Summary
- Games inspired by classic anime capture nostalgic moments with tropes and aesthetics.
- Rogue Flight blends classic anime visuals with sci-fi space adventures and Star Fox mechanics.
- River City Girls offers a mix of classic anime and beat-em-up gameplay in a retro aesthetic.
There’s nothing better than seeing anime and video games combined. Luckily, games have had plenty of time to take inspiration from some of the most iconic anime in history. This can be by adapting some of the most popular series or simply having an aesthetic that matches the classic look from the anime days of yesteryear.
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There is a big difference between games that have an anime art style and those that take direct inspiration from the era. So, which games have enough tropes to call themselves inspired by classic anime and which ones make you feel like you’re truly living those nostalgic moments yourself?
10
Rogue Flight
An Anime Space Adventure
Rogue Flight
Arcade
Roguelite
Rail Shooter
- Released
-
October 24, 2024
- Developer(s)
-
Truant PIxel
- Publisher(s)
-
Perp Games
- ESRB
-
Everyone 10+
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Strong
Classic anime loves dipping its toes in the sci-fi genre. Flying through space to visit other planets or even piloting a mech results in some of the coolest visuals ever animated. Rogue Flight takes inspiration from this era while also adding a bit of Star Fox into the mix.
This is a rail shooter where you are constantly blasting forwards as enemies pop up and try to take you down. You’ll need quick timing and a sharp eye to avoid obstacles and projectiles that may be headed your way.
9
River City Girls
A Retro Beat-Em-Up
- Released
-
September 5, 2019
- Publisher(s)
-
Arc System Works
- ESRB
-
E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Blood, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
-
WayForward Technologies
Your boyfriends have been kidnapped! At least it seems to be that way at first. This means it’s time to smash through the city and get them back. River City Girls has an aesthetic of both classic anime and classic beat-em-up games as every resident of the city seems out to get you.
You play as Kyoko and Misako as they ditch class and go on a hunt to find the ones responsible for the theft. Buy upgrades, fight pixelated enemies, and team up with another player in couch co-op.
8
Mullet Madjack
Action, Influencers, And Anime References Galore
Mullet Madjack
- Released
-
May 15, 2024
- Developer(s)
-
Hammer95 Studios
- Publisher(s)
-
Epopeia Games
- ESRB
-
t
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
Mullet Madjack is a boomer shooter with a ’90s anime vibe. The gorgeous and dynamic animations make blasting enemies and tearing them apart extremely satisfying as you make your way through each stage.
Mullet Madjack himself is a buff action hero, which is great because you’re going to need his skills if you want to keep the countdown to your death at bay. Every other character you encounter and communicate with along the way is also designed to match the classic aesthetic. This makes the game a blast when you want to stop and admire all the little details and references along the way.
7
Lollipop Chainsaw: Repop
Anime Campiness And Zombie Hunting Combine
- Released
-
September 12, 2024
- Developer(s)
-
Dragami Games
- Publisher(s)
-
Dragami Games
- ESRB
-
M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
Lollipop Chainsaw brings back the campiness of old anime while also adding in its own flavor of monster-slaying goodness. Juliet Starling is part of a zombie-slaying family. This is good news when a zombie outbreak takes over her town.
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At times, Juliet Starling’s presentation and personality feel very magical-girl-esque, as she hacks and slashes through the undead with a smile. Even her DLC outfits include nods to other anime, such as Dead Man Wonderland and High School of the Dead.
6
Skullgirls: Second Encore
Skull Girls From Every Era
Skullgirls 2nd Encore
- Released
-
July 7, 2015
- Developer(s)
-
Lab Zero Games
- ESRB
-
t
- Publisher
-
Autumn Games
Skullgirls has plenty of unique character designs ranging from contemporary anime styles to more vintage looks. This fighting game brings together fighters from all over the world in search of the Skull Heart, an object which can grant anyone’s deepest desires.
Of course, not every Skullgirl wants the same thing. Some want to destroy it others want to use it themselves. This kicks off the fighting game setting of Skullgirls as they use their own unique and anime inspired fighting techniques. They even have color palettes that reference different games and anime characters.
5
VA-11 HALL-A: Cyberpunl Bartender Action
Bartending For Sci-Fi Anime Characters
VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action
- Publisher
-
Ysbryd Games
- Released
-
August 16, 2014
- Developer(s)
-
Sukeban Games, Wolfgame
- ESRB
-
t
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
Cyberpunk and anime have come together in the past. In VA-11 HALL-A, you can get a job serving drinks to many strange and interesting folks that pass by your bar. With a dark and grungy look, this is where all those anime characters like Spike Spiegel or Battle Angel Alita would most likely end up socializing.
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From androids to some rad Shiba Inus, you get the chance to learn each character’s favorite drinks and maybe even get more than money in return for your services.
4
Ni No Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch
Inspired And Worked On By Studio Ghibli
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Remastered
- Released
-
September 20, 2019
- Publisher(s)
-
Namco Bandai
- ESRB
-
E10+ For Everyone 10+ // Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling
It helps when your animated sequences are produced by Studio Ghibli themselves. This makes it Ni No Kuni has the same vibe as classic films such as Kiki’s Delivery Service or Castle In The Sky. This is very much evident by the character designs and world, especially in the cutscenes where the animation goes completely 2D.
Everything from combat to traveling through exploring the overworld feels like you’re journeying through one of Miyazaki’s old films. It’s that timeless retro anime look that makes this action RPG stand out.
3
Fields Of Mistria
Retro Anime Farming
RPG
Farming
Life Simulation
- Released
-
August 5, 2024
- Developer(s)
-
NPC Studio
- Publisher(s)
-
NPC Studio
Farming Simulators are everywhere, and with each additional entry there are unique twists to set them apart. Fields of Mistria has a 90s anime vibe with characters and animation that copies some of the tropes from the time.
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Characters take inspiration from anime such as Sailor Moon with personalities that scream retro anime. You even have the iconic villainess “ho ho ho” laugh. With so many characters, it is not surprising that some can be romanced with some secret routes becoming available later.
2
STONKS-9000: Stock Market Simulator
A Trip To The Past
STONKS-9000: Stock Market Simulator takes you back to the ’80s Japanese stock market. Here, you must make some good deals and market predictions while being filled in on any updates by your ’80s anime assistant, Amy.
With the interface and sound effects making you feel like you’re using an old computer from the era, the stock market has never felt more retro. Make sure to also maintain your friendship level with Amy high as your decisions have an impact on her life.
1
Evil Tonight
Recapturing The Gothic Horror Of Classic Anime
In this pixelated horror game, you’ll be shooting through hoards of nightmarish enemies that need to be exorcized. The game blends elements of survival horror, shoot-em-ups, and classic anime with character designs that have the extra large eyes seen mostly in the old ’90s era of the medium.
This game takes a page from many of the classic gothic horror anime of the time with creepy creature designs. There are flying eyeballs, mandrakes, and ghastly ballerinas that wander the halls of the manor as you try to survive the night.
