Whatoplay presents 25 of the best Nintendo Switch RPGs so far. All arranged by
playscores. To check out our full list, visit our page on all the best Nintendo Switch RPG.
25. The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt - Complete Edition Geralt of Rivia’s journey may be over, but his
recent entrance to the Nintendo Switch console makes for a great first entry on this list.
This Complete Edition has everything The Witcher has offered since day one. It may
not be at its optimal level since it’s running on a less-powerful console, but anyone who wishes to
experience its story will find countless hours of narrative drama here. A playscore of 8.52.
24. Stardew Valley Who are we kidding thinking Eric
Barone’s chill farming sim isn’t an RPG? You are basically living a life where you pick a partner,
scavenge bottomless caves and cultivate crops. If Animal Crossing is too expensive for your taste,
this serene sanctuary of pixels might be just for you. A playscore of 8.53.
23. Octopath Traveler Square Enix’s multi-character
title reintroduced the good ol’ days of turn-based combat in a 2.5D format.
It’s not the most novel of ideas, but the long and winding journey of these eight unique protagonists
makes the game less of a hassle and more of an adventure. Each of these characters hastheir own
story to tell; bringing in hours and hours of JRPGs goodness. A playscore of 8.53.
22. Story of Seasons - Friends of Mineral Town If Stardew Valley can be classified as an RPG,
there’s nothing stopping Story of Seasons from being part of it as well. It remains
the familiar farming simulator we’ve all grown to love. Harvest Moon veterans will find this
a great alternative to their other wholesome farming game. It receives a playscore of 8.53.
21. Tales Of Vesperia - Definitive Edition It’s a shame this is the only Tales game we
have on the Switch right now. But, Vesperia is considered one of the
saga’s best and the Switch is the ideal console to play a lengthy JRPG like this.
It’s a classic and it paved the way for the future of the series with its simple combat,
fantastic writing and fascinating world-building. A playscore of 8.57.
20. Children of Morta Lately, roguelikes are getting the
much needed appreciation they deserve. Children of Morta is a perfect game to play with a friend
all thanks to its co-op mode. It’s an RPG with just the right mix of roguelike and adventure,
telling the story of a family willing to face the darkness. You’ll overcome
numerous waves of enemies and each run will be different. It receives a playscore of 8.57.
19. BRAVELY DEFAULT II A return to Square’s beloved JRPG.
Newcomers to Bravely Default might find this to be a great starting point for the series.
Its strategic Brave and Default combat is back and it’s made even better. The story
isn’t as memorable as the first, but don’t worry, it’s still a great JRPG. A playscore of 8.64.
18. Atelier Ryza - Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout
The first adventure of Atelier’s latest thick-thighed heroine. We follow Ryza as
she embarks on an alchemical adventure full of wonders and mystery. As a JRPG, it’s more than
just pretty anime characters. The series’ staple, synthesis, is still around, and gives more room
for experimentation for players who want more hours into their journey. A playscore of 8.65.
17. The Elder Scrolls V - Skyrim Of course, it’s not an RPG list without
Bethesda’s beloved medieval-fantasy adventure. Skyrim is… a universal constant in video games.
Every major console gets to experience this open-world playground. It’s either you want
to play the game seriously, or mod it to oblivion. It receives a playscore of 8.69.
16. Pokémon - Let's Go, Eevee! & Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!
Connecting the Switch with your very own mobile phones,
the Pokemon Go experience is made even better. In this particular edition,
you'll have the adorable Eevee as your companion. Travel around the Kanto region to catch pokemon
and battle them out in the traditional Pokemon fashion. It gets a PlayScore of 8.69.
15. Monster Hunter Stories 2 - Wings Of Ruin A more recent addition to the list.
This is CAPCOM’s version of Pokemon. This sequel amps up the Monster-collecting
experience with the familiar creatures from Monster Hunter’s previous titles.
It’s a far cry from the original’s unforgiving real-time combat, but the relaxing experience
of its turn-based mechanics can make the hours go by. A playscore of 8.72.
14. The Legend of Heroes - Trails of Cold Steel IV The final chapter of Nihon Falcom’s celebrated
JRPG series. It ends the Cold Steel saga with a bang, featuring the biggest playable roster,
including characters from previous Trails games. It has over 100 hours of content
like every great JRPG in the market. The series isn’t ending anytime soon though,
as more Legend of Heroes titles are yet to come. It has a playscore of 8.78.
13. NEO - The World Ends With You Square’s more recent entry is a sequel to
their cult classic JRPG. NEO takes all the best features of the original and reinvented it to
cater to modern audiences. It’s no longer limited to its touch-based controls and the combat is more
intuitive than ever. The story can be all over the place, especially when you’re new to Tetsuya
Nomura’s universe. The visuals, however, are top notch for a Switch title. A playscore of 8.78.
12. Ni no Kuni - Wrath of the White Witch A collaborative effort between Level-5
Studios and animation giant Studio Ghibli. This beloved JRPG series is nothing but pure magic.
Ghibli’s art direction overflows every scene with vibrant colors, and Level-5s long-time
experience in the JRPG formula make its combat engaging. Wrath of the White Witch is Switch’s
first taste of the Ni No Kuni universe and its cast of amazing characters. A playscore of 8.81.
11. Ring Fit Adventure Of course Ring Fit Adventure is an RPG. How
else are we going to progress and sweat out to its increasingly difficult levels without motivation?
This is Nintendo’s primary exercise game after Wii Fit’s unfortunate disappearance.
The game embraces the RPG feel by taking down enemies,
bosses and collecting rewards… all by exercising using the Switch’s Ring-Con. A playscore of 8.81.
10. Pokémon Shield & Pokémon Sword
Pokemon titles always come out in pairs. With both Shield and Sword coming out together,
the playscore system finally reached a tie between these two titles. These are the latest
modern-gen Pokemon titles for the Switch and it introduced a ton of new pocket monsters for
us to capture and evolve. The new Galar region is a great place to explore and unlock secrets.
9. Dragon Quest Builders 2
Minecraft meets JRPG. This spin-off of the acclaimed Dragon Quest series is all
about making do with what you have in this post-apocalyptic world. It’s a sequel that
improved the sandbox feel of the first Dragon Quest Builders with more biomes to explore.
There’s a lot of stuff to do and more mysteries to discover. It has a playscore of 8.84.
8. Rune Factory 4 Special
A gem from the 3DS era of gaming. Now that Rune Factory 5 is nearing release,
we can take a look back at this Special Edition that’s designed for Switch. Its anime-y aesthetic
is as charming as ever. Players who want to enjoy their journey for the first time,
or maybe those who want to play it again will find something new here. A playscore of 8.84.
7. Final Fantasy XII - The Zodiac Age
Vaan and his adventurous friends return in this definitive version of FFXII. An upgrade to the
2006 PlayStation 2 classic. The Zodiac Age hit all the right spots and transformed the
once-controversial FF into the definitive way to play the game. Everyone can finally play and
customize their favorite character from Vaan’s ragtag team of heroes. A playscore of 8.85.
6. Xenoblade Chronicles - Definitive Edition
This Definitive Edition of the Wii’s critically acclaimed JRPG pushes the lengths of this
2010 title with its improved visuals and bonus content. Engage in fast-paced real-time combat
and step into a world where man and machine coexist. Follow Shulk and his friends as they
embark on a time-bending adventure to save their world from impending doom. A playscore of 8.96.
5. Diablo III - Eternal Collection Blizzard’s in absolute hot water right now,
but hey, at least Diablo III is on the Switch. Eternal Collection takes every
major expansion of this action-RPG into one cartridge. Experience everything this game
has to offer before we get the elusive Diablo IV. Unfortunately the latest Diablo release couldn’t
come close to this title yet. The Eternal Collection receives a playscore of 9.00.
4. Fire Emblem - Three Houses It’s not a Switch RPG list
without their staple series. The latest of the acclaimed Fire Emblem series didn’t disappoint.
Three Houses’ massive content brings in hours and hours of RPG goodness. It creates a hybrid
of gameplay mechanics ranging from visual novel, simulation, and turn-based tactical combat.
As a result, it created a complex adventure from start to finish. A playscore of 9.11.
3. MONSTER HUNTER RISE
CAPCOM’s biggest RPG this year and it’s not taking a break anytime soon. Rise is the
latest of the Monster Hunter craze and with it, it adds a whole new arsenal of tools for
us to take down ferocious beasts with ease. The upcoming expansion, Sunbreak, comes out
next year and adds a gothic new twist to the battlefield. Rise receives a playscore of 9.16.
2. DRAGON QUEST XI S - Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition
A game that’s as lengthy as its title, this eleventh installment sits high among
gaming’s greatest and has already proved itself worthy of its predecessors. It gave new and old
fans something fresh on the table, all without sacrificing the heart and souls of the franchise.
It’s still as magical as any Dragon Quest title and it receives a playscore of 9.18.
1. Hades Taking the crown
of our best RPG list is Supergiant’s multi-award winning roguelike. I know what you’re thinking,
Hades is an RPG? Sure it is. Surviving the relentless armies of the God of the Underworld
requires more than just skill. Leveling up weapons and finding the right Boon to help our hero make
it out of this hell sounds like a role-playing game alright. It receives a playscore of 9.39.