Between its console competitors when it launched in 2017 and the sequel consoles that launched in 2020, the Switch remained one of the best platforms for JRPGs for almost a decade. Some examples include Fire Emblem: Three Houses and Super Mario RPG.
The Switch 2 is rounding out its year, and there are a few new and enhanced ports of great JRPGs on the system. All the best Switch JRPGs still work great on the system too, plus there are upcoming games like Dragon Quest 1-2 HD-2D Remake and Octopath Traveler 0. For now, these are the best JRPGs to play on Switch 2.
8 Switch Games That Need To Be Enhanced On The Nintendo Switch 2
Help these Switch games get a second chance at life.
Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster
Great On 3DS, Better On Switch 2
Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster
- Released
- June 5, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
Bravely Default: Flying Fairy began as a 3DS game designed to revitalize the Final Fantasy franchise in all but name. It featured crystals, a Job system, a small four-party team, turn-based battles, and a world map to explore.
It was perfect for nostalgic Final Fantasy fans, and while some aspects of the game are a bit dated now, the remaster is still a good time. For a launch game, this may have even been a better choice than Mario Kart World for some, thanks to the solid price point.
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
Chill Alone Or With Friends
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
- Released
- May 21, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is a lengthy title and a lengthy action JRPG as well. Players can engage with the game as a standard action JRPG, or they can dive deep into the class system and go beyond action classes like warriors and mages. They can become expert miners and get minerals for crafting or learn to chop wood.
Best Tactical JRPGs With Incredible Stories
Tactical JRPGs don't always make their stories the focal point, but these games balance both intense tactical battles and incredible narratives.
All of these classes, or Lives, blend together as players can swap between them and expand their arsenal. Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time manages to keep surprising players, the more they play alone or with friends as a chill adventure.
Yakuza 0: Director's Cut
Dub It Up
Yakuza 0 Director's Cut
- Released
- June 5, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Intense Violence, Blood, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- Action, Adventure, RPG, Beat 'Em Up, Open-World
There’s one solid reason why picking up Yakuza 0 again is worthwhile on the Switch 2: it adds an English dub. For the most part, the Yakuza games have used Japanese audio only, which was great considering the stellar performances. However, starting with the seventh mainline title, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, there was an incentive to get English actors in as well, which is presumably why Yakuza 0: Director's Cut got this addition.
Voice acting aside, which is great in either language, this game is a solid one. The bare-knuckle brawling is just as great in the 80s with a younger Kazuma. This series is known for having high energy and being over-the-top, but the Yakuza team really went above and beyond for this prequel.
Raidou Remastered: The Mystery Of The Soulless Army
A Forgotten SMT Gem
RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army
- Released
- June 19, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army is a remaster of a PS2 game, completely revamped from the ground up and better than ever before. As a demon-hunting detective in an alternate version of 1930s Japan, players will solve cases with their demons, who have various abilities like pressuring NPCs into divulging clues.
In battle, combat is in real-time, wherein players will hack and slash enemies to pieces alongside their demon cohorts. Beyond the time period, Shin Megami Tensei fans will feel at home with this spinoff.
Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster: Gate Rune And Dunan Unification Wars
Two Masterful PS1 JRPGs
Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars
- Released
- March 6, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Mild Blood, Suggestive Themes, Violence, Simulated Gambling, Language
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars collects the first two games in the series, originally released on PS1 in the 90s, with virtually most content left untouched beyond graphics and a few extras. That’s fine by fans of the Suikoden franchise, as they have been dying to replay these games for ages, which rank up there as some of the best on PS1.
Suikoden 2, in particular, holds up next to other PS1 giants like Final Fantasy 7. For those who missed these games originally, this collection is a must-own for JRPG fans. It's ideal for those who want to experience something a bit different in their turn-based JRPGs, thanks to the hundred-plus party system.
Rune Factory: Guardians Of Azuma
Fight Monsters, Plant Trees
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
- Released
- June 5, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is the perfect combination of simulation games and action JRPGs. At their homestead, players can maintain their land with crops and sell or trade with others to earn a profit. For those craving adventure, there are plenty of monsters to slay too.
Best JRPGs Games With Evil Gods
There are few better climaxes to an epic story than fighting an evil god, and these JRPGs throw exactly that at you to close things out.
It’s not the deepest combat system, but some players want a more relaxing experience anyway, akin to Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time. It’s also like a more modern, Japanese version of Stardew Valley for fans of that game looking for more recommendations.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge Of The Seven
Building A Lineage
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven
- Released
- October 24, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Teen // Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Partial Nudity
- Genre(s)
- JRPG, Adventure
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is a remake of the SNES original, which was released in 1993 in Japan only. The SaGa games are often hard to recommend because the battle systems take a bit to get used to. Instead of EXP, characters grow with practice using their gear and abilities, and upgrades can also be random.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven goes beyond even those odd mechanics and adds a legacy throne system wherein players will pass on genes between kin. It’s engaging once players take some time to learn the game’s complex systems.
Upcoming RPGs That Could Be The New Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Can these upcoming games usurp Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's rule over the 2025 RPG scene, and maybe even challenge it for Game of the Year?