Throughout the history of formation and development, the two industries of video games and anime in Japan have often had a close-knit relationship, with adaptations occurring in both directions—from anime to games and from games back to anime. It can be quite delightful if you are a gamer who has enjoyed anime that has been transformed into a video game. However, not every video game adaptation of an anime is captivating, and there are many products that leave even the most devoted fans feeling disheartened. Below are the 10 most disappointing video games adapted from anime in history:
(Please note that to qualify for this list, the game must have been released in English or have an official English version; otherwise, it is considered invalid.)
Dragon Ball GT: Final Bout
This product was released in the international market in 1997 and is primarily based on the anime “Dragon Ball GT.” As a fighting game, “Dragon Ball GT: Final Bout” has a rather poor quality due to its sluggish controls, making the combat experience feel stiff and very difficult to execute a combo chain due to the lag between pressing buttons and character actions. Overall, the gameplay content is also quite monotonous, with the impression of being stuck at the starting point for the player.
The Legacy of Goku
This action/RPG game set in the Dragon Ball Z universe sounds like a great idea, but the developer Webfoot Technology failed to fully exploit its potential. Although “The Legacy of Goku” was released on the GBA and followed the original storyline closely, its gameplay was quite poor, repetitive, and clumsy. Players take on the role of Goku to overcome various levels, using the Kamehameha attack from a distance. Fortunately, the sequels of “The Legacy of Goku” improved gameplay and became more engaging.
Digimon World
“Digimon World” borrows many elements from the anime “Digimon Adventure” but takes a different approach, focusing on the way to raise virtual pets rather than following the storyline of the anime. The core of this game is quite dull and too similar to the pet-raising game “Tamagotchi.” Players take on the role of a child trainer, raising Digimon through various functions such as training, feeding, and ensuring their health, only to see them die, reincarnate, and begin the process all over again until they solve the game’s puzzles.
Gundam: Battle Assault
“Gundam: Battle Assault” is a 1v1 fighting game based on the “Mobile Suit Gundam” universe, the first video game released in the U.S. following the popularity of “Gundam Wing.” To attract players, Bandai and Natsume made some changes in the Japanese version, adding the character Heero Yuy and Wing Gundam. The result is that players have a more streamlined storyline than the original and a Gundam that is adored by fans in the U.S. However, the gameplay is quite ordinary and lacks any distinctive features.
Fist of the North Star (released on NES in 1989)
Released after the original Japanese version two years later, both the Japanese and U.S. versions of “Fist of the North Star” are considered to be very poor quality games, barely meeting the industry standards at the time. The character designs are ugly, the backgrounds are dull, and the way enemies can be defeated is merely by spamming a single button, making the gameplay feel tedious and unengaging.
Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire
Although it received fairly good reviews from the Famitsu magazine upon its release in Japan, “Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire” encountered numerous issues when being adapted for the English version for Western markets. The game suffers from poor controls, unstable frame rates, difficult camera management, and unengaging gameplay mechanics. As the first title for the PS3, this game ultimately failed and paled in comparison to its predecessors on the PS2.
One Piece: Pirates’ Carnival
When you have a popular and long-running anime like “One Piece,” it’s no surprise that there are numerous video games based on this franchise. However, among the many adaptations, some rise to fame while others fall short, such as “Pirates’ Carnival.” Instead of following the typical action-adventure style, “Pirates’ Carnival” is a collection of mini-games that lacks depth, fun, and engaging multiplayer elements.
Golgo 13: Top Secret Episode
“Golgo 13: Top Secret Episode” is a game with a strong ambition that was released on NES and Famicom in 1988, but it suffers from severe limitations in technology. It attempts to build an interesting narrative, delivering an adventure about espionage, assassination, and survival, but the execution is lacking, making it a tedious experience for players.
Yu Yu Hakusho: Spirit Detective
If a game possesses poor graphics, it may still be excused if it has good gameplay. If a game has poor sound quality, one can always mute it and listen to external music. But if a game has both awful graphics and sound, along with clumsy controls, there’s no way to redeem it. That is precisely the case with “Yu Yu Hakusho: Spirit Detective” on the GBA. Although the game sold quite well in North America (as it is the only “Yu Yu Hakusho” game released here), it still fails to make players forget its many shortcomings.
Attack on Titan: Humanity In Chains
Given the immense success of the anime “Attack on Titan,” it’s no surprise that there was an eagerness for a video game adaptation. Unfortunately, the 2015 title “Attack on Titan: Humanity In Chains” for the 3DS left many fans disappointed. Despite having a decent soundtrack, sound effects, and voice acting that align with the anime, this game quickly caused players to lose interest due to its unengaging gameplay mechanics and lack of attention to detail.
Source: Myanimelist
