Spy x Family deserves a stealthy action adventure, but for now we’ve got minigames

During Nintendo’s last Direct presentation, Bandai Namco announced Spy x Anya: Operation Memories. The game, based on the Spy x Family anime, is in the works for Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, and PC, and it’s essentially a minigame collection starring Anya. Yes, the littlest faux family member is adorable enough to deserve her own game. Their adopted, prescient dog, Bond, would do well as a playable hero, too.

As a whole, though, Operation Memories looks like an appetizer of empty calories before a more substantial main course.

What we’ve seen so far isn’t exactly bad, per se, but I’m anxious for the main course. A new trailer features spirited narration from the anime’s cast as “Agent Anya-kun” gets to work. The telepathic tot exercises and cooks with Yor, feeds Uncle Yuri, takes tests, and competes in school sports. Beyond the minigames there are fun outings — or “ootings,” as Anya would say — and a bunch of family dress-up fodder. It seems harmless, cute fun, and naturally, it’s timed for release alongside the upcoming movie. 

Honestly, it’s a lot of what you’d expect from an Anya-focused adventure, but I’m itching to see a Spy x Family game shape up into something more. I’ll take the minigames, but with every slice of life, the anime series delivers action and style.

Lost in Memories

Do we need a sprawling action game to do the series justice? Spy x Family is ostensibly a sitcom, after all. Maybe not this time around, but Spy x Family fans know it features high-stakes clandestine missions in a world on the brink of war. It also serves the perfect recipe for awkward situations and misunderstandings that keep its source material going strong on a biweekly basis. There’s room for both.

The anime adaptation is a fantastic production that has WIT Studio and CloverWorks putting in major work to hit all those comedy and action beats. Anya’s game looks a little simple and dull, but if it captures that spirit, then maybe that’s enough… for now, at least.

Spy x Family: Operation Memories hits Nintendo Switch in Japan first on December 21, one day before the Spy x Family Code: White movie opens. The timing is perfect for a dash of quick ‘n cute, but here’s hoping we’ll see something more interesting spring from the series in the future. A western release will follow on Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC sometime in 2024.