With JoJo's Bizarre Adventure All-Star Battle R approaching in fall 2022, it's understandable that fans will be itching to play as their favorite characters as soon as possible. Thankfully, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure already has an extensive catalog of games, spanning the last couple of decades and featuring characters from all eight currently written parts of Hirohiko Araki's critically acclaimed Manga.
These titles range from role-playing games to arcade fighters, collectively offering a bunch of gameplay variations for players to experience. While many of these games are available to PlayStation users, it is also possible for fans of other systems to experience some Stand-based bouts too.
8 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (SNES)
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The first JoJo's Bizarre Adventure game came out in 1992 for the SNES and used the same name as the Manga series. This was originally made as a role-playing game only released in Japan, although an English patch has since been made available. The turn-based RPG is an adaptation of the third story arc, Stardust Crusaders, where players progress through the story beats playing as the main characters: Jotaro, Kakyoin, Joseph, Avdol, Polnareff, and Iggy.
While the combat system may feel clunky compared to most turn-based combat systems in the modern gaming landscape, the art style and field of view give the game a charming retro feel which must have been very impressive when it was first released.
7 JoJo's Venture (Arcade)
The game titled JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, or as it was branded in the west JoJo's Venture, was the very first piece of JoJo media that audiences outside of Japan saw. Whilst the JoJo's OVA series would not be released on DVD in North America until 2003, the fighting game made its way to arcade machines in December 1998.
To put it simply, this game has dated extremely well. The animation is stylish and fluid, combos are fun to execute, and using your character's Stand leads to dynamic and surprisingly complex fights. A real classic.
6 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Heritage For The Future (Dreamcast)
Less than a year after players first saw the Stardust Crusaders on arcade machines in North America, an updated version of the title was quick to follow. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Heritage For The Future debuted on arcade, Dreamcast, and PlayStation in 1999, to a solid reception.
Not only does it have all the content of JoJo's Venture, but it also boasts eight added characters and different game modes. An HD port of the game was released on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live arcade in 2012, which meant more players could easily get their hands on the game.
5 GioGio's Bizarre Adventure (PlayStation 2)
Released only for the PlayStation 2 in Japan, GioGio's Bizarre Adventure is a single-player 3D action-adventure game centered around the events of the fifth story arc of the Manga series Golden Wind.
Available through emulation and an English patch, players will be struck by how successfully the overall style of this 3D brawler mimics the source material, with well-designed Stand fights and great-looking PS2-era environments. Fans nostalgic for this story arc of the Manga or the corresponding anime adaptation will want to check this game out.
4 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood (PlayStation 2)
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Fans who are nostalgic for the franchise's beginnings won't need to look farther than JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood for the PlayStation 2. This 3D brawler was made in 2006 to celebrate the anniversary of the long-running Manga's serialization. Similar to GioGio's Bizarre Adventure, it's only available to western audiences through an English patch.
While the combat system needs a lot of work, it's fun to see the narrative of Phantom Blood in the form of a game. Plus, the voice acting is top-notch. Overall, it's a game with a lot of potential and the less-than-stellar gameplay could be forgiven by die-hard fans.
3 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle (PlayStation 3)
Those who are most excited about All-Star Battle R will likely turn to the original PS3 game that was released internationally in 2014. Certainly the most all-encompassing JoJo's Bizarre Adventure game, All-Star Battle features characters from all eight parts of the serialized Manga and can progress through each protagonist's respective stories.
Not only is it more visually impressive than the 1992 arcade game, but it's also easier to pull off combos. Unlockable cosmetics, stage obstacles, and dramatic finishes all contribute to the flashy, charming nature that all JoJo related media should have. The quality of this game is a testament to why there is so much hype for All-Star Battle R.
2 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Eyes Of Heaven (PS4)
Overseen by the mangaka of the series, Hirohiko Araki, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Eyes Of Heaven is a tag-team arena fighter full of strange chaos and excellent fan service. Released in 2016 to western audiences, Eyes Of Heaven features an original story featuring all JoJo protagonists interacting with each other. This translates directly into gameplay. Characters can dual combos with each other to do massive damage, perform flashy special moves, and exchange unique dialogue.
Despite the lack of local multiplayer, any JoJo fans would love the absurd fan service the game provides.
Make sure to be caught up on all parts of JoJo, including the manga, before playing, because this game will spoil many plot points.
1 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Last Survivor (Arcade)
One of the newest JoJo games, released in 2019 by Namco Bandai Games, is JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Last Survivor, a battle royale arcade game. Last Survivor can support up to twenty different players in a game and players can level up their Stand abilities to gain an edge over other players, in hopes of becoming the last one standing. The game also features classic settings like Morioh.
Unfortunately, this game is only available on arcade machines, so console players may be out of luck. However, if you are lucky enough to find an arcade with Last Survivor, it's definitely worth some battle royale fun with the various Stands.