The best anime games to play in 2023
Reality can be a little boring, but anime offers endless possibilities. Anime combines colorful visuals with spectacular storytelling, delivering exciting experiences you can’t find in the real world. Watching anime is always fun, but anime games let you become a part of your favorite universes.
There are anime stories in every genre, so no matter what you’re looking for, you can find a game that’s right for you. From mobile masterpieces to anime game games on PC, these are the best anime games in every category.
The best anime action games in 2023
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
If you’ve been searching for an anime Soulslike, you won’t find a better option than Code Vein. Not only does this action anime title have the ultra-tough battles Dark Souls is known for, but it has plenty of other mechanics fans of From Software will recognize, like fog gates and a bonfire-style save system.
It’s easy to see why people call Code Vein “anime Dark Souls,” but it also manages an identity all its own. The character creation system is incredibly detailed, and the vampire storyline is an absolute blast. Code Vein is available on console and PC and is definitely one of the best anime Xbox games out there.
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Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One
Based on the hit adventure anime series, Attack on Titan 2 brings the Survey Corps to life! Like in the anime, you can use Omni-Directional Mobility gear to take on terrifying titans. Over the course of the game, you’ll unlock more than forty playable characters, and you can even create a Survey Corps member of your own!
Titan battles are a big part of Attack on Titan 2, but you can also get to know your favorite characters outside of combat. The single-player mode will keep you busy for a while, but it also offers co-op and online competitions for players that want an extra challenge.
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Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S and X
This sci-fi action RPG takes inspiration from popular anime games, like the Tales and Persona series, but it still feels uniquely its own. Scarlet Nexus has two protagonists, each with their own twenty-plus hour campaign. The main storyline is already packed with content, but you can also get to know individual characters through bond episodes.
Scarlet Nexus excels in the story department, but it also has stellar combat. In addition to melee weapons like swords and knives, characters have telekinetic powers they can use to interact with the environment and throw objects at enemies. It’s like playing as an anime version of the X-Men!
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The best anime fighting games in 2023
Platforms: Android, iOS
Skullgirls: Fighting RPG isn’t just one of the best anime mobile games. It’s one of the best anime fighting games you can play. This 2D fighting game takes the hand-drawn characters and smooth combat of Skullgirls and adds in RPG elements, allowing you to upgrade and customize your favorite characters.
Mobile games and fighting game mechanics don’t always work well together, but in Skullgirls: Fighting RPG, you can execute leg sweeps and throw counters with ease. This colorful game is a great introduction to the fighting game genre, but it has enough complexity to satisfy more experienced players.
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Platforms: Arcade, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S and X
The Guilty Gear series has been around since 1998, but it’s never been better than it is in Guilty Gear Strive. With twenty-three playable characters, it’s easy to find a fighter that matches your play style. Fan-favorite Bridget is armed with a yo-yo, while the aptly-named Bedman fights from a hospital bed!
Guilty Gear Strive’s 2D/3D hybrid graphics make it look like an anime fantasy brought to life! Thanks to the smooth animations and a heavy metal soundtrack, every fight feels epic. You can have hours of fun in online battles or arcade mode, but if you want to learn more about its characters, Guilty Gear also has a rich and lengthy story mode.
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Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S and X
Some of the most popular anime games of all time are set in the Dragon Ball universe, and Dragon Ball FighterZ is no exception. The fast-paced combat, destructible environments, and cel-shaded visuals will make you feel like you’re playing through an episode of Dragon Ball. Instead of one-on-one fights, FighterZ has three-versus-three battles, so you can build a team of your favorite characters.
The roster includes plenty of fan favorites, like Piccolo and Vegeta, but it tells an original story and even introduces a brand-new character from Akira Toriyama, the creator of the Dragon Ball series. Ranked online battles and six-player party matches make this the perfect anime fighter to play with friends.
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The best anime adventure games in 2023
Platforms: Android, iOS, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Objection! This classic adventure anime series puts a playful spin on courtroom drama. As newbie attorney Phoenix Wright, you’ll investigate crime scenes, interview wacky witnesses, and face off against tough prosecutors in court. Not every case is easy to solve, but you can rely on your psychic assistant, Maya Fey, if you’re in a pinch.
The Ace Attorney Trilogy includes the first three titles in this popular series, now with upgraded HD visuals. In total, it offers more than sixty hours of content. The Ace Attorney series is known for its humor, but the games also have a deep story that’s filled with suspense and mystery.
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Platforms: Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One
What happens when you combine Ace Attorney with a murderous teddy bear? You get Danganronpa, a psycho-pop thriller about teens swept up in a Battle Royale-style killing game. Sixteen students are trapped inside an elite high school, and the only way they can escape is to murder one of their classmates—and get away with it.
The mysterious storyline, heart-pounding courtroom battles, and crazy cast of characters make Danganronpa one of the best anime games you can play. Since it’s a story-heavy series, it’s best to start with the first Danganronpa, but its sequels, Danganronpa 2 and Danganronpa V3, are also amazing.
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Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
In the not-too-distant future, a creepy serial killer is terrorizing the people of Tokyo. To solve the case, Special Agent Kaname Date must use his detective skills and an AI-enhanced cybernetic eye. This fascinating sci-fi mystery tale was written by Kotaro Uchikoshi, the creator of the Zero Escape series.
AI: The Somnium Files splits its gameplay between visual novel segments, traditional investigation sequences, and Somnium mode, where Date explores the surreal dreamscapes of potential witnesses. This is a terrific choice if you’re looking for anime games PC options, and it’s available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One as well.
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The best anime RPG games in 2023
Platforms: Android, iOS, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
This open-world adventure blends anime visuals and gacha mechanics with addictive action RPG combat. Genshin Impact is set in Teyvat, a stunning fantasy world that’s filled with treasure, puzzles, and other secrets. It goes above and beyond what players expect from free anime games, offering hundreds of hours of content.
Unlocking new characters is a key part of Genshin Impact. The party-based battle system lets you switch between up to four characters as you slash and shoot your way through various enemies. Some characters also give you access to traversal abilities that let you see more of the game’s world. Whether you’re searching for the top anime mobile games or something to play on PC, Genshin Impact is a must-play title.
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Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
If you need a break from high-stakes stories, you’ll love the slice-of-life anime tone of the Atelier series. These relaxing RPGs combine crafting with character-driven storytelling. Every Atelier game is worth playing, but the newest title, Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key, is one of the most engaging games in the entire series.
Atelier Ryza 3 lets you use alchemy to craft all kinds of items, including powerful bombs, healing potions, and magical keys that can buff your allies during combat. Crafting is a core aspect of Atelier Ryza 3, but it also has an excellent battle system that blends real-time and turn-based combat.
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Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S and X
The Persona series combines social sim mechanics with challenging turn-based combat to deliver an RPG experience you can’t get anywhere else. In Persona 5 Royal, you’ll spend your days as a Japanese high school student, but at night, you’ll take revenge on villains as a member of the Phantom Thieves.
Even if you’ve already played Persona 5, you owe it to yourself to check out Persona 5 Royal. It improves on the original game in every way, introducing new characters and locations and offering quality-of-life updates, like streamlined dungeons and exploration tools like a grappling hook.
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The best anime games on mobile in 2023
Platforms: Android, iOS, PC
Set aboard a spaceship called the Astral Express, Honkai: Star Rail follows an amnesiac protagonist as they travel from one planet to the next. This anime game has a lovable cast of characters and a solid space fantasy storyline, but what really makes it shine is its combat. The turn-based battle system is surprisingly fast-paced, and the dazzling special moves make every encounter feel like an epic fight.
Even though Honkai: Star Rail is a gacha game, it gives players plenty of free resources, so you can have a great time without spending extra money. It’s one of the best anime mobile games around, and it’s an amazing sci-fi RPG in its own right.
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Platforms: Android, iOS
Take a post-apocalyptic setting, add action RPG combat, mix it with a pinch of cyberpunk, and you’ll wind up with Punishing: Gray Raven. It has a deep and dark storyline that’s sure to impress fans of action anime, and its real-time battles are thrilling and challenging. Whether you’re dodging enemy attacks or unleashing a combo, every fight will test your skills and reflexes.
The intense hack-and-slash gameplay helps Punishing: Gray Raven stand out from other anime games for mobile. While it has touch controls, it also offers full controller support, so players can get a console-like experience while playing on their phones.
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Platforms: Android, PC
This deep strategy game might feel overwhelming at first, but once you get used to its addictive, puzzle-like combat, you won’t want to play anything else. Limbus Company was developed by Project Moon, the studio behind cult classic anime PC games like Lobotomy Corporation and Library of Ruina. From its oddball characters to its complex mechanics, this weird and fascinating game is unlike anything else we’ve played.
While Limbus Company does have gacha elements, they’re not overwhelming, and it’s a fantastic option for anyone looking for free anime games. The storyline can get a little twisted, but if you like dark games and rich world-building, Limbus Company is sure to suck you in.
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The best anime board games in 2023
Platforms: PC
Want to have fun with your friends playing anime games online? 100% Orange Juice is a digital board game that can support up to four players. This quirky title offers hours of multiplayer fun.
As you move across the board, you’ll collect stars that you can use to level up your character. You’ll also face off against your friends in dice battles! The base game is already great, but if you’re looking for more content, there are tons of expansion packs.
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Platforms: PC
Based on the tabletop game, Heart of Crown mixes board games with deck-building. The ruler of your kingdom has died, and you must compete against other players to see who will inherit the throne. It’s like an anime version of Game of Thrones!
Heart of Crown lets you choose between seven different potential heirs and supports two to four players. Don’t have anyone to play with? You can search for players online or compete against the CPU to unlock new story campaigns!
Platforms: Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4
Have you ever wished you could play Danganronpa without all the murders? Danganronpa S: Ultimate Summer Camp lets you hang out with your favorite characters at a peaceful summer camp. It includes all the main characters from the Danganronpa series, with sixty-two playable characters in total.
Ultimate Summer Camp combines board game mechanics with RPG elements and even has turn-based battles! While this title does contain spoilers for the mainline series, it tells a brand-new story in the Danganronpa universe.
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The best anime dress-up games in 2023
Platforms: Android, iOS
Shining Nikki is a fantastic fashion game, but it has much more to offer than pretty outfits. In between dress-up battles, it tells a sweeping anime fantasy story filled with twists and turns. Set in the fantasy world of Miraland, a young stylist named Nikki must save the world from destruction and protect the people she loves.
This is the fourth title in the Nikki Up2U series, a popular collection of dress-up anime mobile games. Longtime fans will see lots of familiar faces, but Shining Nikki tells a story that’s newcomer friendly. In addition to its story, Shining Nikki offers weekly competitions, costume crafting, and regular in-game events that let you earn new outfits!
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Platforms: Android, iOS
In Lily Diary: Dress Up Game, there aren’t any rules or restrictions around styling. This sweet, simple fashion game lets you create and dress up avatars to your heart’s content. There’s a huge selection of free outfits and hairstyles, so you can really flex your creative muscles!
You can use this adorable app to recreate your favorite characters or come up with original designs. Once you’ve finished a design, you can add a background and share the look with your friends.
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Platforms: Android, iOS
With its amazing 3D character models and endless customization options, Life Makeover is the best alternative to Shining Nikki. Like other dress-up anime mobile games, it lets you style characters and create incredible outfits. There’s plenty of content for fashion fans, but you can also flex your interior design skills by buying and decorating a house!
Like Shining Nikki, Life Makeover has amazing anime visuals and clothing customization options. That said, it also has some distinct elements, like investigation scenes and a mystery-themed storyline. If you’re a fan of dress-up, both titles are worth your time.
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