their skills to the test in exciting online battles (despite the many issues with online play). There's enough in this game to keep new players busy for several months, and the difficulty in collecting every playable Dragon Ball character and technique easily makes it a completionist's dream. Though the game's active player community is dwindling, the constant updates and DLC ensures that even brand new players can still jump into the game and experience all Xenoverse 2 has to offer.
8 Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4
Serving as the final entry in the Ultimate Ninja Storm series, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 gives Naruto fans the opportunity to play through many important battles from the final episodes of Shippuden. Players will be forced to mash the appropriate buttons at the right times to advance dynamic, flashy cutscenes that provide a three-dimensional take on action from the anime. Aside from the story mode, players can form teams of three with characters across the entire Naruto franchise (even Boruto with DLC). Every character fights differently, with some more suited to specific combat situations than others (long-range versus melee, for example). Although it may be difficult to find multiple online matchups now, the Microsoft Windows version has plenty of fun MODs to keep players occupied until Ultimate Ninja Storm 5 inevitably drops.
7 Pokemon Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon
Pokemon games first hit shelves back in 1996. Since then, the franchise has come a long way, with an ongoing anime series inspired by the games, merchandise from plush dolls to T-shirts, and of course, a string of games, each one adding several new Pokemon to the universe. Taking place in Alola, a region of tropical islands, players will strive to "catch 'em all", including the legendary powerhouses Solgaleo and Lunala. Players will also be able to work towards competing in the Pokemon League, and will be able to challenge "Totem Pokemon", surf on a Mantine, explore different dimensions, foil the plans of Team Skull, trade and fight with other players around the world, and more, all in a detailed, three-dimensional world. After seeing what these titles have to offer, we can only imagine how great Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield will be.
6 Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise
Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise, based on the 1980s manga Fist of the North Star, is an over-the-top brawler set in an apocalyptic wasteland. Players step into the shoes of Kenshiro, a master of "Hokuto Shinken", as he travels to the city of Eden to reclaim his wife from the clutches of his rival, Shin. This game is absurd at every turn, with many unique mechanics to keep the combat feeling fresh, from quick-time events that let players reduce their enemies to heaps of blood and guts, to giving players the option of using their opponent's final words as a physical weapon (yes, we couldn't believe it either). There's so much to do in this game besides fighting, from playing baseball using a man on a motorcycle as the ball, to running a nightclub.
5 Honkai Impact 3rd
The only mobile entry on this list, Honkai Impact 3rd is a fast-paced hack-and-slash game that lets players take control of powerful heroines, or "Valkyries", as they seek to rid the planet of evil monsters known as "Honkai". Not only is the combat fluid and beautifully animated, especially for a mobile game, but players can swap between characters in live combat to create their own unique combos. They can edit their characters' gear and clothing, and there are a variety of gameplay modes to keep them occupied while engaging with other members of the Honkai Impact 3rd community. Free to play, the game will not force players to spend money unless they truly want to get ahead without putting in the hours, but a slow grind for such a fast-paced gem like this is worth the initial free playthrough.
4 Valkyria Chronicles 4
Valkyria Chronicles 4 is the latest installment in the Valkyria Chronicles franchise, a decade in the making. Serving as a tactical RPG set in a fictional version of Europe during the Second World War, players will take control of a group of soldiers in the Atlantic Federation in their fight against the Empire. They'll enjoy the tense turn-based gameplay as they employ troops and tanks onto enemy lines, dodging snipers and infantry troops in an effort to gain the upper hand in scenarios that are often tipped in the Empire's favor.
3 Dragon Ball FighterZ
Even before it officially hit shelves, Dragon Ball FighterZ began to gain attention in the world of competitive fighting games. With complicated intricacies and masterful combos that only come with practice, FighterZ gives players an immediate reason to put in the hours. The game is constantly receiving DLC, with Super Saiyan Blue Gogeta having been released recently. Players can initially take control of some of their favorite Z-Fighters in a fresh, new story that introduces Dr. Gero's strongest creation, Android 21. They can also create their own dream-teams of up to three fighters to decimate enemy teams on two-dimensional battlefields that still pulse with depth. Deflect your opponent's energy blast and you may see it obliterate a mountain in the background. Hit the other player hard enough, and you might knock them to a different stage.
2 Code Vein
Fans of this game have often described it as an "anime Dark Souls". Set in a post-apocalyptic present-day, Code Vein allows players to create their own anime character and explore the world with a partner by their side in a quest to rid the world of evil. Players will feel a sense of urgency as they venture deep into dark labyrinths while battling some truly intimidating monsters. With three different endings, there's enough incentive to make different choices during second and third playthroughs to get the most out of the game.
1 Persona 5
Considered one of the greatest RPGs of all time, Persona 5 follows the story of Joker, a seemingly normal high school student who seeks out corrupted adults and enters their minds in order to purify their corrupted hearts. When they're not fighting, players are given the opportunity to engage in several social activities around Tokyo, like bonding with friends, working part-time jobs, grabbing a bite to eat, and even playing videogames (talk about meta)! It'll be impossible to get everything out of this game with just one playthrough, but that's exactly why "New Game +" exists.