Summary
- Anime games may disappear due to licensing, shutdowns, or lack of remasters, limiting accessibility.
- Digimon World 3 had traditional JRPG elements, Bleach: Soul Resurrección featured hack-and-slash gameplay.
- Unique anime games like Attack on Titan: Humanity in Chains and Magic Knight Rayearth may become unavailable.
Animes are very popular and have marked generations around the world, who are so passionate that they watch Japanese cartoons in films and series every day. With all this popularity, it was only natural that other forms of consumption would appear, such as posters, action figures, and above all, games. There are thousands of types of games based on anime distributed on major platforms like Xbox, PC, Switch, PlayStation, mobile, and others.
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However, even with a legion of anime fans, it is common for games to leave the market because of license expiration, server shutdowns, or simply the lack of new physical releases for new consoles. Unfortunately, this happens quite often, to the heartbreak of their fans. For this reason, many games are no longer available for new purchases, leaving only unofficial methods and used physical media.
8 Digimon World 3
The Game Brought A More Traditional JRPG Feel Compared To Its Predecessors
- Platform: PlayStation 1
- Developers: BEC, boom Corp
- Publishers: Bandai
- Genre: JRPG
One of the main highlights of Digimon World 3 is that, unlike the previous two mainline entries in the franchise, the game leaned much more into traditional JRPG elements, offering a more classic adventure that, in some ways, resembled the Pokemon games. So, instead of the usual 3v3 battles, the game featured one-on-one encounters against enemies.
In addition, Digivolutions worked a bit differently, with an approach more similar to the anime—rather than being a permanent transformation, Digimon would change forms during battle and receive temporary buffs. Exclusive to the PlayStation 1, this entry in the franchise never received any kind of remaster in later years and, officially, is a game that can no longer be found.
7 Bleach: Soul Resurrección
PS3-Exclusive Hack And Slash Based On Bleach
Bleach: Soul Resurrección
- Released
- June 23, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
BLEACH tears into your world! Ignite the battle against the Arrancars!
Control the fates of your favorite BLEACH characters!
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- Beat 'Em Up
Based on the anime, Bleach: Soul Resurrección was released exclusively for PlayStation 3 and focuses on the Arrancar War arc, a segment divided into several exciting battle arcs from the series. The game’s style is hack and slash, letting the player face large hordes of enemies in open maps with fast, fluid combat that keeps the experience exciting, and it is no surprise that many still adore the title today.
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Because Bleach licensing changed over the years, the game never received re-releases or remastered versions. Another problem was its PlayStation 3 exclusivity, which means the console’s digital store no longer offers it, so the only way to experience the game today is by purchasing a used physical disc or turning to emulators that can run the original version.
6 Attack On Titan: Humanity In Chains
An Ambitious Titan-Slaying Adventure On Nintendo 3DS
Attack on Titan: Humanity in Chains
- Released
- December 4, 2014
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Violence, Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity
- Developer(s)
- Spike Chunsoft
Approach the giant with the high-speed three-dimensional maneuver action unique to Attack on Titan, cut off your legs, and shave off your nape.. You can enjoy action full of tension and exhilaration.
- Genre(s)
- Action, Anime
Attack on Titan: Humanity in Chaos delivered a unique opportunity to experience one of the most popular anime franchises on the Nintendo 3DS. Featuring the iconic Three-Dimensional Maneuver Gear, the game allowed players to take on Titans in fast-paced missions inspired by key moments from the series, offering fans an way to step into the world of Attack on Titan.
As a result, the game was removed from the Nintendo eShop due to licensing issues involving Atlus and Kodansha, the publisher of the Attack on Titan manga. And with the closure of the Nintendo 3DS stores in 2023, this means that even if someone bought the game before, it can no longer be downloaded again.
5 Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi
Classic Dragon Ball Fighter Without A Digital Version
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi
- Released
- October 18, 2005
- ESRB
- Teen
- Genre(s)
- Anime, Fighting, Action
It was here that the most popular series among Dragon Ball fans, Budokai Tenkaichi, was born. This inaugural game, released in 2005 for PlayStation 2, was quickly followed by two more entries, Budokai Tenkaichi 2 in 2006 and Budokai Tenkaichi 3 in 2007, each amplifying the already massive roster and refining the formula while retaining the franchise name.
Unlike traditional fighting games, Budokai Tenkaichi stood out for its combat system in huge 3D arenas that let the player fly freely and move without restriction, delivering fast-paced clashes featuring melee strikes, Ki projectiles, and transformations just like in the anime. Its distribution rights expired, and it was never digitally re-released on the PS Store or the Wii eShop.
4 One Piece: Unlimited Cruise
One Piece Adventure That Never Received Reissues
One Piece: Unlimited Cruise 1 - The Treasure Beneath the Waves
- Released
- September 11, 2008
Join in with the adventures of Captain Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates on their search for the world’s ultimate treasure - the One Piece. Their journey starts on the rolling seas where they happen upon dangerous waters, guarded by an ancient and mysterious civilisation...
Based on the One Piece manga and long-running anime series created by Eiichiro Oda, this title combines all the action of the Wii title One Piece Unlimited Cruise Part 1: The Treasure Beneath The Waves with some great new extras. In the main adventure mode, along with teenage Captain Luffy, you can play as many other members of the pirate crew, including Zoro, Sanji, Robin and Franky, to name a few.
The good ship Thousand Sunny will act as your base as well as transporting you and your motley crew to a variety of mysterious islands to face off against dastardly-deed-doers, rival pirate crews and marines in your pursuit of glittering treasure.
One Piece: Unlimited Cruise is a two-game series that won the hearts of those who love One Piece, and that is no small number of people. The games’ stories were written by the manga’s creator, Eiichiro Oda, so unlike other anime-based games, this one has a special flavor because it tells a new story.
In it, the Straw Hat crew meet a guardian named Gaburi, and that encounter sparks an exciting adventure with new enemies and challenges. Both games were released exclusively for the Nintendo Wii in 2008 and 2009, but today, unfortunately, the only way to play Unlimited Cruise is through physical copies for Wii or 3DS.
3 Magic Knight Rayearth
A Classic RPG With The Magic Knights
- Platform: Sega Saturn
- Developers: Working Designs, Sega, Overworks
- Publishers: Sega
- Genre: Action, Adventure, RPG
The stories created by the CLAMP group became classics in games and anime, and one of the greatest examples is the RPG Magic Knight Rayearth, developed and published by Sega and released for the Super Nintendo and Sega Saturn. Blending 2D world exploration with action combat, players control the three protagonists, Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu, in thrilling quests that involve dungeon exploration and plots similar to those of the anime.
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The Saturn version became a fan favorite for its colorful graphics and animated cutscenes, earning fame as one of the most beautiful RPGs released on the console. However, the game was considered rare in its American version because of a limited print run, its license expired quickly, and, shortly afterward, in the same year the game launched, production of the Saturn console was also discontinued.
2 Saint Seiya: Soldiers' Soul
One Of The Most Complete Games In The Franchise
Saint Seiya: Soldiers' Soul
- Released
- October 6, 2015
- ESRB
- T // Violence
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action
Saint Seiya: Soldiers' Soul delivered an experience tailored for fans of the iconic anime based on greek mythology, covering storylines from Sanctuary to Hades and even the Soul of Gold arc. With over 70 characters and multiple transformations, the game brought dynamic battles and cutscenes to life. Its faithful adaptation of the anime, complete with Japanese voiceovers, helped it become a beloved title among Saint Seiya enthusiasts worldwide.
While the combat system remained accessible and somewhat basic, the visual flair and nostalgic soundtrack more than compensated. As one of the most complete Saint Seiya games, it offered both spectacle and fan service in equal measure. Unfortunately, Saint Seiya: Soldiers' Soul was delisted from digital platforms, making it one of the best anime games that players cannot buy anymore, unless through physical copies or something similar.
1 Jump Force
The Game Brought Together Several Iconic Characters From Shonen Jump
Jump Force
- Released
- October 12, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
The most famous Manga heroes are thrown into a whole new battleground: our world. Uniting to fight the most dangerous threat, the Jump Force will bear the fate of the entire human kind.
Create your own avatar and jump into an original Story Mode to fight alonside the most powerful Manga heroes from DRAGON BALL Z, ONE PIECE, NARUTO, BLEACH, HUNTER X HUNTER, YU-GI-OH!, YU YU HAKUSHO, SAINT SEIYA and many others.
Or head to the Online Lobby to challenge other players and discover lots of modes and activities.
- ESRB
- T
- Genre(s)
- Fighting
Arguably one of the most ambitious anime crossovers ever made, Jump Force brought together heroes from various manga published in Shonen Jump magazine, allowing players to control characters from Dragon Ball, One Piece, Naruto, and even Yu-Gi-Oh! In intense 3v3 battles. The idea of merging so many beloved universes into a single fighting game generated massive hype among fans at the time of its release.
The plot of Jump Force centers on the collision between the real world and the anime worlds, caused by a mysterious threat. To deal with the crisis, players take on the role of a new hero created using the power of Umbra Cubes, joining forces with iconic characters to fight off villains corrupted by a dark force. With realistic graphics and stages blending real cities with famous anime locations, the game aimed to deliver a truly unique visual experience.
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