Based in Japan, Studio Ghibli is one of the most well-known animation companies in the world. Their films are known for flowing motion, gorgeous natural landscapes, fantastical worlds, spunky protagonists, and promoting ideas of environmentalism and pacifism. Studio Ghibli has created movies like Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, Ponyo, Princess Mononoke, My Neighbor Totoro, The Cat Returns, and many others.

Related

Animal Crossing New Horizons: 10 Best Studio Ghibli Designs (With Codes)

Studio Ghibli fans have crafted a lot of awesome designs to be used on Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Their movies have inspired other creators, including those who make video games. After all, both anime and video games are part of Japan's major international influence. Video game writers and developers have captured in some of their games the same essence of laid-back fantasy as Ghibli films often have. Some of these games are well-known, while others are hidden gems.

Updated on February 19, 2024 by Ritwik Mitra: Studio Ghibli is one of the most popular movie studios around, and it's easy to see why so many fans are fans of their charming work. While some of their movies can touch some dark themes at times, the majority of their work carries a gleeful charm to them that makes these works of animation feel so awe-inspiring to watch. Suffice it to say, fans of their work wouldn't mind playing through games that are just as whimsical while also being deep and introspective in their own way.

1 Earthbound

An Anti-JRPG Set In The Modern With A Ton Of Wit And Charm

One of the first anti-RPGs to come out that was woefully underappreciated for its time, people can see why Earthbound has such a cult following that continues to grow even now. The idea of controlling children in the modern setting who fight run-of-the-mill may not sound all that engaging but is a huge part of why Earthbound has such a dedicated fanbase.

Despite seeming like a simple game, there's a lot of depth to Earthbound that most people don't notice until they've sunk a few hours into this adventure. The charm of this title makes it perfect for Studio Ghibli fans who want to enjoy more video games in the same vein.

2 Pokemon

The Cute Pocket Monsters And Low Stakes Make For A Surprisingly Cozy JRPG

Pokemon is a video game franchise that needs no introduction. While the modern entries in this series have been criticized for plenty of reasons, that shouldn't take away from the charm these games hold when things click into place.

The classic 2D Pokemon era is something fans can't get enough of. Each and every game oozes with charm, making them some of the coziest titles fans can check out for themselves. While most of the entries do not have the dramatic qualities associated with some of Studio Ghibli's greatest games, they deliver immersive and charming worlds filled with colorful personalities. They are a fantastic escape from reality.

3 Deltarune

Charming Characters With A Relatively Light-Hearted Story

Undertale is an indie gem that took the world by storm, and it's easy to see why people wanted more from its brilliant developer, Toby Fox. He decided to drip-feed fans with content for a sequel that was split into different chapters.

Related

Deltarune: 10 Things You Need To Know About Susie

Deltarune's school bully is important to the plot. Here are some facts to keep in mind for later chapters.

Deltarune has been lauded by the masses, and fans can't wait for the final product to grace them with their presence. Hopefully, the full game won't take too long to come out, with the quality of this game being just as enjoyable as the first game, if not more!

4 The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

Cel-Shaded Artstyle Coupled With Cute Character Designs Makes For A Winning Combination

Tears of the Kingdom is one of the biggest landmark achievements in gaming, building up on the success of Breath of the Wild and making its predecessor feel like a tech demo in many ways. The integration of Ultrahand is easily one of the most innovative modern mechanics open-world gaming has seen in quite some time, showing how graphics isn't something that should be the major focus in an era where gameplay can be innovated to such a massive extent.

Link's other vast suite of powers is also quite brilliant in its own right and proves why Tears of the Kingdom has received critical plaudits across the board. Nintendo continues to prove why it deserves the praise of being one of the best video game developers around, and Tears of the Kingdom's cel-shaded art style makes it look quite charming and perfectly in line with Studio Ghibli's visuals.

5 Omori

Is Full Of Charm But Hides Something Sinister That Takes A While To Reveal Itself

Most people assume that Studio Ghibli's movies are mainly for kids and don't feature any mature themes, which couldn't be further from the truth. Movies like Grave of the Fireflies prove that the studio doesn't shy away from tackling more disturbing topics, with this legendary movie being a great example of how fragile human life becomes in the throes of war.

Fans of Ghibli's darker content will love what Omori brings to the table. This psychological horror RPG throws players for a loop, lulling them into a false sense of security over and over again before scaring them out of their wits. The mystery that plays out in the background is a tantalizing one and will shock players to their very core when they learn about the dark and disturbing truth at the heart of this video game.

6 Terraria

2D Minecraft-esque Game That Looks Pretty Endearing

Terraria is a game that many people unfairly label as a 2D version of Minecraft — a description that most of its fans are tired of at this point. After all, the game has shown time and time again that it deserves to stand out in its own right as one of the greatest indie titles ever made, with many fans loving what Terraria represents with its unique mix of action and sandbox gameplay.

Related

12 Indie Games With Fantastic Stories

Plenty of indie games have compelling narratives that are hard to forget. The following examples are some of the genre's best.

The exploration in this world is a blast, with players discovering several new areas, tackling a host of powerful enemies, and gathering materials to expand their settlement. This, coupled with multiplayer gameplay and mod support, leads to a title that players will be enamored with for hours on end.

7 Undertale

An Indie Darling That Took The World By Storm With Its Charm And Cuteness

It would be impossible to talk about indie games without mentioning one of the biggest titles that fans still can't get enough of to this day. Undertale is an amazing title full to the brim with innovative combat and endearing characters.

The story of this game is bound to feel like a Studio Ghibli creation in every sense of the world. Everything from the charming world to the amazing cast of characters will keep players hooked until the end of this amazing experience.

8 Spiritfarer

A Surprisingly Uplifting Game That Deals With Dark And Mature Themes

Given how uplifting Spiritfarer looks at first glance, it's honestly hard to imagine that this game deals with hard topics like death and mourning. However, viewers of Studio Ghibli will feel right at home with this depressingly charming look at the sadder parts of life.

It helps that Spiritfarer is an excellent title in its own right and serves as one of the better indie titles anyone can try out. The art style, gameplay, and story all elicit the same feeling as a Studio Ghibli title in the best way possible.

9 The Ni No Kuni Series

The Series That Comes To The Mind Of Most People Who Talk About Ghibli-esque Games

While this entire series has some commonalities with Studio Ghibli's works, certain titles have Ghibli's magic more than others. Those titles are Dominion of the Dark Djinn and Wrath of the White Witch. Those two particular games are worth checking out because their animated sequences were created by Studio Ghibli.

Related

10 Pro Tips For Ni No Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch Remastered You Should Know

Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch has been re-released for the PS4, Switch, and PCs, and here are some tips for newcomers to the RPG.

The game's music was even made by Joe Hisaishi, a man who has worked on a lot of the music for Studio Ghibli films. The first Ni No Kuni came out in 2010, and the latest in 2018, with about six titles in all.

10 Little Nightmares

The Innocence Of Childhood Takes On A Dark And Disturbing Turn When One's Fears Are Explored

While Little Nightmares might be significantly scarier than the average Studio Ghibli experience, there's no denying the comparisons that can be made regardless. This is especially true when one looks at the artwork of Spirited Away, one of the most well-known Studio Ghibli movies.

There are several moments in Little Nightmares that feel like direct references to Spirited Away, with the design of the Maw being the most notable of the lot. Fans of Studio Ghibli movies who don't mind a bit of horror should definitely check out Little Nightmares.

11 Dragon Quest 11: Echoes Of An Elusive Age

The Most Approachable Game In The Series With Charming Characters And A Lighthearted Story

One of the greatest JRPGs ever made, Dragon Quest 11 is certainly the most accessible JRPG in the series. By doing away with the tired old tropes surrounding the JRPG genre, Echoes of an Elusive Age turns into an entertaining experience that any Dragon Quest fan would be more than happy with.

The charming aesthetics of this title certainly feel reminiscent of Studio Ghibli's art style. This, coupled with the light-hearted story, makes for an engaging experience that fans will find hard to put down at times.

12 Stardew Valley

The Endearing Nature Of Stardew Valley Resonates With Players Seeking A Cozy Gaming Experience

Any player who wants to enjoy a stress-free experience while gaming doesn't have to look any further than Stardew Valley. This quaint farming simulator has taken the world by storm due to its charming art style and endearing characters.

It's easy to see why any fan of Studio Ghibli would instantly be enraptured by the aesthetic of Stardew Valley. The zen nature of this title means that players can relax for a bit and escape from the pressures of real life.

13 Okami

The Cel-Shaded Graphics And Cute Characters Makes This Zelda-Inspired Game Come To Life

Since its release in 2006, Okami is still one of the most creative and beautiful out there. Like Studio Ghibli, the series builds much of its fantasy elements on Japanese folklore. It tells an environmental message and pushes for a peaceful world through the power of a god's paintbrush.

Related

10 Video Game Franchises Inspired By Asian Mythology

Some of the greatest stories ever told have come from mythology and folklore. Their heroes are larger than life, as are the villains and monsters.

The art style of the game is unique, making it look like a calligraphy painting. Powers the player gains are in their paintbrush techniques, which can make trees grow, flowers bloom, and the sunrise. It is known as one of Capcom's best games.

14 Attack Of The Friday Monsters

A Hidden Gem With Whimsical Elements, Much Like Studio Ghibli's Work

This hidden gem was released on the 3DS in 2013. Its story and characters are whimsical, much like Studio Ghibli. Players take the role of a young boy whose family owns a dry cleaner in a small town.

Much of the game is about childish innocence, friendship, and family, and goes forward with episodic mysteries to solve in the town. The game's developer is the same one that makes the Ni No Kuni games, Level-5.

15 Forgotten Anne

Looks Like A Ghibli Film With Similar Elements

Released in 2018, this hand-animated game looks just like Ghibli's visual style. In terms of gameplay, the title is a puzzle 2D platformer. As for the story, it is on the same level of creativity as a Studio Ghibli film. It introduces a place called The Forgotten Lands, where creatures called Forgotlings live and long to be remembered by the human world.

Players play as Anne, someone who keeps order in The Forgotten Lands. The story and characters are stunning, though players have complained that the game's movement is pretty clunky.

16 Battle Chef Brigade

Its Art Style And Fantasy Inspirations Are Reminiscent Of Studio Ghibli's Work

This title has a ton of positive reviews, with the only criticism being that players loved it so much that they wish it was longer. The game consists of side-scrolling combat, interactive towns, six chapters, cooking duels, and charming characters. The story follows two characters as they take down fantastical monsters and turn them into delicious meals.

The game has been compared to Studio Ghibli for both its art style and fantasy elements. Even if the chefs are making food out of monsters, they end up looking absolutely delicious by the end.

17 Dark Cloud

Developed By Level-5, A Studio Known For Its Ghibli-esque Elements

Dark Cloud and its sequel are also games developed by Level-5. The first game was released internationally in 2001 on the PS2, so it has aged quite a bit since its launch. The story revolves around a young boy going on a journey to stop a Dark Genie from controlling the world. He visits various areas and picks up companions on the way.

It is the typical hero's journey with Ghibli elements in its quaint locations and characters. In terms of gameplay, both games are RPGs with a little bit of town-building.

18 Ori and the Blind Forest

A Charming Metroidvania That Fans Of Studio Ghibli's Work Will Feel Right At Home With

Unlike many titles compared to Studio Ghibli, Ori and the Blind Forest is not made by Japanese studios. The platform adventure game was made by an Austrian developer called Moon Studios. The designers of the game themselves admitted that they were inspired by works of Studio Ghibli like Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.

Related

Ori And The Will Of The Wisps: Which Abilities To Purchase First

There are quite a few abilities that players need to unlock in Ori and the Will of the Wisps. Here's a look at what to get first.

The game tells a coming-of-age story of a guardian spirit. The world is lovely and full of original creatures with fascinating designs. The game got near-perfect reviews from game journals such as Polygon, Gamespot, and Game Informer. It also won awards for its audio, art direction, and animation.

19 Mutazione

The Game Designer Himself Has Admitted This Game's Inspirations From The Works Of Studio Ghibli

This game takes place in a holiday resort that was struck by a meteor 100 years ago. While many died, those who remained mutated made an isolated community called Mutazione. The game's story is a personal one through the eyes of a 15-year-old girl named Kai, who is living in Mutazione. While the game takes place in a post-apocalyptic world, the gameplay and overall mood of the story is a slow-place slice-of-life.

Like Ori and the Blind Forest, this game is also not made in Japan. However, parts of the game's themes and soundtrack were inspired by Studio Ghibli movies. At least that is the case, according to game designer Douglas Wilson in an interview with Polygon.

20 Jade Cocoon

A Character Designer From Studio Ghibli, Katsuya Kondo, Worked On This Game

Released internationally in 1999, Jade Cocoon was made in collaboration with a character designer from Studio Ghibli, Katsuya Kondō. Kondō has been a part of a ton of Studio Ghibli movies, such as Kiki's Delivery Service, Castle in the Sky, Pom Poko, My Neighbor Totoro, From Up on Poppy Hill, and a ton of others. In terms of games, though, he has only worked on Jade Cocoon and its sequel.

In Jade Cocoon, the world is covered in a dangerous and dense forest full of monsters called Minions. The silent main character, Levant, has the job of capturing and purifying the Minions. The game received pretty average reviews, but it is unique for Kondō's collaboration.

More

15 Mistakes Everyone Makes While Playing The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

Players often make these mistakes when playing Breath of the Wild. Here's how you can avoid them.