Summary
Based in Japan,Studio Ghibliis 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 Ghiblihas created movies likeSpirited Away,Howl’s Moving Castle,Ponyo,Princess Mononoke,My Neighbor Totoro,The Cat Returns, and many others.
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 arehidden gems.
Updated on June 28, 2025 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.
One of the first anti-RPGs to come out that was woefully underappreciated for its time, people can see whyEarthboundhas such a cult followingthat 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 whyEarthboundhas such a dedicated fanbase.
Despite seeming like a simple game, there’s a lot of depth toEarthboundthat 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.
Pokemonis 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 2DPokemonera 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.
Undertaleis 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.
Deltarunehas 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!
Tears of the Kingdomis one of the biggest landmark achievements in gaming, building up on the success ofBreath of the Wildand 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 whyTears of the Kingdomhas 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, andTears of the Kingdom’s cel-shaded art style makes it look quite charming and perfectly in line with Studio Ghibli’s visuals.
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 likeGrave of the Firefliesprove 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 whatOmoribrings to the table.This psychological horror RPGthrows 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.
Terrariais a game that many people unfairly label as a 2D version ofMinecraft— 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, withmany fans loving whatTerrariarepresentswith its unique mix of action and sandbox gameplay.
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.
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.Undertaleis 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.
Given how upliftingSpiritfarerlooks 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 thatSpiritfareris 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.
While this entire series has some commonalities with Studio Ghibli’s works, certain titles have Ghibli’s magic more than others. Those titles areDominion of the Dark DjinnandWrath of the White Witch.Those two particular games are worth checking out because their animated sequences were created by Studio Ghibli.
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 firstNi No Kunicame out in 2010, and the latest in 2018, with about six titles in all.
WhileLittle Nightmaresmight 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 inLittle Nightmaresthat feel like direct references toSpirited 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 outLittle Nightmares.
