29 Best PlayStation 4 Anime Games You Can’t Pass Up

We love a bit of anime here at Gameranx, and what a wide selection of content this genre has. In terms of video games though, unless you keep up with the current trends, there are an awful lot of anime games that you can miss out on. The PlayStation 4 is a very prolific console for this type of genre as well (it might have something to do with the Japanese connection) and the variety of games is about as impressive as it gets. But because there are so many great (and not-so-great) anime games out there, we thought we’d create a list of the 25 best PlayStation 4 anime games that you can’t pass up on.

#29 GRANBLUE FANTASY: RELINK

Platform: PC PS4 PS5
Release Date: February 1, 2024

Steam | PlayStation

In every RPG, regardless of its type, you need to have strategy and skill to come out on top. Granblue Fantasy: Relink puts a fun twist on that by allowing you to enjoy real-time combat while also having numerous RPG-style elements to make things a bit more complicated.

For example, you’ll have access to numerous party members by the time you’re “done” with your journey, which means you can assemble a team to be whatever you need it to be! Will you go for a balanced squad? Do you feel that might is better than magic? How will you build your personal character? You’ll have to play the game to discover what works and what doesn’t!

#28 Persona 3 Reload

Platform: PC PS5 XSX|S Xbox One PS4
Release Date: February 2, 2024

Steam | PlayStation | Xbox

There are many layers to the story of Persona 3 Reload. But don’t worry, we won’t spoil them for you. The main story focuses on the mysterious tower known as Tartarus and the Dark Hour that emanates from it. You are one of the few who can wander through this danger-filled hour and fight off the Shadows that lurk within it.

But there are other stories to enjoy. For example, there are social links that will help you learn more about the other characters in your world. Growing them will allow you to get different Personas to use in battle! Plus, you might just find a partner to share your life with.

#27 Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising

Platform: PC PS4 PS5
Release Date: December 14, 2023

Steam | PlayStation

Do we really have to describe why Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is on an “anime” list? Have you seen some of these characters? More specifically, have you seen some of the female characters and how they’re dressed and proportioned?

Even if that wasn’t the case, and it most definitely is, there are other reasons why the game is on this list. It has an anime feel through and through. It has anime visuals, an anime-style campaign to go through, complete with 2D-anime-style dialogue scenes, and the action that you’ll partake in is over the top in a very anime sort of way.

So have fun, anime lovers!

#26 Street Fighter 6

Platform: PC PS4 PS5 XSX|S
Release Date: June 02, 2023

Steam | PlayStation | Xbox

While the beloved fighting game series has always had a strong core gameplay loop, Street Fighter 6 aimed to take it to the next level, and most agree that it did just that!

Every character in the title’s roster feels special and has moves that could fit your playstyle if you give them a chance. See which one is best for you, then head into the online arenas and start showing your stuff! The better you do, the more ranks you’ll climb. Can you get to the top of the leaderboard?

Even if you don’t, you’ll always have a new competitor waiting to challenge you so you can learn and grow!

#25 My Hero One’s Justice 2

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, and Google Stadia

Release Date: March 2020

The first game on this list of the best PlayStation 4 anime games is the Bandai Namco game which is based on the world-famous My Hero Academia franchise. The sequel to My Hero One’s Justice is a poor one though which is disappointing because the first one was a really good starting point for the series. Even though this game was praised for the characters and the combat system, it was incredibly similar to the previous game but just not as good in any way. The finer details in the combat system were not great though, and the story was incredibly hard to follow, especially if you were new to the series as well.

#24 Demon Slayer – Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Microsoft Windows

Release Date: October 2021

There is a running trend with anime games to try and create the longest name of all time, and I think this Demon Slayer game might just take the mantle as the longest. Demon Slayer – Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles is a game that is based on the Manga series of the same name, and it’s one that looks unbelievable as well. The problems arise due to the game being about 80 percent cutscene, which means it lacks the actual gaming experience a bit too much. When the gameplay does make an appearance, it’s far too short and it makes the game pretty pointless, if you can call it a game that is.

#23 Tales of Berseria

Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and Microsoft Windows

Release Date: August 2016

Tales of Berseria is a role-playing game where players must navigate through the game’s world from a third-person perspective. Another Bandai Namco game (this studio will be mentioned quite a lot in this list) which has a really great story that combines fantastic characters with brilliant gameplay to create a really interesting experience. The biggest criticism is for the lack of originality that comes with this gameplay, and with this being the 16^th entry in the series (yes, that many) it just seems to be more of the same, and it’s a bit boring. The developers also failed the game by not utilizing the graphical power of the PS4, which falters the experience slightly.

#22 Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows

Release Date: August 2018

The first Naruto game on this list of the best PlayStation 4 anime games is not a great one either, which is a shame because it is based on one of the most famous manga of all time. This game had a notoriously terrible launch reception before it gathered a bit more positivity in the months that followed and has slowly gone from strength to strength. But just as the game was beginning to make an imprint in the lives of its loyal fanbase, it was basically ruined once again by updates that were critiqued heavily. Why is there a need to try and overdo things? Hopefully, the developers will learn from this in the future.

#21 Fate/EXTELLA: The Umbral Star

Platforms: Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, iOS, and PlayStation Vita

Release Date: November 2016

This action video game is the third installment in the universe that began with the original Fate/Extra. Players take control of a “master” who works together with spirits known as servants, who fight large numbers of enemies in a similar way to what you see in Dynasty Warriors. Players can also customize the master by choosing their name and gender in any way they want. The presentation is a bit rough around the edges, the story is incredibly confusing, and of course, the Warriors-like gameplay becomes terribly repetitive and delivers a quite tepid experience. At least try and shake up this general formula that you’re so insistent on using.

#20 Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs. Maxi Boost ON

Platforms: Arcade, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation 4

Release Date: March 2014

This is another contender for the longest name on this list of the best PlayStation 4 anime games, but it just falls short of that previous game on this list. Thankfully though, this game is much better which is all that really matters, right? Maxi Boost ON was an update for Extreme Vs. and featured a bunch of new suits and characters, as well as improved in-game mechanics and a fair few changes to some of the forms as well. This is probably one of the best games in the Gundam series, and if you are a fan of this chaotic franchise, then this game is a must-play experience for sure.

#19 Ni no Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Microsoft Windows

Release Date: March 2018

Another Bandai Namco game here, and the story in this one follows Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum, possibly the greatest name in video game history. This young king was usurped from his castle and sets out to build a new kingdom. Players are able to freely navigate Evan throughout this giant world, and other characters in the party can be freely controlled in battles as well. The story does feel a bit childish at times, but it is still an interesting one that can be thoroughly enjoyed, but the biggest problem is that the combat is incredibly simple and can lead to an awful amount of button-mashing.

#18 Dragon Quest XI

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Nintendo 3DS, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, and Google Stadia

Release Date: July 2017

The eleventh entry in the long-running Dragon Quest video game series was one that received mixed reviews upon its release. Dragon Quest XI continues with the gameplay that people have experienced since the beginning of the series, with players exploring a vast land while fighting against various monsters. It is a tried and tested formula, so where does this game wrong then? First of all, we should note that this game features a brilliant story with an interesting narrative, great characters, and localization. But the aspect that it fails on is, for a game as modern as this, it does feel largely traditional, or in other words, very old-fashioned.

#17 Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Microsoft Windows, and Google Stadia

Release Date: January 2020

The first Dragon Ball game is a pretty decent one as well, but what would you expect from a game that is based on the greatest anime of all time? Yeah, that’s right, I said it. Kakarot looks great and has very good combat, which is to be expected from Dragon Ball Z games by now. The storytelling elements are also very impressive, and this is actually the first semi-open world Dragon Ball Z game, but because of that it means that it was plagued by teething problems, and it equates to some poor RPG elements. The game has, and still is updated with countless new DLC though, which have been a resounding success.

#16 Attack on Titan 2

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, and Google Stadia

Release Date: March 2018

Attack on Titan 2 is an action hack-and-slash video game that is based on Hajime Isayama’s manga series of the same name. This game covers the plot of the first 50 chapters of Attack on Titan, and it allows the player to create an original character and to be able to interact with the other characters that you will know from the popular manga. It is a really fun game and a very loyal video game adaptation that fans of the franchise will love. The gameplay often feels very repetitive though, almost as if the game is on a loop, a vicious and sometimes even boring loop. But its plus points outweigh its negatives, and this is definitely a game worth buying.

#15 Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows

Release Date: February 2016

The second Naruto title in this list of the best PlayStation 4 anime games is a significant improvement on the previous one. The story in this game follows two young ninjas, the titular Naruto Uzumaki, and his friend/rival Sasuke Uchiha. The two ninjas participate in a world war between shinobi (which is the fourth Shinobi World War) and the terrorist organization Akatsuki. The game was well-received for its brilliant narrative and exceptional graphics, but the length of the game did cause a few problems because it is very short, and the depth of controls which are very shallow.

#14 Scarlet Nexus

Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Microsoft Windows, and Xbox Cloud Gaming

Release Date: June 2021

In this game, players take on the role of either Yuito Sumeragi or Kasane Randall, members of the OSF (Other Suppression Force) who have been tasked with defending the New Himuka from creatures that are known as Others. You will have access to short-range weapons, while also maximizing the psychokinesis skills of the two main characters. This was a game that was received pretty well, with the combat attaining most of the positivity, but like every game on this list so far, there was a fair amount of negativity. The game incorporates a lot of side missions to run in tandem with the main story, and they lack engagement, interest, and are kind of pointless.

#13 Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3

Release Date: October 2010

Another Naruto game here, and this one is the best out of the lot. Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 is based around the series protagonist Naruto Uzumaki as he fights against the notorious Akatsuki terrorist organization. This game is a good one, for the most part; the story is interesting, and the gameplay has several cool aspects, but it’s an incredibly short story and fairly simple. And then, when you complete the main story, the game literally offers nothing for you to do, in terms of ongoing events. This game is a decent one for a short time, but it then becomes pretty pointless which is a massive shame and a missed opportunity.

#12 Doki Doki Literature Club!

Platforms: Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft Windows, and macOS

Release Date: September 2017

This is a bit of a mad concept, but this game is a freeware visual novel game that features a non-traditional plot structure that includes multiple endings and several unlockable cutscenes for every main character. On the surface, this is a game that feels like a soft and cuddly dating simulator, but deep within it is a psychological horror game that uses fourth wall breaking to get inside your head. Its underlying dark subject matter is one of the game’s best aspects – who doesn’t love unsuspecting horror elements that are unconventional in nature? A really unusual game that isn’t for everyone but it packs an enigmatic punch.

#11 Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair

Platforms: Linux, OS X, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One

Release Date: July 2012

Believe it or not, this game was actually loosely inspired by the television series Lost, who’d have thought that? The game’s protagonist is Hajime Hinata who is part of a group of high-school students who have found themselves trapped on a desert island at the hands of their headmaster and his sidekick. This is another visual novel game and one that is very similar in performance to its predecessor. The narrative and the cast are fantastic though, and it offers a properly unique experience, and if it wasn’t for some of its gameplay elements like class trials, then this might have been rated more highly.

#10 Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

Platforms: PlayStation Portable, Android, iOS, PlayStation Vita, Linux, OS X, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One

Release Date: November 2010

And here is the predecessor to Goodbye Despair, the slightly better Trigger Happy Havoc. This was a huge commercial success and earned rave throughout the lands for the handling of the cast and the story. It follows a similar premise to that of the Japanese film Battle Royale from 2000, in that it features a high school student who has found themself in a battle royale and must kill to escape this horrible situation. This game won multiple awards, but whereas the sequel was slightly unexciting, this one is just far too easy, but it does pip the other game to the post in what is the better title.

#9 Guilty Gear Strive

Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Arcade, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Microsoft Windows

Release Date: June 2021

Guilty Gear Strive is the seventh mainline installment in the Guilty Gear series and the 25th game overall. Guilty Gear Strive keeps the primary essence of the series but mixed things up by including a few new features and mechanics. Some of the additions that were introduced were the “Wall Break” feature, which allowed stage transitions when a combo was ignited. This is one of the best games in the series and it has epic visuals, fantastic gameplay, and net code, which is the main reason the online mode is as smooth as it is. It is a really great game that fans of the series will love, and it might even attract new players too.

#8 Genshin Impact

Platforms: GeForce Now, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, and iPadOS

Release Date: September 2020

The fact that this game is situated where it is on this list of the best PlayStation 4 anime games ever will surely cause a few people to get upset – this game has a cult following with mighty wrath. Genshin Impact takes place in the fantasy world of Teyvat, which is the home of several nations, and each of them has ties to a different element and is ruled by a different god. The popularity of this game speaks for itself, and it is a very enjoyable experience as well, with the combat mechanics and the open-world setting garnering most of the acclaim. The monetization model has come under fire though, and how the endgame is extremely simple too.

#7 Persona 4 Arena Ultimax

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Arcade

Release Date: November 2013

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax takes place immediately after the events of its predecessor and the gameplay follow standard fighting game mechanics that includes matching between two characters with specific move sets and some special abilities too. The narrative is told through visual novel segments and revolves around a supernatural red fog that has covered the town of Inaba. The Persona 4 team investigates the mysterious fog with the help of the Shadow operatives, and it leads to all kinds of excitement. This is a much better game than the previous one, with an improved fighting system, graphics, and better character balance.

#6 Final Fantasy VII Remake

Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Microsoft Windows

Release Date: April 2020

Genshin Impact might have a loyal fanbase, but it’s one that is dwarfed in comparison to that of Final Fantasy – it’s almost like a religious cult. This game is set in the dystopian cyberpunk metropolis of Midgar, where players must control the infamous Cloud Strife. You will be joined by AVALANCHE, an eco-terrorist group that is trying to thwart the evil mega-corporation known as Shinra from using the planet’s essence as an energy source. The battle system in this game was updated, and the expanded story was a dream, but the side quests felt awfully repetitive and very linear in presentation.

#5 BlazBlue: Central Fiction

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Microsoft Windows, and Arcade

Release Date: November 2015

This is a 2-D fighting game and the fourth in the BlazBlue series. It is set after the events of BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma and is also the last game with Ragna as the main protagonist, which makes it very much an end-of-an-era game. This really does have some of the most beautiful hand-drawn graphics out of any anime video game, which is quite an achievement due to the genre being all about the aesthetic and the design. The game also enables new players to feel at ease when playing it due to its user-friendly gameplay, controls, and narrative. This fighting game is an exceptional buy if you ever get around to purchasing it.

#4 Valkyria Chronicles

Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, and Nintendo Switch

Release Date: November 2008

Valkyria Chronicles is set in Europa, a fictional region loosely based on Europe during the early times of the Second World War. Players take control of a unit of the Gallian Militia, which is dedicated to fighting off the invasion from the East European Imperial Alliance. The visuals in this game are breathtaking; they resemble pencil drawings in motion which looks beautifully unique. This game not only looks great but feels a lot better than contemporary strategy games, and with a combination of third-person shooting, pseudo-action and turn-based, fog of war concepts, and visual novel games, it has an amazing blend of several spices.

#3 Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, Microsoft Windows, iOS, and Nintendo 3DS

Release Date: February 2012

Who’d have thought that a collection of games that lets you control an attorney would be the in the top three best PlayStation 4 anime games? This a game that was praised for its fantastic graphics, particularly for the console versions, but the overall games are just so damn good, and I never thought I would say that about a game with this kind of narrative and gameplay. The acclaim that these games received was nothing short of exceptional, and it’s one of those experiences in which you must immerse yourself to get the full benefits of the whole thing.

#2 Dragon Ball FighterZ

Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S

Release Date: January 2018

The final Bandai Namco game on this list of the best PlayStation 4 anime games is the epic Dragon Ball FighterZ, one of the best fighting games of the past 10 years. Mostly everything about this game rules; it features a really deep roster of brilliant characters, the combat is exciting and a lot of fun, and when you finally get used to the combos and all the character’s move sets, this also becomes a very rewarding game as well. The visuals are fantastic as well, it has a great story mode, and the music just finishes it off very nicely. Just don’t play this game online because it’s a bit of a pain, but everything else is well worth your time.

#1 Persona 5 Royal

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Microsoft Windows

Release Date: October 2019

And finally, we are at the number one game on this list of the best PlayStation 4 anime games, the absolutely fantastic Persona 5 Royal. The story might be a little cliché with its classic good vs evil storyline, and there are some lengthy cutscenes as well, but if you can look past all that, then you’ve got yourself a proper gaming experience. This game won several awards and has been cited as one of the greatest role-playing video games of all time, with praise being given to the visual design, the brilliant gameplay, the story, and the music. Royal is the enhanced version that came out a few years after the base game, and it just builds on everything that made it so special in the first place.