The Best RPGs to play on Nintendo Switch

With the release of Nintendo Switch 2, its original and unique predecessor will soon become a legacy system. Despite the release of new hardware, we know the original Nintendo Switch was impressive for its game library, especially its exclusives. Taking advantage of this range of options, here’s a list of 10 unmissable RPGs for fans of the genre to play on the Nintendo Switch!

Octopath Traveler was released in 2018 and its successor in 2023. A modern JRPG that uses the already-known turn-based combat mechanics combined with the unique style of high-resolution pixel art makes this a great choice for players who want longer adventures (between 60 and 80 hours). The game also features different characters in each release, so you can choose to start with Octopath Traveler II if you wish. At the same time, it's also said that its sequel only strengthens the essential points of the first.

Persona 5: Royal, despite being an older release, is still considered the modern herald of what a JRPG should be. The game stands out for its plot, addressing current issues facing humanity, as well as its unique acid jazz soundtrack. Furthermore, it's an RPG with significant opportunities for player choice, which can determine the protagonist's future. However, it's also a notoriously long game (100+ hours) and therefore requires a certain amount of regular investment.

Already famous for its Nintendo handheld games, Fire Emblem: Three Houses brings everything from its success in an improved and polished form. The combat is strategic, taking place across multiple maps using grid-based movement, making it even more tactical. At the beginning of the game, the player chooses one of the three houses to be their teacher, and from then on, guides their students through battles. The game also features choices that affect the narrative.

We know Pokémon has always followed a common plot: a novice trainer sets out to complete their Pokédex, encounters an organization planning to change the planet or conduct experiments on Pokémon, and becomes the region's champion, restores the world, and captures the legendary Pokémon of that entry in the series. In Legends Arceus, the trainer's goal is to conduct research on Pokémon, which are considered cruel and misunderstood creatures. A major conflict also emerges between the village and the region's indigenous people, who view nature differently. In any case, it's a great choice for those who want to experience Pokémon from a different perspective.

The Xenoblade Chronicles franchise boasts several entries, making it a delight for those who enjoy its premise. We know the standout exclusives on this list are JRPGs, and Xenoblade isn’t left behind: the development of each character's individual storyline consistently earns critical acclaim, as does its combat and exploration mechanics. The games are long and feature a wealth of content, with a soundtrack packed with awards for its originality. The original game has a remaster available: Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition.

Atelier Ryza follows our alchemist protagonist through three games. Throughout her journey, Ryza learns about the different alchemical elements, so the ingredient collection and storage aspect is a nice addition to the already expected combat. The conflicts also have real-time elements, allowing characters to use special abilities. Above all, the game isn't overly challenging and seeks to develop its characters, making it a good option for those who prefer a game more about plot and less about combat.

Considered a successor to the Chrono Trigger legacy, Sea of ​​Stars is a semi-open-world turn-based RPG where combat rewards the player's reflexes with rhythm skills (hitting a combo turns the attack into a critical hit or increases a healing spell’s effect, for example). In this game, the protagonists are two children chosen by the God of the Sun and the Goddess of the Moon who fight to protect their universe from a potential cataclysm.

With a rawer, more visceral, and combat-focused approach, Dark Souls is a paradise for those who enjoy the Dark Fantasy universe. In this first entry in the franchise, the game is even more challenging: in addition to the punishing combat, there's no map, and initially, we can't fast travel. These aspects, despite being abandoned in subsequent games, make this a game of pure skill, where the player is rewarded for knowing how to handle themselves in each battle. If you haven't played any of the series yet, it's a beautiful RPG!

Astral Chain was developed by Platinum Games, known for creating Bayonetta; its director was Hideki Kamiya, also responsible for Devil May Cry. The game already stands out for its style and combat system, an engaging hack-and-slash format. In the story, a special task force defends the remaining humans on Earth after an invasion by interdimensional creatures. The protagonist connects to creatures during combat through a chain (befitting the game's name), allowing for combos and attack interruptions by using two controllable characters during battle. The game also includes investigative side quests.

The Legend of Zelda games are sometimes reason enough to buy a Nintendo Switch, and their innovations from the era remain relevant for those looking to get into the series today. Combat and story are the aspects that divide opinions in the games, but to this day, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a benchmark for exploration games. The map is vast, there are several regions to explore and dungeons to complete, and the game constantly introduces new puzzle mechanics. Of the Switch-exclusive games, this one is practically a must-play.

RPGs are a super popular and acclaimed genre in the gaming community, and all of these are solid options for those who want to get started in this world, or try new styles. Naturally, it's also nearly impossible to include all the essential works in this article: The Legend of Zelda has eccentric, unique, and lengthy RPG-style games, and well-known classics like Skyrim are also available. Furthermore, we know that RPGs are also engaging because they demonstrate our personal taste for story and choices throughout the plot: who hasn't enthusiastically recommended an RPG to a friend, hoping they'd understand how much that work means to them?

I believe that's what touches us as humans and makes us want to play more and more.

See you next time!