With how big the Nintendo Switch’s library is, most genres are fairly well-stocked with options. One pantry that is particularly stuffed to overflow is that of the JRPG. Just about every company that makes JRPGs got in on the Nintendo Switch in a big way, bringing a healthy supply of new games, remakes, and reissues for fans of the genre to enjoy. If you’re trying to decide which ones to buy, we’ve picked out 15 of the best Nintendo Switch JRPGs you can get. Let’s check out some games!
Octopath Traveler
Octopath Traveler introduced the HD-2D graphical style to the world, and it was an immediate eye-catcher. Fortunately, it wasn’t just a pretty face. The game itself was also very cool, telling the story of eight heroes who all have their own paths to follow. It doesn’t quite stick the landing as well as one might hope, but the journey itself remains impressive even in light of similar games that followed up on it.
Final Fantasy I-VI Pixel Remasters
This is a bit of a cheat since I’m including all six games, but there’s a bundle. It’s valid! Across these six games, you’ll find a wide variety of JRPG thrills. Whether it’s the versatile job system of Final Fantasy V, the heavy drama of Final Fantasy VI, or the proto-SaGa stylings of Final Fantasy II, you’re bound to find something to like in here. The Pixel Remasters flatten the individual stylings these games originally had, but they look and sound good enough. Things certainly could have been (and have been) worse.
Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age Definitive Edition
While the wait for the twelfth installment in the storied Dragon Quest series continues, Dragon Quest XI remains a joyous adventure to tackle. With its unique blend of classic and new, Dragon Quest has a flavor you can’t really find anywhere else. This game features a roller coaster of a story with some memorable characters and a world full of charm. If you’re feeling extra nostalgic, you can even play the game in 2D mode and enjoy some tasty sprites.
Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition
This is a case where you’ll probably want to go all-in since the whole franchise is available on the Switch, but it’s worth sending a little love in the direction of the latest release. In the likely case that you somehow missed the original Wii U version then there’s no better time or place to get in on Xenoblade Chronicles X. It only has the loosest of connections to the other Xenoblade games, instead telling a done-in-one tale of survival on a hostile planet. While not as fully-formed as some open-world JRPGs that released after it, Xenoblade Chronicles X does an excellent job of selling its world as equal parts dangerous and amazing to behold.
Star Ocean: The Second Story R
The version of the first Star Ocean game that was released on the Switch was fine, but didn’t really do much to set itself apart from the PSP remake it was based on. Given that the second game received a similar PSP remake, it was surprising that Square Enix opted not to do the same thing for it. No, we got a far fancier affair, making this the best way to play one of the best sci-fi JRPGs of its era. Great visuals, some solid quality-of-life improvements, and a strong game at the core make Star Ocean: The Second Story R well-worth spending time on.
Persona 5 Royal
For a long while it almost seemed like Persona 5 wasn’t going to make it to the Switch despite tons of smoke, but it finally got there in the form of Persona 5 Royal. The series had been building a following in the West with previous entries, but Persona 5 is where it finally hit the big-time. Is it the stylish presentation? The deep gameplay? The catchy soundtrack? The compelling story about fighting against societal injustices? All of those things and more, most likely. If you somehow haven’t played this before, book some time with the Phantom Thieves. They’ll steal your heart, too.
Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories and The Envisioned Land
Atelier Yumia pushes the Atelier series into new frontiers, but it’s still JRPG enough to count for our purposes. You’ve got a big open world to explore, filled with lots of quests, monsters, and crafting ingredients. A bit more action-packed than previous games, but the new structure suits the series well. There’s also a very good story here, albeit one a bit less chipper and fluffy than we usually see in Atelier games. You can’t go wrong with any of the Atelier games on Switch, really.
Live A Live
Some things are worth the wait. This game didn’t get a global release back in the day, but the last ten years seem to have been all about digging out these old treasures for the rest of the world. Live A Live isn’t just a simple rerelease of the original Super Famicom game but a full remake, using that fancy HD-2D style Square Enix deploys so often now. It properly respects the original version, but it also isn’t afraid to spruce things up a little. A bit JRPG, a bit adventure, and an unforgettable narrative. Live-A-Live is a must-play for fans of the genre.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus
There’s just something about Pokemon games, isn’t there? You’ve got lots of choices for Pokemon games on the Switch, but Pokemon Legends: Arceus is probably the easiest to recommend. It adds a lot of exciting new mechanics to the usual Pokemon gameplay, giving it a fresh feeling even years after its release. On top of that, the unusual setting of Pokemon Legends: Arceus helps it stand apart from the rest of the series even more. The final cherry on top? This is surprisingly polished for a Pokemon game, with considerably fewer bugs and technical issues than the later Scarlet & Violet.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance
One of the popular recent trends in JRPGs is to introduce a massive ground-level open world to explore, and that approach works out very well for Shin Megami Tensei. It feels as though this game pulls some of the best things from the previous games in the series, resulting in a fantastic mix that will keep you coming back for more. The atmosphere in particular is very well-done, riding that line between dread and a small shimmer of hope that characterizes the best games in Atlus’ former flagship franchise.
Super Mario RPG
The twilight years of the Switch have seen plenty of Mario RPG options made available, but that all kicked off with this lovely remake of the Super NES Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. The core game more or less remains intact, but it has been given a massive graphical overhaul, an optional new soundtrack arrangement, and a number of quality-of-life improvements. There are also some fun new Triple Attacks and new extra-challenging postgame bosses.
Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition
It’s easy to hate Chrono Cross for taking the less crowd-pleasing road for a sequel, but taken for what it is it’s an excellent JRPG. With a thought-provoking story, a massive cast of playable characters, and one of the best soundtracks in gaming history, Chrono Cross has a lot to offer. This version also includes a translation of the text adventure Radical Dreamers, which awkwardly attempts to bridge the first and second games in the series. Still interesting!
The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero
Trails from Zero isn’t technically the starting point for this narratively dense series, but it is a starting point. It might be the best one Switch owners have, really. It’s also a truly satisfying JRPG in the traditional vein and has an incredibly well-realized setting. The Trails series has a lot to offer if you get into what it’s doing, but that initial wall can be a lot for many players. Trails from Zero is an inviting rope dangling down from the top of that wall. Why not seize it?
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin takes the well-loved Monster Hunter setting takes it in a very different direction. Compared to its predecessor, this game feels a little less like it’s trying to launch a toy line. This game strikes a nice balance of depth and accessibility, and I think it’s a good choice for those put off by more complicated games in the genre.
Lunar Remastered Collection
Two of the finest gems of the SEGA CD library found new life and a wider audience when Game Arts remade Lunar and Lunar 2 and released them on the PlayStation. Since then, the availability of the Lunar games has not been great. This collection changes all of that, bringing those PlayStation remakes to modern platforms with new voice acting and a number of extra features. They’re a little long in the tooth, but their age lends them a certain innocence that can be hard to come by these days.
That’s our list of the best JRPGs on the Nintendo Switch. What are your favorites? If you want to champion a game that isn’t included here, hit those comments and let us know. More recommendations means more games for all of us to dig into, and that’s the real treasure, isn’t it?
The fact Radiant Historia was never brought to the Switch breaks my heart.