Anime and video games have gone hand in hand for years, delivering both spectacular and questionable adaptations. Some games manage to capture the essence of the original story, while others fail miserably. Exploring adaptations that either honour the source material or butcher it entirely is always fascinating. Even those who enjoy slot machines or live dealer games at Kinghills Casino might find these adaptations worth a look, whether for nostalgia or curiosity.
Masterpieces That Did Justice to the Source
Creating a successful anime-based game requires more than just borrowing characters and settings. A good adaptation captures the heart of the original story while delivering enjoyable gameplay. Developers need to balance faithful storytelling with engaging mechanics, ensuring fans feel immersed rather than frustrated. The best games enhance the experience, making players feel like they are part of the anime world, while poor adaptations often miss the mark by prioritising brand recognition over quality. Here are some of the standout examples that got it right.
Dragon Ball FighterZ (2018)
Arc System Works, known for Guilty Gear and BlazBlue, took on the legendary Dragon Ball franchise and delivered a true gem. This game not only captures the anime’s explosive fights but also delivers smooth, responsive gameplay.
- 2.5D fighting mechanics keep the action fluid without overwhelming casual players.
- Authentic visuals make it feel like watching the anime, with hand-drawn animation effects.
- Faithful storytelling through a new arc supervised by Akira Toriyama ensures it fits within the DBZ universe.
It became a favourite in esports circles, praised for its balanced roster and depth.
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 (2016)
CyberConnect2 has consistently produced high-quality Naruto games, and Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 is the pinnacle of the series. The combat system blends fluidity and accessibility, making battles feel like an extension of the anime’s fast-paced duels.
- Stunning cel-shaded visuals create near-perfect recreations of iconic anime moments.
- Expansive character roster, including every significant ninja from the series.
- Epic boss battles that mirror the anime’s grandest fights.
Fans of Naruto consider it the definitive adaptation, capturing both the story’s emotional weight and its over-the-top action.
One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 (2020)
While One Piece games have been hit-or-miss, Pirate Warriors 4 stands out as an exhilarating experience for both long-time fans and newcomers. It blends Dynasty Warriors-style gameplay with the vibrant world of Eiichiro Oda’s masterpiece.
- Over 40 playable characters offer diverse fighting styles.
- Huge battlefields reflect the grand scale of One Piece’s biggest arcs.
- Smooth combat mechanics allow for spectacular combos and destruction.
Though not the deepest game, it provides pure fun while faithfully adapting key arcs.
Adaptations That Missed the Mark
Not every anime game can be a hit. Some adaptations fall short due to rushed development, poor mechanics, or a lack of respect for the original material. A weak combat system, dull missions, or outdated graphics can turn an exciting concept into a frustrating experience. The worst offenders often feel like cash grabs, relying on a franchise name rather than quality gameplay. Here are some of the most disappointing examples that failed to live up to expectations.
Tokyo Ghoul: re Call to Exist (2019)
Tokyo Ghoul deserved a game that matched its dark and gripping story. Instead, this attempt fell flat in almost every way.
- Clunky combat makes battles frustrating rather than intense.
- Repetitive missions quickly become tedious, lacking variety.
- Weak storytelling fails to capture the anime’s psychological depth.
Fans hoped for something akin to an action RPG with branching choices, but what they got was an uninspired beat-em-up with forgettable gameplay.
Attack on Titan: Humanity in Chains (2015)
Attack on Titan, known for its breathtaking action sequences, seemed perfect for a high-energy game. But this 3DS title delivered the opposite.
- Unresponsive controls ruin the thrill of swinging through the air.
- Poor graphics make the colossal titans look more laughable than terrifying.
- Repetitive missions with little enemy variety strip away the excitement.
Other Attack on Titan games later improved the formula, but Humanity in Chains remains a prime example of wasted potential.
Most Anticipated Anime-Based Games
As of March 2025, several anime-based games have fans eagerly awaiting their release. These titles promise to bring beloved anime worlds to life, offering immersive experiences for both long-time fans and newcomers.
Kingdom: Hadou
The manga “Kingdom,” though less known in the West, has been a massive success in Japan, selling over 100 million copies since 2006. This popularity has led Bandai Namco and Koei Tecmo to announce “Kingdom: Hadou,” a free-to-play strategy game for mobile devices set to release in Japan in 2025. The game aims to recreate spectacular moments from the manga, allowing players to cooperate to overcome challenges across multiple battlefields. While “Kingdom” hasn’t had a significant impact on the gaming industry before, this new title could become a major hit in Asia and potentially in the West.
Kimetsu no Yaiba: Hinokami Chronicles 2
Aniplex has released a trailer for “Kimetsu no Yaiba: Hinokami Chronicles 2,” the sequel to the 2021 game “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles.” Scheduled for a 2025 release in Japan on multiple platforms, including PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PC, the game is being developed by CyberConnect2, known for their work on the “Naruto Ultimate Ninja” series. “Hinokami Chronicles 2” will cover story arcs from the Entertainment District to the Pillar Training, featuring all nine Pillars as playable characters. The game will offer both single-player and versus modes, with a playable demo presented at Jump Festa ’25, showcasing characters like Muichiro Tokito and Mitsuri Kanroji. The previous game sold over 4 million units, setting high expectations for the sequel.
Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
Announced by Sega at the 2024 Tokyo Game Show, “Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii” is a new entry in the “Like a Dragon” series, featuring the character Goro “Mad Dog” Majima. Players will experience a mix of nautical and land-based adventures as Majima, a pirate with amnesia, in a world called Madlantis. The game includes ship battles, port escapades in Hawaii, and unconventional interactions, such as fighting polar bears and assisting pop stars. Development began in September 2023, with a release set for February 2025. The game reuses assets from “Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth” and focuses on strong characters and human connections, embodying the series’ signature blend of drama and absurdity.
These upcoming titles highlight the ongoing trend of adapting popular anime into interactive experiences, offering fans new ways to engage with their favorite stories and characters.
What Makes an Anime Game Successful?
Not all adaptations can be masterpieces, but a few key elements separate the great from the forgettable:
- Staying True to the Source Material – Fans want to relive their favourite moments, not see them altered beyond recognition.
- Engaging Gameplay – Whether fighting, exploring, or strategising, mechanics should match the anime’s tone.
- Visual and Audio Fidelity – Cel-shaded animation, original voice actors, and authentic soundtracks enhance immersion.
- Strong Narrative Execution – A faithful retelling or a well-crafted original story keeps players invested.
Games like FighterZ and Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 succeed because they respect both the gameplay and the storytelling. The failures, on the other hand, often miss these fundamental aspects.
Anime adaptations in gaming will always be a gamble. Some titles bring the magic of the anime medium to interactive life, while others serve as cautionary tales. Whether diving into high-energy fights or exploring vast worlds, fans continue hoping for adaptations that do their favourite series justice.