Isekai has now become one of the most popular genres of anime out there. This genre shows the main character being transported to another world other than their own and getting stuck there (possibly forever). Think shows like Escaflowne, Inuyasha, Samurai Jack, etc. The genre has everything from dark shows like Re: Zero to comedy-based books revolving around a sentient vending machine.

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The idea of isekai isn't as new as its recent popularity might suggest. Quite a few video game franchises have played around with the idea of transporting their protagonists to a different world. The concept appears much more often than fans might think. In fact, you may not have realized that games from many franchises including Final Fantasy and The Legend of Zelda fit into the genre.

Updated on August 13, 2021, by James Kennedy: The isekai genre is still running strong. With Forspoken on the horizon, one of the biggest isekai games is on the cusp of releasing. We also just had the release of Digimon Survive, another notable isekai associated with a beloved series. Many people see the isekai genre as being directly associated with anime and being ported over to video games. But, truth be told, the isekai setup is as old as time. And it has been directly associated with video games for quite some time. And that is why we decided to give a few classics the spotlight today.

15 Comix Zone

That's right, folks, the isekai genre isn't exclusive to Japanese properties. Even 90s as hell video games made in the West have this story convention. Sketch Turner (what a name) is a comic book artist living his normal 90s life until he is suddenly sucked into one of his comic books.

From here on out, we get to travel from panel to panel, fighting our way through hordes of comic book baddies. It is a classic beat 'em up romp. Not exactly what you would typically expect from an isekai title, but Comix Zone is too much fun to not include it.

14 Moon: Remix RPG Adventure

Moon: Remix RPG Adventure

When talking about games in this genre we feel like on of the unsung heroes is Moon. This classic JRPG was, unfortunately, never released in the west. This is a shame, because this game is an absolute, offbeat classic. And, naturally, it is also an isekai. It features an unnamed protagonist who is pulled into the world of their video game.

Moon released in 1995, years before the wave of games where heroes were pulled into video games. And despite being one of the earliest entries, it is also easily one of the best. And we have good news, Moon is now available on modern consoles! That's right, over two decades later, you can finally play this masterpiece.

13 Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris

Sword Art Online was arguably the start of isekai becoming the king of the anime world. The games based on the series follow an alternate storyline from the anime and light novels where you play as the series’ protagonist: Kirito.

Alicization Lycoris does an admirable job of mirroring the anime, while also providing a great deal of story for ardent fans to dive into. A story that eventually branches off and does its own thing, by the way. The combat is also, notably, a highlight for this title. It is an action RPG with an emphasis on kinetic, flashy combos. Fans of the series will absolutely find something to love here.

12 Re:Zero Starting Life in Another World: The Prophecy of the Throne

Re Zero Trailer

Re:Zero Starting Life in Another World: The Prophecy of the Throne is a visual novel and RPG hybrid that gives players an all-new plot to enjoy. The game is based on the anime of the same name and features many of the same characters that made the series popular.

Related: The Best Visual Novels on Steam

The game's storyline was overseen by the original creator of the series to ensure that fans would enjoy it. To mix things up from the standard visual novel formula, the game also includes instances of tactical battles that you must overcome to progress.

11 Assassin's Creed

Assassin's Creed Valhalla Sigurd

You wouldn't know by looking at them, but the Assassin's Creed games all take place in a simulation that is somehow tethered to your DNA (don't ask). The games send players into a digital world where they relive the lives of different assassins who have existed throughout the ages.

While we could list any given entry into the series, they all share this basic setup, so we are going to acknowledge the series as a whole. The Assassin's Creed games are a mix of stealth gameplay and adventuring, and the later games feature strong RPG elements. Whether you are a fan of pirates, Greek mythology, or Vikings, there is an Assassin's Creed game out there that will tickle your fancy.

10 Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX

a group of pokemon in pokemon mystery dungeon

The Pokemon Mystery Dungeon games are sorta odd. Whether the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon titles are isekais is somewhat up for debate. The main protagonist finds themselves turned into a Pokemon and, while they are still in the same world, they have seemingly been transported into the future where humans have apparently gone extinct. So, in summary, you are a stranger transported into a strange land: if it smells like an isekai, and looks like an isekai, we're going to call it an isekai.

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX is the newest entry into the series. It is a remake of Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team games that were on the GBA. This means that this isekai is a remake of a game that is close to two decades old. This is a delightfully light-hearted romp through a dungeon crawler roguelike filled with loveable characters. That's right, it is roguelike too! Talk about being ahead of the curve, eh?

9 Digimon Survive

Digimon Survive art of all characters grouped

The Digimon franchise is also no stranger to the idea of isekai. Several of the games see humans being transported into the digital world. They would then get tangled up in the chaos of digital drama and make friends with Digimon they found around the world to fight with.

Digimon Survive is a mixture of a Tactical RPG and a visual novel. It also leans more heavily into the isekai genre. It’s a completely unique entry into the series that does a lot of unique things. We are also happy to see a new Tactical RPG release.

8 Graveyard Keeper

Graveyard Keeper Ghost chasing player

Graveyard Keeper is a comedy simulation game that shows the protagonist being sucked into a medieval world. Once there, they are tasked to operate the local graveyard by a talking skull. The player must fulfill various tasks to build themselves up and try to figure out how to get home.

Related: Graveyard Keeper: A Guide to Getting Started

The game has a lot of dark humor but brings a unique spin to the farming and sim genre. There are even a lot of parody moments hidden in the comedic dialogue. It's a refreshing departure from your average experience.

7 Ni No Kuni

Oliver, Swaine, and Ester from Ni No Kuni Wrath of the White Witch next to each other and leaning over a crowded balcony

Ni No Kuni is a heartbreaking game that introduces players to Oliver - a young boy who is taken to another world by Drippy. While there, Oliver learns that there is a chance to bring his mother back. He sets out to save the woman who is connected to her soul to try and bring her back.

The game is a turn-based RPG that gained fame due to Studio Ghibli creating its animated cutscenes. Not only does it directly line up with the isekai setup, but the added layer of Ghibli animation also takes the nostalgia up to eleven.

6 Kingdom Hearts

sora kingdom hearts 3

Kingdom Hearts is literally a game about visiting other worlds with Sora and his crew. In the first game, Sora is stripped from the Destiny Islands by the Heartless and gets dropped off in Traverse Town. He meets various other characters there who also found their homeworlds destroyed.

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The only thing separating Sora from them is the Keyblade and a chance meeting with Donald and Goofy. As fans know, the whole game is about finding Kairi and saving the realm from the Heartless. As for the rest of the games in the series...it's complicated.

5 Brutal Legend

Ozzy Osbourne in Brutal Legend

Brutal Legend is a game about a heavy metal artist who is "isekai'd" away into a world based around metal music. Cameos from famous artists (such as Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath) happen throughout the game. The main character, Eddie, runs through the world using his music-inspired weapons to defeat enemies.

He must fulfill his role as the chosen one which is one of the biggest isekai tropes a game can have. Eddie is also voiced by Jack Black and that just makes the game perfectly comedic.

4 The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

Cover art for TLOZ: Majora's Mask.

It may be surprising to some that Zelda is on this list, but the series has had quite a few isekai moments. Just look at Twilight Princess's Twilight Realm for another example. But Majora's Mask literally sees Link falls into a strange land where the moon has an angry face and everyone he knew in Hyrule has a doppelganger.

The only way in seems to be through the clock tower and no one in town mentions anything about Hyrule. It's a bizarre departure for the series, and that may just be why so many fans love the game as much as they do.

3 Final Fantasy Tactics Advance

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance Moogle Montblanc Nono Marche in a bar

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance starts out much differently from other games in the storied franchise. Four children get transported to a fantasy world that they made up after opening an old tome. It's here that they learn that the things they wished for in their previous life are coming true.

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Much like its predecessor, Tactics Advance features a tactical battle system. However, the story is a bit more light-hearted than the first Final Fantasy Tactics, which may turn some fans off. But don't completely write Tactics Advance's story off, there is more going on than you may first suspect.

2 Cadence Of Hyrule

Candence of Hyrule Overworld

Cadence of Hyrule is every Zelda fan's childhood dream. After Hyrule falls into darkness, Cadence, the game's main character, is summoned to Hyrule to wake up Zelda and Link. She then goes on an adventure with the two heroes to help save Hyrule.

Unlike other games in the main franchise, Cadence of Hyrule is a roguelike adventure with constantly changing dungeons. It has a bopping soundtrack, and its rhythmic combat provides a completely unique experience. It's the perfect hybrid between Crypt of the Necrodancer and Zelda. If you are a fan of either game, you need to check out Cadence of Hyrule.

1 Genshin Impact

A screenshot showing a vision being used in Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact is one of the newest games that falls into the isekai category. Lumine and her brother Aether are travelers who hop from world to world. When they try to leave Teyvat, they run into the Unknown God who captures them both and ends up separating the pair.

The story revolves around one sibling's struggle to reunite with the other and finally go back to their own home. This is definitely not the only anime or isekai trope found in the game, but it's one of the most direct.

Next: Ocarina Of Time Or Majora's Mask: Which Zelda Game is Actually Better?