Card-Based

Card-Based Japanese Role-Playing Games
ConsoleNameReleaseDeveloperLucca's Notes
SwitchArcana of Paradise -The Tower-2023TastoAlphaA roguelike deckbuilder with survival elements and a pervasive sense of foreboding as you try to keep your enclave of children alive- increasing stats through bonding and baptism
GameCubeBaten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean2004Tri-CrescendoA curious take on card-based combat, poor quality voice acting
GameCubeBaten Kaitos Origins2006Tri-Crescendo/Monolith SoftSimilar card combat, but now all characters draw from the same deck
JP FCDragon Ball: Dai Maou Fukkatsu1988D&D Corp/TosePlays kinda like a card-based board game
DSDragon Ball Z: Harukanaru Densetsu2007BECTaking it all the way back to card-based combat, encounters take a long time but you gain experience between them
JP FCDragon Ball Z: Kyoushuu! Saiya Jin1993D&D Corp/ToseCARDS
GB+GBCDragon Ball Z: Legendary Super Warriors2002Flight-PlanSaiyan-Buu sagas featured, card-based combat, blah blah blah
JP SFCDragon Ball Z: Super Saiya Densetsu1992D&D Corp/ToseCombo of two of the FC DBZ games, still with card-based battles
JP FCDragon Ball Z II: Gekishin Freeza!!1991D&D Corp/ToseCard-based combat
JP FCDragon Ball Z III: Ressen Jinzou Ningen1992D&D Corp/ToseMore card-based combat
SwitchLittle Town Hero2019Game FreakSee XBO
PS4Little Town Hero2020Game FreakSee XBO
Xbox OneLittle Town Hero (DL only)2020Game FreakPlays more like a deckbuilder, the only main RPG element is the skill tree, filled out by points earned in battles that take way too long
GameCubeLost Kingdoms2002FromSoftwareCard-based ARPG, another FromSoft jam
GameCubeLost Kingdoms II2003FromSoftwarePretty much similar to the first, some tweaks to the cards were made
SwitchOverrogue (DL only)2022Exe-CreateSee XS
PS5Overrogue (DL only)2022Exe-CreateSee XS
PS4Overrogue (DL only)2022Exe-CreateSee XS
Xbox OneOverrogue (DL only)2022Exe-CreateSee XS
Xbox SeriesOverrogue (DL only)2022Exe-CreateKemco tries its hand at a roguelike deckbuilder game featuring a full party, with varying results
3DSPocket Card Jockey (DL only)2016Game FreakA game about horse raising and racing via solitare. As in the card game.
SwitchShadowverse: Champion's Battle2021CygamesAn anime-based card battle game where each deck theme has its own level to increase, conferring better cards
PS4Voice of Cards: The Beasts of Burden (DL only)2022Alim/Square EnixSee Switch
SwitchVoice of Cards: The Beasts of Burden (DL only)2022Alim/Square EnixDoesn't drastically shake up the formula from the first 2 games, but does add a monster-taming mechanic and features a female GM
PS4Voice of Cards: The Forsaken Maiden (DL only)2022Alim/Square EnixAn experience largely the same as the first game, but with a new, arguably more relaxing story and atmosphere
SwitchVoice of Cards: The Forsaken Maiden (DL only)2022Alim/Square EnixSee PS4
SwitchVoice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars (DL only)2021Alim/Square EnixYoko Taro makes a card game with a heavy tabletop aesthetic
PS4Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars (DL only)2021Alim/Square EnixSee Switch
PS4Voice of Cards Trilogy2023Alim/Square EnixA package deal containing all three games in Yoko Taro's Voice of Cards trilogy
SwitchVoice of Cards Trilogy2023Alim/Square EnixSee PS4
WiiYu-Gi-Oh! 5D's: Dual Transer2010KonamiThere's Norse mythology, there's XP to gain by winning card games, there's mysterious duelists, there's a lot of cards- par for the course
PSPYu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Tag Force 42009KonamiSee above, with some different characters/follows a different series, still with UMD recognition from previous games
PSPYu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Tag Force 52010KonamiAs before, lots of anime-only cards, winning duels levels you up, lots of unlocks using the UMDs from the games preceding, adds new summoning/attack sequences
JP PSPYu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Tag Force 62011KonamiLast of the 5D's entries in the series, also includes Xyz monsters from the successor anime, otherwise mostly the same as before
GBAYu-Gi-Oh!: Reshef of Destruction2004KonamiYou will be judged by many for playing this game and even more for enjoying it- be warned
PS2Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Duelists of the Roses2003KCEJSomething something loose adaptation of War of the Roses in a children's card game with grids to place monsters (that can rank up) on
GameCubeYu-Gi-Oh!: The Falsebound Kingdom2003KonamiIt's an RTS/turn-based RPG hybrid with Yu-Gi-Oh characters. I don't make the rules here.
GBAYu-Gi-Oh!: The Sacred Cards2003KonamiSurprisingly, there's a story surrounding the gameplay of a children's card game. You level by dueling. Shrug.
JP PSPYu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V Tag Force Special2015KonamiAlmost like a YGO All-Stars, featuring characters from throughout the various series, but takes away 3D animations- UMD unlocks are limited to Tag Force 6 only
GB+GBCYu-Gi-Oh! Dark Duel Stories2002KonamiThird game in the Duel Monsters series, but first to come to the West; many card effects only work the first turn or just plain don't work at all- duelist level determines total deck cost capacity
JP 3DSYu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Saikyo Card Battle (DL only)2016KonamiSpeed duels only here, where you wander the streets and take on fellow unknown and famous duelists alike to increase your rank and earn cards to level your preconstructed decks up
PS2Yu-Gi-Oh! GX: The Beginning of Destiny2008KCEJAdds more duels to the the PSP Tag Force game, also allows for connectivity with Tag Force 2 to obtain more cards
GBAYu-Gi-Oh! GX Duel Academy2006KonamiWant to be the King of Games? Then you better study up on your dueling skills and card knowledge! Both successful duels and passing exams help to increase your duelist rank
DSYu-Gi-Oh! GX Spirit Caller2007KonamiMostly follows season 1 of the anime from Jaden's perspective, leveling as a duelist is a requirement for story progression
PSPYu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force2006KonamiSomething something tag team children's card game, beating rivals levels you up and makes you eligible to buy better booster packs
PSPYu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force 22007KonamiIf you played the first one, you've played this one; playing the previous game can unlock extra cards
PSPYu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force 3 (PAL/JP only)2008KonamiPartner characters have more storylines to make up for a smaller number of events per storyline, UMD recognition of previous games gives a bonus partner, same leveling as the prequels
DSYu-Gi-Oh! Nightmare Troubadour2005KonamiIt's the Battle City Tournament and the Virtual World arc, but with spiffy 3D monster summoning animations for particular cards and a distinct lack of Tristan