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.
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.
Updated on April 14, 2025, by Mark Sammut: With a new console set to launch in less than two months, it can be tempting to put the Switch in the rear-view mirror. However, the platform is not retiring just yet, and it will be receiving quite a few projects over the coming months. Some titles might even end up ranking among the best Nintendo Switch JRPGs. To celebrate the Switch's final run, a section dedicated to upcoming releases has been added.
30 Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition
So Much Content & Addictive Digivolution System
Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition
- Released
- October 17, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- h.a.n.d.
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Games
- How Long To Beat
- 100+ Hours
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
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.
29 Bravely Default 2
Respectable Turn-Based JRPG Throwback
Bravely Default 2
- Released
- February 26, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Claytechworks
- How Long To Beat
- 50 Hours
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
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.
28 Baten Kaitos 1 & 2 HD Remaster
Worthwhile Compilation For New Or Returning Players Alike
Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster
- Released
- September 14, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, Mild Language, Mild Blood
- Developer(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment, Logicalbeat Co ltd, Monolith Soft, tri-Crescendo
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment
- How Long To Beat
- 90 Hours
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
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.
27 Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings Of Ruin
While Repetitive, The Core Mechanics Are Generally Great
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
- Released
- July 9, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
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.
26 Rune Factory 4 Special
Jack Of All Trades Done Well
Rune Factory 4 Special
- Released
- February 25, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Marvelous
- Publisher(s)
- XSEED Games, Marvelous
- How Long To Beat
- 38 Hours
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, JRPG, Simulation
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.
25 Super Mario RPG
Old-School Goodness
Super Mario RPG
- Released
- November 17, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- How Long To Beat
- 11 Hours
- Genre(s)
- RPG
A remake of 1996's Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, this 2023 exclusive retains the original game's charm while giving it a fresh coat of paint. While that might not sound too exciting for this type of release, the SNES version of Super Mario RPG has aged gracefully, and its combat system inspired many of Mario's other role-playing escapades along with titles like Bug Fables. As Mario & Luigi and Paper Mario have received a plethora of entries, they tend to overshadow their ancestor, which is a shame since Legend of the Seven Stars compares favorably to most entries in those series. The SNES project was also developed by Square, and the developer's genre expertise shines through.
The Switch remake is very faithful to its predecessor. In fact, if someone did not enjoy the original or has no desire to revisit it, they might want to skip the new iteration. However, in isolation, Super Mario RPG is a confident, witty, and pretty game built upon an accessible and fun time-based combat system. While the latter is turn-based, players can press buttons to increase an attack's performance or reduce the impact of a hit. This concept has been explored and expanded in subsequent releases, but Super Mario RPG's version works well. The remake also fine-tunes the combat ever so slightly to smooth out a few rough edges, and it even adds a new, flashy combo option.
24 Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore
Strange Wii U Crossover With Superior Switch Version
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore
- Released
- January 17, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Atlus
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- How Long To Beat
- 38 Hours
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
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
Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2
- Released
- May 11, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due Blood, Crude Humor, Violence
- Developer(s)
- CyberConnect2
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Tactical
- How Long To Beat
- 20 Hours
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 NEO: The World Ends With You
Great Urban Tokyo Setting, Fun Combat, & Pretty Good Story
Neo: The World Ends with You
- Released
- July 27, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix, Square Enix Creative Business Unit I
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Fighting, Adventure
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.
5 Worst Square Enix Worlds To Live In
Square Enix has introduced several terrifying worlds throughout its franchises, none of which are remotely pleasant to live.
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.
21 Tokyo Xanadu eX+
An Action JRPG Epic With Good Writing & A Fun Lengthy Story
Tokyo Xanadu eX+
- Released
- December 8, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Drug Reference, Fantasy Violence, Language, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Nihon Falcom
- Publisher(s)
- Aksys Games, Nihon Falcom
- How Long To Beat
- 45 Hours
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
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.