90’s anime fans remember all too well the struggle of getting some of their favorite anime on VHS back in the day. As the new millennium rolled in, though, older shows became more accessible. In turn, anime gained a wider, western audience that was happily partaking in what they had missed in the prior decade.
8 Best PS2 Anime Games, Ranked
The PS2 had a nice selection of anime games that are still worth remembering today.
This also meant that games based on some of the best series of the time would have an opportunity to be embraced by these newcomers as well. While some of these games would come out better than others, they would all shine a spotlight on one of anime’s most beloved eras.
10 Serial Experiments Lain
Serial Experiments Lain First Aired July 6, 1998
- Platform(s): Playstation
- Released: November 26, 1998
- Developer: Pioneer LDC
- Genre(s): Simulation
Less of a traditional game, and more of an experience, fans of the, rather obtuse, anime will feel right at home with the non-linearity of the story. Some liberties with how that story is given to players are taken as well.
The gameplay consists of a lot of listening, accompanied by still images, with short clips of animation thrown in here and there for good measure. This does a lot to portray Serial Experiments Lain‘s vibe, but as far as excitement in gameplay goes, the game falls flat.
9 Sword of the Berserk: Guts’ Rage
Berserk First Aired On October 8, 1997
- Platform(s): Sega Dreamcast
- Released: December 16, 1999
- Developer: Yuke’s
- Genre(s): Hack-and-Slash
It’s hard to imagine a game based on one of the greatest manga ever to live up to the hype. And yet, Gut’s Rage does a fine job trying, even if the game’s original story doesn’t reach the mature heights of the manga or the 90’s anime.
Berserk: 17 Worst Things That Have Happened To Guts
Guts from the Berserk series has gone through a lot, having not exactly had the easiest life. The following events are easily his lowest moments.
Some intense enemy design, as well as a relentless combat system, plays a hefty part in at least getting the series’ dark tone down. That said, being a Dreamcast title, the jank brought by the game’s in-engine cutscenes was probably unavoidable.
8 Cowboy Bebop (1998)
Cowboy Bebop First Aired On September 18, 1997
- Platform(s): Playstation
- Released: May 14, 1998
- Developer: BEC
- Genre(s): Shooter
The first episode of Cowboy Bebop culminates in Spike chasing down Asimov and Katerina, which ends in the pair being put down by the ISSP. A harrowing incident, indeed, and it was just the first of many intense dog fights for the series.
Best Songs In Cowboy Bebop, Ranked
In a series that has been universally acclaimed for its musical direction, what are the defining tracks of this space western adventure?
BEC noticed this too, developing an on-rails spaceship shooter where this is the norm, having players pilot the Swordfish II through varying stages in the pursuit of bounties. It’s great for what it is, even with a distinct lack of a Yoko Kanno soundtrack.
7 Neon Genesis Evangelion 2
Neon Genesis Evangelion First Aired On October 4, 1995
- Platform(s): PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable
- Released: November 20, 2003
- Developer: Alfa System
- Genre(s): RPG
Just about everyone, both main and side characters, from the EVA anime is playable in Evangelion 2. This means fans are able to experience this beloved story from every angle, as well as a number of alternative story paths.
Everything players do has an effect on how stories and relationships play out. Plus, during combat scenarios against the Angels attacking Tokyo 3, perma-death situations can further shake things up in cool and unexpected ways.
6 Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth
Digimon Adventure First Aired On March 7, 1999
Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth
- Released
- February 2, 2016
- Developer(s)
- Media Vision
The story of Cyber Sleuth is kind of a dark one, following an investigation into a digital universe that is causing users to fall into comas. Frankly, though, it’s all just a complicated backdrop to isekai the protagonist, Aiba, in the digital world.
With hundreds of Digimon to collect, gameplay comes down to devising a team by leveraging their varying skill sets, not unlike the Persona series. Also, just like that series, there is a ton to do, leading to fans getting lost in the game for hours.
5 Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon
Sailor Moon First Aired On March 7, 1992
- Platform(s): Arcade
- Released: March 22, 1995
- Developer: Gazelle
- Genre(s): Beat-Em-Up
Sailor Moon has always been a flashy anime that makes it hard to look away from. So it’s fitting that Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon is chock-full of beautifully detailed environments and character sprites.
While combat consists of the typical Beat-Em-Up formula, it does treat players to some flair. Specifically, this takes the form of fun super moves that flash an anime-styled animation before clearing the screen of enemies.
4 Yu-Gi-Oh! The Eternal Duelist Soul
Yu-Gi-Oh! First Aired On April 4, 1998
Yu-Gi-Oh! The Eternal Duelist Soul
- Released
- February 16, 2003
- Genre(s)
- Turn-Based Strategy , Digital Card Game
Of course, nothing beats the tactile feeling of having a set of cards in hand, while pulling the next one from a perfectly curated deck. But The Eternal Duelist Soul is probably the next best thing.
Straightforward card battlers are all these games have ever claimed to be. Though, the game does provide players with reasons to return to their GBA, using the calendar system to steadily provide new cards and challenges to overcome.
3 Initial D Special Stage
Initial D First Aired On July 17, 1995
- Platform(s): PlayStation 2
- Released: June 26, 2003
- Developer: Sega Rosso
- Genre(s): Racing
Drifting is a particularly dangerous pastime that, frankly, should only be experienced in the pages of the Initial D manga, or the nearest arcade. If gamers are itching to experience it from the comfort of their own home, though, Special Stage is the way to go.
Best PS2 Racing Games, Ranked
With the technology of the PlayStation 2, some incredible racing games were released during the lifespan of this console.
Players will want to turn the game on just to listen to the game’s incredible soundtrack. What will keep them around though, is the large, diverse selection of cars to be dangerously driven down the hills of Japan.
2 Slayers Wonderful
Slayers First Aired On April 7, 1995
- Platform(s): Playstation
- Released: October 22, 1998
- Developer: TamTam
- Genre(s): RPG
A game in the style of JRPGs of the time, Slayers Wonderful is a fairly deep, albeit relatively short romp. Like many game setups, the cast of sorcerers is promptly de-powered at the beginning of the game and embarks on a journey to find out why.
The game’s presentation consists of a mixture of chibi sprites and anime still shots. Then there are the 3D models during the game’s combat that wonderfully realize the flashy and colorful character designs fans have grown to know and love.
1 Dragon Ball FighterZ
Dragon Ball Z First Aired April 26, 1989
Dragon Ball FighterZ
- Released
- January 26, 2018
- Genre(s)
- Fighting
The overwhelming majority of Dragon Ball Z was released in the 90’s. This means that one of the greatest anime fighters, and frankly, one of the best modern fighting games, period, Dragon Ball FighterZ gets to cap this conversation off.
The game’s impact simply can’t be understated, with the implementation of autocombos allowing just about anybody to enjoy it. Meanwhile, some excellent art direction has the game serving as an excellent bridge between video games and the anime world. Dragon Ball FighterZ truly represents some of the best that the 90’s anime scene has to offer.
8 Best PS1 Anime Games, Ranked
Games based on an anime series have been common even on earlier consoles like the first PlayStation.
