For fans of Japanese Tokusatsu shows and films, games are a veritable breeding ground for those wanting to indulge their inner character transformation fantasies. For those unaware, Henshin is a Japanese term that denotes a character who can transform into a super powerful being. In this case, characters like Ultraman, Kamen Rider, or Super Sentai/Power Rangers.
Most of the time, Henshin characters are of the human variety, everyday people who take on extraordinary abilities to fight threats to cities, both big and small. But there are also a handful of titles that step within those parameters but are outside Japanese culture and gaming. Strap on a transformation device, strike a powerful stance, and shout Henshin!
7 Viewtiful Joe
Before Platinum Games, there was Clover Studios, and what a studio it was. In just a few years, these ex-Capcom developers would release several cult classic titles, such as Shinji Mikami’s delirious God Hand, the exquisitely beautiful Okami, and Hideki Kamiya’s love-letter to childhood Henshin characters Viewtiful Joe.
This unique side-scrolling beat’em up manages to tap into the joy of Tokusatsu media by paying homage to the Henshin characters from Japanese pop culture, specifically Kamen Rider. When in human form, Joe is aptly weaker due to the loss of his special powers. But once he transforms, the real Henshin joy kicks in, whether it's slowing down time to pull off superhuman feats or delivering outrageous combos against a plethora of goon fodder. “Henshin a go-go, baby”, indeed.
6 Persona 5
For those willing to invest the time into Persona 5, it will quickly become apparent why this game reigns as one of the best JRPGs in recent memory. Whether it’s the deep personal connections the player makes with their crew, all of whom have their flaws, or pulling heists with the said crew of misfits, it's a game that just keeps on giving.
Early on in the game, we meet sassy feline companion Morgana and shortly thereafter we learn of his ability to Henshin transform into an armored vehicle for the Phantom Thieves to traverse the Metaverse in. Somehow, it manages to be a wonderfully left-field moment in a game filled with them. Only in Persona 5 would there be a swashbuckling cat in the player's party that can also transform into a vehicle. Morgana even strikes a Kamen Rider-like pose to instigate the transformation, followed by a sly dig at My Neighbour Totoro. Bizarre and brilliant.
5 No More Heroes 3
The crazed and wholly idiosyncratic genius of Grasshopper Manufacture strikes again with No More Heroes 3. Players who have played through the previous Travis Touchdown entries will know that Suda51 is going to bring ludicrousness by the bucketload. Once again, the legendary game designer taps into the cultural zeitgeist of Japanese entertainment by including a Henshin ability for Travis in this entry.
Honestly, this makes complete sense given the Tokusatsu-inspired narrative which pays homage to and lampoons Japanese superheroes. The Henshin power Travis can activity essentially acts, much like its source material inspiration, as an armored power-up. Fans of Tokusatsu films or TV, particularly Kamen Rider, will struggle to keep a grin off their face.
4 Kamen Rider: Memory Of Heroez
Created by the late Shotaro Ishinomori, Kamen Rider has been an ongoing series in Japan since 1971, and as of 2022, currently has 33 different series with the most recent being Kamen Rider Geats in 2022. With his super-powered motorcycle, distinctive v-shaped helmet, the need to shout “Henshin”, and flowing scarf accessory, it's easy to see why countless game designers have been influenced by the iconic character.
One of the most recent games based on the character is 2020’s Kamen Rider: Memory of Heroez, which allows the player to control three of the most recent riders, Kamen Rider W, Kamen Rider OOO, and Kamen Rider Zero-One. The game itself is a standard third-person brawler with arena fighting with the ability to use the Rider’s various Henshin abilities, including giving the player access to Kamen Rider W’s dual personality, which more than makes up for the lack of gameplay variation.
3 One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4
The beloved One Piece is full to the brim with loveable characters such as Sanji, Zoro, or Ace. But none can use Henshin abilities quite like the protagonist Monkey D. Luffy. With his Gum-Gum powers, the excitable adventurer can transform an individual or full parts of his body into lethal weapons which defy the laws of physics and reality, like all good Henshin characters.
From the multitude of One Piece games where players take control of Luffy, none have invoked the power of his Henshin abilities quite like the One Piece: Pirate Warriors games, which dump these powers into a Musou title. Taking out hundreds of goons at a time remains strangely satisfying and calming in equal measure. More Musou titles should have and lean into, Henshin mechanics.
2 Transformers: Devastation
First, there were transforming cats, now how about robots? For this entry, we once again step away from the more human variety of Henshin. Platinum Games’ Transformers: Devastation, while far from a top-tier game for the developers, remains a highly enjoyable romp and nostalgic throwback to the Generation 1 Transformer designs and characters.
With it being a character-action game, in a similar vein to Bayonetta or Devil May Cry, the player does spend the majority of the game in the Autobots’ more humanoid form. Although not Henshin in the strictest sense, transforming is still key to the gameplay mechanics in Transformers: Devastation. Trust Platinum Games to create an inventive way of using the transforming during combat because in a lot of instances, it’s the only way to scale a gargantuan enemy and attack their weak, which in turn inflicts high damage.
1 Primal
The PlayStation 2 was no slouch when it came to distinctive first-party titles. Whether it was the now-defunct Clover Studios cult classic God Hand, SCE Cambridge Studio’s creepy ghostbusting shooter Ghosthunter, or unconventional brawler The Mark of Kri, the legendary system always brought something unique to the table.
One title that is an interesting oddity and falls into a western Henshin category, is the almost-forgotten Primal, also by SCE Cambridge Studio. As Jen, the player can change into various demonic creatures and take on their individual special powers, all while searching for her lost boyfriend in a demonic realm. The different demon forms Jen can transform into allow for different combat moves and help with solving a particular environmental puzzle.