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In the modern era of gaming, developing games the size and scale of traditional JRPGs has only grown more expensive. It’s unsurprising that for a time most JRPGs were developed on handhelds rather than consoles. But these days, the only handheld remaining is the Nintendo Switch.
Having the power of a console while in docked mode, the Switch has forced companies to step their game up if they want to continue making JRPGs. They might be more expensive, but the Switch’s popularity more than makes up for it. Anyone looking for a great JRPG experience at home or on the go has plenty of good options on the Switch.
10 Tales of Vesperia: The Definitive Edition Is The Best Way To Experience The Best Tales Game (83)
Tales of Vesperia was the “lost” Tales title for a long time. The game launched on Xbox 360 in 2008, but never came to any other platforms in the West. But after a decade of people begging for the game, Bandai-Namco finally released it worldwide on every platform, console and PC included.
The Tales of Vesperia Definitive Edition adds more playable characters and events, and feels like a different, improved experience. Though the Tales franchise has always been a bit inconsistent in terms of quality, this is the title all the Tales hardcore fans love.
9 Ni no Kuni: Wrath of The White Witch Brings Back An Old Classic (84)
Ni no Kuni was hailed as a return to the days of great JRPGs when it launched on PlayStation 3 back in 2013. Since no one wants to face the harsh realities of playing PS3 games, it’s a good thing they ported it to other systems. In Ni No Kuni, players are put into the role of Oliver, a young boy who sets out on a journey to save his mother. With Ni no Kuni, Level 5 created a world that felt like a Studio Ghibli production come to life. Of course, having Studio Ghibli themselves working on the cutscenes helped. Though the sequel didn’t quite attain the heights or get the love of the original, the remastered edition provides Nintendo fans with a way to play this classic game again.
8 Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & The Secret Hideout Perfects The Atelier Formula (84)
The Atelier series has been around since the PlayStation era, but they didn’t start getting popular until PlayStation 2’s Atelier Iris. The entire time though, GUST has continued refining and working on their unique universe that focuses as much on the process of crafting as it does combat.
Finally, the series took off with the release of Atelier Ryza, which focuses on a young alchemist eager to go on her own adventures. Everything is reworked from the combat to the alchemy, and it makes for an experience that’s bound to be more welcoming to newcomers.
7 The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 3 Tells A Story Of War And Headpats (84)
Falcom’s Trails of Cold Steel series was a hit for the company, allowing it to continue telling one of the longest-running stories in JRPGs. The third part of the series continues with the Patron Saint of Headpats, Rean Schwarzer, a few years after the events of Trails of Cold Steel II. But now, things are different: the student has become the teacher.
Rean is now in charge of an all-new Class VII at the Thors Military Branch Campus. Though he’s in charge of some new students, Cold Steel III also includes lengthy appearances from Rean’s original Class VII as well. The only unfortunate part about this game is the first two parts aren’t available on the Switch in the West yet. But for those who’ve been following along, portable is the perfect way to experience the game, another must-play RPG from Falcom.
6 Shin Megami Tensei V Is A Long-Awaited Return To A Historic Franchise (84)
Shin Megami Tensei V was a major selling point for JRPG fans who bought the Nintendo Switch. The game was revealed when the system was announced, and they waited five years to finally get their hands on it. Fortunately, the game is just as addicting as it was in the past, and just as challenging.
It might be a bit off-putting for the newcomers, but anyone who’s tried the Shin Megami Tensei games in the past and enjoyed them will find plenty to love here. It’s also worth a try for Persona fans, so they can see where the franchise they love got a ton of its swag from.
5 Dragon Quest Builders 2 Is Great For Fans Of Dragon Quest And Minecraft Alike (85)
The original Dragon Quest Builders came as a welcome surprise to fans of Dragon Quest. It was a brand-new RPG that managed to add in Minecraft elements while still feeling wholly Dragon Quest. The sequel, Dragon Quest Builders 2, is much the same; it’s an improvement in every way on the original. The game adds multiplayer and more things available to build while also improving on the storytelling.
The biggest flaw with this game is that as good as it is, there’s no Dragon Quest Builders 3 coming any time soon. It’s really too bad these didn’t catch on more, as they are among the many Dragon Quest games that would make amazing anime series.
4 Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age Updates An Overlooked Final Fantasy (85)
Final Fantasy XII is an overlooked gem of a JRPG. It came out at the tail end of the PlayStation 2 generation, and while it experienced a bit of time in the spotlight, fans were mostly mad about all the changes it made. But The Zodiac Age improves on an already great game with quality of life improvements and resolution upgrades. There’s no better time to try this game out, get lost in the gambit system, and experience all the hunts that are better than the final boss.
3 Monster Hunter Rise Brings Monster Hunter To The Switch (88)
Monster Hunter fans couldn’t wait to get their hands on Rise, the first Monster Hunter game for the Nintendo Switch, which is why Metacritic called it one of the ten best games so far. The franchise had achieved most of its success as a handheld game, so having it come to the hybrid system felt like a return home.
Monster Hunter Rise takes place in Kamura Village, where the players take on the role of hunters to protect the village from a potential calamity. Where Monster Hunter World simplified things for newcomers and console players, Rise takes what worked with World and combines it with classic Monster Hunter gameplay. The result? The best Monster Hunter game yet, at least until World 2 releases.
2 Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition Remasters An All-Time Classic (89)
Xenoblade Chronicles is a long way from being a Final Fantasy killer. However, it’s quickly becoming one of the best new JRPG franchises on the market. Alongside Fire Emblem, it’s Nintendo’s best JRPG franchise. After releasing the second game to amazing success in the launch year of the Nintendo Switch, Monolith announced the first game was getting being remastered for the Switch as well. The remastered version provides better character models, quality of life improvements, and an epilogue story called “Future Connected.” With Xenoblade Chronicles 3 only a few months away, this is the perfect time to try the series out.
1 Dragon Quest XI S Is The Best Introduction To The Dragon Quest Series (91)
There’s no JRPG series better to start with than Dragon Quest, and Dragon Quest XI is the best way to get involved in the franchise. The game was already amazing when it released on PlayStation 4, but the Nintendo Switch version continues to improve on greatness. It adds new story content for several characters, some additional side quests, and plenty of other content.
An already great game, Dragon Quest XI is the one JRPG every fan with a Switch needs to try. But be prepared, it’s one of the longest JRPGs out there, even without getting involved in the side quests.
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