The premise may sound more like something you would expect from a shovelware title like Natsume’s Princess Debut, believe me when I say it’s not. Often referred to as a “Fate/Stay Night clone,” Princess Waltz tells the story about a royal dance where six princesses compete for the right to marry the Prince of Eldhiland.

Pulltop’s audaciously entertaining piece shows what happens when Uno meets hentai. #9: Princess Waltz (PC, Pulltop/Peach Princess) Throw in the fact that it had a very polished turn-based strategy system and you have the first truly successful English-translated bishoujo game. So much so that retailers such as Amazon and Rosenqueen have sold out, demonstrating to publishers that there is indeed a fanbase. Sakura Wars was eagerly anticipated by Otakus of all ages and sold successfully on the PlayStation 2. Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love does not contain the greatest story, nor the greatest cast of characters that I’ve come across (akin to a throwback to the Power Rangers and Robotech era) but it has had a profound impact on niche Japanese gaming in the West. Fourteen years, if you’re counting from the beginning of the series. #10: Sakura Wars V, aka Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love (PS2/Wii, Red Entertainment/NIS America)įive years is how long it took someone to finally release this storied franchise in America. In the end, I decided to focus on true ‘bishoujo’ dating sim games. ***note: While making this list I had to consider many different things, including whether or not I wanted to include games that have visual novel elements like Persona or the Ace Attorney Series.

Curious about what makes these choose-your-own adventure games so memorable? Or how an adult man can be brought to tears with just a little over-the-top melodrama? I present to you the top ten bishoujo games that have been commercially released in English for your enjoyment.

While it’s true that dating sims/bishoujo games rarely leave their host country, a few brave companies such as JAST, NIS, MangaGamer, and the now-defunct Hirameki strive to bring them over here with decent/moderate success. It is the dating sims, interpersonal stories, and the fine art of moé that take center stage. In Japan, it isn’t space marines, guild raids, or massive online shooters that the real Otakus are interested in. Blizzard? Activision? These companies are irrelevant. Ask PC gamers in Japan what their favorite games are, and Starcraft, World of Warcraft or Call of Duty won’t be uttered from many of their mouths.

Psp dating sim games in english