Upcoming games such as Overlord: Escape from Nazarick and Digimon Survive have certainly hyped up anime fans. It only makes sense for game developers to take inspiration from anime as many of these films and television projects feature the most engrossing stories, expansive worlds, and loyal fans.
Over the years, tons of anime games have been released on various platforms, whether on the portable 3DS or the home console PlayStation 5. But for the Nintendo Switch, which titles based on Japan's most wanted export shows should players add to their gaming bucket list?
Dragon Ball FighterZ
Featuring characters from the Dragon Ball franchise, Dragon Ball FighterZ is a 2D fighting game published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Players can use their favorite character from the Dragon Ball series in the game, whether it's the powerful Goku or the villainous Frieza.
The game also has a story mode that shows cutscenes in between the fights. However, some fans felt that the story mode felt slower than desired, as it took almost 12 hours to finish including all the side fights. Still, Dragon Ball FighterZ is an impressive-looking fighting game that will surely appease fans of the anime.
My Hero One's Justice
In the universe of My Hero Academia, some select individuals are born with powerful abilities called quirks. Those with quirks can either choose to become a hero, or join the dark forces and become a villain. The game My Hero One's Justice is a 3D arena fighting game that features some of the most recognizable characters from the anime.
Gamers seemed to enjoy how faithful My Hero One's Justice stayed to the source material, as well as its flashy visual stylistic choices. But despite all the crash and bang the game has in store for players, some feel that the game could've explored the franchise's narrative more.
Fairy Tail
Hiro Mashima's manga and anime series come alive in its eponymous RPG video game for the Nintendo Switch. Created by game studio Gust, the quest-based RPG mostly follows Natsu, a dragon slayer-slash-wizard who is helping re-establish the reputation of his guild.
While there's no doubt that the video game properly respects the source material it's based on, critics and gamers note that it's lacking a lot in terms of storytelling, difficulty, and pacing. However, the excellent combat system and punchy visuals are enough to redeem this anime game.
Attack On Titan 2
There are a lot of scary characters in the anime Attack on Titan and most of them are on display in Koei Tecmo's hack and slash title. Attack on Titan 2 is considered superior to its predecessor due in part to its expansive worldbuilding and narrative, as well as its smoother combat system.
Fans of the anime will get to live their dreams of wearing the ODM, or Omni-Directional Mobility gear, which is the device in the anime that helps the main characters move around swiftly and defeat their enemies. While it might take players some time to get used to the game's fast camera movements and controls, Attack on Titan 2 redeems itself with its action-packed gameplay and unique hack and slash mechanics.
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2
In Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, fans of the anime will get to create their own warrior and train them until they become powerful in order to restore the Dragon Ball universe to its former glory. The RPG game allows players to join in the anime's iconic battles and lets them interact with beloved characters like Vegeta, Goten, and Future Trunks.
The game is a three-dimensional arena brawler that is driven by a story that's a little fan service-y at times. Despite that, the combat and concept of Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 have been received well by fans that some say it's one of the Dragon Ball games that deserve a sequel.
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Trilogy
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Trilogy is a collection of three games originally released for the PS3 and Xbox 360, including Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2, and Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 Full Burst.
Despite being a ported game, the graphics for Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Trilogy look mesmerizing on the Nintendo Switch with its consistent frame rate and vibrant art. While its online features aren't as smooth as one would hope, the game's fast-paced and fun combat makes it a game worth playing for anime fans who use the Nintendo Switch.
One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4
The fourth game in the Pirate Warriors franchise, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 stands out in the series due to its intense combat system and spectacular story. The game also serves as the perfect introduction to the "musou" genre, which are games that allow players to simultaneously fight numerous enemies with ease.
Fans invested in the story will be delighted to know that the story mode of the game is based on the Wano arc of the anime series. Featuring tons of playable characters like Monkey D. Luffy, Sanji, Nami, and Nico Robin, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 is a game that's clearly made for those who love the anime it's based on.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy Of The Duelist: Link Evolution
Based on the popular trading card game and anime series, Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist: Link Evolution allows players to create the perfect deck and duel their way to glory. The game also has a story campaign that features some of the best moments from the anime series.
Some beloved characters from the TV show also make an appearance in the game, including Joey Wheeler, Seto Kaiba, and Yugi Moto. Players note that the game plays well on the Nintendo Switch as it offers full touchscreen support when in handheld mode. Overall, Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist: Link Evolution, is a great game to play on the Nintendo Switch for anime fans and those who enjoy card games like Hearthstone and Magic the Gathering.
Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition
Players can dive into the world of digital monsters in Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition. The Nintendo Switch title combines two Digimon titles: Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth and its sequel Hacker's Memory. In the game, players control the main character of the game who finds themself in the real world as their half-digitized version after being grabbed by a mysterious creature.
The turn-based role-playing game is one of the best games that feature the Digimon series due to its great combat system, wide collection of Digimon, and story-driven gameplay.
Tales Of Vesperia: Definitive Edition
To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the series, Namco Tales Studio has released Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition on the Nintendo Switch. The compelling and heartfelt RPG features new playable characters who have never been introduced in the series as well as plenty of additional content.
Gamers get to play as Yuri Lowell, a former knight-turned-vigilante, and see him explore the world of Terca Lumireis as well as interact with various lively characters. The game has been well-received by Nintendo Switch players thanks to its classic RPG combat mechanics and stunning visuals.