The best anime games give you different reasons to keep playing. If you want a strong story and characters you care about, start with Persona 5 Royal. Choose Tales of Arise for fast action and a fantasy adventure, or Genshin Impact for a large world to explore. Want a slower pace? Rune Factory 4 Special combines farming, friendships, and dungeon adventures.
Finding your next favorite depends on what you enjoy doing. Do you want to follow a story, learn a combat system, collect characters, or relax after a busy day? These ten recommendations explain what makes each game worth playing-and what might make you choose something else.
Best Anime Games at a Glance
| Game | Best for | What to consider | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Persona 5 Royal | Story, friendships, and turn-based battles | Lots of dialogue and a slow start | Paid game |
| Tales of Arise | A fantasy story with real-time combat | Less freedom than an open-world game | Paid game; editions and DLC vary |
| Genshin Impact | Exploration and building character teams | Random character draws and repeated tasks | Free-to-play with in-game purchases |
| Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok | Co-op boss fights and character upgrades | You repeat quests to get stronger | Paid game; upgrade available for existing owners |
| Scarlet Nexus | Fast battles with psychic powers | Frequent story breaks between fights | Paid game; optional DLC |
| Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot | Playing through the Dragon Ball Z story | Some side tasks feel repetitive | Paid game; additional story DLC |
| One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 | Huge attacks against crowds of enemies | The main activity changes little between battles | Paid game; optional character and episode DLC |
| Rune Factory 4 Special | Farming, relationships, and dungeon trips | Older graphics and many systems to learn | Paid game |
| Steins;Gate | A science-fiction story with different endings | Mostly reading, with little direct action | Paid game |
| Dragon Ball FighterZ | Competitive battles with three-character teams | You need practice to improve | Paid game; optional fighter DLC |
Want more anime games focused on battles? Our guide to the best anime fighting games compares competitive fighters, arena battles, and beginner-friendly options.
All ten recommendations above are released games. Check the version for your device before buying, as editions and included downloadable content (DLC) can differ.
Which Types of Anime Games Are Included?
Anime video games generally fall into two groups: games based on an existing anime or manga, and original games with a clear anime style. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot belongs to the first group. Tales of Arise is an example of the second.
Both can be worth your time. A familiar series gives you characters and places you already love. An original game lets you discover a new world without watching a show first. A game does not qualify simply because it was made in Japan.
10 Best Anime Games for Different Players
1. Persona 5 Royal - Best for Story and Friendships
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch.
Persona 5 Royal is my first pick for players who want an anime game that feels like following a long series. You spend your days at school and with friends, then enter strange worlds as part of the Phantom Thieves. The contrast between ordinary life and a secret identity gives the adventure its appeal.
You also help shape that daily life. Time spent with friends unlocks useful abilities, while collecting and combining Personas gives you more options in turn-based battles. Relationships and combat support each other rather than feeling like separate games.
The biggest reason to hesitate is the amount of dialogue. In this discussion about Persona 5 Royal’s pace, players warn that enjoying the characters does not necessarily mean enjoying its long story sections.
Choose it if the school days sound as interesting as the supernatural battles. If you mainly want combat and character builds, our broader guide to RPG games for different play styles offers other directions.
2. Tales of Arise - Best for a Fantasy Anime Adventure
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S; the Beyond the Dawn Edition is also available on Nintendo Switch 2.
Tales of Arise is the anime adventure I would choose for a journey with a close group of companions. Its story follows people fighting against powerful rulers, with friendships and personal conflicts developing as the party travels together.
The anime-inspired characters sit against backgrounds with a watercolor-like look. In battle, you control the action directly: dodge attacks, launch enemies into the air, and call on teammates for help. Connecting their abilities makes the group feel involved in the fight.
Choose Arise over Persona if you want real-time combat and a fantasy setting instead of school life. You can start here without playing earlier Tales games.
However, this is a fairly directed journey, with story gates and plenty of conversations. Genshin is better for wandering freely. Check the edition before buying, too: Beyond the Dawn adds another story, and different bundles include different extras.
3. Genshin Impact - Best for Exploring an Anime-Style World
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, iOS, Android. PS4 support has ended.
Genshin Impact is my recommendation when you want to explore an anime-style world without paying upfront. Instead of following a familiar show, you discover its places, people, and stories as you travel.
The strongest reason to try it is the freedom to follow your curiosity. Climb toward a landmark, investigate a puzzle, or change direction when something catches your attention. Battles add another layer: switching characters and combining their elements lets you experiment with different teams. If exploring is your favorite part, our guide to the best open-world games offers more worlds to discover.
I would approach it as an exploration game before a collection game. Its gacha system uses random draws for characters and weapons, so getting a specific favorite can take saved resources or money. Upgrade farming and repeated tasks can also become tiring.
Choose a paid adventure such as Tales of Arise if you want a clearer endpoint. Also check your device: the official PS4 support notice confirms that support ended in April 2026.
4. Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok - Best for Playing with Friends
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch 2.
Relink is my pick for players who want an anime adventure they can share with friends. Its colorful fantasy world sets the scene, while four-character battles put the team at the center of the action.
The appeal is seeing each hero’s fighting style come through in play. Different weapons and abilities give you reasons to try another character. Learning a boss’s attacks and combining your team’s moves can make a successful fight feel like the final battle of an anime episode.
Choose it for teamwork and combat rather than a long character drama. Repeating quests and improving equipment become important after the main story. If you stop enjoying a fight once you have seen it, Persona or Arise may suit you better.
Endless Ragnarok is already available and expands the solo and multiplayer content. Existing Relink owners should compare the upgrade with the full package. For other games built around battles and steady upgrades, explore our dungeon crawler recommendations.
5. Scarlet Nexus - Best for Anime-Style Psychic Powers
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S.
Scarlet Nexus is a good anime game for players who want to control the kind of powers they usually watch on screen. You fight strange creatures with weapons and psychokinesis, throwing objects at enemies and borrowing abilities from teammates.
Those powers are the reason I would choose it over a more familiar sword-and-magic adventure. Combat asks you to connect different tools rather than rely on one attack. Its futuristic cities and unusual enemies also give it a different mood from the fantasy worlds elsewhere on this list.
The two main characters offer different views of the story, but expect regular breaks for conversations and scenes with teammates. Much of the story uses illustrated panels rather than fully animated scenes.
Choose Scarlet Nexus for psychic combat and a dramatic cast. Skip it if you want uninterrupted fighting or a large world to explore freely.
6. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot - Best for Reliving a Favorite Anime
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch.
Kakarot is the Dragon Ball game I would recommend to someone who wants to spend time inside the series. It follows the Dragon Ball Z story, linking its major battles with flying, training, fishing, and meetings with familiar characters.
The quieter moments help it feel like an adventure rather than a collection of fights. Moving through the world as Goku and other heroes gives familiar locations a purpose beyond the next cutscene.
Choose it over FighterZ if following the anime story matters more to you than learning competitive combat. The trade-off is that smaller activities are not always as enjoyable as the main events. Simple errands and repeated battles can slow things down.
I would buy Kakarot for its setting, characters, and story moments. Additional adventures are sold through DLC and bundles, so check what is included before choosing an edition.
7. One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 - Best for Using Over-the-Top Anime Powers
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch; a Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade version is also available.
Pirate Warriors 4 is the choice when you want to see what One Piece powers can do in a huge battle. Instead of focusing on one opponent, you clear crowds with wide attacks, aerial moves, and abilities built around the characters.
Its appeal is easy to understand: pick a hero you like and enjoy sending enemies flying. Moving between battlefield objectives gives those attacks a purpose, while trying another character changes how you approach the next fight.
I would choose it for immediate action rather than a detailed retelling of One Piece. It covers selected events and works best when you already enjoy the cast.
The main drawback is repetition. Different characters add variety, but you still spend much of your time fighting large groups. Check whether your favorite character comes with the base game or a paid pack.
8. Rune Factory 4 Special - Best for a Quieter Anime Life
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch.
Rune Factory 4 Special is my pick if you want an anime-style town to come home to. You grow crops, make friends, craft equipment, and explore nearby dungeons. Relationships and everyday activities matter alongside the larger adventure.
What makes it worth playing is how these parts connect. Farming and crafting help prepare you for battles, while a day spent talking to people can be rewarding on its own. You can choose a small goal each time you play instead of always chasing the next major story event.
Do not expect a completely simple or stress-free game. Crafting has plenty to learn, and dungeon combat can require preparation. Its older graphics may also disappoint anyone looking for a modern anime look.
Choose it for a mix of comfort and character growth. If everyday life is the main attraction, our guide to life simulation games offers more places to settle in.
9. Steins;Gate - Best for a Science-Fiction Story
Recommended version: the original Steins;Gate on PC.
Steins;Gate belongs among the best anime video games for players who enjoy a story more than a battle. A small group discovers a way to change the past, and their experiments gradually lead to serious consequences.
This is a visual novel, so reading is the main activity. Calls and messages on the main character’s phone affect the story, leading to different endings. Your interest comes from understanding the characters and seeing how their choices change events. For more games built around dialogue and branching stories, explore our visual novel recommendations.
I would choose it for someone who enjoys science-fiction anime and does not mind a slow setup. Pay attention to small details, and avoid looking up too much of the plot before starting.
Choose Persona instead if you want battles between story scenes. Also check the version: this recommendation is for the original illustrated Steins;Gate. Steins;Gate Elite uses an animated presentation.
10. Dragon Ball FighterZ - Best for Competitive Anime Battles
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch.
Dragon Ball FighterZ is my choice for players who want anime battles they can keep getting better at. Its animation captures the look and energy of Dragon Ball, while three-character teams give you more to learn than a single fighter’s moves.
Calling in an ally, switching characters, and connecting attacks make the team part of your strategy. The first few matches can be exciting just for the familiar faces and dramatic moves. Staying interested means learning to defend and understanding why you lost.
Choose FighterZ if practice sounds rewarding. Choose Kakarot if you mainly want a solo Dragon Ball story. Some fighters are sold separately, so compare editions if a particular character matters to you.
Which Anime Game Is Right for You?
Choose the experience you want before choosing the most familiar name. A favorite anime character can make a game more appealing, but you still need to enjoy what you do between the biggest moments.
- For a long story and a close cast: Start with Persona 5 Royal.
- For an original fantasy anime adventure: Choose Tales of Arise.
- For exploring freely: Try Genshin Impact if its free-to-play model suits you.
- For playing with friends: Choose Relink if you enjoy learning and repeating team battles.
- For a familiar anime world: Pick Kakarot for story or Pirate Warriors 4 for crowd-clearing action.
- For a slower daily routine: Choose Rune Factory 4 Special.
For paid anime games, compare the base game with the edition that contains the characters or stories you want. For free-to-play games, consider how you feel about random character draws and repeated upgrade tasks-not just the cost of downloading.
If handheld play matters most, you can also compare more genres in our guide to the best Nintendo Switch games.
How to Make Your Own Anime Game with SoonLab?
Playing a great anime game can leave you wanting to create something of your own-a character, a story, or a fun way to use a special power.
SoonLab is an AI game maker that turns a written description into a playable browser game without coding. With its anime game maker, you can describe an original anime-inspired idea, play the result, request changes through chat, and share your game with friends. Here’s how to get started:
STEP 1Describe Your Anime Game
Tell SoonLab about your setting, character, and what the player needs to do. Include the controls, visual style, and a clear goal. For example: “Create a 2D anime-style game where a young mage dodges falling stars and collects five crystals. Use arrow keys to move and add a restart button.”
Turn your idea into anime game
Describe the game you want to make, and SoonLab will help you start building it.
STEP 2Generate, Play, and Refine
Generate your game and try it in the browser. Check whether the controls feel responsive and the goal is easy to understand. Then ask for specific changes, such as “Make the falling stars slower” or “Show how many crystals are left.” Play again to check each change.
STEP 3Share Your Game
Once you’re happy with the game, publish it and share its link with friends. Ask where they got confused and which moments they enjoyed most. Use their feedback to improve the next version.
FAQs About Anime Games
1. What are the top 10 anime games?
My top 10 anime games cover original anime-style adventures and games based on popular series:
- Persona 5 Royal — for story and friendships.
- Tales of Arise — for a fantasy anime adventure.
- Genshin Impact — for exploring an anime-style world.
- Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok — for playing with friends.
- Scarlet Nexus — for psychic powers and fast battles.
- Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot — for reliving the anime story.
- One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 — for huge battles with familiar characters.
- Rune Factory 4 Special — for farming, relationships, and adventure.
- Steins;Gate — for a science-fiction story with different endings.
- Dragon Ball FighterZ — for competitive anime battles.
Start with the experience you want most. A highly rated story game may still be the wrong choice if you dislike reading, just as a popular fighting game may disappoint if you mainly want an adventure.
2. What is the greatest anime game of all time?
Persona 5 Royal is my overall pick if you include original anime-style games. Its school life, friendships, turn-based battles, and visual style work together to make you feel part of a long anime story. The main reason to choose something else is its heavy dialogue and slow pace.
If you mean a game based on an existing anime, I would choose Dragon Ball FighterZ for its animation and competitive combat, or Kakarot for a solo story adventure. There is no single winner for every player: these games offer very different experiences.
3. What's the most played anime game?
Genshin Impact is one of the most widely played anime-style games, with tens of millions of monthly active users. HoYoverse developer Xin Ning shared that figure at GDC 2026, according to GamesRadar’s March 2026 report.
That measures people actively playing each month, rather than total downloads. It confirms Genshin’s large audience, although the disclosure does not establish a worldwide No. 1 ranking among all anime games.
4. Are there good anime games without gacha?
Yes. Persona 5 Royal, Tales of Arise, Scarlet Nexus, and Rune Factory 4 Special do not use paid random draws to obtain characters. Choose Persona for story and turn-based battles, Arise or Scarlet Nexus for real-time action, and Rune Factory for farming and everyday life.
Some paid anime games still sell costumes, items, characters, or story expansions separately. If you want to avoid both random draws and extra purchases, compare what each edition includes before buying.
5. Which anime games should I try if I do not like fighting games?
If you dislike competitive matches but still enjoy combat, try Tales of Arise or Scarlet Nexus. Their battles are part of a solo anime adventure. Persona 5 Royal is another option if you prefer choosing moves in turn-based battles instead of reacting quickly.
If you want to avoid combat altogether, choose Steins;Gate, which focuses on reading and story choices. Rune Factory 4 Special offers quieter farming and social activities, but fighting is still part of its dungeon adventures.
6. Do I need to watch the anime before playing an anime game?
Not always. Persona 5 Royal, Tales of Arise, and Genshin Impact introduce their own worlds and characters, so you can start without watching anything first.
For anime adaptations, check which events the game covers. Kakarot retells the main Dragon Ball Z story and reveals major plot points. Pirate Warriors 4 moves through selected One Piece events and is easier to appreciate when you know the cast. If you want to watch a series without spoilers, avoid playing beyond the events you have seen.
7. Can I create my own character in anime games?
Some anime games let you create a character, but most games on this list use a fixed cast. Changing outfits or equipment is different from designing your own hero.
If creating an avatar is your main priority, consider Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2. You can customize your fighter’s appearance, abilities, and moves, then take part in the Dragon Ball world. Choose Kakarot instead if you would rather follow the story as familiar characters.
Conclusion
For a first choice, I would recommend Persona 5 Royal if you enjoy long stories and character relationships. Choose Kakarot to step into a familiar anime, or Genshin Impact to explore an original world. If you want something quieter, start with Rune Factory 4 Special.
The best anime games are the ones whose everyday gameplay you enjoy as much as their biggest scenes. Pick the experience you want to spend time with, then check the platform and edition before you buy.