Take cover; the best Godzilla games are about to smash through your computer screen and cause havoc in your living room!
Just in case any of you have a nervous disposition, that’s not really going to happen…
Did you even know that there were 15 Godzilla games out there? Here at Retro Dodo, we’re kind of Kaiju experts…
… in the sense that we talk about Godzilla most days and have regularly imagined what it would be like to have him as a pet under our control.
Hey, everyone’s got to have a hobby, right?
You didn’t come here to read my ramblings; you came here to figure out which the best games featuring our destructive dino pal made it into our list.
Get ready for some kick-ass Kaiju action and a boat load of beatdowns!
Table of Contents
15. Godzilla: Unleashed Double Smash (2007)
Godzilla: Unleashed Double Smash kickstarts this list of the best Godzilla games of all time!
A lot of the games below are side-scrolling titles, so you should probably get used to this right now before we get going. In this story, SpaceGodzilla sends a crystal meteor hurtling towards the earth.
There are ten different monstrous critters for you to chose from the Godzilla movies. Play as Godzilla, Destroyah, and tonnes more infamous faces.
Pick a monster, battle other monsters, stop Space Godzilla. It’s a simple premise but one that’s hella-addictive.
Just like Street Fighter or Tekken, all the different monsters that you can chose from boast different moves and fighting styles.
At least you can play through the game multiple times and have a different feel every time!
Graphically, it’s a little simple but still looks much better than the early GB titles. Godzilla looks more like Bob and Bub from Bubble Bobble than a dangerous monster on the DMG!
14. Godzilla Trading Battle (1998)
Godzilla Trading Battle is a game that you’ll have to head to Japan for… not literally obviously, though you could pick up one of these Pac-Man Pork Belly Buns while you’re there if you do.
This Tao Human Systems title only ever came out in Japan, so yuo’ll need to pick up a Japanese PS1 if you want to join in the action.
And you 100% should. this game has all the best monsters from all the films and games. We’re talking Final Wars, Movie Studio Tour, Godzilla Generations; the works!
Godzilla Trading Battle is a Miscellaneous game, developed by Tao Human Systems and published by Toho, which was released in Japan in 1998.
So how does this work then? It’s not some monstrous Pokemon copy, is it?
Well, it is actually…
In a way, this game does feel likea more brutal version of Digimon or Pokemon. It’s got some Yu-Gi-Oh and Lost Kingdoms, one of the best Gamecube RPGs of all time
Use cards, collect creatures, evlolve real monsters and not cutesy ones, and check up on stats in a monster encyclopedia…
I bet Professor Oak would hate it here!
Pull off terrifying moves to beat your opponent. It’s brutal, it’s loud, and it’s absolutely awesome!
13. Godzilla 2: War of the Monsters (1992)
Godzilla 2: War of the Monsters takes the 13th spot in this list of the best Godzilla games of all time!
Toho is a name you’ll see multiple times through this list. They made a lot of the early Godzilla games, and this title sees players taking up the role of the Japanese Military trying to take down the monstrous Kaiju Godzilla.
You know how films show people just constantly showering enemies with bullets? Well, that method definitely won’t work against Godzilla. This game’s all about strategy and protecting the land.
That’s right,; in a sort of reverse Sim City move, players need to protect buildings and key areas, instead coaxing him…her… it, into areas where it can’t cause as much damage.
Place troops, use your noggin, and keep the people safe…
Easier said than done in this game. The graphics might look like a Microsoft Paint accident, but the gameplay is timeless… and hard as hell! Never underestimate the cunning of a giant monster!
12. Godzilla: The Series (2000)
How many of you watched the Godzilla cartoon? Well, Godzilla: The Series is based on that show, and every time I play it I’m transported back to being a 10-year-old kid.
Players take control of Godzilla once more, none of this trying to stop him from killing people malarky this time!
Not only do yu have to fight space aliens intent on destroying earth, but also the army who want to kill the aliens and Godzilla.
Talk about having your work cut out for you!
Players have 7 levels to work through. Kill good guys, kill bad guys; it’s all the same to Godzilla.
This game uses automatic movement from left to right. Players font control Godzilla’s movement, just his attacks.
He’s got a few tricks up his sleeve though. Tail-whip, bite, stomp (which I’m pretty sure are all of Squirtle’s moves…), and fire radiation from his open maw.
That submarine doesn’t stand a chance!
11. Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee (2002)
Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee takes the 11th spot in our best Godzilla games, bringing beat-down action to the GameCube.
And look, Godzilla has pretty human looking fists now…
If you haven’t got the gist of what happens in these Godzilla games now, then theres no hope. Space aliens come, Godzilla has to stop them.
This game takes on more of a traditional fighting game style, albeit with huge monsters instead of people wielding swords or Yoga Fire…
… there’s still lots of fire though…
Play as different classic versions of Godzilla or chose from Megalon, Mecha-King Ghidorah, Mechagodzilla, and many more.
There’s a Killer Instinct-style tournament mode where you fight all of the monsters in turn, plus other cool modes where you have to destroy everything in sight or team up with monsters to kick ass.
Oh, and all the humans want to kill you, forgot to mention that bit… though what’s new?
10. Godzilla: Domination (2002)
The case for Godzilla: Domination might look incredibly similar to the case for Destroy all Monsters above,
Well, it technically is, or rather a dumbed down version.
There are six monsters to battle with in this GBA title. The view is isometric rather than side on, and there are fewer gameplay modes.
Megalon, Mothra, & Godzilla return as well as three other classic characters, and the action still involves some brutal beatdowns, albeit ones that look a little less epic due to the screen size constraints.
It still has a 4-player versus mode though which is super fun. The premise; be the last monster standing!
9. Godzilla (1990)
Yes, that really is Godzilla. Hard to believe when you look at both the weird plasticine model above or the Pokemon-esque character below, isn’t it…
Like Killer Instinct, this game boasts detailed character stills that pop up on the screen to give gamers an idea of the thing they’re fighting against. So, make sure that you have a big imagination!
Weirdly, this Godzilla game has a bit of a love interest feel to it. Godzilla must search for his sweetheart Minira over 49 levels.
Enter and exit levels through little doors, bashing monsters and climbing vines as you go. There’s a puzzle element to this game as players must smash items in the correct order.
Who knew a radioactive Kaiju could use its brain for solving conundrums like this?
Ok, so this game doesn’t look impressive at all these days, but look past the graphics. It’s a fun brain-teaser of a game that is well worth a play, especially if you love all things fire-breathing dinosaurs and carnage.
8. Godzilla: Monster of Monsters (1988)
Godzilla: Monster of Monsters takes the 8th place in out list of the best Godzilla games and is yet another Toho title!
This was the first ever Godzilla title for the Nintendo and a real force to be reckoned with.
Obviously Godzilla is always a force to be reckoned with, but you know what I mean…
The citizens of Earth have sent Godzilla and Mothra to Planet X to destroy a load of aliens… what could go wrong?
Move through side-scrolling levels battling monsters, evading enemy fire, and generally stomping everything into oblivion.
Players travel through jungles, alien cities, underwater trenches and many more weird and wonderful places. Godzilla is strong but can’t move as far, whereas Mothra is weaker but can move further.
Ok, I wouldn’t call a creature that can fly and fire lasers from her eyes weak, but statistically speaking, it’s true.
7. Godzilla: Unleashed (2007)
I recognise this game cover too… because Godzilla: Unleashed is the home console version of the first game that I talked about in this list, Godzilla: Unleashed Double Smash.
This game feels much more like a proper fighting title along the lines of SoulCalibur ot Mortal Kombat, especially now players can use the Wiimote and Nunchuck to deliver unholy beatdowns to enemies.
23 characters from the annals of Toho history make an entry in this game as well as Godzilla and new faces to the canon.
The premise? Fight, fight, FIGHT.
Destroy monsters in cities that you can also bring to the ground, picking up powerups from the rubble.
Snd the real M.Night Shyamalan twist; the game changes depending on what decisions you make along the way. Cool, right?
6. Godzilla (2014)
Godzilla for the PS4 takes the 6th spot in this list of the best Godzilla games.
I’m not going to lie; this is the best looking title in our entire list, though I guess you wouldn’t expect anything else from the mighty PS4.
You might remember Godzilla dropping for the PS3 too? Well, the PS3 version released in 2014 in Japan, but the West got a PS3 and PS4 release at the same time, with the latter boasting more updated features and cooler elements.
As with most of the other games above bar the Gameboy title where Godzilla is all lovestruck, the big G-Unit must beat back other monsters while not particularly paying attention to where his massive feet are stomping.
So, what’s different in the PS4 version?
Well, as well as an online versus mode, players can now pick any creature from the Godzilla universe in the games Destruction mode. Once you’ve laid the smackdown on a Kaiju in Destruction mode, you can unlock them in the new Evolution mode too.
I wonder if you’ll need a moon stone for that…?
Mecha King, SpaceGodzilla, and some other sweet new characters are available to play as too. I’m not going to give all the game away; you’ll have to play yourself to find out!
N.B – If you’ve never seen SpaceGodzilla, google him now… he’s a beast!
5. Godzilla: Save the Earth (2004)
Is he destroying the earth or saving it? Godzilla: Save the Earth tends to insinuate the first one, but then why is everyone trying to kill him all the time?!
Save the earth has a very similar feel to Destroy all Monsters: Melee. I personally just prefer this game to the other offering, and while similar, the storyline is a nerds dream.
Humans have been testing Godzillas cells to see if they can harness his power, and now aliens are trying to steal those cells.
Seriously, humankind; do you like or hate him? Just sit down and chat with him, I’m sure you’d get on like a house on fire… quite literally.
Play using any of the classic monsters/usual suspects featured in the games above. they each have their own move sets for players to get to grips with and many can fight both in the air and on the ground.
As always, there are multiple game modes that champion destructive takedowns against all the other playable monsters.
This one also has minigames too which instantly makes it one of the best Godzilla games of all time. We’re talking bowling, basket ball, multiple destruction games, and many more.
That sure beats Super Monkey Ball Bowling eh?
4. Godzilla: Battle Legends (1993)
It’s not often we talk about Turbo Duo games here at Retro Dodo, but Godzilla: Battle Legends is one of the best.
For context, the Turbo Duo is to the Turbografx-16 what the Sega-CD was to the Genesis/Megadrive… so it’s not exactly one of the world’s most famous peripherals.
Still, if you can grab one and a copy of this game, then we highly recommend it. Not only is it a slice of NEC history, but it’s got some serious Metroid vibes about it with the graphics and monsters that you battle along the way.
So the premise, as you might have already guessed, is to fight other freakishly large cretins. I’m running out of ways to say ‘smash monsters’ in all honesty, but I guess the best Godzilla games follow the ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ mantra!
One cool feature in this game is that Godzilla’s appearance changes depending on the boss he is fighting. It should have been called ‘Gold – The Very Best Of Godzilla’, or maybe just ‘Goldzilla’!
The sequel, ‘Godzilla: Monster War’, was heralded far and wide as being one of the best titles in the series… but did it make our list?
3. Super Godzilla (1993)
Super Godzilla takes the bronze medal in our best Godzilla games compendium. The oldies aren’t always the best (we saw that in our best Doom games and best Zelda games articles), but in this case, that statement stands true.
Toho made yet another blinder of a game with this title, creating yet another destructive rampage for players to embark on through peaceful Japan.
There are two different modes to the gameplay; Movement and Battle. Movement is more grid-based like Godzilla 2 for the NES. You’ve got to move a little Godzilla through the city on the bottom part of the screen destroying puny humans and buildings.
Whenever something happens, Godzilla will flex or roar in the top half of the screen.
Battle mode kicks in once Godzilla bumps into an enemy. There’s a Mario Golf-style power meter that players can use to send attacks at the right time. Mess up, and Godzilla will be vulnerable.
The cinematic cut scenes might not exactly be PS5 standard, but this game oozes so much nostalgia that it was always going to feature high up in this list. Shooting fire breath at Ghidorah will never get old!
2. Godzilla Generations: Maximum Impact (1998)
Bloomin’ heck’ the Dreamcast is taking the silver medal for Godzilla Generations: Maximum Impact!
I don’t know why I’m acting all surprised; I wrote this list, but I’m just trying to build up some tension.
Maximum Impact is a sequel to the first Godzilla Generations game, one of the Dreamcast’s launch titles. It’s a rail shooter where Godzilla moves on a pretdermined path and the player is in control of firing and attacking
You don’t need me to explain the gameplay mechanics now; there’s a rampage destruction-style gameplay mode and parts of the game that involve fighting monsters one on one.
G-Dawg can shoot in specific directions and lock onto enemies… if you can find one in the hordes of bad-guys swarming on you!
The Dreamcast graphics always hold up well in todays gaming world, especially when supercharged with the best Dreamcast HDMI cables.
1. Godzilla: Monster War (1994)
Godzilla: Monster War is the best Godzilla game of all time!
Come on; you didn’t really think that I’d left it out, did you?
It’s not going to seem that revolutionary after all the other titles above, but this monster bashing marvel is still my favourite of the bunch. It’s so old-skool it hurts and is essentially Street Fighter II but with monsters.
That’s basically the only way to make Street Fighter any better; replace Ryu with a Kaiju and go to town on brutal beasts in exciting locations around Japan.
Use cool moves, beat the other monster into a pulp and reduce their health bar, and become the victim.
Hey, their might be no Hadouken, but that radioactive breath is 100-times more potent!
Monster War rightfully takes the top spot in this list of the best Godzilla games, and long may it reign.
