The best anime games 2024
Picking out the best anime games on Switch and mobile games is like trying to pick out the best anime series itself. It’s a tough job, with opinions differing within the community. Still, we’re big anime fans here at Pocket Tactics, and unsurprisingly, we’re big gaming fans too, so we think we’re well-placed to try and decide once and for all. So, if you want to rate our picks, all you have to do is keep scrolling.
Like the best Disney games, the choices on this list have taken classic animations and adapted them perfectly in the videogame medium. Well, most of them, anyway – some merely use the distinctive anime artstyle. We’ve got a few gacha games in here, but overall we’ve tried to offer a variety. All things considered, many of these are among the best mobile games overall.
Here are the best anime games.
Puyo Puyo Puzzle Pop
The latest installment in the long-running Puyo Puyo series is one of the best Apple Arcade games. If you’ve never played a game in the series before, it’s all about stacking up different colored Puyos, which disappear when you match four or more of the same type together. You play against a range of computer foes (or your friends) and you have to aim to get combo chains (where four disappear, then those above them fall down and make another set of four). Doing this will send clear “garbage” Puyos and put them at a higher risk of hitting the top of the screen.
It’s really fun, but where’s the anime angle? Well, the game features a story mode (which will be delightful news to older Puyo fans), and all the characters are rendered in a cute, chibi anime style. They’re all very lovable, and there are a lot of good vibes here. Puyo gameplay alone would make it one of the best mobile puzzle games, but the characters and story just push it even further and add an extra layer of appeal for anime fans.
Play Puyo Puyo Puzzle Pop on Apple Arcade.
AFK Journey
The sequel to the much-beloved AFK Arena. While this is another game that is not based on any specific anime (we’ll get to them soon, we promise) it is still a fantastic game that uses the distinctive anime look. For those who haven’t played AFK Arena and so nothing about this, it’s a fantasy RPG game, but as the AFK in the title alludes to, it can be enjoyed as an ideal game too.
It’s really up to you how you play it, really. On the one hand, there’s a huge world to explore, filled with side quests to uncover and more, but with any idle game, you can choose to grind and progress while you’re not actively playing. It lets you find the sweet spot that works for you, offering a best-of-both-worlds solution. We strongly recommend it and if you need any help finding your footing in the early days of the game, read our AFK Journey codes and AFK Journey tier list guides.
Play AFK Journey for free.
Shantae and the Seven Sirens – mobile
Although this game was created by an American developer, you can see the enormous anime influence in its art direction. This latest game in the Shantae series was originally exclusive to Apple Arcade (although it has since come to other platforms). If you’ve never played before, the series sees you playing as a half-genie (the titular Shantae) who can transform into different animals through the power of dance and who has to explore a large Metroidvania-style world (in this game, so she can find the missing sirens).
What makes this game in particular stand out from the rest of the series is its beautifully hand-drawn art. There are fully animated cutscenes that look like something straight out of an anime, and it still looks absolutely amazing, even while you’re playing, every character (including the enemies) looks great and moves so smoothly. It’s definitely worth a try.
Genshin Impact – mobile
Since its release back in 2020, Genshin Impact has taken the world by storm and has easily become one of the most recognizable anime games of all time. This genre-defining open-world gacha ARPG has invited millions of players into a vast, magical adventure, and it doesn’t show any signs of stopping.
The game sees you take the role of the Traveler, accompanied by your floating fairy friend Paimon, as you explore the seven nations of Teyvat in search of your sibling. Along the way, you meet a huge roster of amazing characters, each with their own unique play styles and backstory. The world of Genshin Impact is further enhanced by its wonderfully rich and deep lore, pulling you into exhilarating battles between gods, uncovering secrets of histories long past, and much more.
Combat is also great in Genshin Impact, allowing you to build teams of up to five characters that you can switch between on the fly, as you take on a wide range of monsters with different strengths and weaknesses and explore different elemental reactions applied by your team.
Overall, it’s hard to summarize the answer to the question ‘what is Genshin Impact‘, and what exactly makes it so special. But with fresh content constantly expanding the world with every Genshin Impact update, new Genshin Impact events to explore, and heaps of amazing Genshin Impact characters to meet, there’s never a bad time to take your first step into Teyvat – just be sure to grab some of the Genshin Impact codes along the way.
Read our Genshin Impact review.
Honkai Star Rail – mobile
The latest HoYoverse game, and potentially the best one yet. This game sees you playing as an enigmatic character named The Trailblazer, who travels between worlds in a sort of intergalactic train, solving problems created by Stellaron, the Cancer of All Worlds. Along with its striking anime-style art, it offers some great variety in the places you go and the challenges you face.
While it borrows some of the gameplay mechanics introduced in Genshin Impact, it is also a notable departure from that game in that it is a turned-based JRPG. As you might expect, there’s a huge selection of characters to unlock via its gacha mechanics, and there’s a lot of fun to be had in honing the perfect team. The game is playable on both PC and mobile, with crossplay in place, and we recommend getting started on PC.
Read our Honkai Star Rail review.
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot – Switch
I’m putting this here because I want to, not because I feel other members of the PT crew would form a lynch mob if I didn’t. This is by far one of the best Dragon Ball Z games out there, and it runs so smoothly on Switch, which comes as a nice surprise.
As you might expect, this semi-open-world RPG puts you in the shoes of Goku and co, tasking you with reenacting the anime, across all of its sagas which includes the Frieza, Cell, and Buu collections.
If you want to know more about this great game, you can check out our Dragon Ball: Z Kakarot Switch review here.
The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross – mobile
If we’re talking about the best anime games on mobile, we have to mention The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross. Even if you’ve never watched Seven Deadly Sins, this game is worth trying purely because it’s an excellent turn-based RPG that offers dynamic combat that’s great to watch. It also has some PvP elements for those with a competitive edge who want to prove their dominance.
However, if you’re a fan of the anime, the narrative is sure to grip you as the show heavily inspires the story, and the world around you is so beautiful that even if you don’t know what’s going on, you’ll be in awe.
Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom – Switch
Ni No Kuni II is a great RPG set in a luscious world that’s begging to be explored, earning it a place on our mobile and Switch anime games list. You can find many towns, dungeons, and villages on your travels, and who knows what dangerous beings could lurk around the next corner.
If you haven’t played the first game, don’t worry as this one is set hundreds of years later, and not playing the first won’t leave you too confused to enjoy what’s going on.
The battle system in Revenant Kingdom is fun, allowing you to command all of your party members when roaming the battlefield. Should you be after more information, our Ni No Kuni II review will tell you everything you need to know.
Read our Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom review.
Astral Chain – Switch
The fact this isn’t on our list of the best games like Dark Souls is outrageous, but since I wrote that list, I’m willing to let this slide. Anyway, that’s the perfect way to describe this game. It’s essentially an anime version of Dark Souls for Nintendo Switch. What’s not to love?
I can’t recommend Astral Chain enough, especially if you’re after smooth, challenging, and rewarding combat. More than that, the lore found in this world is fascinating, and the narrative is intriguing.
Bleach: Brave Souls – mobile
You can’t have a list of the best anime games without a Bleach entry, and we’ve gone for the mobile title, Bleach: Brave Souls. Unlike some mobile anime spin-offs that disappoint in terms of gameplay, this one is a thrill, with 3D hack-and-slash combat that just melts away time while you could be doing something productive. Still, who needs productivity when you can have a better time swinging some big old swords?
To discover which characters to take with you on the journey, check out our Bleach: Brave Souls tier list. Furthermore, it features 3v3 PvP battles, allowing you to team up with friends to take on other players from around the world.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus – Switch
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is arguably one of the best ‘mon games ever, and this isn’t up for debate. The open world is a pleasure to explore (even if there could be more going on), and of course, the amazing creatures found within make the experience all the more worth it. Furthermore, it’s not your typical Pokemon game. It changes how you approach battles, and how you catch the titular ‘mon.
On top of that, the story is fascinating. Discover the secrets of the Hisui region, before it becomes what we know it as today, Sinnoh. Check out our Pokémon Legends: Arceus review if you want to know more. We also have a ton of useful information in our Pokémon Legends: Arceus Eevee, Pokémon Legends: Arceus weather, and Pokémon Legends: Arceus Unown guides.
Read our Pokémon Legends: Arceus review.
Attack on Titan 2 – Switch
The first Attack on Titan game is good, it allows you to go through the first 50 chapters of the manga, and that alone means it’s worth playing. Whether you’ve read the paperbacks, or watched the anime, the games are so good, but Attack on Titan 2 is the one you should play. Why, you might ask? Simple, because you can create your own character, which does offer something different, who doesn’t want to create a virtual version of themselves to fight titans with?
One Piece Treasure Cruise – mobile
A turn-based RPG that takes place in the One Piece universe? Sign me up! Who doesn’t want to be a pirate – yo ho, yo ho, that’s the life for me.
This mobile game is fantastic and deserves the attention of any and all One Piece fans. Seriously, there’s no excuse not to play, especially when it’s on mobile and is but a free download away. Go on, do it. You’re only doing a disservice to yourself if you don’t.
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Trilogy – Switch
Why play just one Naruto fighting game when you could play three? Plus, the Storm trilogy is arguably one of the best fighting series out there. It offers something different to the three franchises you automatically think of when talking about fighters – Tekken, Street Fight, and Mortal Kombat.
The Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Trilogy takes you on a journey, from Naruto’s time as a kid, to the role he plays in the great ninja war. It’s an epic journey, but one well worth taking if you’re up to the task.
Dragon Ball FighterZ – Switch
I was trying to keep this to one entry per anime for each platform, but seeing how FighterZ is a fighter and Kakarot isn’t, I think I can get away with this one. This game is so much fun and is another fighting game that surpasses most other games in the genre. It’s so well designed. The combat is fantastic, the roster is massive, and the story mode is enjoyable.
Basically, everything you want from a fighter and Dragon Ball Z is right here. If you want to know who the best characters are, check out our Dragon Ball FighterZ tier list to see where they rank.
My Hero Academia: The Strongest Hero – mobile
It was a difficult decision to pick just one My Hero Academia game for our best anime games list, with multiple titles in recent years offering a new way to engage with the smash-hit Shonen series. However, we had to pick one, so our winner is My Hero Academia: The Strongest Hero, a spin on the battle royale formula with all your favorite characters from the show.
You get to control all of your favorite characters from the series as you explore the open world of Honei. Train to become a hero, fight some bad guys, and save the city. It’s all going on here. Oh, and the game looks gorgeous. I can guarantee that ‘oh, just one more mission’ will happen a lot.
Blue Lock PWC – mobile
Do you know what our list of anime games needs more of? Soccer! Blue Lock PWC is a tight and engaging mobile title based on the hit anime series that centers around the search for the world’s next best striker. It’s less involved than your regular soccer sim, but if you’ve always fancied yourself as something of a competent coach, it can be surprisingly engrossing.
As this is one of the more recent games on our list, there’s still plenty of content to come further down the line, so it’s the ideal time to throw on your shooting boots and get involved. For a little help getting into the game, check out our Blue Lock PWC tier list and Blue Lock PWC codes guide.
There you have it, the best anime games on Switch and mobile. Be a pirate, hero, or trainer, the world is your oyster with these titles. Or, if you’d rather try something else, our list of the best Switch RPGs has plenty of adventures to offer you. Or, for some blocky freebies, you can check out our Anime Warriors codes and Shindo Life codes lists.
