Get ready! Digimon Story: Time Stranger arrives next week, the newest installment in the beloved series of turn-based role-playing games. But the world of Digimon extends far beyond just RPGs. For nearly three decades, Digimon has consistently experimented within the video game landscape. While not every attempt has been a resounding success, this adventurous spirit has kept the franchise fresh and engaging. Although some titles remained exclusive to Japan, many of the best ones made their way to Western audiences. However, acquiring them now can be challenging due to limited preservation efforts. If you’re new to the world of Digimon games, here are some top-tier titles worth exploring.
Digimon World / Digimon World: Next Order
Despite some reservations regarding the virtual pet-style gameplay found in Digimon World, its omission from this list would undoubtedly cause an uproar. Although potentially frustrating, the original PlayStation title possesses a unique atmosphere unmatched by many other games in the franchise. As your character is transported to the Digital World, a profound sense of solitude permeates your journey. You’ll wander aimlessly through uncharted territories, forging alliances and confronting adversaries along the way. It also has a certain PS1-era roughness that is absent from more modern Digimon releases, creating a uniquely memorable experience, especially for younger players who find these virtual environments expansive and slightly intimidating. If you possess the patience to cultivate a sufficiently powerful Digimon to overcome the game’s challenges, Digimon World reveals a vast and compelling world that unfolds dynamically as you progress. Be warned, the training aspect can be repetitive. For those who persevere, however, the game is exceptionally rewarding. Next Order presents a contemporary reimagining of this core loop. If you are capable of handling it with a single monster, prepare yourself to oversee the development of two simultaneously. Good luck!
Digimon Racing
Don’t dismiss it! Seriously, this Game Boy Advance kart racer is quite enjoyable. If you’ve spent time with Mario Kart or Sonic Racing, you’ll quickly grasp the core mechanics of Digimon Racing. This title offers a familiar kart racing experience with a Digimon twist. The Digimon you select as your racer will progressively digivolve throughout each race as you drift skillfully, granting you enhanced speed and abilities to leave your rivals behind. Digimon Racing was also a pioneering title, among the first to support the GBA’s wireless adapter, as Nintendo aimed to phase out link cables in anticipation of the Nintendo DS. I recall playing against my brother in our home and having such great moments. It was like magic!
Digimon Rumble Arena 1+2
Most gamers have experimented with a Super Smash Bros.-inspired game at some point, right? While Digimon Rumble Arena and its follow-up might not have achieved the competitive status to inspire dedicated fan bases and tournament scenes, they offer lighthearted party experiences starring your favorite Digital Monsters. The initial title, released on the original PlayStation, was limited to two players. The game was also prone to drawn-out matches due to fighters chasing each other around the arenas. Rumble Arena 2, released two years later, leaned more heavily into the Super Smash Bros. formula. It allowed up to four players and resulted in more dynamic, frantic, and enjoyable battles.
Digimon World 2
The first Digimon World introduced the digital pet management mechanics which some find addicting. I can’t personally say I have those same feelings for it, and was similarly frustrated when they returned in Digimon World: Next Order. Trying to train your Digimon for an hour, only for them to become a poop monster? No thanks. Yet, the World series has evolved significantly over time. Digimon World 2 shifted away from the real-time digital pet focus of the original, offering a dungeon-crawling experience with turn-based battles. While the combat system lacks significant depth, the game’s intricate and experimental Digivolution mechanics established a precedent for future iterations.
Digimon Survive
Digimon Survive might not be a particularly exceptional tactical RPG, but it excels as a visual novel. The combat is excessively simple, lacking the complexity found in classic titles such as Final Fantasy Tactics. Conversely, the visual novel component, driven by impactful choices and a gripping horror narrative, presents a novel interpretation of the Digimon universe. Survive’s repetitive battles are worth enduring to experience its rich and often unsettling story.
Digimon World 3
Following Digimon World 2’s introduction of turn-based combat to the subseries, World 3 solidified this approach with a refined and compelling system within one of the most compelling Digital World settings. The RPG’s Digimon roster is more limited. The challenge here is derived from working within predetermined party compositions. The game’s stunning PS1-era graphics retain their charm to this day. Its dark storyline, which involves individuals trapped within a virtual reality MMO, may seem conventional by modern standards, but it was genuinely unnerving at the time. Additionally, it marked the first starring role for Guilmon, arguably the best Digimon, in an RPG. More than most Digimon games, I constantly want to revisit World 3, but alas, it remains confined to the original PlayStation after more than two decades.
Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth
I recently revisited Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth and was delighted to see that it still holds up extremely well. This detective RPG is one of the best stories in the entire franchise. This iteration is a perfect fusion of the franchise’s enigmatic allure, core mythology, and uplifting emphasis on the strength of friendship. It’s the closest a Digimon game has gotten to a Persona-esque experience. Although its turn-based battles are somewhat straightforward, the game’s complex evolution mechanics enable you to transform nearly any Digimon into another through careful planning and strategic play. The game is layered with depth. The Hacker’s Memory expansion, often packaged with the original game on PC and Switch, offers an additional 50 hours of parallel story content that is also well worth exploring. If you’re unfamiliar with the game and curious about Time Stranger, Cyber Sleuth serves as an exceptional introduction to the modern landscape of Digimon gaming.