Published：2024-08-09 Author：Xiaohei
After my recent feature on the best Switch party games, the recent release of One Piece Odyssey got me into the mood to play more anime games, and it made me put together a new list of the best anime games on Nintendo Switch. Note that I’ve included games based on anime and also multimedia franchises. I have not included anime-styled games here. This is purely for games that are based on an anime or have a heavy focus on anime series characters (one in this case). There are tons of great anime games on Switch across genres and while most of the games here are from Bandai Namco Entertainment, I ended up surprised by the others included.
One thing to note before getting into things is that I have zero experience with Naruto in any form and I’ve not included any of those games here. Once I do get around to playing them, I might revisit this list. Until then, there is no Naruto game featured here. I have played just about every anime-licensed game on Switch outside that specific IP.
Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles got a late port to Switch after its debut on other platforms, but CyberConnect2 did a great job in bringing the gorgeous arena fighter to Switch with all modes and content intact. After all of its updates and DLC, Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles is in a much better place as well making it an easy recommendation, especially if you can grab the ultimate edition on discount. This is one of the best-looking anime games out there, and I don’t expect any less from CyberConnect2.
Just like Demon Slayer above, One Piece Odyssey Deluxe Edition is a late port to Switch following its debut on other platforms, and this version included all prior DLC from the get go. It is also a much better conversion than expected given what we usually see for One Piece games on Switch. I enjoyed my time with it quite a bit before, and the turn-based RPG feels right at home on Nintendo’s hybrid system. Hopefully it gets a sequel and we see it on a Nintendo system from day one.
DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT + A NEW POWER AWAKENS SET is yet another late port to Switch, but one that got a fantastic conversion. DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT is one of CyberConnect2 and Bandai Namco’s better anime games, and I like it as much as Dragon Ball FighterZ for how good it feels to play. It also looks excellent on Switch despite launching on more powerful systems. Instead of an arena fighter, DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT + A NEW POWER AWAKENS SET is an open world action RPG that I recommend on all platforms, but if you’re hoping to play it on Switch, the port is great.
The Warriors games on Switch are mostly a technical mess with even Nintendo’s own published Age of Calamity basically unplayable, but Omega Force has done a good job with some of its releases. These include both ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS 3 and 4. ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS 3 runs much better given its age, but ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS 4 with all of its DLC is an excellent hack and slash action RPG on its own. I especially recommend the new DLC it received in the last year following its debut a few years ago.
DRAGON BALL FighterZ is a brilliant anime tag fighter from Arc System Works that looks stunning even on Switch. Despite owning the game on PC and PS4, I got it and all DLC on Switch to have a competent portable version. If you want to experience it locally and play the singleplayer content, DRAGON BALL FighterZ on Switch is an easy recommendation. The online modes are quite rough though, and I recommend looking at the PC, Xbox Series X, or PS5 versions for the best online experience. It is not playable on Steam Deck though so keep that in mind.
So MEGATON MUSASHI is a weird one because it has a game, an anime, and more. It is Level-5’s newest multimedia franchise. Since both launched together(ish) internationally this year, I decided to allow it since it is a fantastic mech action game packed with tons of quality content. The fact that it even has cross platform save letting me take my progress across Switch and Steam Deck only sweetens the deal. I hope it gets a demo so that more folks can try and see why it is so good before committing to the full priced purchase though. This is easily one of Level-5’s best games.
Koei Tecmo’s Attack on Titan games have one major flaw, the lack of Sawano’s music included. Outside that, I wished for Koei Tecmo to publish more anime games because of how good the Attack on Titan games are. The newest bundle is Attack on Titan 2: Final Battle including most parts of the anime story covered, and I love the way the developers translated the anime action to gameplay. The Switch version is a bit rough in parts, but the overall package justifies it if you want to experience Attack on Titan’s story in game form on the go.
CyberConnect2 and Bandai Namco’s remaster of the PS3 fighting game hit Switch, PC, and all other consoles at the same time delivering a great anime fighting game to play on the go. This is another one I wasn’t sure if I should include because it is based on the manga, but it also has some bits from the anime. Well, I didn’t bother thinking too much since this is one of the better anime fighters and it has a very good port to Nintendo Switch. Try the demo out if you aren’t sure this is for you.
When KILL la KILL -IF debuted on Switch, PS4, and PC, I remember liking it more than most people. Fast forward to today, it has gotten free updates, free DLC, and a price drop to $19.99 from $59.99. If you like KILL la KILL the show, this is absolutely worth getting. I hope we see another KILL la KILL game from the same team with more covered though. This one did a great job of translating the over-the-top action from the anime and characters to game form.
Another late port to Switch and the only SWORD ART ONLINE game I enjoyed a lot, SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET Complete Edition brings the third person shooter from Dimps and Bandai Namco to Switch with all DLC included. In a lot of ways, SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET felt like the Freedom Wars (PS Vita game) sequel I always wanted, and it was great to play on the go when it launched. This one goes on sale often as well and is worth grabbing on discount even if you don’t care about SWORD ART ONLINE. The gameplay is that good.
Unlike all other games featured here, Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions is an anime sports game, and it was actually my introduction to the Captain Tsubasa anime. I love how Tamsoft translated the story and over the top animations into the gameplay of Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions. This one has a demo as well, and I recommend checking it out before getting the game. I hope we see more anime games like this from Bandai Namco as opposed to arena fighters.
Koei Tecmo and Gust’s take on FAIRY TAIL in the form of a turn-based RPG ended up better than I expected. It isn’t as polished as modern Atelier games, but Gust did a great job making the world of FAIRY TAIL feel alive here, and also bringingg in multiple playable characters. FAIRY TAIL is also worth playing ahead of FAIRY TAIL 2 releasing later this year on Switch, PC, and PlayStation. FAIRY TAIL is also based on the manga, but I cheated and included it here as an anime game. If you made it this far, you may as well read my bonus inclusions as well.
Steins;Gate Elite is an interesting release. The original Steins;Gate served as the source for the Steins;Gate anime which I love alongside the game, and Mages took that anime and remade Steins;Gate to be more in line with the anime using scenes from the show and more in the form of Steins;Gate Elite. On paper, Steins;Gate Elite is an anime game based on an anime, but it is a gray area with how that anime was based on Steins;Gate itself. Either way, Steins;Gate, Steins;Gate (the anime), and Steins;Gate Elite are excellent and I hope you consider trying any of them to experience a fantastic story with amazing characters.
The Super Robot Wars series of games has seen English releases only in Asia and Japan on Switch and not internationally. I’ve included it in the bonus section because of that. For some reason, Bandai Namco has not released these on the eShop in NA, EU, or AUNZ yet. Super Robot Wars 30 is available on Steam worldwide though, but none of the others are for licensing reasons I imagine. I imported all four of these and they are great ports of excellent tactical RPGs featuring many anime, game, and other licenses crossing over. Give this series a shot if you feel like importing a game on Switch.
Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Sweep the Board! is a bonus because I recommend it as a very good anime game, but on a discount on Switch rather than at full price. If you are a fan of Demon Slayer, this one is easier to recommend, but it feels a bit lacking in how much content it includes for its full price tag right now. It is a great translation of the characters and world to a party game setting though, and is worth your time if you like Demon Slayer.
That’s my list of the best anime games on Switch to play in 2024. If you have a game you think I should’ve included or one you’ve played on another system and would love to see on Switch, please let me know in the comments below. I can’t wait to play Gundam Breaker 4 next, and to see what it brings from the many anime series and movies that the franchise has seen. As always, thanks for reading!
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