25. Fire Emblem Engage
2023 - 8.1
If it weren’t for Three Houses, this could be one of the best modern Fire Emblem entries. Engage pretty much retains the signature tactical combat. The grid-based gameplay offers a plethora of strategic options for dealing with enemies.
Apart from its traditional JRPG elements, Engage’s new feature is in its namesake: the ‘Engage’ ability which gives you the power to summon ethereal Phantoms from other dimensions. This includes characters from previous Fire Emblem titles. It’s sure to make fans giddy when their favorites arrive on the battlefield.
24. Final Fantasy VII
2019 - 8.2
One of the greatest JRPGs ever made. Final Fantasy VII influenced a generation of videogames to push narrative length in new directions. VII’s expansive world, fantastic music and strong characters are timeless pieces that will remain in gaming’s hall of fame. Cloud, Tifa, Aerith, and the rest of the party are in their earliest iterations in this 1997 classic. Even if you start the series here, the growing popularity of remakes means you’ll have more hours with this stellar cast.
23. Disgaea 5 Complete
2017 - 8.2
Nippon Ichi’s beloved Disgaea series has stood the test of time. Even with its niche audience, the demand warranted more entries to the series. This Switch port of the 2015 original enhances Killa’s story in the Netherworld, containing all the DLCs for those extra hours of content.
22. Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
2019 - 8.2
This is JRPG isekai at its finest. With its childlike wonder, the Wrath Of The White Witch put Ni No Kuni on the map. It has Studio Ghibli’s artistic touch in its animation and art style, and music composed by none other than Joe Hisaishi himself. As a result, this wonderland oozes with magic and innocence, offering a vibrant adventure reminiscent of the films.
21. Persona 5 Strikers
2021 - 8.3
It might not be a full-blown JRPG, but Strikers still has that same Persona 5 charm. Set after the events of the main game, Strikers reunite the Phantom Thieves in a musou style adventure with an all-new, original story. It’s Dynasty Warriors but with Persona 5’s stack of endearing characters.
20. Valkyria Chronicles 4
2018 - 8.3
SEGA’s favorite tactical JRPG has gained a cult following after 4 major games. Valkyria Chronicles was never about typical adventure stories, choosing instead to bring us stories set amid bitter war. This entry brings new challenges to army management, encouraging you to plan before you shoot your shot.
19. Tactics Ogre: Reborn
2022 - 8.3
The tactics genre has its own market of loyal fans. Square Enix capitalizes on its growing popularity with Reborn. This 1995 Super Famicom classic is made better for modern audiences. The improvements include new tools and the freedom to rethink your choices. But, you’re still going to need brainpower to push through its grid-based combat.
18. Xenoblade Chronicles 2
2017 - 8.3
Rex and Pyra’s debut in the universe of Xenoblade Chronicles. This second chapter expanded on what we know about the game’s complicated lore. It also served as a turning point for its gameplay improvements, making its real-time action-based combat smoother than the first entry. Pair it with its fantastic Torna expansion, then it is a guaranteed 100-plus hours of game time. Perfect for anyone looking for long JRPGs!
17. Octopath Traveler
2018 - 8.4
The first Octopath Traveler game remains a Switch exclusive to this day. With eight characters and eight different stories, this recent Square Enix RPG brought something new for narrative-hungry fans. It even paved the way for another entry to the series. Its unique style may be home to many unforgettable stories, but the turn-based combat can be frustrating if you’re not used to it.
16. Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition
2019 - 8.4
The best Tales game on the Switch. A bit unfortunate considering the many Tales entries that could do with a Switch port. This is the definitive way to experience Yuri and Estelle’s journey across the magical world of Terca Lumireis. The enhanced graphics and English voice tracks make the experience accessible for new fans of the series.
15. Super Mario RPG
2021 - 9.2
This might come as a surprise for non-fans of Mario but Super Mario RPG is exactly what you think it is. This is the Mario game where you don’t just jump on top of Goombas and gobble mushrooms for extra health. Here, you have to wait your turn before making your move. It has all the JRPG tropes that you can imagine. From a growing number of party members, to traveling around the world.
14. NEO: The World Ends With You
2021 - 8.4
The sequel to the somewhat edgy Square Enix classic that came out on the Nintendo DS 16 years ago. NEO replaces the touch controls with more dynamic real-time combat that finally involves pressing buttons. Its energetic soundtrack is complemented by its cast of colorful characters. It still has that punk and hip-hop aesthetic that we’ve all grown to love and its soundtrack continues to bring out more energy when fighting around Shibuya.
13. Triangle Strategy
2022 - 8.4
If Octopath Traveler was all about eights, Triangle Strategy is about threes. This Square Enix’s JRPG is another showcase of their 2.5D games. Its tile-based gameplay is similar to the Tactics genre, albeit with a more casual approach. What sets Triangle Strategy apart from others is that it offers a branching narrative that is shaped by your decisions. These big choices always come in threes, encouraging multiple playthroughs for completionists.
12. Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster
2019 - 8.4
Tidus and Yuna’s love story is immortalized in this Remaster of the beloved Final Fantasy title. Ten and Ten X-2 is a duology of PlayStation 2’s iconic JRPG. The first game, Final Fantasy X, showed us the strained relationship between Tidus and his dad. Then X-2 took a wild and interesting turn with Yuna and her two girlfriends stealing the spotlight. It’s a genre whiplash but there’s no other game that can make you feel like a hero one moment and a pop star in the next.
11. Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age
2019 - 8.4
The Zodiac Age is the closest thing the Switch could get to a modern Final Fantasy title. Square’s underrated JRPG gets a dramatic overhaul to its combat system. It even fixed a few issues that PlayStation 2 players complained about 17 years ago. With the introduction of the International Zodiac System, Vaan and friends’ adventures in Ivalice aren't as frustrating. The varied class options, faster gameplay, and enhanced visuals make this the definitive way to enjoy Final Fantasy XII. /p>
10. Octopath Traveler II
2023 - 8.4
A sequel improves on the shortcomings of its original. Octopath Traveler II is proof that the devs behind this JRPG are listening.
This sequel reduced the tedious grind from its turn-based combat and added more depth to its fresh cast of characters.
Each of its eight stories is interconnected in some way, providing consistent world-building as you travel around the world.
9. Dragon Quest Builders 2
2019 - 8.5
Fans of this voxel-based adventure will know this as a sequel to the 2016 spinoff set after the events of Dragon Quest II. Although it’s a sandbox game, it’s still a JRPG at its core. Create your own character and bring life to this desolate alternate world. This sequel features the addition of new biomes and other interesting gameplay changes that make exploring more enjoyable.
8. Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
2020 - 8.7
The Remastered version of the first Xenoblade Chronicles. This Definitive Edition is the way to play Shulk’s story. This lengthy journey is made better with its cast of memorable characters and a living breathing world to explore. It comes with upscaled visuals and enhanced music that makes the adventure across Mechonis and Bionis more magical.
7. Shin Megami Tensei V
2021 - 8.7
The popularity of Person brought new attention ATLUS’ grittier version of Pokemon The SMT games have always leaned towards darker tones and this is especially true for Nahobino’s adventure. Deep morality issues and post-apocalyptic are the fitting backdrops to its riveting narrative. A Definitive Edition is coming out soon, introducing a new character and adding new story content.
6. Sea of Stars
2023 - 8.8
It’s weird to put Sea Of Stars on this list considering it’s not made by Japanese developers. But Sabotage Studios did bring us the familiar trappings of its JRPG inspirations.
This is a love letter to the genre. From its cast of characters, turn-based combat, and worldbuilding. Even with all that, it still managed to hold on its own with an original story and responsive gameplay that doesn’t feel like a 20-year-old title.
5. Persona 4 Golden
2023 - 8.9
After being stuck in the PS Vita’s library for a decade, more people can now get their hands on this award-winning murder mystery. Golden shines because of its fantastic cast of characters that even to this day people are still talking about it. Apart from its catchy J-Pop soundtrack, P4 was also the second game of the modern Persona titles to maximize on its visual novel elements. Balancing daily life and Scooby Doo-ing makes the gameplay loop even more rewarding.
4. Fire Emblem: Three Houses
2019 - 8.9
Dubbed as the best Fire Emblem game, Three Houses continues to be the gold standard of Nintendo’s turn-based JRPGs. It's a healthy balance of story and gameplay, giving you enough downtime to get to know its cast of characters and attend classes. Then it throws you into the frontlines of a growing war. This results in a varied experience for many players all depending on their priorities. They could be taking academic seminars, toppling down empires, or dating that attractive character.
3. Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition
2019 - 9.0
The best version of Square Enix’s renowned JRPG. XI is considered the best of the series so far. Embark on a hero’s journey where you fight bad guys, explore dungeons and find treasure. This trifecta of game design makes Echoes of an Elusive Age a recommended JRPG title.
It comes with additional features built just for the Nintendo Switch console. The power to switch between two graphical modes, the classic 2D or modern 3D, gives players a choice between reliving nostalgia or seeing the world with fresh eyes.
2. Xenoblade Chronicles 3
2022 - 9.3
The latest and greatest Xenoblade Chronicles game is Monolith Soft’s proudest achievement. It cranks the adventure to eleven, turning this science fiction world into a breathtaking open-world adventure. It’s a hundred-hour journey where its characters make peace with their borrowed time. This grand quest takes you to familiar places that veteran Xenoblade fans will recognize.
Its real-time combat is also improved, encouraging character switching to gain the upper hand.
It’s also the final Xenoblade Chronicles entry, putting a close to its complicated lore and sprawling timelines. The latest DLC, Future Redeemed, answers the series’ burning questions as well as adding new ones.
1. Persona 5 Royal
2022 - 9.4
There’s no surprise here. Persona 5 Royal is the deserving winner in this list of Switch JRPGs.
Royal is the culmination of all things great about the modern Persona titles. It has a great story about breaking free from societal norms, fantastic acid jazz music, and flashy turn-based combat.
Aside from that, its cast of characters and signature visual novel elements will lure you into each individual story. And if dating pretty characters is your thing, Royal gives you more dating options than ever.
Adding the lengthy epilogue that strengthens the original story, it’s definitely the best way to play Persona 5.