Summary
- Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin showcases gripping turn-based combat within the Monster Hunter universe.
- Super Mario RPG is a visually enhanced remake that modernizes the classic RPG while maintaining its original charm.
- Tales of Arise by Bandai Namco Studios offers an award-winning narrative, branching stories, and captivating JRPG combat.
Over the years, there have been countless Japanese role-playing games created by a wide variety of companies with both big and small teams of people. While there have been countless incredible JRPGs made by indie or double-A companies, those that are looking for the titles that have had the most amount of money invested in them that have been spent incredibly well should look no further than these triple-A titles.
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With games like Final Fantasy being one of the most well-known franchises of AAA JRPGs, players may be surprised to hear that triple-A JRPGs are few and far between, with these games in particular being some of the best, ranked by how much they have been enjoyed by their audiences. The entries within this article have been picked incredibly strictly to only include Triple-A titles. This means that games such as Persona have not been included, as, although they are high-quality titles, they do not contain as large a budget as commonly discussed triple-A games.
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
An Epic Adventure In A Spin-Off Title
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
- Released
- July 9, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ / Crude Humor, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Capcom, Marvelous
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
- Genre(s)
- RPG, JRPG, Exploration, Creature Collector
Unsurprisingly, the Monster Hunter franchise is heavily considered a triple-A title. However, while some players may feel this only focuses on the more action-packed main titles of the series, Capcom has been sure to invest not only a large budget but also an immense amount of detail and effort into their spin-off Monster Hunter games, such as Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin.
In this adorable JRPG, players become a rider and form bonds with various monsters in the Monster Hunter world. Within the incredible story of Monster Hunter Stories 2, players will get involved in some of the best turn-based combat to test the limits of their monsters.
Super Mario RPG (2023)
Repair The Star Road Once More In An Incredible Remake
Super Mario RPG
- Released
- November 17, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Some of the greatest AAA JRPGs are the remakes of classic titles such as Super Mario RPG. Many players have looked forward to this title being remade, especially those who couldn't enjoy the original due to it releasing on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.
Due to this game being promoted by Nintendo itself and using the iconic mascot of the console, Mario, it's no surprise to see the budget and attention that was put behind Super Mario RPG. Combining the world of Super Mario with typical yet engaging JRPG combat that now has better graphics proves that Super Mario RPG is certainly an AAA JRPG players should consider on the Switch.
Yakuza: Like A Dragon
Yakuza With Incredibly Dynamic RPG Combat
Yakuza: Like A Dragon
- Released
- November 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Previously to Yakuza: Like a Dragon, the games in the franchise didn't use turn-based JRPG combat but instead real-time brawling. While some players may believe that this would be Yakuza's downfall, many players of the franchise found Yakuza: Like a Dragon to be a welcome change to the franchise, as well as being a great experience elsewhere in the game.
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With an entirely new protagonist to control, alongside the change of genre, Yakuza: Like a Dragon was a perfect re-imagination of a well-loved series of games. It should be highlighted that, compared to other triple-A games mentioned, Yakuza: Like a Dragon did have a much tighter budget. However, due to its high quality of gameplay, alongside story, voice acting, and animations, Like a Dragon proves itself to be worthy of being called a triple-A game.
Tales Of Arise
One Of The Best Modern JRPGs Created
Tales of Arise
- Released
- September 10, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Alcohol Reference, Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Bandai Namco Studios
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Until recent years, the majority of AAA JRPGs that were considered some of the best were classic games that many players may feel nostalgic about when starting again. Since then, there have been plenty of AA JRPGs, but not many prominent AAA ones. However, the highly respected Bandai Namco Studios managed to break into the JRPG genre with an entirely new AAA game known as Tales of Arise.
With two entirely different branching stories depending on which protagonist the player chooses, it's no surprise that Tales of Arise received The Best RPG Game of 2021 at the Game Awards. This is only one way in which Tales of Arise proves itself, as the characters and combat within this phenomenal JRPG are also something for players to get lost in. All this wouldn't be possible without the time, money, and effort that Bandai Namco put into the game to create one of the greatest modern AAA JRPGs.
Kingdom Hearts 2
A JRPG Filled With Much-Loved Disney Characters
Kingdom Hearts 2
- Released
- March 28, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Mild Blood, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Hack and Slash
As previously seen, some of the best triple-A JRPGs are those that are classic games, with some of those that were released in the early 2000s being some of the best. While remakes like Super Mario RPG are perfect for modern audiences, classics like Kingdom Hearts 2 are JRPGs that haven't become outdated even as games have moved on.
The Kingdom Hearts franchise as a whole by Square Enix can be considered AAA games, though out of all the JRPGs that were released as part of the Kingdom Hearts series, Kingdom Hearts 2 is by far one of the greatest, with players praising the story of this role-playing game, as well as being one that players should surely replay even countless years later.
Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver
Pokemon Continues To Rule JRPGs As A Franchise
Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver
- Released
- March 14, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- Game Freak
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo DS
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Nintendo continues to make some of the most well-known AAA games in recent years, with another popular franchise being Pokemon. Due to the turn-based nature of the combat between these adorable pocket monsters, Pokemon is another that can be considered a JRPG, with almost any game in the franchise being able to score a spot as one of the best triple-A JRPGs to be created.
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Since not every single Pokemon game can be listed, Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver have been deemed by a large majority of the Pokemon franchise to be one of the best to be released. As remakes of the original Pokemon Gold & Silver, these games brought the second generation of Pokemon into the fourth generation, with the game's abundance of content and incredible quality.
Final Fantasy 6
The Most Loved Game In The Final Fantasy Franchise
Final Fantasy 6
- Released
- October 11, 1994
WHERE TO PLAY
Another prominent franchise of JRPGs that has proven to be not only astounding for the genre, but also impressive AAA games is the Final Fantasy series. Even after countless years since the first game was released, Final Fantasy has remained popular with a large fan base of players who look forward to not only new games but also remakes of classic ones.
Once again, every single Final Fantasy game cannot be listed, and, therefore, Final Fantasy 6 is the triple-A JRPG that deserves to be highlighted as one of the greatest in the franchise. Players can enjoy Final Fantasy 6 on PC or Mobile with reworked 2D graphics and improved audio, while still feeling nostalgic about the original and why this is one of the greatest JRPGs to exist.
Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes Of An Elusive Age
A Modern Take On A Classic With A Lot Invested In It
Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of An Elusive Age - Definitive Edition
- Released
- September 27, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Crude Humor, Simulated Gambling, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Mild Blood, Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 4
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Square Enix has proven itself to be one of the best companies for creating JRPGs, with many of their games having large budgets, teams, and effort put into each title. This has led them to make countless high-end franchises, with one of the best JRPGs in recent history for triple-A games being a new title for the classic Dragon Quest series. Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes of an Elusive Age was critically acclaimed during its release for successfully holding the torch that was the previous games in the Dragon Quest franchise.
With an entirely new story, detailed graphics, and another phenomenal soundtrack, there is a lot to enjoy in Dragon Quest 11. With Definitive versions also available for this Square Enix title, it is obvious to see the amount of work and attention that has been given to the JRPG, Dragon Quest, and why it is by far one of the greatest of all time, especially when considering AAA games.
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