The Best Anime Crossover Games

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Summary

  • Japanese anime has a rich history post-war with iconic shows like Astro Boy and Speed Racer.
  • Anime crossovers like Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax bring together popular characters for unique battles.
  • Unique Japan-only games like Sunday VS Magazine Shuuketsu! Chojo Daikessen showcase manga magazine rivalries.

As a long-time enthusiast of anime and video games, I can confidently say that these crossover games are nothing short of a dream come true for fans like myself. Growing up, I would often find myself engrossed in both mediums, imagining epic battles between my favorite mechs or robots from different shows. These games not only bring those dreams to life but also create new and exciting stories that bridge the worlds of these iconic series.

In the early 20th century, much like other parts of the globe, Japan was captivated by the animation trend. They admired pioneers such as Winsor McCay and Walt Disney’s team for creating living cartoon characters and decided they wanted to join in the fun. Some early attempts can still be found today, including a 1917 short called The Dull Sword. However, it was primarily during the post-war era that Japanese animation truly made its mark on the world, with series like Astro Boy and Speed Racer gaining popularity.

Ever since its introduction, Japanese anime has consistently appeared on TV lineups, movie billboards, and numerous video games. It appears that for every anime franchise created, there’s at least one game associated with it. However, it wasn’t enough to have a series of One Piece games, some Naruto fighting titles, or Dragon Ball RPGs scattered here and there. In fact, creators occasionally combined these popular franchises in unique ways, resulting in some outstanding anime crossover games – examples being instances where iconic anime characters collaborated or faced off against each other, offering a few of the top anime crossover gaming experiences.

9. DreamMix TV World Fighters

When Smash Clones Get Bizarre

  • Developer: Bitstep
  • Platforms: Gamecube, PS2
  • Release: December 2003

Over the past decade, it seems as though various companies have been attempting to surpass Nintendo’s success in developing mascot fighters, as evidenced by games such as PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, MultiVersus, and Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl. While some of these titles have come and gone, others have made a comeback. Digging deeper into gaming history, you’ll find some intriguing and less conventional games that aimed to challenge the Super Smash Bros. series, like when Hudson Soft tasked Bitstep with creating a game where their characters clashed with figures from Konami and the Takara toy company.

Characters like Bomberman and Yugo from Bloody Roar could match up against Simon Belmont from Castlevania and Tyson Granger from Beyblade in a fight. Similarly, Solid Snake from Metal Gear Solid might find out if his Stinger missiles work as well on Optimus Prime and Megatron from Transformers as they do on Metal Gears. The game DreamMix TV World Fighters has a story mode where characters battle it out to boost ratings for the DreamMix TV channel. It’s an unusual but fun game, though it was only released in Japan.

8. J-Stars Victory VS+

Jump Into 3D

As a dedicated anime enthusiast, I can’t help but marvel at the iconic franchises that first graced the pages of Shōnen Jump. The publishers, Shueisha, have never shied away from showcasing their captivating characters. Back in 1988, for its 20th anniversary, they brought together their biggest stars in the game Famicom Jump on the NES. Fast forward to the release of its sequel, Famicom Jump 2, where players got to control seven main protagonists such as Goku from Dragon Ball Z, Jotaro Kujo from Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, and Kankichi Ryotsu from KochiKame.

Currently, the title “Shōnen Jump” is recognized globally, so enthusiasts have the opportunity to witness their ultimate battle in “J-Stars Victory Vs+”, an arena fighting game developed by the creators of the “Budokai Tenkaichi” series. They can place Gon Freecss from “Hunter X Hunter” against Kenshiro from “Fist of the North Star”, with Vegeta from “Dragon Ball Z” as their ally, or the Sket-dan team from “Sket Dance” as their backup. It’s also worth noting that characters from “One Piece”, “Bleach”, “Bobobo-bo-Bobobo”, and many more are ready to join the fight in its lineup.

7. Battle Stadium D.O.N

Jump’s Biggest 3-Way Rumble

  • Developers: Eighting, Q Entertainment
  • Platforms: Gamecube, PS2
  • Release: July 2006

Instead of featuring all the brawlers in “Jump”, what if the game catered to fans who are more interested in the main characters? What if it was a game where these key figures engage in battles against each other, instead of focusing on lesser-known characters? With assistance from Q Entertainment, developers Eighting did exactly that for “Dragon Ball”, “One Piece”, and “Naruto” in the game titled “Battle Stadium D.O.N“.

This game is similar to Smash Bros., but with a 2.5D platform fighting style. Instead of focusing on defeating each other, players aim to knock orbs out of their opponents. The goal can be achieved by collecting all the orbs in a stage, removing all the orbs from opponents, or having the most orbs when the time limit ends. Up to four players can participate, utilizing special moves, transformations, and occasional helpful items. However, some might find its 20-character roster relatively small for those who have played more recent and expansive games.

6. Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel

A Visual Blast That’s Quite Novel

  • Developer: Team Arcana (Examu)
  • Platforms: Arcade, PS3, PS4, PC
  • Release: February 2016

For those unacquainted, Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel might seem like a spin-off anime based on an old 90s toy line that’s long been forgotten, but it’s actually a fighting game developed by the same team responsible for the cult moe fighting series Arcana Heart. In this edition, Heart Aino is accompanied by characters from various visual novels published by Nitroplus. Ever dreamed of watching Heart Aino fight Saber from Fate/Zero? Or perhaps enjoy a battle between Super Sonico and Homura from Senran Kagura? This game makes it a reality!

Despite not all visual novel characters having their own anime series, Heart benefits from a diverse cast of assist characters, including Yuki Takeya, the girl who perceives a zombie invasion as ordinary school life in School-Live, and Amy, the cheerful guide from Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet. What’s more, this game mixes its heroines with characters from heavier sci-fi shows such as Akane from Psycho-Pass and Angela from Expelled From Paradise.

5. Sunday VS Magazine Shuuketsu! Chojo Daikessen

There’s No Sunday Rest in This Game

  • Developers: Konami Computer Entertainment Aomori, Hudson Soft
  • Platform: PSP
  • Release: March 2009

Shōnen Jump, though renowned as the top manga magazine, isn’t the sole player. Magazines like Weekly Shōnen Sunday and Weekly Shōnen Magazine (despite sharing similar names but published by different entities) have been in circulation since 1959, a whole decade before Jump, and have introduced their own timeless characters. To honor their 50th anniversaries, Konami and Hudson Soft assembled their top talents for a fierce competition called “Sunday Vs Magazine Shuuketsu! Chojo Daikessen“.

Compare the characters from “Hayate the Combat Butler” (from Shōnen Sunday), “Kenichi” (known for Kenichi the Mightiest Disciple) and “Recca” (from Flame of Recca) to the likes of “Devilman” (Shōnen Magazine‘s character), “Lucy Heartfilia” (Fairy Tail), “Ippo Makunouchi” (Hajime no Ippo) and “Mechazawa” (from Cromartie High School). This was a game exclusive to Japan, but it’s highly accessible for English speakers due to its straightforward, simple, combo-based gameplay that makes it an excellent starting point for beginners in the fighting game genre.

4. Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax

When Light Novels Get Heavy

  • Developers: Ecole Software, French Bread
  • Platforms: Arcade, PS3, PS4, PS Vita
  • Release: October 2015

To mark the 20th anniversary of Dengeki Bunko, I had the pleasure of participating in the creation of “Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax”, a 2D fighting game from French Bread and Ecole Software, known for their work on “Melty Blood” and “Under Night In-Birth”. This game brings together characters from some of our most popular light novels in a one-on-one battle format. What makes this game unique is the ability to summon assists, similar to “Rival Schools”, allowing characters to team up or call for aid during combat. For instance, Kirito and Leafa from “Sword Art Online” could team up against Taiga from “Toradora”, who has the support of Bludgeoning Angel Dokuro-chan in battle.

In addition, characters hailing from shows such as Oreimo, Boogiepop Phantom, A Certain Magical Index, Kino’s Journey, Spice and Wolf, and Shakugan no Shana (to name a few) are also present. Each character possesses unique abilities and extraordinary techniques, with Kirina from Oreimo showcasing the use of a UFO Catcher crane to seize her opponents. To add to the mix, characters from Virtua Fighter, known for their realistic fighting style, join in, like Akira and Pai demonstrating traditional kung-fu amidst the fantastical pandemonium.

3. Jump Ultimate Stars

When Having Two Screens Was Better Than Going 3D

For anime enthusiasts, J-Stars Victory Vs+ was a fantastic experience due to its vibrant, eye-catching design and unique character dynamics that had fans hunting for Easter Eggs for what seemed like forever. However, it also marked the beginning of a growing fatigue towards 3D anime arena fighters. While darting across open spaces and firing projectiles may mirror certain shows, it failed to maintain freshness in gameplay over an extended period. Some even pondered if the glory days might have been when Jump‘s brawlers were two-dimensional, as seen in Jump Ultimate Stars.

This game was essentially a 2D version similar to “Smash Bros.”, available on Nintendo DS, but it added an extra layer of strategy with card deck building. By constructing the right deck, players can outsmart their opponents not only physically, but also mentally, receiving boosts for attacks as they progress. Neither this game nor its predecessor, “Jump Super Stars”, were released outside of Japan, but those who imported it considered it one of the best undiscovered treasures for the handheld system. It’s definitely one of the more intriguing titles, given that it featured Luffy from “One Piece” being supported by characters from “I’s”.

2. Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars

Perhaps Capcom’s Most Underrated Crossover Game

  • Developer: Eighting
  • Platforms: Arcade, Wii
  • Release: January 2010

It’s likely that Tatsunoko Vs Capcom, released in 2010, wasn’t initially intended for a worldwide launch due to most people’s initial confusion over “What’s Tatsunoko?”. The game had been available in Japan for two years prior, featuring an exclusive challenge mode and animated endings by a renowned anime studio. However, it was Nintendo, possibly boosted by the success of Street Fighter 4 on competing platforms at the time, that facilitated Capcom’s negotiations with the various license holders of the anime series abroad to collaborate.

In summary, Hakushon Daimaoh will stay exclusive to Japan, while characters like Tekkaman Blade (Teknoman), Yatterman #2 from Yatterman, and Joe the Condor from Gatchaman/Battle of the Planets/G-Force/Eagle Riders will be featured instead in the West. Although players might not know games like Hurricane Polymer, Casshern, or Karas, they’d recognize its tag gameplay, as it was heavily influenced by Marvel games. Unfortunately, the game is confined to the Wii platform and, due to complex licensing agreements, a new release seems unlikely.

1. The 3rd Super Robot Wars Alpha: To The End Of The Galaxy

A Truly Super Game

  • Developer: Banpresto
  • Platform: PS2
  • Release: July 2005

Speaking about anime crossover games, it’s hard to overlook the renowned “Super Robot Wars” series. This franchise has been bringing together mechs from iconic shows like “Mobile Suit Gundam,” “Getter Robo,” and “Mazinger Z” into epic battles since 1991. But deciding on the best game within this extensive collection can be challenging, as it includes spin-offs, reboots, and adaptations, in addition to its main series. It’s akin to searching for a needle in a haystack full of needles. This list will focus on one of its most well-liked entries: “The 3rd Super Robot Wars Alpha: To the End of the Galaxy” (often abbreviated as SRA3).

In the world of gaming, particularly among enthusiasts, the Super Robot Wars Alpha franchise holds a special place. Out of all its installments, SRA3 is often praised as one of the greatest. This is a tactical role-playing game where players strategically arrange their teams of renowned mech units to battle against the Ze Balamary Empire. Familiar faces from series such as MSG’s Stardust Memory, Gundam SEED, Getter Robo, Mazinger Z, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Space Runaway Ideon, The King of Braves GaoGaiGar, and many others appear in the game, along with original characters. This results in an extensive roster of mechs for the series.

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2024-12-28 06:55