Anime games can be amazing if they live up to their TV counterparts. Games actually allow for more immersion, as you get to take control of your favorite characters. The PS2 has a plethora of great games, including the following 10 best PS2 anime games of all time.
There are many more anime titles, but these 10 should be more than enough to get you started.
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3
Release: 2007
Developer: Spike
Publisher: Atari
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 is more or less what you expect from a Dragon Ball title. You get to fly, destroy mountains, and fight iconic characters, good or evil. It is considered one of the best PS2 games of all time for a reason.
It is visually appealing, but what makes it interesting is the characters, dialogue, and gameplay. Everyone loves a good fighting game, but this one takes it to another level, making you feel like you are a Dragon Ball character, and not just like you are controlling one.
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3
Release: 2005/2008
Developer: CyberConnect2
Publisher: Namco Bandai Games
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3 hopes to bring us one step closer to the world of Naruto, which many fans of the anime would have loved. The game is part of the Ultimate Ninja series, the third one in the series. It is the first to use CGI cutscenes, adding to the anime feel.
Konoha is available for exploration at will. The game uses an RPG approach. You can talk to NPCs and level up, but also go on quests, and most importantly, fight. It is a faithful representation of the anime, making you feel like you are about to battle other ninjas.
One Piece: Grand Adventure
Release: 2006
Developer: Ganbarion
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
One Piece: Grand Adventure was released, somewhat interestingly, for the PS2 and the GameCube. It was a somewhat exclusive release for North America, Europe, Korea, and Australia. It is the sequel to Grand Battle! and adds to its gameplay and characters.
You have ten levels to beat in the primary Adventure Mode. As you defeat enemies and progress, you can enlarge your party. Fans of the anime will find comfort in a story that is both engaging and fun. The gameplay can be challenging, but it is nothing for an anime fan.
.hack//G.U. Vol. 2: Reminisce
Release: 2007
Developer: CyberConnect2
Publisher: Namco Bandai Games
.hack//G.U. Vol. 2: Reminisce continues the immersive story of the first game. In an alternate 2017, we can enter video games virtually and our characters end up trapped in it. Not being able to log out of something can be annoying, but that goes up a level when it’s you physically who cannot log out.
.hack// games have real-time combat, though it pauses whenever you enter a menu. An example would be to choose a spell to cast. As far as the story is concerned, it would be best to play the game, as well as its prequel, for a more immersive experience.
Mobile Suit Gundam Seed: Never Ending Tomorrow
Release: 2005
Developer: Bec
Publisher: Bandai
Gundam Seed: Never Ending Tomorrow is one of the many Gundam Seed games. This one focuses on mobile suits and exploration of various locations, not to mention battles. The suits have different abilities, allowing you to explore with your builds.
We follow Kira Yamato and Athrun Zala for most of their journey, as it is in the anime. However, the game branches and has choices, meaning that the story also goes its way, not staying true to the anime completely. That is fine, because the story is great, no matter the choices you make in the game.
Bleach: Blade Battlers 2nd
Release: 2007
Developer: Racjin
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Bleach fans rejoice. This is a fighting game that more or less follows the story of Bleach. The characters are all there, but the story does its own thing, which can be entertaining, especially for those who want new material.
Notably, this fighting game has long battles and lots of characters to unlock. Characters have special moves that can not only deal more damage but also change the arena physically. With 36 playable characters, there is a lot to fight for and many combos to be tested.
Yu Yu Hakusho: Dark Tournament
Release: 2004/2005
Developer: Dimps
Publisher: Atari
Yu Yu Hakusho: Dark Tournament is a pretty good adaptation of the Dark Tournament arc from the anime. We follow Yusuke, a once delinquent and now spirit detective. Unsurprisingly, this is a fighting game, as this might be the easiest way to adapt an anime.
It uses a unique fighting system where you battle in a single line, however, you don’t have to fight alone. Depending on the mission, you can call allies and have a tag team battle. While it is a fighting game, one should play it for the story, and the combos, of course.
Fullmetal Alchemist 2: Curse of the Crimson Elixir
Release: 2004/2005
Developer: Racjin
Publisher: Square Enix
Fullmetal Alchemist 2: Curse of the Crimson Elixir follows the brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, known as Ed and Al. They follow the trail of a man who was pulled into the void, and that trail is full of danger, fights, and lots of witty dialogue.
The two brothers are your playable characters, in what is essentially an action RPG. As such, your primary focus is combat, but leveling up is also an important factor. The story captivates the attention and you can be sure that you will want to play it in one sitting.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind
Release: 2002
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure has plenty of video games for you to play. This one stands out as an interesting combination of a 3D fighting game with adventure elements. Battles play out with regular moves as well as more powerful Stand techniques.
During battles, and throughout the story, cutscenes provide you with the necessary narrative to understand what’s going on. Battle cutscenes can be especially entertaining, with you watching a slow-motion punch and its after-effects on your opponents.
.hack//Infection
Release: 2002/03/04
Developer: CyberConnect2
Publisher: Bandai
.hack//Infection is the start of the virtual reality saga. As such, it is only fitting that you should play it first, and then play all the other games that follow. We are thrown into a world where virtual reality and regular reality clash and nothing is the same for the main character.
Kite learns how to play The World and soon his friend gets into trouble. Kite wants to save his friend Yashuiko and for that, he has to return to The World. This is one of the best PS2 RPG series, and Infection is the game that started the franchise, following the story of the anime, of course.
Anime games can hype you up like no other, especially if they feature iconic battle moves and freedom of movement.
These are some of the best PS2 anime games, but not all of them, since a single series can have ten titles. They can be found on the PlayStation Network (at least some of them) or if you have the original console. Alternatively, they can also be played with a PS2 emulator.
Start with these and see where the journey takes you.
