If you’re thinking about an anime game, especially on the Switch, odds are Bandai Namco is behind it. The company is well known for handling adaptations of titles. Especially if it is based on a Shonen Jump series. This can also mean there are a lot of games from each one on different systems. As part of Siliconera’s ongoing chronicling of games people should play, as they may have overlooked them, this week we’re focusing on the Switch anime ones worth some attention.
Best Bandai Namco Digimon Game on the Switch: Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition
Yes, Digimon qualifies as an anime series. (Why? I said so.) Especially since we’re recommending Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition here today. This is quite possibly a compilation of the two best Digimon games ever made. These RPGs are exceptional, and you can get them together for a ridiculous price.
However, a close second is Digimon Survive, which turned out to be way better than expected!
Best Bandai Namco Doraemon Game on the Switch: Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom
A lot of quality of life updates appeared in Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom. Which means it makes a relaxing, enjoyable, Story of Seasons Switch farming game with characters from the Doraemon anime even more pleasant. It’s lighthearted and cozy.
Best Bandai Namco Dragon Ball Game on the Switch: Dragon Ball FighterZ
Dragon Ball FighterZ is a phenomenal fighting game. The roster covers characters from all different arcs and installments. The balance is perfect. Arc System Works’ did an impeccable job with the character designs. It is fantastic.
Though honestly, Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 should get an honorable mention here just because of its longevity.
Best Bandai Namco Naruto Game on the Switch: Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4
Someone unaware of Bandai Namco anime games and Naruto titles in general may not realize how good the Ultimate Ninja Storm series is and why they should play it even on the Switch. They’re genuinely engrossing and admirable CyberConnect2 games! Their story modes can be a lot of fun. They’re a blast to play with friends, due to the character variety. The trilogy, which is also available on the platform, wouldn’t be the worst place to start. But I think the fourth one is just so much fun, especially since there’s Road to Boruto included with it.
Best Bandai Namco One Piece Game on the Switch: One Piece Pirate Warriors 3
Koei Tecmo and Omega Force’s One Piece Pirate Warriors Musou games tend to always be solid anime inspired titles, and the Switch version of 3 is no exception. It’s also a good “introductory” game if you’re unfamiliar with the series. That’s because it starts from the beginning and goes all the way through the Straw Hat’s adventures in Dressrosa.
Best Bandai Namco Sword Art Online Game on the Switch: SAO Alicization Lycoris
This is honestly a section that is very much a “your mileage may vary” situation. This is because a lot of Bandai Namco’s Sword Art Online anime games on the Switch cover specific arcs. So you might like one that covers a certain storyline you like more than others. Also, a lot of the gameplay can be similar, as these all tend to be RPGs. I think SAO Alicization Lycoris is the one I’d say is best, because there are quality of life adjustments, the combat is fun, and it tells a story I haven’t heard multiple times.
The plus side is, the Bandai Namco Sword Art Online games go on sale rather often, so you should be able to get one at an affordable price to test it out.
Other Bandai Namco Anime Games You Should Play on the Switch
Okay, there are also a lot of games from Bandai Namco that are tied to different anime series or even studios, but don’t fit into the categories above! They’re all definitely worth your time though, so we wanted to call them out here.
For example, .hack//G.U. Last Recode is a fantastic RPG. It ties into the .hack series, retelling the adventure of life in an MMO before SAO stole all of the attention. You get the remasters of Rebirth, Reminisce, and Redemption, as well as the new Reconnection experience.
Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions is a shockingly good soccer game. It also is especially fun due to its story mode. It isn’t Inazuma Eleven, of course, but it can fill the void while we wait to see when (if) that ever appears.
Our Gundam recommendation gets weird too, because it never ended up released officially outside Japan in English. There is an Asian English version of SD Gundam G Generation Cross Rays
available, though! It’s a pretty great strategy game that taps into Gundam 00, Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans, Gundam SEED, and Gundam Wing.
There’s only one JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure game on the Switch, so it would feel a bit weird to “recommend” it in its own special category. But Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R is a fun remaster that adds additional characters! It did take away the story mode, so keep that in mind. There’s a demo you can try for this one!
It would be kind of weird to include My Hero One’s Justice 2 above, given there are only two games. The sequel improves on every element of this 3D arena fighter, adding better balancing, more characters, and a still entertaining campaign. So if you want a MHA game on the Switch, the sequel is the way to go.
Finally, Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch also qualifies! Studio Ghibli was heavily involved in this charming RPG. The sequel is also quite good, but there’s something truly magical about Oliver’s original adventure.
