New(er) games only. Remastered versions still count.
There's no question that Japanese role-playing games usually take a bit longer to play considering the length of their campaigns and the breadth of content, but hey, we're not complaining. Over the past few years, the Nintendo Switch has proved to be one of the best ways to play for long stints due to its portability and versatility. Whether you're looking for something strategic, something with social simulation mechanics thrown in, or a title that is going to challenge not only your gaming skills but your resolve and tenacity, the best JRPGs on the Switch offer something for every type of gamer.
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.
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.
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.
The tenth main entry in the Tales franchise, Tales of Vesperia is set in a unique fantasy world run by a power source called blastia, which is used in all aspects of people's lives, including to build protective barriers around their cities. A more unique feature is that the game's cutscenes are all in anime style, and combined with the cel-shaded inspired art of the rest of the game, this title has a truly unique visual style.
Tales of Vesperia also brings back the series' iconic Linear Motion Battle System, which feels most similar to a fighting game.
Release: 2019 Developer: Namco Tales Studio Genres (Video game): Role-playing
