Since 2016, South Korean digital web novel turned manhua, Solo Leveling, has established its massive fanbase and its audience has since expanded, with the recent conclusion of the first season of the anime series of the same name earlier this year.
Just don’t expect the same adulation for the recently released mobile game, Solo Leveling: Arise, which, while faithful to the source material, has too many gacha elements and doesn’t stand out with its action RPG gameplay.
While popular anime and manga titles have long been fertile ground for video game adaptations, with a slew of titles hitting (virtual) shelves and even more on the way, not all have been made equal. Recent releases include SAND LAND, Jujutsu Kaisen: Cursed Clash, and One Punch Man: World, with the likes of Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, Fairy Tail 2, Hunter x Hunter Nen Impact, and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: ISEKAI Chronicles making their debut soon.
Just because fans love the books or TV series doesn’t mean the games will get the same love, and adapting beloved anime and manga into video games can often be hit or miss. For every gem that faithfully captures the spirit of its source material, numerous flops have failed to translate the magic into enjoying gameplay — does anyone remember One Piece: Pirates’ Carnival (2006)? How about 2015’s J-Stars Victory VS?
But amidst the sea of mediocrity, there have been a few shining examples where developers have managed to defy the odds, and deliver solid gaming experiences. Here’s a look at some anime/manga video game adaptations that have surpassed expectations.
1. Attack on Titan 2
Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Price: S$46
Release date: 20 March 2018
Attack on Titan 2 adapts the popular anime and manga series, focusing on humanity’s struggle against towering Titans. The game’s vertical manoeuvring gear mechanics, which allow players to zip around environments and target Titan weak points, are key to its engaging gameplay.
With a robust story mode that follows the anime’s narrative and an expansive multiplayer mode, Attack on Titan 2 immerses players in the desperate fight for survival against the relentless Titans. There are even additional story moments beyond the anime/manga that offer greater character interaction, and an option to save characters who canonically die after completing the main campaign.
2. Doraemon: Story of Seasons
Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
Price: S$59.90
Release date: 13 June 2019
Farming simulators like Stardew Valley draw heavy inspiration from the old Harvest Moon games (now better known as Story of Seasons). Beneath its beautiful watercolour aesthetic, Doraemon: Story of Seasons is essentially a crossover between the Story of Seasons games and the eponymous anime featuring the robot cat, with some elements of Animal Crossing thrown in for good measure. There are plenty of crops to farm, animals to befriend, furniture to craft, and quests to discover; and this a leisurely game that encapsulates Doraemon’s sense of adventure and wonder.
3. Dragon Ball FighterZ
Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
Price: S$59.90
Release date: 27 January 2018
Similar to its lasting impact on anime and manga, the Dragon Ball franchise has a long history of video game adaptations, spanning titles like the Budokai series, the Budokai Tenkaichi series, and the Xenoverse series. Dragon Ball FighterZ is arguably Dragon Ball’s best transition to video games yet, where the game’s stunning visuals mimic the anime’s vibrant aesthetic with fluid animations that make battles feel straight out of the TV show.
Developed by Arc System Works, best known for their work on the Guilty Gear and BlazBlue games, the gameplay mechanics strike a balance between accessibility and depth, allowing players to execute devastating combos and flashy super moves that capture the exhilarating spirit of battles from the series.
4. Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise
Platform(s): PlayStation 4
Price: S$81.60
Release date: 8 March 2018
Developed by the same studio behind the Yakuza / Like A Dragon series, Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise adopts similar mechanics, which makes for a familiar yet fresh take on the post-apocalyptic world of Kenshiro. Players are thrust into a desolate wasteland, wielding the devastating Hokuto Shinken martial arts to protect citizens and battle ruthless gangs.
The gameplay captures the essence of the anime’s brutal fights, with special attacks and a burst meter adding a dynamic flair to the combat. Taking a page from its inspiration, the mini-games and nostalgic Sega ROMs offer more variety while providing a reprieve from the game’s darker tone.
5. Gundam Breaker 3
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita
Price: S$54.90
Release date: 3 March 2016
Do you want to build a Mobile Suit with machine gun turrets and a bazooka that fires nukes? Or lovingly recreate a mech from your favourite mecha anime? With Gundam Breaker 3, you have full creative control of your mech and its equipment, offering a wide range of customisation options.
The game features fast-paced and satisfying combat mechanics that keep players engaged, while the ability to switch between melee and ranged combat on the fly — in addition to the variety of missions and challenges, including boss battles against massive enemies — adds depth and strategy to the gameplay, true to the intergalactic dogfights of the franchise.
What’s more, its sequel, Gundam Breaker 4, is set to be released on 29 August 2024.
6. Initial D Arcade Stage
Platform(s): Arcade, PlayStation 2, PSP, PlayStation 3
Price: N/A
Release date: 2001
Initial D Arcade Stage is a racing game franchise based on the street racing manga. It all started with Initial D Arcade Stage Ver.1, and the series has kept its engine revving ever since, with updates like Initial D Arcade Stage 6 AA and even Initial D Arcade Stage 8 Infinity. While there were ports to consoles like the PlayStation 2, PSP, and PlayStation 3 (with Initial D Special Stage, Initial D Street Stage, and Initial D Extreme Stage, respectively), Initial D is an arcade staple.
The adrenaline rush when your hands are behind the wheel as you pump on the accelerator is just as thrilling as the intense street races from the manga, especially when playing with friends.
7. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R
Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
Price: S$89.90
Release date: 2 September 2022
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R is a faithful representation of the beloved manga, with striking cel-shaded graphics that perfectly mimic its art style, and attention to detail in the character designs, animations, and signature attacks.
As a fighting game, each character possesses unique abilities, reflecting their Stand powers or fighting styles from the manga. The inclusion of the Stand mechanic, where characters can summon and control their supernatural abilities, adds a distinctive twist to the traditional fighting game formula, offering a fresh and engaging experience.
From famous catchphrases and poses to Easter eggs and hidden details, the game is a treasure trove of JoJo lore. The voice acting, sound effects, and music also pay homage to the anime and manga, enhancing the nostalgic experience for dedicated fans.
8. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4
Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Price: S$29.90
Release date: 4 February 2016
Bandai Namco’s Naruto: Ultimate Ninja series is one of the standouts of the 3D arena fighting game genre, and Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 is the last in the series, making it its most comprehensive and robust entry.
The game features an expansive roster of characters and offers intuitive controls and a variety of fighting styles that cater to both casual players and hardcore fighting game fans. Meanwhile, the story mode faithfully adapts the final arcs of the Naruto Shippuden series, providing a narrative experience that is both emotional and action-packed.
Dynamic camera angles and spectacular special moves make each battle feel cinematic, while the seamless transitions between cutscenes and gameplay enhance the overall experience. Additionally, the game offers extensive customisation options, a solid online multiplayer mode, and an array of side missions and challenges, ensuring hours of engaging content.
9. One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4
Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Price: S$59.90
Release date: 27 March 2020
The One Piece series has had numerous video game adaptations, but Pirate Warriors 4 is a highlight, combining the thrill of intense combat with the expansive world and colourful characters of One Piece. The game features fast-paced, musou-style/hack-and-slash gameplay reminiscent of the Dynasty Warriors series, where players can unleash devastating combos and special moves against hordes of enemies. This allows players to experience first-hand the sheer might of the absurdly powerful characters from One Piece.
Additionally, it covers key story arcs across the manga, allowing fans to relive iconic moments while exploring new adventures with an enormous roster of their favourite pirates.
10. Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel
Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android
Price: Free
Release date: 18 January 2022
Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel revives the nostalgic charm of the iconic card game with a modern twist and a visually striking aesthetic, making it more approachable and fun for both veterans and newcomers. Furthermore, the game’s tactile animations and sound effects enhance the excitement of every card draw and duel, delivering a sharper-than-real-life feel that heightens the overall experience.
Despite the dense layers of currencies, challenges, and rewards, the strong tutorials and intuitive prompts make the game inviting. Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel strikes a perfect balance between nostalgia and modern gaming, making it a delightful way to relive the classic card game with friends.
Bonus: Jump Ultimate Stars
Platform(s): Nintendo DS
Price: N/A
Release date: 23 November 2006
Even though this hidden gem on the Nintendo DS was a Japan-only release, it deserves a shout-out. Rather than basing itself on any singular anime/manga property, Jump Ultimate Stars brings together a vast roster of beloved characters from various Shonen Jump manga series. The game’s unique system allows players to build and customise their decks with different manga panels to decide what characters and power-ups to bring into battle. This blend of strategy and action provides a fresh twist on traditional fighting games, making each battle feel dynamic and personalised.
The inclusion of a wide range of characters ensures that fans of different series will find something to love, while the robust combat mechanics and variety of game modes keep the gameplay exciting and replayable. Subsequent attempts to recapture the magic with games like J-Stars Victory VS and Jump Force have totally missed the mark, making Jump Ultimate Stars a unique experience.
Edwin is a seasoned raconteur with a lifelong passion for video games, comic books, movies, and more. He thrives on captivating stories and immersive world-building, with a soft spot for adorable monsters.
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