Top 10 Best Anime Games Ever Released [Ranked]

Nier: Automata

When it comes to the best anime games, there really is no dispute. Nier: Automata is as close to the perfect anime game as it gets.

Most anime games rely on a good story mode to convey the experience to the players. And in that regard, Nier: Automata blows it right out of the water. I've played some pretty emotional games before. However, none have ever managed to make me cry. Until I played Nier: Automata that is. The game just perfectly draws you in and captivates you with its characters... Only to crush your heart right after.

The gameplay itself isn't all that bad either. I really enjoyed the freedom that playing with the androids gave me. It made me feel powerful, though not immortal. More importantly, however, it constantly kept me on the edge. Surprisingly, very few video games manage to get that part right. Not Nier; Automata though, it's perfect.

Hades

Hades counts as an anime game, right?

Of course it does. And not only that, but It's probably one of the best anime video games of all time. I love rogue-likes. There's something about repeating a task over and over again, with slightly better results each subsequent time that feels so rewarding. Who knew then that setting a rogue-like in the middle of hell would be such a fun experience?

The developers of Hades, that's who. What they probably didn't know however is that they were making one of the best anime games of all time. Not only does Hades have super entertaining gameplay, but the story itself is surprisingly captivating. Something that is notoriously rare for rogue-likes, as most rogue-likes simply forego the story entirely. A+ for Hades in that regard.

Persona 5 Royal

When it comes to anime games, I'm pretty sure no other series can match the number of successful game releases that the Persona series has.

The Persona series is so well known and beloved in fact that most people think of Persona right away whenever you mention anime games. And there's a good reason for that too. First of all. The series itself looks like a visual novel, which is just charming in and of itself. However, when paired with amazing characters, stories, and gameplay, it becomes a whole other beast.

Persona 5 Royal builds upon the foundation of Persona 5 and makes it better in almost every single aspect. It extended the story further. It added a few more dungeons, and, it also added some more memorable characters along the way too. Honestly, Persona is the last bastion of JRPGs. A genre that has sadly fallen by the wayside in the last decade.

Dragon Ball FighterZ

Dragon Ball FighterZ is one of my favorite fighting games. And come to think of it, it's probably the best anime fighting game of all time too.

Honesty, there's probably not an anime more beloved than Dragon Ball. It's been a staple for well over 30 years by this point. And in that time, it's produced quite a number of video games too. Some are good. Some, not so good. Dragon Ball Fighter Z falls into the first category, as it's an amazing game all around.

The thing that makes Dragon Ball Fighter Z the best Dragon Ball game is the fact that it's perfectly designed to allow you to experience how it feels to exist in the world of Dragon Ball. Seriously, no other game comes close (Earth's Special Forces doesn't count as it's a Half-Life mod). If you enjoy high-intensity action as I do, then Dragon Ball Fighter Z is the game for you.

Valkyria Chronicles 4

Valkyria Chronicles is one of those game series that releases once in a generation.

I remember when the first game was released, everyone was amazed. An anime RTT game set in a WW2-inspired world? Nobody had heard of such a thing before. There weren't many high hopes that the game would succeed, but succeed it did. Not only that, but it also spawned a series that produced out some of the best military games of all time.

Valkyria Chronicles 4 is the latest (and greatest) entry into the series thus far. Not only did it manage to keep the formula that made the previous games great, but it also greatly expanded on it by adding a slew of cool new features that greatly improved the gameplay experience. Oh, and let's not forget the story. Chefs kiss. It's probably the most captivating VC story so far, and that's saying something.

Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 4

Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 is an entire mouthful to pronounce, but I can assure you. It's definitely one of the best Naruto games of all time.

What makes Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 one of the best anime games you might ask? I'll tell you. For starters, a story that captures all the most exciting moments from the anime. A cast of characters that are unique, memorable, and a blast to play with. As well as visuals that still hold up to this day, nearly a decade after its release.

I could never finish Naruto Shippuden because of the obscene amount of fillers it had. This game, on the other hand, I finished with glee; and multiple times too. What a video game! If Fighter Z didn't exist, I'd probably consider this "the fighting game" for me.

Gundam Versus

I like big mechs and I cannot lie.

Before Armored Core 6, we had Gundam Versus. It let us play with a variety of huge mecha however we saw fit. Honestly, this game rekindled my love for Gundam. So much so in fact that I went out and bought a Gunpla kit to build and tinker with.

Gundam is one of the oldest anime series in the world. To call it revolutionary would be an understatement. Gundam Versus is just one of the many games that have been released as part of the franchise over the years. That being said, it's probably the best one so far, as it perfectly conveys the experience of being a mecha pilot in the Gundam universe.

Pheonix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy

Pheonix Wright. Probably the only lawyer who could beat Saul Goodman in a courtroom.

The thing that I love about Pheonix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy is that it combines all 14 episodes from the original trilogy in one handy package. Honestly, it's one of the funniest games out there. There's probably no other anime game series that has made me laugh as much as the Phoenix Wright series has.

It's both charming and thrilling in equal parts. One second you're laughing your lungs out while another you're gripped by a plot twist in the story. No other game on this list has as diverse of a cast of characters as this game has, which is a big pro in my opinion as it makes the game all the more memorable.

Dragon Quest 11

Dragon Quest is the series that pioneered role-playing video games. And Dragon Quest 11 carries on that torch with pride, as it's undeniably one of the best adventure games of our era.

If you've played any of the previous Dragon Quest games, then you pretty much know the gist of it. The thing that I like about Dragon Quest 11 is that it strays true to the original formula while still innovating in a few parts.

The turn-based combat system was fun, and I found the story as well as the characters present quite captivating. Come to think of it, It's not a video game that I'd usually play. Though, ultimately, I think that is the reason why I ended up enjoying it so much in the end. It's a nice experience that you can just sit back, relax, and take in.

Ni no Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom

Just like Dragon Quest 11, Ni no Kuni 2 is one of those games I didn't think I'd like. But oh boy.

The game is part RPG part RTS, which I absolutely love. On top of all that, it also has a story that somehow keeps on living in my head rent-free. The combat system is great, the visuals are even better. And the sound design, oh god, the sound design!

Frankly, there are so many cool things about this game that it's impossible to summarize them in a few paragraphs. The only thing I didn't like about the game was the humor. The game tends to include it in the weirdest places, which honestly just killed my immersion.