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Ni No Kuni: The 20 Best Familiars, Ranked
The JRPG is a time-tested genre that spans back to the early days of gaming consoles. Some of the oldest franchises that are still popular today are JRPGs, like Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, and Megami Tensei. These are games with large parties of characters, incredible stories, and finely tuned (typically turn-based) gameplay.
However, with how busy people are these days, it's hard to find time to sit down and play a JRPG on the big screen. Fortunately, the Switch just so happens to be home to some of the greatest Japanese role-playing games of all time. If someone is looking for the best JRPGs on Nintendo Switch, they have a lot of games to pick from.
Updated on June 29, 2024, by Mark Sammut: As the best Switch JRPGs have all been covered by this point, a section highlighting upcoming releases has been added at the end of the article.
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 albeit very different experiences.
Also, this article originally prioritized Metascores as the sole determining factor behind the rankings; while still being taken into account, this metric is no longer the only criterion.
30 Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force
Metascore: 66
![Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (6) Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (6)](https://i0.wp.com/static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Fairy-Fencer-F-Advent-Dark-Force-ps4.jpg)
Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force
- Released
- July 26, 2016
- Developer(s)
- Compile Heart
- Publisher(s)
- Compile Heart , NIS America , Idea Factory International , Ghostlight
- How Long To Beat
- 26 Hours
The Nintendo Switch has a few Compile Heart games, and they are all niche. Death end re;Quest and its sequel are decent enough turn-based projects in their own right, and they tend to be frequently on sale. The Mary Skelter series might hit the mark with first-person dungeon-crawler fans, although newcomers should probably start elsewhere. Finally, there is Neptunia, Compile Heart and Idea Factory's flagship property. These games have their charm, but they are also difficult to recommend to newcomers. Super Neptunia RPG is surprisingly bland, while Megadimension Neptunia VII is not particularly accessible.
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Fairy Fencer F is somewhat of a Neptunia offshoot, in the sense that the games utilize similar battle systems. However, the former takes itself more seriously and, as a result, tells a rather effective story that does not constantly derail itself. While not particularly deep, the combat is fun, particularly for people who get a dopamine hit from seeing very high damage numbers. If someone is interested in trying a Compile Heart game, Advent Dark Force is the best place to start.
29 Fairy Tail
Metascore: 69
![Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (8) Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (8)](https://i0.wp.com/static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/fairy-tail-2020-game-natsu.jpg)
Fairy Tail
- Released
- July 31, 2020
- Developer(s)
- Gust
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- How Long To Beat
- 25 Hours
Fairy Tail, like so many video game adaptations of anime, can only be recommended to die-hard fans of the source material. In this case, that disclaimer is not enforced by the project's quality, but rather its non-existent attempt to cater to newcomers. Set during the latter half of the manga/anime and concluding before the final arc, the game expects players to already be intimately familiar with Natsu, Lucy, and company. The campaign does not try to introduce this world or even its main characters; it feels like a sequel to a game that was never released outside of Japan.
Ultimately, none of that would matter if Fairy Tail was terrible; however, it is a pretty good turn-based JRPG that demonstrates Gust's expertise in the genre. Despite being fairly traditional, the battle system is enhanced through combos, elemental attacks, and an impressive presentation. The game even has a decent selection of playable characters, some of whom are unlocked after the story's conclusion. The main missions are generally the campaign's highlights, but the side quests do a decent job of emphasizing the secondary characters.
Even after all that, Fairy Tail is just for fans of the source material. At least, it is a good game.
28 Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince
Metascore: 73
![Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (9) Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (9)](https://i0.wp.com/static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/dragon-quest-monsters-the-dark-prince-69.jpg)
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince
- Released
- December 1, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Tose , Armor Project
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- How Long To Beat
- 34 Hours
The Nintendo Switch has a lot of Dragon Quest games, including a few ports of the classics. The console also has two console exclusives: Dragon Quest Treasures and Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince. The former is a decent action RPG that focuses on exploration, and it might hit the spot with fans of DQ11 since it is a prequel to that game. Conversely, The Dark Prince revives a spin-off series that has been around since 1998 and is almost solely associated with Nintendo. Dragon Quest Monsters lives up to its name by focusing on collecting creatures that are then used in turn-based battles. Fusion is also a central mechanic, and players are expected to be constantly evolving their parties so they can overcome new dungeons and challenges.
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The Dark Prince ties into the story of Dragon Quest 4, and its protagonist is also a major character from that game. That said, the story is quite beginner-friendly, so people not familiar with the NES classic should not feel too lost. As Psaro, players go on a lengthy adventure that has some personal significance for the protagonist, although the whole affair is generally quite lighthearted and slow-paced. The combat system is fairly similar to the main entries, albeit with monsters replacing the characters. It is not perfect, but it works well and provides the occasional difficulty spike courtesy of bosses.
27 Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition
Metascore: 76
![Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (11) Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (11)](https://i0.wp.com/static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Digimon-Story-Cyber-Sleuth-Complete-Edition-switch.jpg)
Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition
- Released
- October 17, 2019
- Developer(s)
- h.a.n.d.
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Games
- How Long To Beat
- 100+ Hours
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.
26 Bravely Default 2
Metascore: 76
![Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (12) Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (12)](https://i0.wp.com/static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/13-Bravely-Default-2.jpg)
Bravely Default 2
- Released
- February 26, 2021
- Developer
- Claytechworks
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- How Long To Beat
- 50 Hours
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.
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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.
25 Baten Kaitos 1 & 2 HD Remaster
Metascore: 79
![Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (14) Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (14)](https://i0.wp.com/static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/baten-kaitos-name.jpg)
- Released
- September 14, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment , Logicalbeat Co ltd , Monolith Soft , tri-Crescendo
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment
- How Long To Beat
- 90 Hours
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.
24 Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings Of Ruin
Metascore: 81
![Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (15) Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (15)](https://i0.wp.com/static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/TB_MonsterHunterStories2_Monstie.jpg)
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Publisher(s)
- Capcom
- ESRB
- E10+ for Everyone 10+: Crude Humor, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language
- How Long To Beat
- 41 Hours
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.
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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.
23 Rune Factory 4 Special
Metascore: 75
![Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (17) Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (17)](https://i0.wp.com/static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Rune-Factory-4-Special-battle.jpg)
Rune Factory 4 Special
- Developer(s)
- Marvelous
- Publisher(s)
- XSEED Games , Marvelous
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol
- How Long To Beat
- 38 Hours
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.
22 Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore
Metascore: 81
![Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (18) Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (18)](https://i0.wp.com/static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Tokyo-Mirage-Sessions-FE-Encore-battle.jpg)
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore
- Developer(s)
- Atlus
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol
- How Long To Beat
- 38 Hours
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.
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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.
21 Fuga: Melodies Of Steel 1 & 2
Metascore: 84
![Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (20) Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (20)](https://i0.wp.com/static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/fuga-melodies-of-steel-2.jpg)
Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2
- Released
- May 11, 2023
- 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.
20 Labyrinth Of Galleria: The Moon Society
Metascore: 83
![Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (21) Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (21)](https://i0.wp.com/static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/labyrinth-of-galleria-coven-of-dusk.jpg)
Labyrinth Of Galleria: The Moon Society
- Developer(s)
- Nippon Ichi Software
- Publisher(s)
- NIS America
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Fantasy Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
- How Long To Beat
- 77 Hours
Labyrinth of Galleria: Th Moon Society is very different from most other Nintendo Switch JRPGs since it is a throwback to classic first-person dungeon crawlers rather than the genre's more traditional entries. Following a brief set-up that gets the job done, players are prompted to explore a massive labyrinth while taking control of a fairly wide assortment of playable fighters, which are puppets rather than conventional characters.
The campaign revolves solely around exploration, loot, and combat, with the story taking a backseat for lengthy stretches. That said, the main characters are likable enough in their own right. Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society is not for everyone, but it is a worthy addition to the console's library.
19 NEO: The World Ends With You
Metascore: 82
![Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (22) Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (22)](https://i0.wp.com/static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Neo-TWEWY-2-8.jpg)
NEO: The World Ends with You
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix , h.a.n.d.
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes
- How Long To Beat
- 41 Hours
See at AmazonSee at Nintendo eShop
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. Battles are fun, while the story and music hit the mark.
18 Ys 8: Lacrimosa Of DANA
Metascore: 82
![Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (23) Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (23)](https://i0.wp.com/static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/5-Ys-VIII.jpg)
Ys 8: Lacrimosa Of DANA
- Developer(s)
- Nihon Falcom
- Publisher(s)
- Nihon Falcom
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Fantasy Violence, Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol
- How Long To Beat
- 38 Hours
See at Nintendo eShopSee at Amazon
Aside from a nonsense title, the eighth entry into the Ys series has been released to relative critical acclaim. The title was a port of a PS4 release, and the developers did a solid job at keeping the game running smoothly, although it sacrificed graphical fidelity to do so. This action RPG follows much of what the series had established in past entries, albeit with a new island-based setting and secondary playable characters.
The combat is important to this series, and Ys 8 provides a fluid and fun experience. The player can swap between characters freely during combat, rather than being stuck with one for the duration of combat. Its soundtrack is also incredible, adding gravity to scenarios and giving the story weight. For those in need of a modern classic, this is a good option. Few action JRPGs on the Nintendo Switch are better than Y8.
17 Tales Of Vesperia: Definitive Edition
Metascore: 83
![Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (24) Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (24)](https://i0.wp.com/static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/tales-of-vesperia-definitive-edition.jpg)
Tales of Vesperia Definitive Edition
- Developer(s)
- Namco Tales Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Alcohol Reference, Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Suggestive Themes
- How Long To Beat
- 45 Hours
See at Nintendo eShopSee at Amazon
Another Nintendo Switch remaster, Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition brings the beloved JRPG to a new audience. Yuri and Estelle's story is one that fans consider to be the peak of the Tales series, and that is absolutely reflected in the game. The combat is wildly fun and each character feels unique to play in battle.
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This release also features the exclusive content to the PS3 release that never made it to the West. This includes new quests, dungeons, and a new playable character. While it is jarring to jump between different voice actors for the various characters (particularly Yuri), it's worth buying to check it out even for those who own the original.
16 Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Metascore: 83
![Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (26) Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (26)](https://i0.wp.com/static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/pokemon-legends-arceus-mountain-village-screenshot.jpg)
Pokemon Legends Arceus
- Developer(s)
- Game Freak
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo , The Pokemon Company
- ESRB
- E for Everyone: Mild Fantasy Violence
- How Long To Beat
- 25½ Hours
Game Freak's Pokemon is a license to print money, but the mainline entries on the Switch garnered a more polarizing response than usual for the franchise. Pokemon Legends: Arceus takes the core appeal of the series and gives it a refreshing makeover, dropping players in a large open-world set a long time before the main games.
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Tasked with completing the first-ever Pokedex, trainers are left to their own accord as to how they approach this quest; some might opt to engage in turn-based battles, while others may prefer to stealth their way behind a Pokemon to catch them off guard with a Poke Ball. Although not the prettiest Nintendo Switch RPG, Pokemon Legends: Arceus marks a massive step in the right direction following the divisive Sword & Shield entries, hopefully representing the beginning of a new era for the series.
15 Ni No Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch
Metascore: 84
![Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (28) Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (28)](https://i0.wp.com/static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Featured---Ni-no-Kuni-Wrath-of-the-White-Witch---Best-Equipment.jpg)
Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
- Developer(s)
- Level 5
- Publisher(s)
- Namco Bandai
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling
- How Long To Beat
- 45 Hours
Ni No Kuni is divisive for JRPG fans. The Ghibli-inspired world, story, and style are all wonderful and evocative. It's a game that feels adventurous and huge, even though the world isn't actually that large. The story is somewhat simple, but still very heartwarming and worth seeing through to the end. There's a lot to love about the game.
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However, the actual gameplay is a sticking point. The game feels like a watered-down version of Final Fantasy 12 with a creature-collection aspect slapped on top haphazardly. The AI for party members is terrible, and combat itself can be a slog. Despite that, when it comes together, it's fairly satisfying to play.
14 Undernauts: Labyrinth Of Yomi
Metascore: 85
![Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (30) Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (30)](https://i0.wp.com/static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Undernauts-Labyrinth-Of-Yomi-switch.jpg)
Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi
- Developer(s)
- Experience Inc. , Poppy Works
- Publisher(s)
- Aksys Games
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Language, Partial Nudity, Violence
- How Long To Beat
- 40 Hours
See at Nintendo eShopSee at Amazon
With games like Stranger of Sword City and Demon Gaze under their belts, Experience Inc. has low-key established itself as one of the finest developers of dungeon-crawling RPGs. Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi is a contender for the studio's best game to date, delivering a thoroughly addictive gameplay experience packed with great art, challenging puzzles, and memorable encounters.
Diving into dungeons in search of treasures, players put together a group of adventurers, all of which can be customized to suit the party's needs. The dungeons are expansive and expertly designed mazes that will test even veteran dungeon crawler fans. For anyone looking for a different style of JRPG, Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi is worth a look.
13 The Legend Of Heroes: Trails Of Cold Steel 3
Metascore: 84
![Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (31) Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (31)](https://i0.wp.com/static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/the-legend-of-heroes-trails-of-cold-steel-3.jpg)
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 3
- Developer(s)
- Nihon Falcom
- Publisher(s)
- Nihon Falcom , NIS America
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Fantasy Violence, Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco
- How Long To Beat
- 62 Hours
Despite its niche following in the West, the Legend of Heroes series has persisted and largely improved with each new entry. This remained true with Trails of Cold Steel 3, which isn't even the second most unwieldy name on this list.
The game is the third in the current saga, and it delivers everything fans wanted. The sidequests are engaging, the combat is fine-tuned through years of iteration, and the story is a love letter to everything the genre has to offer. While the port of the game has its issues, being able to play portable is worth the performance hit. This game looks to be exactly what fans would want.
12 Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist Of The End & The Secret Key
Metascore: 82
![Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (32) Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (32)](https://i0.wp.com/static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/atelier-ryza-3.jpg)
- Developer(s)
- Gust
- Publisher(s)
- Koei Tecmo
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes
- How Long To Beat
- 32 Hours
Gust has maintained Atelier's momentum with its third entry in the Ryza subseries, which looks set to be the character's final chapter. The franchise has been on a good roll over the last couple of years, with each fresh entry arguably establishing a new Atelier peak. Ryza 3 is no exception, as the game improves upon its predecessor's combat, visuals, and crafting mechanics.
This time, Ryza and her companions visit a few islands, with each one acting as a mini open-area. While featuring probably the best turn-based combat in the franchise so far, Atelier Ryza 3 is still mainly about resource gathering and alchemy.
11 Super Mario RPG
Metascore: 83
![Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (33) Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch (33)](https://i0.wp.com/static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/geno-select-in-super-mario-rpg.jpg)
Super Mario RPG
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- ESRB
- E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence
- How Long To Beat
- 11 Hours
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.
- Games
- Switch
- Pokemon
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