Highlights
- Sharks have been featured in various forms of popular media, including films, documentaries, and video games.
- There are not many games that allow players to take control of a shark, but there are a few worth checking out.
- Maneater is widely regarded as one of the best shark games, despite its low metascore, and offers players complete control of a bull shark in an open world setting.
Sharks are fascinating creatures and have had their fair share in popular media. Sharks have been featured a lot over the past few decades, from films to documentaries to video games. From Steven Spielberg's Jaws to FIN. by Discovery, some great pieces of content have focused on sharks.
There have been a lot of games over the years that have sharks in them, but not many that allow players to take control of a shark. 2022's Shark Week starts on the 24th of July. Here are five games where players play as sharks that are worth checking out to celebrate that.
Updated October 29, 2023, by Collins Erasmus: The popularity of sharks as a subject for video games continues to grow. There have been many games developed over the years with sharks as a central theme, but not nearly as many of them allow players control of predators like these games listed below. Although some movies have shown that shark attacks are usually the result of a false identity that they rarely deliberately hunt humans, this hasn't stopped game designers from including them. This list is focused on the best available shark games that offer players a thrilling adventure. Therefore, new on this list of the best shark games where players assume the role of a shark are Stranded Deep and Shark Attack Death Match 2.
7 Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire
Metascore (Ruby): 82
Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire
- Platform(s)
- Game Boy Advance
- Released
- March 19, 2003
- Developer(s)
- Game Freak
- Genre(s)
- RPG
The main objectives of Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire are to capture, battle, and travel around a fairly open world to become the Pokemon Champion. While these games are fantastic, Sharpedo is merely one small fragment of the overall experience; more importantly, only a select few players will actually catch and utilize the Pokemon.
Sharpedo is a dual-type Water/Dark Pokemon with a reputation for speed and power in combat, and it also has access to a wide variety of techniques that take advantage of its abilities. It can be obtained in the Ruby and Sapphire by evolving a Carvanha. To that end, Carvanha can be discovered in the seaweed in surfing spots along Routes 118, 119, 122, and many more. In addition, Sharpedo has a 40% chance of being found early in the game, and it can be caught with a special rod, which can be gotten on Route 103.
6 Shark Attack Deathmatch 2
Steam User Rating: 75%
It's a terrifying experience to play Shark Attack Deathmatch 2. This is a great deal for the inexpensive price, especially if the player has others to play with, and having a backup crew of other players might make sharks less intimidating. First-person shark control adds tension because players know these creatures aren't mindless AI bots.
The visuals are top-notch, and the scuba diver and shark models are great, so there should be plenty of terrifying shark-killing moments. In Shark Attack Deathmatch 2, battles are bloody and gruesome. There are a variety of game modes in which players go on killing sprees, with the added tension of scary sharks potentially joining in on the slaughter.
5 Jaws Unleashed
Metascore: 55
Jaws Unleashed features perhaps the most iconic shark of all time. Set 30 years after the events of the original Jaws, Unleashed has players take control of Jaws, the great white shark, to wreak havoc over Amity Island. Jaws: Unleashed features an exciting storyline, great mechanics, and a good open world.
Jaws Unleashed upgrade system is also part of what makes the game so fun. Players can use the points they garner during their gameplay to improve the mechanics, such as the speed and agility of their jaws. All in all, Jaws Unleashed is one of the more well-known shark games for a reason, and every player looking to play a title where they control a shark should have it on their list.
4 Depth
Metascore: 65
Depth is a multiplayer game where players can play as sharks or human beings. As human beings, it is the players' job to successfully escort an underground tanker while they collect material such as treasure and weapons. On the contrary, the player playing as the shark must kill the humans or their tanker and ensure their job does not succeed.
Ultimately, a game is over if one side loses respawns, the shark destroys the tanker, or humans complete the tanker's delivery. Overall, Depth is a thrilling game best enjoyed with friends online. The tension is high on both sides and only through immense strategizing and planning can a team succeed in this game. For players looking for a fun multiplayer game where they assume control of a shark, Depth is the game.
3 Hungry Shark Evolution
Metacritic User Score: 7.6
Hungry Shark Evolution is a mobile game where players play, as the name implies, as a hungry shark. It is a fun title whose goal is to eat as much as possible. Hungry Shark Evolution features creative-level designs, fun challenges, and a leaderboard where players compete to see who has the most points. Eating leads to growth, which in turn leads to upgrades. There are 12 sharks to choose from, each with different attacks and powers. Progressing through the game leads to getting newer, more powerful sharks.
Hungry Shark Evolution is a great mobile title to kill time and a great shark game in general. The upgrades, challenges, and leaderboard make it a game players want to keep returning to. Despite being a mobile game, the great customization, level designs, and enemies make Hungry Shark Evolution a great game that fits the criteria!
2 Hungry Shark World
Metascore: 87 (iOS)
Hungry Shark World is similar to Hungry Shark Evolution. Players get to play as sharks and eat to progress. This game features a lot of maps, all with exciting designs. There are 30 species of sharks to choose from, with eight different styles of tears. This variety of sharks to choose from, coupled with the multiple arenas and enemy options, makes Hungry Shark World a great shark game.
Hungry Shark World also features unique boss battles and challenges that make the game fun and worth grinding in. All in all, with all that Hungry Shark World, has to offer, it is among the best games where players can play as sharks.
As good as the mobile versions are, the console iterations are not that impressive.
1 Maneater
Metascore: 71
Maneater is an action RPG where players assume control of a bull shark. The game features an open world and a storyline that starts as a revenge quest but ultimately adds much more. Maneater is the ideal game for players in search of one where they get to be in complete control of a shark and have the world be their playground.
Despite its low metascore (71), this shark simulator is widely regarded as one of the best of its kind.
The pleasing visuals and smooth controls of Maneater are a bonus. Maneater, a recent release on the latest consoles, is a game worth checking out for players looking to take complete control of a shark.