The Best Handheld One Piece Games, Ranked

As a longtime fan of One Piece, I can wholeheartedly say that the gaming universe of this beloved manga and anime series is as rich and diverse as the Straw Hat Pirates themselves! From the fast-paced brawling action of Jump Super Stars and its refined successor, Jump! Ultimate Stars, to the open-world exploration of One Piece: World Seeker that’s a mix of Breath of the Wild and Marvel’s Spider-Man, there’s something for every kind of pirate out there.

Originating from a manga series in 1997 and an anime following in 1999, the captivating storyline of “One Piece” continues to enthrall audiences worldwide with no sign of slowing down. Expanding beyond comics and television, this franchise includes video games, predominantly popular in Japan, much like the global phenomenon that is Dragon Quest.

In Japan, it was Dragon Quest that garnered greater popularity, whereas Final Fantasy found a larger audience in the Western world. Similarly, anime series like One Piece didn’t gain traction as quickly in the West compared to shows such as Naruto or Dragon Ball Z, leading to fewer secondary products being marketed here, including video games. However, the appeal of One Piece has been growing in the West, enabling more games based on it to be translated and released. Among these, we have some outstanding portable titles for One Piece fans, ranging from beginner-friendly options to rarer games.

6 From TV Animation One Piece: Yume No Luffy Kaizokudan Tanjou

A Tactical Pirate Adventure

The Best Handheld One Piece Games, Ranked

Platform: Game Boy Color
Released: June 28, 2002 (Japan)
Publisher: Banpresto
Metacritic Score: N/A

Given its title, it’s clear that “From TV Animation One Piece: Yume no Luffy Kaizokudan Tanjou” was not distributed internationally. Fortunately, enthusiastic fans have stepped up to translate a large portion of it into English. This Game Boy Color RPG follows the “One Piece” series from its very beginning.

In this game, which is a role-playing strategy type, Luffy will initially engage in battles with birds and common enemies before progressing to thrilling escapades alongside Nami, Zoro, and the entire Straw Hat Pirates crew. The encounters are spontaneous, positioning characters on a map. While the animations are generally basic, they become more dynamic when special attacks are executed. Compared to a Fire Emblem game, it may not be as visually stunning, but it’s delightful to experience a tactical RPG set within the One Piece universe.

5 Jump! Ultimate Stars

An Anime Infused Super Smash Bros.

The Best Handheld One Piece Games, Ranked

Platform: DS
Released: November 23, 2006 (Japan)
Developer: Ganbarion
Metacritic Score: N/A

“Leap Ahead: Stars Ultimate” is the second platform-fighting game for the DS, resembling the “Super Smash Bros.” series. This sequel was launched in 2006, while its predecessor, “Jump Super Stars,” debuted in 2005. Despite sharing the same gameplay mechanics, “Leap Ahead: Stars Ultimate” boasts a larger roster of characters and an improved battle system. Additionally, fans have translated several menus into English through patches.

In this game, the sprite work and animations are superb, as suggested by the title. Apart from the popular series like One Piece, numerous titles from Shonen Jump are featured, such as heavyweights like Bleach and Naruto, along with lesser-known ones such as Black Cat and Buso Renkin. The upper screen serves as the battlefield, while the lower screen presents comic-style panels that players can interact with for assistance. The combat system is more complex than any in the Super Smash Bros. series.

4 One Piece: World Seeker

Luffy Tries To Emulate Peter And Link

Metacritic Score: 51 (PC)

In my opinion, embarking on the thrilling journey of One Piece: World Seeker is akin to merging the captivating worlds of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Marvel’s Spider-Man. This game transports us to a fresh island outside the primary storyline, where I, as a fan, get to step into Luffy’s shoes. The action RPG offers a variety of experiences, from battling diverse groups of enemies in dynamic combat, accepting quests to complete various tasks, and delving into hidden caves to uncover valuable treasures.

As a die-hard One Piece fan, I can confidently say that Luffy’s abilities continuously evolve through story progression, opening up exciting new avenues for exploration and combat. Given his elastic physique, it’s only fitting that he can traverse the map effortlessly, even without the need for a glider or web cartridges. While One Piece: World Seeker may not match the robustness of games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Marvel’s Spider-Man, it promises an enjoyable experience for fans. Interestingly, this game has been confirmed to run smoothly on the Steam Deck, and I must admit that it performs better than when it initially launched in 2019.

3 One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2

The Straw Hats Conquer A Dynasty

Platform: PS3, PS Vita
Released: September 3, 2013 (NA)
Developer: Omega Force
Metacritic Score: 71 (PS3)

Initially, “One Piece: Pirate Warriors” was exclusively launched for the PlayStation 3. However, subsequent installments have been released on handheld consoles like the PS Vita and Nintendo Switch. The first game concludes during the “Return to Sabaody Arc,” while “One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2” continues immediately after that point. If you’re a fan of the anime, I’d recommend playing through all four games, including the newly released DLC for “One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4.”

1. The anime is nearly caught up in the West, and all those Dynasty Warriors spin-offs are fantastic! While they can get repetitive due to their brawler format, the fan service is off the charts. No other One Piece game offers as many playable characters, from heroes like Luffy to villains such as Buggy. Fans of portable games should start with One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2, disregard the reviews, and enjoy a fun gaming experience with friends!

2 Shonen Jump’s: One Piece

A Brawling Platformer

Platform: GBA
Released: September 7, 2005 (NA)
Developer: Dimps
Metacritic Score: 76

In the realm of video games, One Piece from Shonen Jump stands out and might even surpass some in-house Nintendo platformers. The pixel art, for instance, remains impressive due to the vivid character animations, whether they are heroes or villains. Seeing Luffy elongate and attack enemies is truly enjoyable.

The game follows the initial stages of the Dragon Ball series, sticking close to its roots rather than exploring uncharted territories. Despite being a brief experience, the developers at Dimps managed to pack quite a punch with their efficient work. Another fine example of their adaptational skills is “Dragon Ball: Advanced Adventure,” which also graced the Game Boy Advance platform.

1 One Piece Odyssey

A Turn-Based Adventure On The High Seas

Metacritic Score: 77 (PC)

As a passionate gamer immersed in the captivating world of One Piece, I’ve recently dived into the thrilling adventure that is “One Piece Odyssey”. This epic game, published by Bandai Namco and developed by ILCA, was unleashed to gamers worldwide in 2023. You can find it gracing the screens of the latest consoles such as the PS5 and Xbox Series X. For those like me who prefer the convenience of a portable hybrid system, fear not! This Switch version is the latest iteration, despite some visual adjustments, it runs smoothly and keeps the excitement high.

In this game, the action unfolds in turns, yet it offers strategic components such as character movement and the range of attacks. It may not be suitable for newcomers to the series as all party members are immediately accessible. Hardcore fans will enjoy witnessing their unusual interactions. Both the combat and exploration mechanisms work well.

2024-08-03 06:04