When consoles switched over to discs, it opened up a whole new world of possibilities. One great thing was the inclusion of live-action video, especially in FMV games. Then there were the anime cutscenes that entered into a lot of RPGs.Xenogearsis one big example along with the port ofChrono Triggerto the PS1.
Anime cutscenes are great, but fans of the genre presumably loved it even more when full games were dedicated to some of their favorite shows likeDragon Ball. Of the many that made it to thePS1, what are some of the best anime games to check out? A majority of these examples were only released in Japan because anime still hadn’t broken through in the West compared to our modern era.
8Dr. Slump
Dr. Slumpis the first big manga creationfrom Akira ToriyamabeforeDragon Ball. It’s a more obscure title in the West and the premise follows a young robotic girl named Arale through a series of comical misadventures. The game is technically an action platformer although it’s more concerned with storytelling and completing random tasks. It’s quite the looker for a PS1 game as it uses the same early cel-shading polygonal techniques asMega Man Legends. It was released only in Japan unsurprisingly, but fans have patched it into English for all to enjoy now.
7Kaettekita Cyborg Kuro-Chan
Kaettekita Cyborg Kuro-Chan, orCyborg Kuro-chan Returns, is based onCyborg Kuro-chanwhich is a series Westerns are probably unfamiliar with. The anime follows an ordinary house cat who eventually gets cybernetic upgrades to help protect his human family. It’s a silly, over-the-top anime that feels likeHeathcliffif the titular cat did more than complain about food and hit on his girlfriend. The game adaptation was a Konami joint which is fitting as it is arun and gun shooter likeContra. It was only released in Japan, but there’s not much story to it, making it easy to navigate.
6Gunnm: Kasei no Kioku
Gunnm: Kasei no Kioku, orGunnm: Martian Memory, is the only console game based onBattle Angel Alita. The somewhat recent live-action movie,Alita: Battle Angel, did get a phone tie-in but that has been it. LikeDr. Slump, it too follows an Android girl although the titular Alita is more of a teen and her world isn’t as colorfully full of joy like Arale’s.
It’san apocalyptic wastelandfull of scum, villainy, and everything in-between. The game is an action RPG with basic character growth and story progression through random quests. It’s another Japan exclusive but players can enjoy the work of other fans who put this game out with an English patch. It’s not 100% done, but the patch offers a good demo.
5Gundam: Battle Assault 2
It seems like making a fighting game based on an anime is the easiest thing for developers to do. Even the theGundamseries is not safe from the genre as seen inGundam: Battle Assault 2. That’s not to say it is a bad thing, but it does seem silly considering characters are piloting giant mechs that move just as swiftly as a character likeRyu inStreet Fighter.
Logic aside, this is a solid fighting game on the PS1 which still looks great thanks to the developer Natsume. They did great work on a variety of licensed-based projects like the SNESPower Rangersgames. Natsume is a company players should dig into if they enjoyGundam: Battle Assault 2.
4Super Robot Taisen Alpha Gaiden
Super Robot Taisen Alpha Gaidenis one of many games in theSuper Robot Taisenseries that began in 1991. Like most of the titles, this one was only released in Japan. Dedicated fans have patched it into English, making it easily accessible today through various means. For those new to the name, this franchise crosses over anime mechs from a wide range of shows fromGundamtoMazingertoGetter Robo, and beyond for a deep strategy experience. Fans of mech anime and tactical RPGs should give this import game a go.
3JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventureis based on theStardust Crusaders arcin the anime. It was developed by Capcom and it looks and plays a lot like theDarkstalkersgames. When it comes to fighting games, Capcom was at the top of their game in the 90s so it made sense to partner up with them.
Now, it’s not the best fighting game Capcom put out on the PS2. The roster is small, for example, and it was expensive despite the small amount of content. Price aside, it was a fun time whether players faced a friend or clashed against the computer.
2Policenauts
Policenautsis technically not based on an anime, but it comes from an anime background. It was one of the few non-Metal Geargames thatHideo Kojima directed. Those who follow the man should know he is into anime and the culture of otakus.Policenautsthen seems like a love letter to both 80s anime and Western 80s action movies. It’s a classic adventure game wherein players are a cop in the future, looking into some mysterious crimes. Think of it likeLethal Weaponbut in space through an anime lens. It was only released in Japan, but there is an English patch for the PS1 version.
1Popolocrois Monogatari
Popolocrois Monogatariwas a 90s anime that fans ofRanking of Kingswould enjoy. The anime and game follow a young Prince, Pietro, who has to save his kingdom from an evil mastermind who put his father in bed. There were two games on PS1, both exclusive to Japan. However, an official release into English was made in 2005 when they were ported to the PSP. They are both turn-based RPGs but characters can move within a small circle in battle to gain certain advantages.
The pixel art looks like a storybook, the story is simple and yet engaging and expressive, and the battle system seemed ahead of its time. It’s one of those hidden gems from the PS1 generation that the RPG community as a whole should be talking about more.
