The tokusatsu (“special effects” in Japanese) live-action genre in Japan has the Kamen Rider series to entertain kids and adults alike with compelling stories starring transforming heroes of the same name. Considered as a cousin franchise to the Super Sentai series, which is the original source material of Power Rangers, each Kamen Rider series features villains that threaten the world, a new hero brave enough to conquer the odds and gimmicky transformations that become the basis of various toys and merchandise.
With more than 33 Kamen Rider series in total, the franchise has spawned spin-off films, team-ups, and even video games throughout its tenure. And similar to Power Rangers games, Kamen Rider titles also give players the opportunity to become their favorite Kamen Riders and save the world. However, just which Kamen Rider games are must-plays for fans?
10 Kamen Rider Battle: Ganbarizing (2013, Arcade)
Although not necessarily a game playable in consoles, Kamen Rider Battle: Ganbarizing remains one of the most popular games for Kamen Rider fans out there. Running since 2013 as a “sequel” to the Ganbaride line, Ganbarizing is a card game accessible in arcade machines where players are able to collect both Rider cards and skill cards of various Types, allowing players to perform various attacks and skills throughout the franchise.
Despite being exclusive in Japan, what makes Ganbarizing worthwhile is its replayability. Thanks to special IC Cards, players can also create their own Kamen Riders, called Ganbariders, which they can customize to have different attacks. Even when using standard Rider cards, these can get bonuses depending on the cards they team up with. Lastly, players are able to save their progress, and continuously get cards with each new Kamen Rider series.
9 Memory Of Heroez (2020, PS4, Nintendo Switch)
While a lot of Kamen Rider games often revolve around a single series or a crossover of multiple titles, Kamen Rider: Memory of Heroez sets itself apart in being a crossover of specifically three series: Kamen Rider Zero-One, Kamen Rider OOO, and Kamen Rider W. Although occurring at an unspecified point in either series’ timeline, Memory of Heroez begins when a disaster befalls the touristy Sector City, where Kamen Rider Zero-One, Kamen Rider W, and Kamen Rider OOO have to team up to discover the identity of the mysterious “Professor Aida,” who is connected to the incident.
Unlike other Kamen Rider titles, Memory of Heroez is a third-person perspective with mechanics similar to the Battride War series. As such, the game fully takes advantage of the Nintendo Switch’s hardware potential, similar to other best games in the console. Players have control of one Kamen Rider and have access to both chainable attacks and specials, with the option of using unique Forms as well as Gadgets to further the story. Fans looking for an original Kamen Rider story in a game title would have fun exploring the story of Memory of Heroez.
8 All Kamen Rider: Rider Revolution (2016, Nintendo 3DS)
Despite its nature as a 2D pixelated side-scroller, All Kamen Rider: Rider Revolution was a revelation of how innovative a Kamen Rider game could become even on a handheld platform. Set during the story of Kamen Rider Ex-Aid, the eponymous Kamen Rider wakes up with a being from an organization named as NEVER revealing their plans to drain the Kamen Riders of their powers. As such, it’s up to Ex-Aid to unite the other Kamen Riders to stop this nefarious plan from happening.
The game takes most Kamen Riders across almost all eras in the franchise, featuring a whopping cast of 67 Kamen Riders, making this seem like a grand crossover game. As a side-scrolling game, players are encouraged to explore areas to find secrets, all the while being able to use their Riders’ respective special skills and Finishers to eliminate threats.
7 Seigi No Keifu (2003, PS2)
One of the first forays of Kamen Rider in the PS2 is courtesy of Kamen Rider: Seigi no Keifu (Genealogy of Justice), which acts as one of the earliest crossover titles in the franchise. The game takes place across some of the earliest Kamen Rider titles, where Kamen Rider 1 is faced with a monster that can travel through time, and he has to meet with other Kamen Riders - specifically V3, Black, and Agito - to stop this threat.
Despite its age, Seigi no Keifu remains iconic for both its dark tone and rather unique gameplay, especially for its rather forgotten crossover premise. Its story alone has a darker turn compared to other future Kamen Rider titles, primarily due to the inclusion of the more mature parts of the storylines of earlier Kamen Rider series. More interesting is the game’s choice of perspective, choosing a set camera perspective a la Resident Evil, where characters get into set locations where enemies and traps may suddenly appear that prompt players to fight or even transform.
6 Kamen Rider Blade (2004, PS2)
Fans of Kamen Rider who loved the card-based thrills of Kamen Rider Ryuki may appreciate the playing card theme of Kamen Rider Blade. In the series, four Riders eventually hold the fate of the world in their hands as they are tasked to “seal” Undead before they wreak havoc. However, as Kamen Riders, they are also able to use the powers of these Undead to defend the world, and sometimes even each other.
The game tries to evolve the concept of Kamen Rider Ryuki’s gameplay of card-based mechanics with the series’ own spin on the concept. Whereas Ryuki only allowed players to use one special skill card at the time, Blade’s constantly shuffles cards into the player’s arsenal, be it only one card or a combination of cards, much like in Red Dead Redemption’s card-based ability system. Players can only use these cards if they press certain buttons during a particular time frame and outside the enemy’s attack range, adding an element of strategy and timing.
5 Kamen Rider Ryuki (2002, PS1)
What better Kamen Rider series to feature as a game than the one that actually takes place in a battle to the death? In a world where individuals become Kamen Riders to put their lives at stake in the Mirror World for the sake of their greatest desire, Kamen Rider Ryuki for the PS1 was a faithful recreation of its story in the form of a straightforward card game.
Featuring all 13 Riders from the main story, Kamen Rider Ryuki features a standard fare of combo-based attacks. However, what sets the game apart is a slight ARG component, where players can only use special attacks based on the cards handed to them, the mix of which depends on the said Rider’s Advent Deck. Due to the “similar” nature of card classes, some characters do have default versions of special attacks, such as monster summons (Advents), weapons (Strike/Sword, etc.), shields (Guards), specials (Uniques) and Rider Finishers (Final Vent).
4 Kamen Rider Kabuto (2006, PS2)
It’s one thing for a Kamen Rider series to feature multiple Riders, and another thing entirely to have these Riders frequently fight each other in flashy combat. One such example of a series is Kamen Rider Kabuto, whose near-apocalyptic setting of Kamen Riders protecting the world against the alien Worms serves as an excellent backdrop of said Riders using their powers for their own gain.
What perhaps sets Kamen Rider Kabuto apart from other games is its multiple gameplay modes, with multiple story routes existing outside the original Kabuto storyline as well as playing as Worms. Aside from playing like a usual beat ‘em up with both single-player and co-op options, levels are interspersed with boss battles that occur on a segment of the map akin to a typical fighting game. Each Kamen Rider has access to their Cast-Off modes, a combo-juggling Clock Up, and signature Rider Finishers. Unlike other Kamen Rider titles, Kabuto has aged well, especially with its fluid gameplay and faithfulness to the source material.
3 Super Climax Heroes (2012, PSP, Wii)
Players looking for a nostalgic take on the Kamen Rider crossover series may get interested in trying out Kamen Rider: Super Climax Heroes. Despite being on rather older Wii and PSP platforms, the game does a superb job giving players a comprehensive take on a modern Kamen Rider title. Compared to the arena fighter premise of other games, Super Climax Heroes is a straightforward 3D fighter, much like Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid, which may pique the interest of fighting game fans.
The game itself features all Heisei-era Riders until Kamen Rider Wizard, alongside most of their signature moves, forms, and even Finishers. This makes Super Climax Heroes a great look into the gameplay formula prior to the roaming 3D fighter setup of future games.
2 Battride War Genesis (2016, PS3, PS4, PS Vita)
Serving as the third installment of the crossover Battride War series, Kamen Rider: Battride War Genesis is the biggest game of the franchise just yet. Serving as a celebration of the franchise's 45th Anniversary, dimension-hopping Kamen Rider Den-O joins newcomer Kamen Rider Ghost in restoring the memories of the first Kamen Riders during their first episodes. If they fail, an old enemy may resurface and just destroy the world as they know it.
Similar to other Battride War games, Battride War Genesis is known to feature both primary and secondary Riders of the series they include, making this an interesting crossover experience. Not only that, but the game paves the way for each Rider to showcase what they could pull off in vast beat ‘em up environments, set in each of their series’ first episode but also weaved into their own narratives. Fans who want to get into Kamen Rider may want to start with this title, as it immediately features Riders from around 20 Kamen Rider series.
1 Climax Scramble Zi-O (2018, Nintendo Switch)
Players looking for a standard arena fighter in modern platforms would appreciate a mobile experience via Kamen Rider: Climax Scramble Zi-O. Serving as the seventh entry in the Climax fighting game series and the sequel to the Climax Fighters reboot, Climax Scramble Zi-O takes players on a time-travelling journey as Kamen Riders Zi-O and Geiz try to stop a supposedly-evil Kamen Rider Build and Cross-Z from committing inter-dimensional destruction.
Unlike other Kamen Rider games, Climax Scramble Zi-O performs as a standard fighter, with the usual fare of normal attacks that string into combos as well as signature attacks and even form changes. Combined with the fact that this 20th Anniversary game also features all Heisei-era Riders beginning from Kamen Rider Black all the way to Zi-O, this game is a must-play for fans who want to stay as up to date as possible with the franchise and experience playing a crossover title.
Kamen Rider Geats is an upcoming Kamen Rider series to be released in 2022. Set in a battle royale called “Desire Grand Prix,” players equip “Desire Drivers” to become Kamen Riders and protect the world from Jamato.