Best Japanese Games for Android

Japanese game developers are no stranger to the mobile marketplace, and over the years we’ve seen some classic games get reborn for modern platforms. Today, we’ll be looking at some of the best Android experiences that eastern developers have to offer in our list of the best Japanese games for Android.

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

• Developer: Konami
• Price: 2.99 USD
• View on Google Play

Despite not having a new entry for quite some time, Castlevania is one of the most iconic Japanese series from the 90s. You play as one of the Belmonts, a clan dedicated to taking down the emperor of the night: Dracula. The games were straightforward platformers, but everything changed with Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, released back on the original PlayStation in 1997. This game introduced a large, interconnected map with RPG elements, thus making way for the birth of an entirely new genre: the Metroidvania.

Final Fantasy Series

• Developer: Square Enix
• Price: 11.99 – 20.99 USD
• View on Google Play

Much like Konami, Square Enix was a beloved Japanese developer from the 90s. They brought us the wondrous RPG series Final Fantasy, one of the founding pillars that cemented Japanese RPGs’ popularity around the world. If you’ve never experienced any game in the Final Fantasy series, you’re in luck, as almost the entire main series is on Android. If you’re more of a retro gamer, you can start with the early games, but if you prefer a more modern experience, you can go straight to the later entries.

Dragon Quest Series

• Developer: Square Enix
• Price: 2.99 – 19.99 USD
• View on Google Play

Of course, we can’t talk about iconic Japanese RPG series without also mentioning the granddaddy of all Japanese RPGs, the Dragon Quest series. If you want a classic adventure to save the world as a fledgling hero, the Dragon Quest games are perfect for you. Journey across beautiful landscapes, fight monsters with lots of flair and pizzazz, and build a team of colorful characters with memorable personalities.

Super Mario Run

• Developer: Nintendo
• Price: Free to start, 9.99 USD to unlock full game
• View on Google Play

Nintendo’s first foray into the mobile scene couldn’t have starred anyone but their main man Mario. Super Mario Run is an auto-runner platformer that you can play with just a single hand! Play as Mario and friends as they run through courses on their own—all you’re in charge of is timing jumps to grab coins, wall jump, and dodge enemies. With five worlds to run through, Super Mario Run is the perfect package for those who love platformers.

Fire Emblem Heroes

• Developer: Nintendo
• Price: Free with in-app purchases
• View on Google Play

Though Japanese gacha games are a dime a dozen on the mobile marketplace, Nintendo’s Fire Emblem Heroes gets a special mention. Fire Emblem Heroes is a bite-sized version of the tactical strategy RPG franchise, and it still has plenty of complexity to entice fans of the original series. You are mysteriously summoned to a new world, and to find a way back home, you’ll need to journey through a universe that includes heroes from all across the Fire Emblem series. You’ll command squads of four heroes through tactical, grid-based combat encounters that are faithful to the original games.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Classic

• Developer: Sega
• Price: Free with in-app purchase to remove ads
• View on Google Play

If we’re mentioning Mario, we can’t forget about his blue speedy rival, Sonic the Hedgehog. Sega ported both Sonic the Hedgehog 1 & 2 to Android, and they’re very good ports. Our personal favorite is Sonic the Hedgehog 2, but you can’t go wrong with either personally. Just like Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog is one of the pioneers of 2D platforming, and you can’t go wrong with the classics.

Ace Attorney Series

• Developer: Capcom
• Price: 15.99 – 19.99 USD
• View on Google Play

Capcom’s Ace Attorney series places you in the shoes of a rookie defense lawyer who is looking to make a name for himself. The Ace Attorney games are visual novel-style adventure games where logic beats everything in the end. You’ll need to carefully press witnesses and look for holes in their stories to prove that your client is not guilty. If you enjoy puzzle adventure games with thrilling stories, the Ace Attorney series is right up your alley.

Layton Series

• Developer: LEVEL-5
• Price: 9.99 – 15.99 USD
• View on Google Play

The Professor Layton series started life back on the Nintendo DS. You played as the titular Professor Layton alongside his assistant Luke, as they journeyed across the land, usually finding themselves in strange situations. These games are strictly for puzzle lovers, as they play out like adventure games where you must piece together clues, but in order to get a clue, you’ll need to figure out some sort of brain-teaser.

That concludes our list of some of the best Japanese games for Android. We’re sure you have some thoughts to add as well, so let us know what your favorite games are for Android in the comments below!