Learn Japanese Through Video Games: Best Games for Every Level
Use video games to learn Japanese! Discover the best games for beginners to advanced learners, with tips to maximize language learning while gaming.
What if your gaming hours counted as Japanese study time? Good news – they can! Playing video games in Japanese is one of the most enjoyable ways to immerse yourself in the language. You'll learn vocabulary, reading skills, and even grammar naturally while having fun.
This guide shows you exactly which games to play at every level and how to maximize your learning!
Why Video Games Work for Language Learning
Video games offer unique learning advantages:
✅ Context-Rich Learning
Words appear with visual context, sound effects, and story situations. You'll remember "sword" (剣 - ken) when you actually USE a sword!
✅ Repetition Without Boredom
Games repeat vocabulary naturally through menus, battles, and dialogue. You'll see 攻撃 (attack) hundreds of times!
✅ High Motivation
You WANT to understand to progress. That urgency accelerates learning in ways textbooks can't match.
✅ Active Engagement
You're making choices, reading carefully, and interacting – not passive consumption.
✅ Safe Practice Environment
Make mistakes without embarrassment. Try reading that item description – no one's judging!
Before You Start: Essential Setup
Change Your Game Language
Most games let you switch to Japanese:
- 01Check game settings → Language
- 02Look for 日本語 option
- 03Some games need Japanese region purchase
Tip: Keep English subtitles at first if available, then gradually remove them!
Get a Reading Tool
For PC/Switch with browser:
- Yomichan – Hover to translate
- Google Translate camera – Point at screen
For immersion without tools:
- Keep a notebook for new words
- Screenshot unfamiliar kanji
Start With Games You Know
Playing a game you've completed in English is GENIUS:
- You already know the story
- Focus on language, not gameplay
- Familiar context aids comprehension
Best Games by Japanese Level
🟢 Beginner Level (N5-N4)
Perfect for those who know hiragana and basic vocabulary.
Pokémon Games (Any Version)
Why it's perfect:
- Kids' vocabulary designed for young Japanese readers
- Furigana (readings above kanji) in most versions
- Menu-based with simple choices
- Repetitive battle text reinforces learning
- Culturally iconic
What you'll learn:
- Basic commands (たたかう、にげる)
- Pokémon names and types
- Item vocabulary
- Simple story dialogue
Best versions:
- Pokémon Legends: Arceus (Switch)
- Pokémon Scarlet/Violet (Switch)
- Any classic remakes
Vocabulary examples:
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| たたかう | tatakau | Fight |
| にげる | nigeru | Run away |
| つかまえる | tsukamaeru | Catch |
| どうぐ | dougu | Items |
| ポケモン | pokemon | Pokémon |
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Why it works:
- Real-life vocabulary (furniture, clothes, nature)
- Slow-paced, no pressure
- Villager conversations are simple
- Seasonal events teach cultural words
What you'll learn:
- Daily life vocabulary
- Seasonal/weather terms
- Furniture and home items
- Simple conversational phrases
Yo-kai Watch Series
Why it works:
- Furigana throughout
- Similar to Pokémon but more dialogue
- Japanese cultural content (yokai folklore!)
- Designed for Japanese children
🟡 Intermediate Level (N4-N3)
You can read hiragana/katakana fluently and know 500+ words.
Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild / Tears of the Kingdom
Why it's great:
- Minimal text (action-focused)
- When text appears, it's meaningful
- Item descriptions teach vocabulary
- Shrine names use interesting kanji
- Voice acting for important scenes
What you'll learn:
- Adventure/nature vocabulary
- Item and weapon names
- Quest-related phrases
- Some formal speech patterns
Stardew Valley (Japanese Version)
Why it works:
- Farming/daily life vocabulary
- Character relationships and dialogue
- Seasons and festivals
- Manageable text amounts
- PC version works great with text hookers
What you'll learn:
- Agriculture vocabulary
- Relationship phrases
- Cooking/crafting terms
- Small-town conversational Japanese
Fire Emblem Series
Why it's great:
- Strategy with lots of reading
- Character-driven stories
- Military/kingdom vocabulary
- Different speech patterns by character
- Support conversations for practice
What you'll learn:
- Formal/informal speech
- Strategy/military terms
- Character personality through speech
- More complex sentence structures
Ace Attorney / 逆転裁判 Series
Why it's incredible:
- Text-heavy (massive reading practice!)
- Legal/crime vocabulary
- Puns and wordplay (advanced!)
- Engaging mysteries keep you motivated
- Voice acting in newer versions
What you'll learn:
- Court/legal vocabulary
- Everyday conversation
- Logical reasoning phrases
- Japanese humor and wordplay
🔴 Advanced Level (N3-N1)
Ready for complex narratives and minimal furigana?
Persona 5 Royal
Why it's incredible:
- Modern Tokyo setting
- School, social, and dungeon vocabulary
- Voice acting helps pronunciation
- Deep story with complex themes
- Social links = relationship conversations
What you'll learn:
- Modern youth language
- School vocabulary
- Complex storytelling
- Various speaking styles by character
Final Fantasy Series (VII Remake, XVI)
Why it works:
- Epic storylines
- Fantasy vocabulary
- Various character speech styles
- Famous music and cultural touchstone
Challenges:
- Fantasy terms aren't everyday Japanese
- Older games lack furigana
- Complex political/philosophical themes
Yakuza / Like a Dragon Series
Why it's incredible:
- Modern Japan setting (Tokyo, Osaka)
- Tons of Japanese voice acting
- Yakuza slang AND polite business Japanese
- Minigames teach random vocabulary!
- Substories are hilarious and varied
What you'll learn:
- Street slang
- Business Japanese
- Kansai dialect (some characters)
- Humor and cultural references
Warning: Mature content and rough language – but that's part of the appeal!
NieR: Automata / Replicant
Why it's unique:
- Philosophical themes
- Beautiful writing
- Multiple playthroughs reveal story layers
- Emotional vocabulary
Best Games by Genre
RPGs (Role-Playing Games)
Best for: Reading practice, vocabulary building, story immersion
| Game | Level | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Pokémon | Beginner | Switch |
| Dragon Quest XI | Intermediate | Switch/PS/PC |
| Persona 5 | Advanced | PS/PC |
| Final Fantasy | Intermediate-Advanced | Various |
| Xenoblade | Advanced | Switch |
Visual Novels
Best for: Intensive reading, conversational Japanese, voice practice
| Game | Level | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Ace Attorney | Intermediate | Switch/PC/Mobile |
| Danganronpa | Advanced | PC/PS/Switch |
| Steins;Gate | Advanced | PC/PS/Switch |
| Clannad | Intermediate | PC/Switch |
Simulation Games
Best for: Daily vocabulary, relaxed learning
| Game | Level | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Crossing | Beginner | Switch |
| Stardew Valley | Intermediate | All |
| Story of Seasons | Beginner-Intermediate | Switch |
| Rune Factory | Intermediate | Switch |
Action/Adventure
Best for: Context-based learning, less text pressure
| Game | Level | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Zelda: BOTW/TOTK | Intermediate | Switch |
| Monster Hunter | Intermediate | Switch/PC |
| Okami | Intermediate | Switch/PC/PS |
Gaming Vocabulary Cheat Sheet
Menu Basics
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| はじめから | hajime kara | New Game |
| つづきから | tsuzuki kara | Continue |
| オプション | opushon | Options |
| セーブ | seebu | Save |
| ロード | roodo | Load |
| そうび | soubi | Equipment |
| アイテム | aitemu | Items |
| ステータス | suteetasu | Status |
| とじる | tojiru | Close |
| もどる | modoru | Back |
Battle Terms
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| こうげき | kougeki | Attack |
| ぼうぎょ | bougyo | Defend |
| まほう | mahou | Magic |
| にげる | nigeru | Flee |
| かいふく | kaifuku | Recovery |
| HP | hittopinto | Hit Points |
| MP | majipointo | Magic Points |
| けいけんち | keikenchi | Experience |
| レベルアップ | reberu appu | Level Up |
Status Effects
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| どく | doku | Poison |
| まひ | mahi | Paralysis |
| ねむり | nemuri | Sleep |
| こんらん | konran | Confusion |
| せんとうふのう | sentou funou | Unable to fight |
Tips for Maximum Learning
1. Play Actively, Not Passively
❌ Skip through dialogue to progress ✅ Read every line, look up unknown words
2. Keep a Gaming Vocabulary Notebook
Write down:
- New words and their context
- Recurring phrases
- Interesting kanji compounds
3. Replay Familiar Games
Playing a game you finished in English in Japanese is incredibly effective – you have context for everything!
4. Use Text Hookers (PC)
For PC games, tools like Textractor grab game text so you can:
- Copy to dictionaries
- Track what you've read
- Review vocabulary later
5. Balance Gaming with Structured Study
Games are great for immersion but won't teach you grammar rules. Combine with:
- Textbook/grammar study
- KanaDojo for foundational practice
- Anki for vocabulary retention
6. Don't Be Afraid of Dictionaries
Looking up words is PART of the learning. The curiosity to understand drives retention!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really learn Japanese from games?
Yes, but games work best as a SUPPLEMENT to structured study. You'll gain reading speed, vocabulary, and listening skills – but you still need grammar foundations.
What if I don't understand anything?
Start with games that have:
- Furigana (Pokémon)
- Simple menus (Animal Crossing)
- Games you've played before in English
Should I use English subtitles?
Start with them if needed, then gradually remove as you improve. The goal is full Japanese immersion eventually.
Is Nintendo Switch good for learning?
YES! Many Japanese games, easy to switch regions, portable for study sessions. Highly recommended!
How many hours before I see improvement?
With active reading, you'll notice vocabulary gains within 10-20 hours. Reading speed improves significantly after 50-100 hours.
Conclusion: Level Up Your Japanese! 🎮
Video games offer a unique, motivating way to immerse yourself in Japanese. Start with Pokémon or Animal Crossing, progress to Zelda and Persona, and watch your reading skills skyrocket!
Key takeaways: ✅ Start with games designed for kids (furigana!) ✅ Replay old favorites in Japanese ✅ Keep a vocabulary notebook ✅ Combine gaming with structured study ✅ Choose games you'll actually enjoy!
Your next step: You need to read Japanese to play Japanese games! Master hiragana and katakana with KanaDojo → and start your gaming immersion journey!
さあ、冒険に出よう！ (Saa, bouken ni deyou!) Let's go on an adventure!
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