So, you’ve heard of the Hyperdimension Neptunia series, or seen the character designs and want to check it out? Naturally, for a franchise hitting its 15th anniversary that’s produced more spin-offs than some products dare to dream of, it can be a little intimidating from the outside in to figure out where to start, what order to play in and which titles are even worth your time. Well, here I am to help! This guide assumes you are playing in English, considers the systems you have access to, and the amount you’re willing to spend. Now, let’s enter the Nep-tacular world of Neptune and her friends!
I wanted to preface this article with a disclaimer; whilst the series does feature transformations that can be perceived as fan service and it does feature anime tropes of the same nature (bath scenes, beach episodes, etc) the series as a whole is more wholesome and cutesy rather than deviant. The stories it tells are meta, it can be a little cringey with its “personification of game studios, series, consoles” tropes but there is a lot of charm and heart behind this plot device and it features fun characters, a deep combat system and lots of delightful ways to break and exploit systems. To summarise, don’t judge a book by its cover, sometimes it has more substance than you’d think and Neptunia wouldn’t be as long-lasting as it is without it.
Main Series
There are four main series games in the series, with a fifth due to be announced this year, all of which share the same action-styled turn-based combat system and visual novel story presentation. They all vaguely continue on from each other— they play hard and loose with which elements move from game to game but they do reference some parts of the past as if they are fully canon—so it’s absolutely best to play these in order. Where to start though? This is a harder question to answer than you might think, the original Hyperdimension Neptunia title has had two remakes, one for PSVita and later Steam, and then an expanded remake for PS5 for the 10th anniversary. Beyond curiosity or nostalgia, there is little to no reason to play the original PS3 title, so this fully comes down to what you have access to. If you have a PS5 then ReVerse is the absolute best way to experience the original adventure, but if you don’t but do have access to a PSVita or PC, Re;Birth1 has 90% of the content of ReVerse in a slightly less shiny package.
As for the sequels, they largely have the same consensus as the original title. Whereas the sequels on PS3 did heavily improve over the original title and Victory (the third entry) cemented the gameplay style that the Rebirth trilogy ran with, it is still recommended to skip the PS3 titles and stick to the remakes for a more consistent experience. Unfortunately, outside of Japan the only way to experience the remakes is on PSVita and PC, with PC being considerably cheaper than the second-hand PSVita market, so it all depends on whether you have a Vita or are happy with playing on PC.
The fourth, and currently final entry to the series is Megadimension Neptunia VII and its enhanced port, VIIR, available on PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC. The differences between the base game and its port are optional VR modes, engine changes and a few fundamental differences. The best way to decide for yourself which version you wish to go for is via Scout’s thread on Steam. If you’re playing on Switch, only VII is available and it’s also notable to mention that VII is available on PlayStation Plus Extra if you already have that subscription and want to make the most of it.
Once you’ve played through these titles, you can move on to the spin-offs, or if you’re feeling curious and/or slightly masochistic you can go back and try out the PS3 titles. I have made a diagram below about where to start and console availability for your convenience!
Spin-Offs
Naturally with any series, your mileage with these titles will vary depending on genre preference and system accessibility, so I will break down each spin-off in release order and the prerequisite games required to get the context involved for these titles as well as the systems they are available on. I’ll try to keep this concise as there are a lot of entries in this section.
Hyperdimension Neptunia: Producing Perfection
Platforms: PSVita
Genre: Simulator
Prerequisites: Re;birth3/Victory
Producing Perfection is an idol-management simulator in which you manage the career of and coordinate performances for the goddesses. This game might not be for everyone as it’s very text-heavy, though it offers more in-character interactions and musical elements than most of the spin-offs.
Hyperdevotion Noire Goddess Black Heart
Platforms: PSVita/PC
Genre: Strategy RPG
Prerequisites: Re;birth2/mk2
The spin-off game with the most drastic gameplay change is Noire. Here you take control of the titular CPU, who is joined by a whole host of new characters. You’ll take down enemies in a grid-style strategy game where your unit placement can lead to different combos, move selection and bonus damage. Not the easiest for a genre newbie, but it might be fun for someone who enjoys strategy games.
Hyperdimension Neptunia U Action Unleashed
Platforms: PSVita/PC
Genre: Action RPG
Prerequisites: Re;birth1/ReVerse
An alternate retelling of the original adventure but with an action approach to gameplay. Action Unleashed is a different way to experience Neptunia outside of the confines of turn-based combat with a mission structure that’s perfect for handheld gaming.
MegaTagmension Blanc + Neptune VS Zombies
Platforms: PSVita/PC
Genre: Strategy RPG
Prerequisites: Re;birth1/ReVerse
Taking cues from the manga series in which Neptune and her friends are school kids, this entry tasks the characters with making a zombie movie whilst an actual zombie outbreak occurs and the shenanigans begin. This takes its action gameplay from Action Unleashed. It introduces multiplayer for the first time in the series too.
Superdimension Neptune VS SEGA Hard Girls
Platforms: PSVita/PC
Genre: RPG
Prerequisites: VII/VIIR
Probably the game with the gameplay most like the main series. SEGA Hard Girls sees Neptune and her different iterations face off against the SEGA Hard Girls in time-travelling hijinks to restore order to the worlds and end the console wars. The gameplay is turn-based, like the main series, but is mission-based, like the action spin-off games, so it’s the best of both worlds and the one you should definitely play if you enjoy the main series.
Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online
Platforms: PS4/PC
Genre: Action RPG
Prerequisites: Re;birth1/ReVerse
This entry takes place inside the world of the MMORPG that Vert is oh-so obsessed with, it’s very on the nose, self-aware and meta as all hell, but has an evolved version of the Action Unleashed combat system and the mission worlds and locales feel a lot more expansive and grandiose, as you’d expect from a fantasy world within a fantasy world. Plus, it features some of the best character designs in the series.
Super Neptunia RPG
Platforms: PS4/Switch/PC
Genre: Side-scrolling RPG
Prerequisites: Re;birth1/ReVerse
This entry is reminiscent of titles like Valkyrie Profile and features a unique view of Gamindustri with beautifully drawn backgrounds and a new and unique turn-based combat system that works similarly to the ATB system in later Final Fantasy titles. The change is a little jarring as it’s made with more Western sensibilities but for the stunning visuals alone is worth a playthrough.
Neptunia Shooter
Platforms: PC/PS5
Genre: Side Scrolling Shoot-Em-Up
Prerequisites: None
Neptunia Shooter is a very simple pixel side-scrolling shooting game, reminiscent of Space Invaders or Galaga. It has a few short levels with some fun and unique enemies and power-ups. It’s a worthwhile distraction if you want to play something short and sweet.
Neptunia Virtual Stars
Platforms: PS4/PC
Genre: Action RPG
Prerequisites: Re;birth1/ReVerse
This adventure is set in an alternate universe where Neptune and her friends are virtual idols and must work together to save a planet they have been called from to aid in preventing its destruction. The gameplay loop is very repetitive with either run-and-gun gameplay or basic swordplay, but if you enjoy Vtubers it features cameos from Hololive and beyond.
Neptunia x Senran Kagura Ninja Wars
Platforms: PS4/Switch/PC
Genre: Action RPG
Prerequisites: Re;birth1/ReVerse
The office crossover between Neptunia and Senran Kagura takes the latter’s gameplay and meshes it with the Neptunia series’ writing and world-building to bring an interesting blend of both styles but with a severe decrease in the amount of fan service present.
Dimension Tripper Neptune: TOP NEP
Platforms: PC
Genre: Rail Shooter
Prerequisites: None
A small distraction released exclusively on PC, TOP NEP is a rail shooter built in the game maker engine, designed to be finished fast and wrack up a high score. It’s an entertaining distraction for anyone new or old to the series.
Neptunia Sisters VS Sisters
Platforms: PS4/PS5/PC/Switch/Xbox
Genre: RPG
Prerequisites: VII/VIIR
Taking place directly after the events of VII, Sisters VS Sisters tasks the goddess candidates with facing off against their rivals (mobile gaming) whilst dealing with the aftermath of the events that plagued Gamindustri during VII with a new combat system that is more action-focused.
Neptunia Game Maker R:Evolution
Platforms: PS4/PS5/Switch/Xbox
Genre: RPG
Prerequisites: Re;birth1/ReVerse
Continuing the gameplay formula introduced in Sisters VS Sisters, Game Maker R:Evolution takes place in an alternate reality where game makers rule the different lands instead of Goddesses and creating different games grants you power and abilities.
Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos
Platforms: PS4/PS5/Switch/PC
Genre: Action/Racing
Prerequisites: VII/VIIR
The latest spin-off entry in the series has you take control of one of six goddesses battling it out against hordes of Dogoos on motorcycles with the main objective being to amass a large number of the enemy in a Katamari-esque fusion of racing and action.
And there you have it, those are all the Neptunia games readily available and playable in English. There are, of course, some Japanese-only titles and other online entries that have bit the dust (mostly mobile games) but the fundamentals are all still available. Re;Birth2 and 3 have had PS4 releases in Japan, and Hyperdevotion Noire is receiving a switch port in April 2025, so hopefully these titles find their way to the West as their original PSVita versions are becoming less and less accessible (and more expensive) by the day.
Are you going to tackle this series now, and will you go for the Platinum trophies on Vita or go the more accessible route on PC? Let us know and show us pictures of your collection by tagging Underlevelled on Instagram or Bluesky!
Video game completionist and 3D platformer connoisseur, Riley is a fan of the whimsical frenzy of bright and colourful characters that blessed us in the late 90's. Their favourite game's are Spyro, Persona 5 and Super Mario Sunshine.
