Anime fighting games are a dime a dozen. They come in a wide variety of gameplay styles and aesthetics. From the more competitive 2D/3D fighters to the more action-adventure games. It feels like the quality of these games has only been going up as well. Now is a great time to be an anime fan and a gamer. So let's look at some of the best there is.
15. Attack on Titan (Video Game)
Eren facing the Collosal Titan.
Kicking off our list, Attack on Titan is a 2016 action hack-and-slash game based on the anime/manga of the same name. You’ll be swinging around on ODM gear slaying titans within the walls just like you see in the source material. Featuring ten main characters with more to unlock through the story mode.
Live out the story of Attack on Titan yourself. With a ton of extra side content as well. There's so much to love about Attack on Titan. I know we all wished at some point to play as a scout and scale Titans using ODM gear and this title delivers that fantasy in full.
14. BERSERK and the Band of the Hawk
Guts preparing to use his arm cannon.
One of the funnest genres in gaming is the muso brand of open-world hack and slash popularized by the Dynasty Warriors franchise. Berserk is the perfect franchise for that. Feel the power of Guts and many other characters in the universe as you slice through hundreds of enemies on screen at a time.
The story spans from the Golden Age Arc to the Hawk of Millennium Empire arc. There is much more to experience as well with the free-form game modes. Experience the story of Berserk in a new way, and hey, even if you aren’t a fan the power fantasy this game brings is undeniable and worth the play.
13. Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker
New Team 7 vs. Old Team 7
There's a wealth of Naruto games on the market Shinobi Strikers offers a unique twist. Play as a team of 4 online or offline with a combination of your favorite Naruto characters spanning the original series up to Boruto.
Play through iconic moments or play online with your friends in a 4v4 clash to see who is the best ninja. Having a team of 4 offers such a unique twist to anime fighting games, this is worth a shot.
12. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
Bardock's saiyan squad preparing for battle.
If you pencil yourself as a fan of the Dragon Ball franchise then this game is for you. It perfectly retells the entire (mostly) story of Dragon Ball Z. From Vegeta and Nappa landing to the Resurrection of F in the latest DLC.
This game was good from the jump and just got better and better as it received more support. Familiar action gameplay with some fun mini-games. There are hours of content to be enjoyed.
11. One Piece Pirate Warriors 3
Luffy using Gomu Gomu no Pistol on a horde of enemies.
With its sequel further up the list, One Piece Warriors 3 offers pretty much the same but only up to the Dressrosa arc. 30 plus playable characters. A fun retelling of the story with action-packed gameplay.
10. Code Vein
The protaganist.
One of the many souls likes games to come out. One of the few that get it right. With an art style inspired by another anime-esque game God Eater 3. Find out the mysteries of this post-apocalyptic civilization while fighting vampiric creatures as you try to save the world.
Do you like anime? Do you like dark souls? Well, this game is a match made in heaven. A perfect merger of the two. The gameplay of the Souls series with the aesthetic of anime. Code Vein is one of the best souls-likes to release to date still.
9. One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4
Luffy and his allies prepare to face an enemy.
The latest and greatest in the Pirate Warriors franchise. Take control of the straw hats and play through a summarized version of the decades-long spanning epic in a muso-style game. Improving upon its predecessor. This game is a blast for everyone, fans included.
8. Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2
SSJ3 Goku faces off against Kid Buu
The sequel to the massive success of a game, Dragon Ball Xenoverse. Xenoverse 2 continues your time trotting journey with future Trunks. Play through all of the series' major battles as well as alt-history battles and new stories in the name of keeping the timeline intact.
The amount of content in this game is actually ridiculous. To this day it still receives regular updates and content. Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 improved on everything its predecessor did. It is the ultimate Dragon Ball experience. The gameplay is fun and fluid. It really makes you feel like a character in Toriyama’s masterpiece.
7. Tekken 7
Jin Kazama vs. Hwoarang.
We’re quickly approaching nine years since the last installment of the well renowned Tekken franchise was released. To this day it still holds up as one of the best in the series and one of the best fighting games ever.
Continue the fantastical story of the Mishima family. Learn more about some of the series' staple characters and events. All while enjoying the best 3D fighting gameplay there is on the market. With Tekken 8 around the corner, this game is always on discount with its accompanying DLC. It's a great time with friends, online, and especially competitively.
6. Guilty Gear -Strive-
Sol Badguy stands over a knocked down I-NO
The 7th mainline installment in the Guilty Gear franchise. Guilty Gear -Strive- is a ground up reconstruction of the 2d fighting series. While it still follows the story of the previous entry.
Many gameplay elements have been tweaked or removed to create a brand new experience. It is a great entry point to the series and while some long time fans may feel one way or another about the changes, there is no denying how fun the game is to play.
5. Street Fighter™ 6
Ryu uses his iconic hadouken against Chun Li
The latest release on this list in total, Street Fighter 6 breathed new life into the franchise. Create your own character in the brand new to the series world tour game mode.
Fight in Street Fighter like you never have before with the new stylish aesthetic. Gameplay-wise, it's never been better with beginner friendly controls. There's never been a better time to jump into Street Fighter.
4. Dragon Ball FighterZ
Beerus floats mockingly above Vegeta.
The third dragon ball game on this list. The franchise is just full of great, varied, games. While the other two are great in their own right, what makes this game different is the style (2D vs 3D) and gameplay. With an active and very fun competitive scene, FighterZ is a different type of game from the others but great nonetheless.
3. Devil May Cry 5
Dante and Vergil fight back to back againts a horde of demons.
The 5th(ish) installment of the Devil May Cry franchise, Devil May Cry 5 is the peak of hack-and-slash action games.
With three (four with the DLC) varied and playable characters. Follow Dante, Nero, and V as they try to destroy the new demonic threat that's rampaging on the earth. With some fun twists and almost perfect gameplay where the music picks up tempo as your combo goes higher. Devil May Cry 5 is plain and simply a blast.
2. Monster Hunter World
The player character faces off againts a rathalos.
Monster Hunter games have always been great and a staple of gaming culture for their unique gameplay loop. Monster Hunter World smashed the series into the mainstream.
Get your weapon of choice, hunt a monster, collect materials, craft better weapons and armor, fight more monsters. Rinse and repeat for a gameplay loop that feels lovely. The story is there, and it's good enough. But the gameplay is what truly shines here. There is an infinite feeling amount to learn and have fun with in this amazing game.
1. Persona 5
The Phahtom Theives confront a persona.
The fifth game in a spinoff of another franchise, Persona 5 was a smash hit on release and to this day. Play as a new student whose life gets turned on his head as they adapt to a new life in Tokyo and also a new power.
Make connections with others, collect new personas to level up. Enjoy some of the best music, aesthetics, and turned-based combat gaming has to offer as the mysteries in Persona 5 unravel. Personally, it is one of my favorite games ever. There's hundreds of hours of fun to be had in the base game alone.
