Best Bandai Namco Games, Ranked

Summary

Bandai Namco is a major player in the game industry, holding publishing rights to successful games like Elden Ring.
Ace Combat 4: Shattered Skies on PS2 offered satisfying airborne combat with extensive multiplayer modes.
Tales of Arise reinvented the franchise to appeal to a global market with a mature storyline and AI-controlled companions.

As a lifelong gamer with a soft spot for fighting games and classic arcade titles, I must say that this list of remastered and updated classics is truly a delight to behold. From the fast-paced action of Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection on my trusty PSP, to the crossover extravaganza that is Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on the Switch, these games bring back memories of countless hours spent honing my skills and competing against friends.

Japan stands out as the sole Asian nation boasting a rich heritage in video game creation, and fortunately, this thriving sector persists in Japan, where numerous international game studios unveil exceptional titles annually. These games not only embody Japanese traditions but also resonate with worldwide audiences.

Bandai and Namco, before their merger, each created numerous games independently, and since then, they’ve continued to produce many more titles together. Just like any other business, Bandai Namco has faced its share of highs and lows in the gaming industry. However, it now stands firmly established and influential within the market.

Through this merger, Bandai Namco has grown to become one of the largest Japanese game publishers globally, with ownership of the rights to highly popular titles such as Elden Ring and the Tekken franchise.

The following list includes games that were either created by Bandai, Namco, or the combined entity Bandai Namco. However, games that were solely published by the company without any involvement in their development are not included.

10. Ace Combat 4: Shattered Skies

Incredibly Satisfying Airborne Combat Experience With Addictive Multiplayer

Before Namco merged with Bandai, the “Ace Combat” series stood out as a groundbreaking innovation, bringing to life semi-realistic aerial combat with engaging gameplay mechanics and mission challenges that were hard to resist. The series is renowned for its diverse selection of fighters, each equipped with distinct loadouts.

The fourth installment in the Ace Combat series, titled “Ace Combat 4: Shattered Skies,” made its debut on PlayStation 2, marking a significant leap forward graphically and refining its gameplay mechanics. This game boasts more than twenty distinct aircraft, offering both a single-player campaign and split-screen multiplayer modes. The multiplayer mode, in particular, became quite addictive as players engaged in various competitive scenarios against one another.

9. Scarlet Nexus

A Brand-New Hack And Slash IP With Solid Gameplay And Story

In a futuristic, cyberpunk setting, the game Scarlet Nexus unfolds within a city where a unique menace lurks – mutated creatures that sustain themselves by feeding on human brains. A special task force agent is assigned to eradicate these monstrous invaders. At the outset, players can select from two distinct characters: one male and the other female. Despite their individual differences, both characters embark on a shared narrative, albeit with unique subplots along the way.

In Scarlet Nexus, the primary focus is on battling numerous adversaries, embodying the essence of a hack-and-slash game. As players advance, they acquire fresh skills and enhance their capabilities.

In essence, the game “Scarlet Nexus” offers a robust and promising experience. It’s plausible that this could serve as the foundation for a fresh franchise under Bandai Namco, given its expansive setting which holds great potential to expand and delve deeper into various storylines.

8. Tales Of Arise

Reinventing The Franchise To Be More Western-Friendly

For about five years following the release of Berseria, there was no news about the Tales series. However, Bandai Namco recently introduced a new game in the series called Tales of Arise. This latest addition to the franchise boasts considerable enhancements in gameplay compared to its predecessors, attracting a large number of novice players to the series for the first time.

Built with a global audience, particularly the Western market, in mind since its conception, Tales of Arise has enabled the studio to step away from some traditional practices. In comparison to earlier versions, the narrative of Tales of Arise takes on a more mature and somber tone, while maintaining its distinctive anime-inspired visuals.

In a global release, Tales of Arise presented a single-player adventure, with its success hinging on AI-managed in-game allies who played an integral part in teaching fresh combat systems.

7. Tekken 5

Ruling The Fighting Genre After A Graphic Overhaul

In terms of the Tekken series, Tekken 5 served as a worthy successor to Tekken 3 and marked a return to its roots. Unlike Tekken 4, which was considered somewhat lackluster in the franchise, Tekken 5 revitalized the series’ reputation by building upon the strong base laid by Tekken 3.

In Tekken 5 for PlayStation 2, not only was there a substantial rise in the number of fighters, but each character also got a unique ending sequence. These endings were particularly impressive due to the improved visuals. Additionally, the game introduced some fresh modes to enhance the overall gaming experience.

Tekken 5 represents a developed and broadened variant of Tekken 3, often recognized as the most impressive installment in the series to date.

6. R4: Ridge Racer Type 4

The Perfect Gran Turismo Competitor

In the past, Japanese developers held significant influence in the racing game genre. While Gran Turismo continues to be one of the top racing simulations on PlayStation, it’s been quite some time since Bandai Namco stopped developing the Ridge Racer series. Before the Forza Motorsport series came into existence, the main rivalry between circuit-based racing games was between Gran Turismo and Ridge Racer.

The game titled “Ridge Racer” boasts a more extensive past compared to “Gran Turismo,” but the fourth iteration of “Ridge Racer,” released several months after the debut of “Gran Turismo,” positioned itself as a genuine rival to Sony’s emerging racing series.

In the fourth edition of the Ridge Racer series, an impressive collection of 321 cars was offered, nearly doubling the number of vehicles found in Gran Turismo. The gameplay in Ridge Racer Type 4 leaned more towards arcade-style play, with a significant emphasis on drifting maneuvers.

5. Tales Of Vesperia: Definitive Edition

A Classic JRPG With Revamped Visuals For New Consoles

First released back in 2008, the game “Tales of Vesperia” was later remastered, making it easier for current gamers to enjoy. Often regarded as one of the best titles in the renowned JRPG series, “Tales of Vesperya” is particularly known for its compelling cast of playable characters, with a standout protagonist who exhibits a level of maturity that sets it apart.

The game “Tales of Vesperia” has held up remarkably over time, thanks to its striking aesthetics, robust battle mechanics, and compelling storyline, especially during the latter stages of the gameplay.

4. SoulCalibur 4

An Evolution In The Soulcalibur Franchise With Memorable Guest Characters

A fantastic enhancement to an already excellent franchise, SoulCalibur 4 functions as an ideal starting point for newcomers to the long-standing series. The weapon-based fighting game offers rich customization options and a wealth of content across multiple modes, striking a harmonious balance between ease of use and complexity.

In SoulCalibur 4, a new feature called the Soul Gauge was introduced, which incentivized aggressive play while reducing excessive use of the blocking mechanism. Additionally, this game includes three characters originating from the Star Wars universe.

3. Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection

Delivering The Tekken 5 Experience To PSP With More Improvements

It might be unexpected, but the superior version of Tekken: Dark Resurrection seems to be on the PSP rather than the PS3. The PSP release outperforms its counterpart significantly, a fact largely attributed to the sparse competition among handheld games. However, this doesn’t diminish the greatness of Tekken: Dark Resurrection, as it leaves its contemporaries trailing in its wake.

Dark Resurrection brings fresh content to Tekken 5, introducing innovative modes, characters, and gameplay enhancements. It’s truly impressive that the game manages to run smoothly at 60 frames per second on the PSP, a remarkable feat.

2. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

The World’s Greatest Crossover Fighting Game

The highly anticipated game Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, which was jointly developed by Bandai Namco and Sora Ltd, is published by Nintendo for the Switch console. In terms of renowned fighting game series, Bandai Namco stands shoulder to shoulder with Capcom, but this release could potentially make them the undisputed leader. As its title implies, this version represents the culmination of an idea that originated on the N64 system.

The number of stages, characters, and music that pay homage to dozens of franchises is unbelievable. Way to help Nintendo take it to the next level.

1. Pac-Man Championship Edition DX

Bringing A Classic Back To Modern Consoles With Improved Visuals

Back in the early ’80s, Namco’s map bore a classic game called Pac-Man Championship Edition DX. This modernized version refreshes the timeless formula with stunning graphics and an array of captivating mazes.

Providing an enjoyable arcade experience suitable for both brief and extended playtimes, the game Pac-Man Championship Edition DX serves up pure, unadulterated fun. It’s evident that ideas like this one are ageless, and it’s clear that Pac-Man is undoubtedly part of that timeless category.

2024-12-27 00:54