I feel like learning Japanese through video games

So do I. Here are some suggested games.

Suggested games
Since we are all beginners, I suggest you to start with these titles:


Pokémon (Nintendo consoles)
The Legend of Zelda (Nintendo consoles)
Ni No Kuni (Playstation 3)
Animal Crossing: New Leaf (Nintendo 3DS)
Yōkai Watch (Nintendo 3DS)
Persona 5 (Playstation 4)


Even if you can’t get a Japanese copy of the game (or in case your console is region locked), all the games I mentioned allow you to set Japanese audio and subtitles, allowing you to improve your listening and comprehension skills. Yay.


Video games like The Legend of Zelda and Pokémon have interactive dialogues, where the player can choose when to go on with the conversation. This feature will allow you to read at your own pace, allowing you to look up new words in the dictionary, therefore learning new words and expressions.

Recurring words

Before the start

Menu メニュー menyu

Settings 設定 settei

Select 選択 sentaku

Music 音楽 ongaku

Level レベル reberu

Easy 簡単 kantan

Difficult 難しい muzukashii


During the game

Start 開始 kaishi

Fight 戦う tatakau

Attack 攻撃 kougeki

Save セーブ sebu

Quit 終了 shuuryou

Continue 続きtsuzuki


Characters and locations

Character 人物 jinbutsu

Soldier 兵士 heishi

Warrior 武士 bushi

Traveler 旅人 tabibito

Pirate 海賊 kaizoku

Enemy 敵 teki

Ally 味方 mikata

Monster 魔物 mamono or 化け物 bakemono

Fairy 妖精 yousei

Dragon 龍 ryuu

Spirit 精霊 seirei

Soul 魂 tamashi

Castle 城 shiro

City 町 machi

Shop 店 mise

Island 島 shima

Temple 寺院 jiin

Kingdom 王国 oukoku

World 世界 sekai

Plot and items

Story 物語 monogatari

Legend 伝説 densetsu

Adventure 冒険 bouken

Danger 危険 kiken

Strength 力 chikara

Health 体力 tairyoku

Magic 魔法 mahou

Item アイテム aitemu or 道具 dougu

Chest 宝箱 takarabako

War 戦争 sensou

Weapon 武器 buki

Sword 剣 ken

Bow 弓 yumi

Armor 鎧 yoroi