10 Best JRPGs on the Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch is an incredible system for Japanese role-playing games, and no matter what you’re looking for it is easy to find some of the best JRPGs to suit your needs or mood.

Best Nintendo Switch JRPG with Well-Executed Turn-Based Combat: Octopath Traveler 2

If you like turn-based combat that will have you carefully planning out your turns well in advance, the stunning Octopath Traveler 2 is the one for you. The boost system has an excellent risk and reward system. Plus the array of different jobs lets you build teams with great skills.

Best JRPG Action-RPG on the Switch: NieR Automata

Players who want a JRPG with pure hack-and-slash fun, this is the game for you. It has all of the DLC built into it as well, so you can play through the various endings for the androids 2B and 9S and see a special fight.

Best Switch JRPG Storyline: Trails of Cold Steel 3 and 4

The Legend of Heroes franchise has lore and history unlike any other game series on Switch. Trails of Cold Steel 3 and 4 are jam-packed with one of the most well-written plots about protagonist Rean and his students saving the country and world. While the first and second games aren’t available on it worldwide, the latter two in this quartet are still great.

Best Switch JRPG if You’re Looking for Memorable Characters: Star Ocean The Second Story R

The best Star Ocean game in the series also has one of the finest cast of characters around. It only lets players recruit a certain number of the colorful characters, which encourages multiple playthroughs so you can get to know everyone.

Longest Switch JRPG: Persona 5 Royal

Persona 5 Royal might be the most complete JRPG on Switch, and its runtime certainly helps that. If you want a JRPG you’ll spend possibly an entire year with, this complete version with the third semester will likely take you at least 100 hours at the minimum to beat without all of the side content.

Best Switch Strategy Game from Japan: Fire Emblem: Three Houses

The grid-based tactical gameplay in this entry in Nintendo’s seminal strategy RPG series is one of the best. Elements of permadeath exist for the veteran players, while more accessible features exist for newcomers as well.

Best Indie Inspired by JRPGs on the Switch: Sea of Stars

Sea of Stars may not technically be a JRPG, but it certainly takes inspiration from the greats like Chrono Trigger. Its beautiful world and charming cast of characters make it a smaller-scale but still welcome JRPG on Switch.

Best Hidden Gem Among the Switch JRPGs: Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore

More Persona, Shin Megami Tensei, and Fire Emblem fans need to check out this crossover game. It takes familiar characters like Caeda and Chrom, and has them help out a group of pop idols save the world. It has the gameplay of a Persona title with a fascinating and wholly unique musical aesthetic.

Most Underrated JRPG on the Switch: Harvestella

Harvestella does so much and I don’t think it gets enough credit. It has the usual Story of Seasons or Stardew Valley sim systems of fishing, farming, and the like. But it also throws in an entire full-blown action JRPG story with various Final Fantasy-style job classes and dungeons.

Best Monster-Collecting Switch JRPG That Isn’t Pokemon: Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth Complete Edition

If you like to collect monsters and want something a bit different from Pokemon, check out this collection of two of the best Digimon games ever made. The turn-based gameplay is swift and fun, while the process of evolving, devolving, and collecting Digimon will keep you busy for a long time.