After my recent introduction to the best Switch party games , the recent release of One Piece: Odyssey has me in the mood for more anime games, which has led me to compile a new list of the best anime games on Nintendo Switch. Please note that I have included games based on anime and multimedia franchises. I haven’t included anime style games here. This applies purely to games based on anime or focusing on a character from the anime series (in this case, one). There are a ton of great anime games across genres on the Switch, and while most of the games here come from Bandai Namco Entertainment, I ended up being surprised by how many others there were.
One thing to note before we get started is that I have zero experience with Naruto in any form and I’m not including any of those games here. I’ll probably revisit this list once I start playing them. Until then, there were no Naruto games here. I’ve played almost every anime-licensed game on Switch, except for this particular IP.
Demon Slayer – Demon Slayer – Chronicle of the Sun ($59.99)
Hinokami Chronicle was late to the Switch port after Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba debuted on other platforms, but CyberConnect2 has done a great job bringing this gorgeous arena fighter to the Switch. And all patterns and content are intact. After completing all the updates and DLC, Demon Slayer – Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles is in a much better position, making it an easy recommendation, especially if you can pick up the Ultimate Edition at a discount. This is one of the best-looking anime games out there, and I expect nothing less from CyberConnect2.
One Piece Odyssey Deluxe Edition ($59.99)
Like Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba above, One Piece: Odyssey Deluxe Edition is a port to Switch following its debut on other platforms, and this version includes all previous DLC from the start. It’s also a much better conversion than expected considering what we usually see from One Piece games on Switch. I’ve enjoyed my time playing it before, and the turn-based RPG feels right at home on Nintendo’s hybrid system. Hopefully it will have a sequel and we’ll see it on Nintendo systems from day one.
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot + New Power Awakens Set ($59.99)
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot + New Power Awakens Set is another game that was late to be ported to Switch, but it made an excellent transfer. “DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT” is one of the best anime games from CyberConnect2 and Bandai Namco. I like it as much as “Dragon Ball FighterZ” because it feels so good to play. Even though it was released on a more powerful system, it also looks great on the Switch. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot + New Power Awakens Set is not an arena fighting game, but an open world action RPG that I recommend playing on all platforms, but if you want to play it on Switch, port it The version is great.
One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3/4 ($39.99)
Most of the Warriors games on Switch are technical messes, and even Nintendo’s own release of Age of Calamity is basically unplayable, but some Omega Force releases have done well. These include “One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3” and “One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4”. With all its DLC, it’s a great hack-and-slash action RPG in its own right. I particularly recommend the new DLC I received last year after its debut a few years ago.
Dragon Ball FighterZ ($59.99)
Dragon Ball FighterZ is a fantastic animated tag team fighting game from Arc System Works that looks stunning even on the Switch. Even though I own the game on PC and PS4, I got it and all the DLC on Switch to get a passable portable version. If you want to experience and play the single-player content locally, Dragon Ball FighterZ on Switch is an easy recommendation. The online mode is pretty rough, though, and I recommend checking out the PC, Xbox Series X, or PS5 versions for the best online experience. But it won’t be playable on Steam Deck, so keep that in mind.
100M Musashi W: Wired ($49.99)
So MEGATON MUSASHI is a weird game because it has gameplay, animation, and more. It is Level-5’s latest multimedia series. Since the two are launching together internationally this year, I decided to allow it as it’s a fantastic mecha action game with tons of quality content. The fact that it even has cross-platform save functionality, allowing me to progress on Switch and Steam Deck, only sweetens the deal. I hope it gets a demo so more people can give it a try and see why it’s so good before deciding to buy it at full price. This is undoubtedly one of Level-5’s best games.
Attack on Titan 2: Final Battle ($59.99)
One major flaw in Koei Tecmo’s Attack on Titan game is the lack of Sawano’s music. Other than that, I wish Koei Tecmo would release more animated games because the Attack on Titan games were so good. The latest bundle is Attack on Titan 2: Final Battle, which includes much of the animated story, and I love how the developers translated the animated action into gameplay. The Switch version is a little rough in parts, but if you want to experience Attack on Titan’s story in game form on the go, the overall package justifies it.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R ($49.99)
CyberConnect2 and Bandai Namco’s remastered version of the PS3 fighting game is available on Switch, PC and all other consoles simultaneously, providing an exciting anime fighting game that can be played anytime, anywhere. This is another one I’m not sure if I should include since it’s based on the manga, but it also has some clips from the anime. Well, I didn’t bother thinking too much about it because this is one of the best anime fighters and it has a good Nintendo Switch port. If you’re not sure if this is right for you, try the demo.
Kill La Kill-IF ($19.99)
When KILL la KILL -IF debuted on Switch, PS4, and PC, I remember liking it more than most. Fast forward to today, and it’s getting free updates, free DLC, and the price has dropped from $59.99 to $19.99. If you like the show KILL la KILL, this is definitely worth picking up. I hope we see another KILL la KILL game from the same team and with more content. This game does a great job of translating animation and the characters’ exaggerated movements into game form.
Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet Complete Edition ($59.99)
Another late port to Switch, and the only Sword Art Online game I like, Sword Art Online: Deadly Bullet Complete Edition brings Dimps and Bandai Namco’s third-person shooter to Switch, complete with all DLC included. In many ways, Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is like the sequel to Free War (the PS Vita game) I’ve always wanted, and when it came out, it was great to play on the go. This product is also often on sale, so even if you don’t care about Sword Art Online, it’s worth picking up at a discount. The gameplay is just so good.
Tsubasa: Rise of a New Champion ($39.99)
Unlike all the other games featured here, Captain Tsubasa: Rise of a New Champion is an anime sports game, which was actually my introduction to the Captain Tsubasa anime. I love how Tamsoft translated the story and top-notch animation into the gameplay of Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions. There is a demo for this too, which I recommend checking out before playing the game. I wish we could see more anime games like Bandai Namco’s instead of Arena Fighter.
Fairy Tail ($59.99)
Fairy Tail, Koei Tecmo and Gust’s turn-based RPG, ended better than I expected. It’s not as polished as a modern Atelier game, but Gust has done a good job of making the world of Fairy Tail feel alive here, and also introducing multiple playable characters. FAIRY TAIL is also worth playing ahead of FAIRY TAIL 2’s release on Switch, PC, and PlayStation later this year. Fairy Tail is also based on the manga, but I cheated and included it here as an anime game. If you’ve made it this far, you can also read my bonus content.
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Steins;Gate Elite Edition ($59.99)
Steins;Gate Elite is an interesting version. The original Steins;Gate was the source of the Steins;Gate animation, which I loved along with the game, and Mages took that animation and remake Steins;Gate, using scenes from the show and more , making it more consistent with animation. Steins;Gate Elite is ostensibly an animated game based on the anime, but it’s a gray area as to how the anime is based on Steins;Gate itself. Regardless, Steins;Gate, Steins;Gate (animated), and Steins;Gate Elite are all excellent and I hope you consider trying any of them to experience a game with amazing characters story.
Super Robot Wars (V, X, T and 30)
The English version of the Super Robot Wars series of games has only been released on Switch in Asia and Japan, and has not been released internationally. So I’m including it in the bonus section. For some reason, Bandai Namco has yet to release these products on the eShop in North America, the EU, or Australia and New Zealand. While Super Robot Wars 30 is released on Steam globally, I don’t think the other games are for licensing reasons. I imported all four and they are great ports of the excellent tactical RPG with many anime, game and other license crossovers. If you want to import games on Switch, try this series.
Demon Slayer – Demon Slayer – Sweep the board! ($59.99)
Demon Slayer – Demon Slayer – Sweep the board! is a bonus because I recommend it as a really good anime game, but on discount instead of full price on Switch. If you’re a fan of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, this one is easier to recommend, but feels a bit lacking in what it currently includes with its full price tag. Still, it translates the characters and world perfectly into a party game setting, and if you like Demon Slayer, it’s worth your time.
Here is my list of the best anime games to play on Switch in 2024. . I can’t wait to play the next Gundam Breaker 4 and see what it brings from the many anime series and movies the franchise has already seen. As always, thank you for reading!
