Immerse Yourself In The 25 Best JRPGs Currently Available On The Nintendo Switch

The most recent entry in the beloved and long-running Fire Emblem series, Three Houses is a tactical RPG that also includes social simulation elements, keeping with the tradition of the franchise. The game did well with critics and fans alike, as it became the highest-rated Switch exclusive, due to the game's masterful balance of both halves of the core gameplay, those being the social aspects and the battle mechanics.

The game also has incredible replayability value and considering that a single playthrough can already take anywhere from fifty to a hundred hours to complete, Three Houses is a game players will continue to enjoy for quite some time.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana puts a fun twist on the fantasy genre with more of nautical influence, as the game features settings like a ship or a desert island. The gameplay includes exploration, combat, looting, and crafting, as players will find and make stronger items as they progress.

The game was originally released for the PlayStation Vita, but was so well received that it was ported to the PlayStation 4, PC, Android and iOS, and of course the Nintendo Switch.

Release: 2016
Developer: Nihon Falcom
Genres (Video game): Action role-playing game

One of the few modern RPGs that still rely on traditional turn-based battles, Echoes of an Elusive Age harks back to the glory days of SNES and PS1-era JRPGs when it comes to combat. As the latest most recent entry of the long-running Dragon Quest series, XI is often listed as one of the best JRPG titles ever made. In fact, it's already sold more than 5.5 million copies worldwide.

Certain gameplay elements can sometimes be exhausting, but if nothing else, Dragon Age XI proved that players also value engaging worlds and characters and that those elements can be just as important to some as the gameplay. Smash Bros. Players may also recognize the game's titular character as he was introduced as DLC character in 2019.

Another iconic entry in an already iconic franchise, Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age not only returns to what makes the games so beloved but also iterates on their formula. New features include an open world, a more streamlined combat system including a "gambit" system that lets the player control various NPCs, a controllable camera, more customization with abilities and equipment, and a new side quest.

While the Final Fantasy games have always been traditional RPGs, the twelfth main installment is even more so by allowing players a whole new level of control over various aspects of their gameplay. That said, Final Fantasy VII, VIII, IX, and X are also available on the Switch and are often considered among the best in the series.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a sequel that, instead of taking place directly after its predecessor, instead takes place in a different setting and features different characters. The game is also different in that it focuses primarily on the story, which was a staple of the series' earlier titles, but not Xenoblade Chronicles X, which came before this title and was mainly centered on open-world exploration. 

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 takes place on the backs of various Titans, which the player can fast travel between, although they are free to roam each Titan as if it were a smaller open-world area. The gameplay is built around various Bladed weapons, which are divided into three classes: Attacker, Healer, and Tank.

For those looking to dive into a whimsical fantasy world, Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is a great option. Highly acclaimed on release and then going on to win several awards, the game is lauded for its story, art, and gameplay alike. Controlling a young boy searching for his missing mother, players travel through a vast world on foot, by boat, or on a dragon (which is definitely the best option if you ask us).

While the combat mechanics are more traditional for an RPG, Wrath of the White Witch also includes "familiars," creatures that the player can capture and tame, and then employ in battle.