5. Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme VS. Maxiboost ON (PS4)
When it comes to anime properties, the importance of Gundam cannot be understated. However, despite being the most successful mecha franchise of all time, Gundam has always struggled to produce high quality video games — especially outside of Japan. But Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme VS. Maxiboost ON is a different story. This is an extremely robust arcade arena fighter, featuring hundreds of mobile suits and nods to the gigantic Gundam media empire.
Boasting loads of single player, co-op, and multiplayer modes, there's something for just about everyone. For most players, the only obstacle to enjoyment will be the game's steep learning curve, which demands precise execution of what is quite a complex control scheme. But develop your piloting skills just a touch, and you'll discover a supremely satisfying and deeply rewarding Gundam experience.
4. Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth (PS4)
Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth itself isn't based on a particular manga or anime, but it's obviously tied to the Digimon franchise, which is perhaps best known for its multiple anime productions — many of which were huge in the 90s and early 2000s.
In this turn based RPG, you get to raise your own squad of elite digimon, which forms a devilishly addictive gameplay loop. The game's original story has you take on the role of a rookie detective, who solves cyber crimes with the help of their digital pals. All told, this is a great Japanese RPG that's worth checking out even if you're completely unfamiliar with Digimon.
3. Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise (PS4)
A Fist of the North Star game that's structured like a Yakuza game — this was always going to be pretty good, wasn't it? It's undeniably rough around the edges, but Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise is a thoroughly entertaining action RPG. Playing as the unshakeable Kenshiro, you use your head-busting martial arts to bring justice to a post-apocalyptic wasteland in the hopes of rescuing your kidnapped lover, Yuria.
In typical Yakuza fashion, there are crazy minigames to master and an abundance of street thugs to deal with. Intense boss battles also form a key part of the package, some of which are even more insane than what you'll find in the relatively grounded adventures of Kazuma Kiryu. Lost Paradise is a perfect example of what can be done with an anime property when it's handed to an established and passionate developer.
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2. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 (PS4)
The best Naruto game out there, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 is an excellent adaptation. One of the most impressive jewels in Japanese developer CyberConnect2's crown, it's a brilliantly made arena brawler, and the pinnacle of the Ninja Storm series. Its huge character roster is packed with well defined fighters, and in terms of presentation, Ultimate Storm 4 is damn near perfect.
Indeed, its story mode — which covers the last arcs of Naruto Shippuden — is still a feast for the eyes five years after the game's release. CyberConnect2's passion for the source material bleeds through every cutscene and super attack animation, making for what we believe to be one of the best anime games ever made. Sumptuous stuff.
1. Dragon Ball FighterZ (PS4)
Not only is Dragon Ball FighterZ a downright stunning adaptation of Akira Toriyama's legendary work — it's also an absolutely top tier team-based fighting game. When Arc System Works was handed the Dragon Ball license, you just knew that the end result was going to be something special. From the combat mechanics to the flawless presentation, FighterZ is a phenomenal anime game, and pretty much sets the bar for anime adaptations in general.
Of course, fighting games aren't to everyone's tastes, but even if you're a total newbie, there's still so much fun to be found in FighterZ at even the most basic level. An accessible auto combo system keeps the action flowing even if you're just starting out, while those who wish to dig deeper will find an incredibly rewarding experience.
What do you think are the best PS4 anime games? Do you agree with our list, or have we missed some obvious winners? Let us know in the comments section below, and check out our other Best PS4 Games lists if you want to know more about our top picks, including Best PS4 RPGs and Best PS4 Fighting Games.
Comments 19
Hey everyone, just to reiterate, this list only includes games that are based on existing anime or manga properties. Games that simply have an anime style aren't included.
Also, can you believe I forgot to include Gundam when this list was first published? Absolutely shocking. It's in there now, though!
@ShogunRok where is SD Gundam G Generation Cross Rays? What a fantastic title. So much content and such a good way of experiencing several Gundam stories.
@somnambulance Sadly never released in the West on PS4. Gundam Breaker 3 would probably be on this list as well, had it been localised.
@ShogunRok I assume this list excludes remasters and gen 7/8 cross gen games on purpose?
If you’re a fan of the Yakuza series I highly recommend Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise, even if you’re not familiar with the source material.
@ShogunRok Valid point. It’s really heartbreaking. I’d consider it an essential purchase for anyone even mildly interested in Gundam.
@darkswabber Did you have any particular games in mind?
@somnambulance Heartbreaking is good word for it! We've missed out on some cool Gundam games over the years.
@ShogunRok
Persona 5?
It haves a Manga version too 😉
@ShogunRok not really, I was confusing this with the “all games in category ranked” lists pushsquare and nintendolife does. Didn’t realize it was a top 15. Pretty solid top 15 tho I would personally remove some of the bottom ones in favor of naruto trilogy, xenoverse 1 and pirate warriors 4.
I would play ultimate ninja storm 4, but I’m only on episode 190 of Shippuden and I don’t want too many spoilers.
@darkswabber Also solid picks. I did consider putting Pirate Warriors 4 on this list but I didn't want to include games that were very similar and from the same series. That said, if the list gets expanded in the future, those games might make it in.
@Ridwaano Haha, maybe we can make it a technicality...
Steins Gate zero should be here too, and pyscho pass was decent. I'm sure demon slayer would of made this list aswell if it was out in time
I thought the mha one’s justice games were pretty fun brawlers. I’m surprised one of them didn’t even make your top 15.
Digimon is great but God help you if you're playing on hard. Speaking of Digimon there hasn't been any news regarding Digimon Survive for quite some time now, I wonder if the game got cancelled?
Ok.
I think ninja storm 4 is too high. It's good for naruto fans, but not so much for everyone else.
I think Arslan is underrated. As a musou fan that tends to only enjoy Dynasty warriors Arslan was the best sub-series of musou i ever played and i tried most if not all.
On that same note, One piece pirate warriors is very simplistic and repetitive and is also too high in the list imo. The same can be said about berserk. While i think it's probably the best Berserk game, i would rank it below Arslan but above one piece just cause of the world, story and anime footage. It's worth playing through once.
Attack on titan is pretty boring and doesn't even deserve a spot in the list. Just watch the anime.
Captain tsubasa is amazing. One of the best anime sports game ever, if not the best. The story, the customization and the gameplay are great and faithful to the series. Definitly deserves to be on top 5.
All the sword art online games are boring and would have no place on a list of mine.
The honest truth is that way too many of these games are quick cash grabs. They’re filled with fan service, but are often lacking in everything else.
CyberConnect2 are the best anime to game adaptations devs around.
All of the Ninja Storm games are fantastic- even the PSP one.
I wish they could work their magic on One Piece.
Fighter Z is fantastic, but I’d argue it’s less accessible then the Ninja Storm games.
The dream anime game would be for Kojima to work on 20th Century Boy.
I didn’t realise Fairy Tail was turn based. Might have to check it out.
@Fight_Teza_Fight - "The dream anime game would be for Kojima to work on 20th Century Boy."
That......is an idea I didn't know I needed, though I'm not too sure how it would actually play (from what I remember, there's not much in the series that could be mined for gameplay outside a few scenes here and there, but I could be wrong).
Pretty nice list from what I can tell, though admittedly, I've only played 3 of these; FighterZ, Pirate Warriors 3 and Xenoverse 2 (that said, FotNS is so close to Yakuza I feel I could almost count it anyway). Not surprising to hear FighterZ is the best here; it's probably one of the best fighting games full stop, and as has been mentioned before, most anime games tend to be more mediocre cash-ins than interesting adaptations, so the competition isn't likely to be too fierce.
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