Neon Genesis Evangelion

Description

Neon Genesis Evangelion places players in direct control of Eva Unit‑01, among other selectable units, across a series of 14 mission-based confrontations against Angels and other targets drawn from the anime and The End of Evangelion. Set in the year 2015, following the Second Impact catastrophe, the game covers major battles in both side-scrolling “Plain Fighting” and top-down “Simulation” segments. Progression involves performing physical attacks, weapon use, and input-driven “Action” sequences that trigger short cinematic cut-scenes.

Developed by BEC (a joint venture between Bandai and Human Entertainment) under supervision by Gainax and directed by Shin Unozawa, the title was released exclusively in Japan. Unlike prior Evangelion games that were visual novels and often focused on character drama or side stories, this game finally let you play out the anime. The game was noted for its technical ambition, utilising the Nintendo 64’s hardware to display voice clips, original footage, flat-shaded 3D models, and relatively high-quality character animations. It doesn’t have the characteristic N64 soft look, rather the models and their textures are sharp and detailed.

Critically it was praised its graphical presentation, original anime content, and cinematic flair, calling it one of the more technically impressive N64 titles. However, criticism highlighted limited interactivity, repetitive button sequences, and challenging control especially for players unfamiliar with the source material. I found those aspects acceptable, conveying a sense of the struggle of the characters and Evas in extreme circumstances. Retrospectively this adaptation may be niche but is a noteworthy entry in Evangelion’s gaming history, often referred to as a hidden gem by fans. Directly translating anime action and drama into a console title with an ambitious audiovisual presentation. As a fan of the anime and gaming in the late 90s, this was worth all the effort importing it.