Top 10 Kaiju Games You Need to Play

Discover the best modern and classic Kaiju games that every fan should experience.
Top 10 Kaiju Games You Need to Play

Highlights

  • Video games featuring Kaiju offer players the chance to live out their epic monster fantasies in various genres, from strategy games to monster-raising sims.
  • Classic games like Rampage and King of the Monsters still hold up as favorite Kaiju games, while newer titles like GigaBash and Dawn of the Monsters provide fun local co-op gameplay with giant monsters.
  • Kaiju games have experienced a resurgence in popularity, fueled by the success of movies like Godzilla vs. Kong and Pacific Rim, offering fans an exciting way to engage with their favorite monstrous characters.

Recent years have seen a notable resurgence in video games featuring Kaiju. While the genre peaked with War of the Monsters in 2003, the excitement for Kaiju-related media has been reignited by recent blockbusters like Godzilla vs. Kong and Pacific Rim, leading to a wave of exciting new games for fans to enjoy.

Here's a rundown of the top 10 Kaiju games that every fan should experience:

Updated January 17, 2024, by Michael Llewellyn: Thanks to the Godzilla and King Kong movies providing cinematic escapism and Monarch adding more context to the Monsterverse, Kaiju-related media in gaming and entertainment has seen a resurgence. Even the Japanese-made Godzilla Minus One is being hailed as one of the greatest monster movies in recent times. The excitement for the genre has seen fans looking toward gaming to live out their epic Kaiju fantasies. This list is updated to include more Kaiju games that fans of the genre are sure to enjoy.

10 Kaiju Wars

An Advance Wars Style Strategy Game With Monsters

  • Released: 2022
  • Developer: Foolish Mortals Games
  • Platform: PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One

Embark on a thrilling adventure as a mayor leading a military force against a Kaiju invasion. Kaiju Wars offers tongue-in-cheek, Advance Wars-esque gameplay, challenging players to fend off monstrous attacks while scientists work to develop a serum to end the invasion.

Keep an eye on the buildings targeted for destruction, employ advanced strategies to slow down the Kaiju, and brace yourself for their relentless return with greater strength.

9 Ultra Kaiju Monster Rancher

A Monster Breeding RPG For Fans Of Kaiju

  • Released: 2022
  • Developer: Koei Tecmo
  • Platform: Switch

Ultra Kaiju Monster Rancher immerses players in a monster-raising simulation with an Ultraman crossover. Raise and train monsters, prepare them for tournaments, and enhance their abilities by sending them to other farms.

Ensure the well-being and longevity of your monsters as you delve into the captivating world of Monster Rancher and experience the essence of the beloved farming simulation.

8 Daikaiju Daikessen: Versus

A Retro-Styled Tribute To King Of The Monsters

  • Released: 2020
  • Developer: One Secret Pseudo
  • Platform: PC

Experience the free-to-play arcade-style fighting game, Daikaiju Daikessen: Versus, paying homage to Neo Geo's King of the Monsters. Engage in strategic combat and relish the thrilling battles between monstrous adversaries.

While addressing some balancing issues, Daikaiju stands as a remarkable tribute to the iconic King of Monsters, offering fans an exhilarating gaming experience.

7 Godzilla: Save The Earth

Fight As Godzilla With Earth As The Arena

  • Released: 2004
  • Developer: Pipeworks Software
  • Platform: PS2 and Xbox

Engage in 3D combat as iconic monsters from the Godzilla universe in Godzilla: Save the Earth. Experience fast-paced battles, destructible environments, and thrilling multiplayer showdowns, offering unparalleled entertainment for Godzilla enthusiasts.

While the single-player mode may lack depth, the couch co-op multiplayer feature ensures endless hours of enjoyment for fans of the colossal creatures.

6 Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain

Battle Gigantic Kaiju In Single Player And Co-Op Action

Embark on an intense battle against colossal Kaiju in Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain. This installment takes a more serious tone while retaining the captivating monster B-movie essence, offering thrilling single-player and hilarious offline co-op multiplayer experiences.

Experience the awe-inspiring presence of Kaiju and giant mechs, paying homage to beloved monster movie classics, and indulge in the exhilarating gameplay of the Earth Defense Force series.

5 Rampage

An Arcade Classic Beat-Em-Up That Stands The Test Of Time

  • Released: 1986
  • Developer: Midway Games
  • Platform: Arcade, Amiga, Amstrad CF, Atari ST, Atari 2600, Atari 7800, Commodore 64, IBM PC, Lynx, NES, Sega Master System, and ZX Spectrum

Step into the world of Rampage, a side-scrolling beat-em-up that has captivated players for over 30 years. Join forces with friends in this timeless multiplayer game, offering an enduring and entertaining experience as you control giant monsters on a destructive rampage.

While visually aged, Rampage remains a beloved classic that promises endless enjoyment in multiplayer mode.

4 GigaBash

Fun Local Co-Op Combat With Monsters

Immerse yourself in the isometric action brawler GigaBash, offering thrilling combat with Kaiju reminiscent of Capcom's Powerstone series. Whether in single-player or multiplayer mode, the game promises chaotic team battles and an exhilarating experience.

With four different playable Kaiju and engaging gameplay mechanics, GigaBash shines the brightest in local versus modes, providing endless entertainment for friends and family.

3 King Of The Monsters

Classic Fighting With Monsters Inspired By Godzilla And Ultraman

  • Released: 1991
  • Developer: SNK
  • Platform: Neo Geo. Released in the SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1 bundle for the PSP, PS2, and Wii.

Delve into the enthralling world of King of Monsters, a captivating fighting game featuring Kaiju inspired by iconic creatures like Godzilla, King Kong, and Ultraman. Experience seamless combat mechanics and awe-inspiring character designs in this timeless classic.

Embrace the essence of the arcade classic, featuring six monstrous characters and offering an unforgettable gaming experience.

2 War Of The Monsters

B-Movie-Style 3D Fighting Game With Monsters And Local Multiplayer

Unleash your inner monster in War of the Monsters, a thrilling Kaiju fighting game inspired by 1950s horror movies and Godzilla. Engage in challenging B-movie-style combat, explore fully destructible 3D arenas, and revel in the dynamic couch co-op multiplayer experience.

Indulge in the captivating world of War of the Monsters, offering a seamless blend of depth and fluid combat mechanics for an immersive and exhilarating gaming journey.

1 Dawn Of The Monsters

Streets Of Rage-Style Beat-Em-Up WIth Monsters

  • Released: 2022
  • Developer: 13 AM Games
  • Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S

Embark on an epic adventure in Dawn of the Monsters, a 2.5D side-scrolling beat-em-up that promises an exhilarating experience for up to four players. Engage in thrilling combat reminiscent of Streets of Rage, featuring colossal monsters inspired by the iconic creatures from Godzilla and Ultraman.

Immerse yourself in the visually stunning, cell-shaded manga comic book style, and prepare to battle waves of Nephilim monsters in an unforgettable gaming experience.