JRPGs are well-established as cornerstones of the gaming industry. Nowadays, some of the longest-running franchises fall within this genre, with the likes of Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Megami Tensei, and Pokemon still going (relatively) strong after decades’ worth of content. While perhaps not receiving every major release, the Nintendo Switch is home to plenty of brilliant Japanese role-playing games, making the hybrid console a great option for anyone craving a library they can experience at home or on the go.
After being on the market for more than half a decade, the Switch is probably nearing the end of its lifespan, although a successor has yet to be announced by Nintendo. Even if the volume of releases slows down, new Switch JRPGs should continue to hit the scene for a while longer. Let’s highlight the best options on the console, covering both real-time and turn-based projects.
Updated on September 25, 2024, by Mark Sammut: While August 2024 did not produce any notable Switch JRPGs, its predecessor saw the release of a Nihon Falcom port that warrants a recommendation.
When it comes to future releases, there are a few JRPGs that Switch owners should keep in mind.
- Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream is just for fans of the isekai franchise, but it could be a decent action JRPG in its own right.
- Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is worth checking out simply because its developer is Level-5.
- Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven will not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it is among the more highly regarded entries in the franchise.
- Ys 10: Nordics should be a fantastic action JRPG, at least going by the franchise’s general quality. Hopefully, the game runs well on the Switch.
- Mario & Luigi: Brothership is comfortably the biggest 2024 Switch JRPG, especially if remakes/remasters are ignored. This series has yet to produce a mediocre entry, and the jump to a home console could result in the most ambitious adventure yet.
- Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake looks gorgeous.
- Fairy Tail 2 is the definition of niche, but the first game is a decent turn-based JRPG.
Only one entry per franchise, with the only exception being games that belong to different subseries. Also, tactics and strategy games like
Fire Emblem
or
Unicorn Overlord
will be excluded since those could be seen as separate genres; that said, both
Fire Emblem
Switch games are great but very different experiences.
33 Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force
Fast-Paced Combat System & Decent Story
The Nintendo Switch has a few Compile Heart games, and they are all niche. Death end re;Quest and its sequel are decent enough turn-based projects in their own right, and they tend to be frequently on sale. The Mary Skelter series might hit the mark with first-person dungeon-crawler fans, although newcomers should probably start elsewhere. Finally, there is Neptunia, Compile Heart and Idea Factory’s flagship property. These games have their charm, but they are also difficult to recommend to newcomers. Super Neptunia RPG is surprisingly bland, while Megadimension Neptunia VII is not particularly accessible.
Fairy Fencer F is somewhat of a Neptunia offshoot, in the sense that the games utilize similar battle systems. However, the former takes itself more seriously and, as a result, tells a rather effective story that does not constantly derail itself. While not particularly deep, the combat is fun, particularly for people who get a dopamine hit from seeing very high damage numbers. If someone is interested in trying a Compile Heart game, Advent Dark Force is the best place to start.
32 Fairy Tail
Great For Fans Of The Manga Or Anime
Fairy Tail, like so many video game adaptations of anime, can only be recommended to die-hard fans of the source material. In this case, that disclaimer is not enforced by the project’s quality, but rather its non-existent attempt to cater to newcomers. Set during the latter half of the manga/anime and concluding before the final arc, the game expects players to already be intimately familiar with Natsu, Lucy, and company. The campaign does not try to introduce this world or even its main characters; it feels like a sequel to a game that was never released outside of Japan.
Ultimately, none of that would matter if Fairy Tail was terrible; however, it is a pretty good turn-based JRPG that demonstrates Gust’s expertise in the genre. Despite being fairly traditional, the battle system is enhanced through combos, elemental attacks, and an impressive presentation. The game even has a decent selection of playable characters, some of whom are unlocked after the story’s conclusion. The main missions are generally the campaign’s highlights, but the side quests do a decent job of emphasizing the secondary characters.
Even after all that, Fairy Tail is just for fans of the source material. At least, it is a good game.
31 Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince
Solid Creature Collector Spin-off
The Nintendo Switch has a lot of Dragon Quest games, including a few ports of the classics. The console also has two console exclusives: Dragon Quest Treasures and Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince. The former is a decent action RPG that focuses on exploration, and it might hit the spot with fans of DQ11 since it is a prequel to that game. Conversely, The Dark Prince revives a spin-off series that has been around since 1998 and is almost solely associated with Nintendo. Dragon Quest Monsters lives up to its name by focusing on collecting creatures that are then used in turn-based battles. Fusion is also a central mechanic, and players are expected to be constantly evolving their parties so they can overcome new dungeons and challenges.
The Dark Prince ties into the story of Dragon Quest 4, and its protagonist is also a major character from that game. That said, the story is quite beginner-friendly, so people not familiar with the NES classic should not feel too lost. As Psaro, players go on a lengthy adventure that has some personal significance for the protagonist, although the whole affair is generally quite lighthearted and slow-paced. The combat system is fairly similar to the main entries, albeit with monsters replacing the characters. It is not perfect, but it works well and provides the occasional difficulty spike courtesy of bosses.
30 Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition
A Polarizing Game Receives A Polarizing Remaster
Despite being eclipsed by its more beloved spiritual predecessor, Chrono Cross is nevertheless one of the best JRPGs of the 1990s, and it has aged well enough to warrant recommending the Switch version despite the remaster implementing exclusive surface-level changes. First and foremost, the story has a great sense of wonder and a generally fantastic roster of characters who amplify the campaign’s adventurous tone and scale. As with Chrono Trigger, time plays a central part, and Cross presents two very different looks at the same overall setting.
The turn-based combat is still as fun and challenging as the PS1 version, although the remaster comes with a few necessary quality-of-life adjustments that lessen the tedium of engaging in endless battles. Ultimately, this edition is the best version of Chrono Cross.
29 Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition
So Much Content & Addictive Digivolution System
When it comes to turn-based JRPGs on the Switch, Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition offers great value for money, with the compilation containing two long games that combine for over 100 hours of content. Individually, Cyber Sleuth and Hacker’s Memory are both among the top projects to carry the Digimon name, and they tell quite effective stories for the genre. Players will find themselves embroiled in a mystery that has been leaving people comatose, all the while investigating separate cases. Despite suffering from some pacing issues, the campaigns are enjoyable.
That said, Cyber Sleuth primarily shines in its mechanics. Although not too unusual in the grand scheme, the 3v3 combat system is well-honed, fast-paced, and frequently challenging. With over 200 Digimon, players will spend a lot of time accumulating monsters, including utilizing a fantastic and addictive DNA fusion system. The late game provides ways to quickly level up Digimon, and someone can lose hours trying to meet the requirements to craft their optimal team.
As great as each title is in isolation, they are very similar, including reusing most of the same dungeons and systems. As such, players will probably want to take a long break between the two games.
28 Bravely Default 2
Respectable Turn-Based JRPG Throwback
In 2012, Bravely Default was a breath of fresh air, despite being an obvious throwback to Square Enix’s classic JRPGs. During an era when the publisher seemed adamant about ignoring turn-based combat, Claytechworks’ project served as a prime example that the concept was nowhere near outdated. While garnering some criticism for its story’s structure, the game was nothing short of a resounding success and went down as one of the best 3DS RPGs. In 2015, Silicon Studio developed Bravely Second: End Layer, a direct sequel that largely stuck to the established blueprint. Although not as decorated as its predecessor, Bravely Second arguably achieved greatness in its own right.
A fresh start for the franchise, Bravely Default 2 tells a completely new story with no real ties to any of its ancestors, making it a valid option for players who do not own a 3DS. The series has never hidden its Final Fantasy inspiration, and the Switch game is very upfront about being a throwback to that IP’s old-school days, including the introduction of an active turn-based combat akin to the systems found in Final Fantasy 4-9. The Asterisks class mechanic will also conjure up memories of Final Fantasy‘s jobs, albeit with plenty of unique touches to present a novel spin. Bravely Default 2‘s gameplay has depth to spare, presenting players with a wide range of options on how they can set up their parties.
While the combat is great, Bravely Default 2 does not hit a home run in most other areas, particularly its story and characters. Although not terrible, they are largely forgettable.
27 Baten Kaitos 1 & 2 HD Remaster
Worthwhile Compilation For New Or Returning Players Alike
Monolith Software’s resume extends beyond Xenoblade Chronicles, and two of the developer’s minor classics have been remastered for the Switch in a neat compilation package. Baten Kaitos debuted and ended its original run during the GameCube era, producing two titles with lengthy campaigns and an engaging combat system built upon a card-building mechanic. While the games can be played in any order and enjoyed, Origins is the best place to start, even though it is the second entry in the series.
Although far from perfect, both Baten Kaitos projects are polished and entertaining JRPGs that have aged reasonably well, as long as someone doesn’t mind somewhat dated visuals. The card system is the franchise’s crowning achievement, and it influences more aspects of the adventures than just the battles. While not reaching the heights of Xenoblade Chronicles, these games tell pretty good narratives that build momentum nicely, even if they drag in places.
While it might be difficult to justify dropping almost full price on a compilation consisting of two games that are nearly 20 years old, Baten Kaitos 1 & 2 HD Remaster has way more than enough content to justify an investment.
26 Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings Of Ruin
While Repetitive, The Core Mechanics Are Generally Great
After missing out on Monster Hunter: World, Nintendo Switch owners got treated to a double dose of Capcom goodness with Monster Hunter Rise and a sequel to the Stories spin-off series. A monster collection game, Wings of Ruin features a turn-based combat system that shakes things up by including the possibility to target specific areas of a Monstie.
While the gameplay is enjoyable, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin‘s main appeal is the ability to hatch new Monsties. Although light on story compared to other JRPGs, Wings of Ruin is far more plot-driven than typical Monster Hunter games.
25 Rune Factory 4 Special
Jack Of All Trades Done Well
Typically, when people consider JRPGs, they imagine turn-based gameplay and an epic world-saving plot. While those types of games make up large chunks of the subgenre, JRPGs still come in many shapes and sizes. Rune Factory 4 Special is a farming simulator with a side helping of dungeon crawling, love and romance, and a plot that is there but tries to not distract players.
On the surface, this might seem like a messy hodgepodge of genres and ideas, but Rune Factory has a history of balancing out its concepts to create a satisfying overall package. Rune Factory 4 Special is a relaxing delight, a JRPG that frees players to become a part of a charming kingdom while occasionally swatting monsters on the head with a sword.
24 Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore
Strange Wii U Crossover With Superior Switch Version
This bizarre Wii U mash-up of Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem was ported to the Nintendo Switch in 2020, and Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore is still a difficult game to pin down. While Fire Emblem fans will get a kick out of seeing familiar faces from the franchise, this crossover is more likely to hit home with those looking for a lighthearted Shin Megami Tensei experience.
The turn-based combat isn’t far removed from the Persona games, although the Fire Emblem influence does add a few twists to the formula. Once the console’s time comes to an end, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore will probably not be Atlus’ best JRPG on the Switch, but it is worth picking up for fans of the developer’s work.
23 Fuga: Melodies Of Steel 1 & 2
Streamlined Gameplay In Surface Of War-Driven Story
CyberConnect2’s resume includes a lot more than just anime arena brawlers. The developer’s first project was 1998’s Tail Concerto, a steampunk action-adventure game set within a world of anthropomorphic dogs and cats. This PS1 title launched a franchise CyberConnect2 would intermittently revisit, and all the Little Tail Bronx projects are drastically different in terms of gameplay and tone. The Fuga: Melodies of Steel games represent the series at its darkest as they are disarmingly grounded war epics that revolve around orphans turned soldiers.
Telling a complex narrative that does not shy away from consequences or heavy themes, these titles are powerful in their own right. In terms of gameplay, Fuga: Melodies of Steel uses a tactical turn-based system that sees characters take charge of specific areas in a tank. While quite combat-heavy, both games are also full of dialogue and quiet character-driven moments.
22 Labyrinth Of Galleria: The Moon Society
Anime Dungeon Crawler
Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society is very different from most other Nintendo Switch JRPGs since it is a throwback to classic first-person dungeon crawlers rather than the genre’s more traditional entries. Following a brief set-up that gets the job done, players are prompted to explore a massive labyrinth while taking control of a fairly wide assortment of playable fighters, which are puppets rather than conventional characters.
The campaign revolves solely around exploration, loot, and combat, with the story taking a backseat for lengthy stretches. That said, the main characters are likable enough in their own right. Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society is not for everyone, but it is a worthy addition to the console’s library.
21 NEO: The World Ends With You
Great Urban Tokyo Setting, Fun Combat, & Pretty Good Story
After a long wait, Square Enix finally published the sequel to 2007’s The World Ends With You. NEO returns people to Shibuya to take part in the Reapers’ Game, a cutthroat contest to see who will be revived after a week of activities. NEO‘s gameplay and aesthetic are departures from the first game, as the sequel is fully 3D and utilizes a more traditional action-oriented combat system.
As such, die-hard fans of the original might need an adjustment period to fully appreciate Neo‘s gameplay; however, considering The World Ends With You struggled slightly to adapt its combat for the Switch, a change was ultimately the right move. More importantly, the sequel still features some top-notch writing as its predecessor, delivering a cast of characters who compare favorably. The music is also brilliant, while wisely opting to take things in a different direction than its highly-regarded ancestor.
20 Tokyo Xanadu eX+
An Action JRPG Epic With Good Writing & A Fun Lengthy Story
Tokyo Xanadu eX+ has been available in some form for about eight years (and that is not counting the 2015 vanilla version), but it waited quite a long time to make its Nintendo debut. However, in July 2024, the action JRPG’s Switch version was finally released in Western regions, granting console owners another great option if they are craving solid dungeon-crawling, fast-paced action, and an effective story filled with likable characters.
Now, Nihon Falcom putting together solid combat is hardly surprising considering Ys exists, but Tokyo Xanadu eX+ sets itself apart by seemingly blending that franchise’s satisfying real-time system with The Legend of Heroes‘ character-driven storytelling. The result is a project that combines the selling points of both sides and crafts a well-rounded campaign, even if it does not quite manage to reach the peak of either franchise.
As the title suggests, Tokyo Xanadu eX+ is set in Tokyo, and the story has an almost social sim aspect as players spend a lot of time building relationships with other characters. Fortunately, the writing is very good. The combat is primarily set in simple dungeons and allows players to swap between three party members, all of whom have different fighting styles.
19 Live a Live
A Long-Delayed Western Release Of A SNES Cult Classic
1994’s Live a Live was one of many SNES JRPGs that did not make its way to Western nations, forcing players to seek out obscure cartridges (or other means) to get their hands on one of Square’s most impressive projects of the ’90s. Directed by Chrono Trigger‘s Takashi Tokita, Live a Live is an ambitious epic that features seven different storylines, all set within different eras and featuring unique characters and even mechanics. At first, all these stories are standalone, and they can be experienced in any order, as long as they are all completed in the end. Once they are done, new content unlocks that brings everything together.
The 2022 remake modernizes Live a Live while fully preserving its original blueprint, delivering a polished and gorgeous rendition that 100% feels like a SNES masterpiece. Along with its diverse and strong storytelling, the game’s battle system is also pretty darn good, managing to blend tactics and accessibility to find a fun middle-ground that remains engaging throughout the fairly lengthy campaign.
18 Ys 8: Lacrimosa Of DANA
Fantastic Hack And Slash Combat
Aside from a nonsense title, the eighth entry into the Ys series has been released to relative critical acclaim. The title was a port of a PS4 release, and the developers did a solid job at keeping the game running smoothly, although it sacrificed graphical fidelity to do so. This action RPG follows much of what the series had established in past entries, albeit with a new island-based setting and secondary playable characters.
The combat is important to this series, and Ys 8 provides a fluid and fun experience. The player can swap between characters freely during combat, rather than being stuck with one for the duration of combat. Its soundtrack is also incredible, adding gravity to scenarios and giving the story weight. For those in need of a modern classic, this is a good option. Few action JRPGs on the Nintendo Switch are better than Y8.
17 Tales Of Vesperia: Definitive Edition
Slow Start That Builds Into An Epic Adventure
Another Nintendo Switch remaster, Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition brings the beloved JRPG to a new audience. Yuri and Estelle’s story is one that fans consider to be the peak of the Tales series, and that is absolutely reflected in the game. The combat is wildly fun and each character feels unique to play in battle.
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This release also features the exclusive content to the PS3 release that never made it to the West, which includes new quests, dungeons, and a new playable character. While it is jarring to jump between different voice actors for the various characters (particularly Yuri), it’s worth buying to check it out even for those who own the original.
16 Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Best Pokemon Switch Game
Game Freak’s Pokemon is a license to print money, but the mainline entries on the Switch garnered a more polarizing response than usual for the franchise. Pokemon Legends: Arceus takes the core appeal of the series and gives it a refreshing makeover, dropping players in a large open-world set a long time before the main games.
Tasked with completing the first-ever Pokedex, trainers are left to their own accord as to how they approach this quest; some might opt to engage in turn-based battles, while others may prefer to stealth their way behind a Pokemon to catch them off guard with a Poke Ball. Although not the prettiest Nintendo Switch RPG, Pokemon Legends: Arceus marks a massive step in the right direction following the divisive Sword & Shield entries, hopefully representing the beginning of a new era for the series.
15 Ni No Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch
Combat Is Not Great, But Nearly Everything Else Hits The Mark
Ni No Kuni is divisive for JRPG fans. The Ghibli-inspired world, story, and style are all wonderful and evocative. It’s a game that feels adventurous and huge, even though the world isn’t actually that large. The story is somewhat simple, but still very heartwarming and worth seeing through to the end. There’s a lot to love about the game.
However, the actual gameplay is a sticking point. The game feels like a watered-down version of Final Fantasy 12 with a creature-collection aspect slapped on top haphazardly. The AI for party members is terrible, and combat itself can be a slog. Despite that, when it comes together, it’s fairly satisfying to play.
14 Undernauts: Labyrinth Of Yomi
Challenging Dungeon Crawler
With games like Stranger of Sword City and Demon Gaze under their belts, Experience Inc. has low-key established itself as one of the finest developers of dungeon-crawling RPGs. Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi is a contender for the studio’s best game to date, delivering a thoroughly addictive gameplay experience packed with great art, challenging puzzles, and memorable encounters.
Diving into dungeons in search of treasures, players put together a group of adventurers, all of which can be customized to suit the party’s needs. The dungeons are expansive and expertly designed mazes that will test even veteran dungeon crawler fans. For anyone looking for a different style of JRPG, Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi is worth a look.
