The best anime games for Nintendo Switch Posted Oct 29, 2020
Anime has grown incredibly popular over the years. A hand-drawn and computer animation style originating from Japan, its earliest iterations date back to 1917 — but has developed a widespread international audience since with the success of foreign dubbed and subtitled programming. The industry consists of more than 430 production companies; as of 2018 its estimated to have generated over $300 billion in global revenue.
Anime has not only been popularised through films but by almost all aspects of entertainment. From graphic novels to home décor and even the casino industry where the growing trend of anime-style and similar graphics can be seen in a variety of anime and manga themed slots. The style and its impact has definitely become a dispersed and integral part of pop culture which is no longer just limited to animation and film. Outside of film, anime has become huge when considering video games — and especially suitable for one of the most exciting handheld devices out there, the Nintendo Switch.
Released in March 2017, the Nintendo Switch set the tone for a model hybrid console, meaning that it can be used both as a home console or a portable device. Having sold more than 61 million units worldwide, the Switch sales have been strongly tied to many of Nintendo’s first-party titles including Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Pokémon Sword and Shield, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. But alongside these fantastic titles there has been several great anime games too that have really drawn in more fans to the Nintendo Switch, and garnered more interest in anime in general. Want to have a try? Here are the top anime games for the Nintendo Switch.
Dragon Ball FighterZ
An exciting fighter game, Dragon Ball FighterZ is sure to entertain gaming fans and Dragon Ball fans alike. Unique even among other Dragon Ball fighting games, the graphical style is close to the likes of Street Fighter with a new style of fighting consisting of using a team of three fighters that can be swapped out during battle, making it a truly interactive experience.
Steins; Gate Elite
Unlike Dragon Ball FighterZ, Steins; Gate Elite is an interactive visual novel which has the player choosing the direction of the story through various checkpoints and choices they have to make. Considered one of the best anime games of all time, the game itself uses a large portion of the original animation from the TV series, which will delight fans who have already enjoyed the world and get new players involved who have yet to try it.
Astral Chain
One of Nintendo’s latest IP’s that has gained a huge amount of traction and interest since its release, Astral Chain is a mix of Chaos Legion’s action-oriented gameplay as well as the Arkham series’ detective modes. It’s easily one of the best games for Switch even outside of the anime genre and one worth playing if you have the chance.
Pokémon: Sword and Shield
The Pokémon series is probably one of the most talked about Nintendo series. That’s thanks, in part, to the largescale popularity of Pokémon Go which saw people all around the world trying out augmented reality for the first time on their phones. The latest adventure in the Pokémon series is Sword and Shield; players embark on a journey to become the strongest player with the help of their best friend Hop and take part in various challenges. It’s sold more than 18 million copies worldwide and is currently the fifth best-selling game on the Switch.
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4
A side-to-side fighting game featuring the superpowered ninjas of Naruto and Shippuden, this game takes inspiration from the early Dragon Ball fighting games. It’s one of the best anime fighting games out there on the Switch and definitely worth a play for those that enjoy a bit of anime fighting. By March 2020 the game had sold over 5.8 million copies worldwide.
Valkyria Chronicles
Available alongside its sequel, Valkyria Chronicles 4, the series is a tactical RPG set in an alternative World War II that they refer to as the Second European War. This game sets itself apart from the others on the list in terms of both gameplay and setting; after its release onto the console in September 2018 it sold 5,596 physical copies within its first week out in Japan.
One Piece: Pirate Warriors
A spin-off from the Warrior games, One Piece: Pirate Warriors is a fan favourite by lovers of anime and the Warrior Games alike. You can play both Pirate Warriors 3 and Pirate Warriors 4 on the switch, which include over 43 playable pirates to choose from as your character.
This title is one of the most successful One Piece video games in the series. It’s sold over 4 million copies so far, with its latest release in March 2020. Definitely a game to try out!
