Key Takeaways

• Looking for a little role-playing action on the Switch?
• I've tried countless RPGs, and these are the ones that make it hard to put Nintendo's handheld down.
• There's something here for everyone.

If you wish to really immerse yourself in another world, there's no better way than playing an RPG. The Nintendo Switch might not be the most powerful console on the market, but it's still home to a surprising number of old-school and original role-playing epics.

Whether you prefer classic turn-based battles or the more open-world approach of modern RPGs, the Nintendo Switch has something for everyone. Since I've spent hundreds of hours playing, I've decided to share my list of the best RPGs the Switch has to offer.

All the titles below are available for purchase from retailers and the Nintendo Switch eShop; however, there are several other classic RPGs available to play through the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service. For a monthly fee, you can play old Super Nintendo games like Breath of Fire II or Golden Sun for the Game Boy Advance online.

1 Super Mario RPG

A classic RPG comeback

Super Mario RPG was the first RPG I ever played, so it holds a special place in my heart, as it does for many gamers. This collaboration between Nintendo and Squaresoft (now Square Enix) introduced some characters that we've yet to see in other Mario games, and it fleshed out their personalities with humorous writing and charming graphics.

In 2023, Nintendo gave the SNES classic an audiovisual facelift and added just enough updates to make the game palatable to modern audiences. I'd dare say it surpasses the original.

2 Octopath Traveler II

8 ways to save the day

Following in the footsteps of Square Enix's flagship Final Fantasy series, the Octopath games are standalone entries with distinct worlds and characters, save for occasional crossovers. Therefore, newcomers can fully enjoy this new installment without having experienced the first game — a refreshing prospect among a sea of sprawling RPGs.

Thus, we embark on a fresh journey in a new realm, encountering eight distinctive characters whose individual narratives we can follow to their own resolutions. Each character's introductory chapter serves as a self-contained tale, typically leading them to venture out into the world and unite with the rest of the party. Octopath Traveler 2 maintains fidelity to its predecessor's formula, including its classic turn-based RPG mechanics.

3 Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

Gotta catch 'em all, again

Following the intriguing departure of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Nintendo returned to a more traditional structure with Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet. In this installment, you assume the role of a youthful student in Paldea, embarking on your inaugural day at the esteemed Pokémon academy of the region.

However, for the first time in a significant duo of titles, players are granted genuine freedom—you can leisurely explore Paldea within certain constraints. The world is seamlessly open, devoid of loading screens in the overworld, and facilitated by the early acquisition of a legendary Pokémon that facilitates swift traversal.

4 South Park: Fractured But Whole

Good, offensive fun

An RPG based on South Park sounds like a bad joke, but believe it or not, there are at least two good ones. South Park: Stick of Truth and South Park: Fractured But Whole manage to faithfully capture the style and humor of the show in a surprisingly immersive role-playing epic. It's obviously not going to be everyone's type of humor, but fans of bawdy comedy won't be disappointed.

While both titles are great, the Avengers-themed Fractured But Whole is better because it's significantly longer and more intricate. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for its follow-up, South Park: Snow Day.

5 Final Fantasy I-VI Pixel Remaster Collection

A crystalline compilation

Several decades ago, Nintendo ruled the RPG world, thanks largely to its exclusive rights to the Final Fantasy series. The first six entries were exclusive to Nintendo systems, and now you can play them all on the Switch with modern enhancements.

All the games included in the Final Fantasy I-VI Pixel Remaster Collection are considered classics, but Final Fantasy VI (originally released as Final Fantasy 3 for the Super Nintendo) is considered by many the greatest RPG of all time. You can also purchase the games individually from the Nintendo eShop.

6 The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Massive open-world innovation

Most video game makers would struggle to follow up Breath of the Wild, but Nintendo has managed the impossible by improving on that already incredible foundation. Tears of the Kingdom gives you more tools, more freedom, and more to do than ever before.

This time, you don't just have Hyrule to explore; there's also a heap of islands in the sky and a massive expanse underground, all just waiting for you to find them. This is a gaming milestone that others will be emulating for years to come. However, if you prefer a more traditional Zelda experience, you should check out Link's Awakening for Switch, which is a remake of the GameBoy classic.

7 Xenoblade Chronicles 3

A superb sprawling RPG

The third main Xenoblade game is a sprawling JRPG that embeds you into a sweeping story with a large cast of characters to get to know. It pushes the Switch's hardware to its limit with huge vistas and action-packed battles and should last you for absolute ages.

It's also a well-told tale with great cutscenes and voice acting. The battle system is dynamic when you want it to be, but it also lets you automate plenty of commands if you're in the mood for a more relaxed session. If you're a JRPG fan, don't miss this one.

8 Persona 5 Royal

Most stylish JRPG

This huge JRPG is rightly celebrated and offers up a massive amount of content to get through for those who stick with it. It also oozes jazzy style out of every pore and looks solid on Switch, where bite-sized sessions are easier to manage.

It's got amazing turn-based combat with real verve, alongside a massive social simulator that lets you manage your time carefully to build relationships with your schoolmates and others. If you want a more rural storyline, be sure to consider Persona 4 Golden, which is also ace (and a little shorter).

9 Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Too cute to function

If you want a change of pace while living an escapist fantasy, the newest Animal Crossing might just be the perfect game for you. Unlike Pokémon, there are no battles or even a semblance of a story. New Horizon is about as casual as you can get.

It's relaxing, delightfully sweet, and will never threaten you with the stress of some more "mature" games on this list. I've loved every minute of my time with it, and it'll continue capturing hearts and minds as time goes by.

10 Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Prove your tactical genius

This installment in the storied Fire Emblem franchise is an absolute doozy with tons of replayability. You play as a professor at an officers' academy and quickly choose one of three houses to teach.

That choice will see you pursue drastically different storylines, but all the strands share the same two gameplay pillars. Those are brutal strategic battles with turn-based combat, and leisure time that you can spend getting to know a huge cast of memorable characters. This is a game to fall into for hours at a time.

FAQ

Q: How I chose the best RPGs for Nintendo Switch

I tried to capture a variety of quality RPGs that are mostly exclusive to the Switch. I definitely have my own preferences, but I also understand people enjoy different things, so I tried to include titles that would appeal to all types of gamers. Having played dozens of Switch RPGs, I can attest the games on this list represent the best of the bunch. Whether you're into old-school experiences like the original Final Fantasy or modern open-world epics like Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, you'll be satisfied with what the Switch offers.

Q: How to choose your next RPG on the Switch

There are countless great RPGs on the Nintendo Switch - here are some questions to help you narrow your options down.

• Do you want it action-packed? Some of our favorite RPGs are almost entirely text-based and require a lot of clicking through dialogue options and reading or listening to conversations, which might not be ideal for everyone. Others, though, are much more action-heavy and feature a bit less role-playing as a result.
• Do you like open worlds? Many modern RPGs cleave to the huge popularity of open-world design to offer up massive worlds to explore and move through at your own pace - if you're a fan of that school of game, then you've got loads to pick from. If you'd prefer a more limited experience, though, that's entirely justifiable, and there are some great picks for that side of things, too.
• Have you tried JRPGs? It's a bit of a blanket term, but JRPGs are basically role-playing games that were developed in Japan, and there are countless on the Switch. Any one description would be reductive, but many of these games offer huge narratives to sink into, often using archetypical characters that can be really comforting. With a handful of Persona games and the Xenoblade Chronicles series as just some examples, the Switch offers some true classics to try out.
• What settings appeal to you? Do you love fantasy worlds, and enjoy slicing and dicing with swords, shields, and magic? Or are you more into science fiction and spaceships? Well, if you have really strong feelings either way, we'd suggest that you think about that as you browse your options - there's an RPG out there to suit everyone!