The Nintendo Switch has had many great RPGs in its run so farm and I wanted to take a look at 10 of the best, plus an honorable mention I felt deserves acknowledgement as well. For these ten games, I have selected them from different styles of RPGs, each representing a a different take on the genre.

Let’s begin.

Octopath Traveler

A magnificent throwback to classic JRPGs, Octopath Traveler was a unique take on what worked in the past, merged with modern ideas. The retraux inspired visuals had a unique touch and there was a lot of replayability to this game in order to get the full experience. Octopath managed to both be a reminder of why we loved classic JRPGS, and shows us how much more is left to be done with that style. Each character had their own unique touch and the desire to see everything was overwhelming. From the amazing music to the way the developers listened to feedback and considered what fans had concerns about, this was a game with a lot of love put into it, and the result was amazing.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is perhaps the best Action Adventure RPG from Japan. I had considered putting Trials of Mana Remake or Tales of Vesperia here instead, but I feel Ys deserves the spot instead. Ys games are known for great action and great music, and Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana continues that tradition brilliantly. The game brings with it several new innovations in terms of combat to keep things fresh and the result is an action RPG on par with the top action games. The music in the game is of the high quality that we have come to expect from the series of course, and you will find yourself replaying several areas just to hear the amazing soundtrack.

Dragon Quest XI S Echoes of An Elusive Age Definitive Edition

The perfect entry for a new fan to the series or a long-time player. Dragon Quest XI is an amazing game and one that fits perfectly on the Nintendo Switch. With a wide world to explore it is even better to take it on the go. Dragon Quest is a great series to play and offers hours of gameplay and adventure. This game is no different as there is at minimum forty hours in a playthrough. Players will take on wicked monsters, travel through dungeons, and learn powerful new skills. This game can also be played in 16-bit mode. This mode brings the series back to its roots but also shows off the world in a new way. The world is exquisitely crafted to look like an old school game. The game is the same but quite different. The battles are just as they once were and it’s glorious to hear the music as it could have been if it was released back then.

Fire Emblem Three Houses

This game is unlike any Fire Emblem game before it. A new twist on a classic series. This game brings in new ideas and still manages to keep Fire Emblem the same as it always has been.  It takes a few bold new ideas and infuses the series with them. These new ideas help to propel this game into a new stratosphere, and make it the best turn based strategy RPG on the system. Fire Emblem Three Houses tells different stories depending on which house the player chooses. The choices are different and lead to quite different ends, and each is worth playing. With the addition of the academy and interacting with the students, Fire Emblem Three Houses is in a league of its own.

Rune Factory 4 Special

An action rpg that mixes in the farm building elements of Story of Seasons may sound weird, but it works out very well indeed. Rune factory 4 Special sees you journey to Selphia where you play as either a male or female character, and are ambushed on your way and stripped of your memory. Initially mistaken for a visiting prince, you are given the chance to make big decisions about the city and help the townspeople. Along the way, you must get to know the people of the town, do some farming, and go on adventures. Managing your farm and keeping track of your Rune Points are key, and finding the correct way to attack enemies in the dungeons never gets old. This is a game you will play once, then get addicted and never want to stop playing.

Cosmic Star Heroine

An indie RPG designed as a throwback to classic JRPGs like Phantasy Star, Cosmic Star Heroine shines as a sci fi RPG with heavy cyberpunk elements, but the story serves more to fit the gameplay than anything else. Combat here stands out thanks to a truly innovative battle system that builds on Zeboyd’s previous games such as Cthulhu Saves The World. The battles become intense with each turn as the enemies become more powerful, but the need to be strategic goes further than that. Some abilities can only be used once before needing to be recharged, and therefore you must plan out how to attack in order to progress. Playing this is a treat and the developers put a lot of love into this.

The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt: Complete Edition

A western RPG with a large scope, Witcher 3 Wild Hunt was a game no one thought would be possible on Switch. When it did get announced, people were skeptical but the developers went all out to make this a success. The game is fully included on cartridge, with all the dlc as well, and while visual sacrifices were made to the game, the gameplay is intact. The developers further added patches later to give more customization options for the presentation quality and even allow you to have cross-save with the game on PC. The story is the biggest yet for the Witcher and will see you go on a number of quests to save the day. The combat is spot on, and the depth of the experience is staggering.

Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition

The best JRPG of the last decade, Xenoblade Chronicles is a game that merged open world gameplay with the JRPG genre, and added in MMORPG elements as well. There are numerous side quests to do, more than most JRPGs, and always something to discover. Xenoblade Chronicles has a lot of customization for the player to take in, and you can customize what their characters wear, and even what weapon they wield. This version of the game allows players to pick and choose what their characters wear without degrading their stats. There is also a new epilogue with several hours worth of new content and a new battle system, so even longtime fans will find something new on Switch. With redone visuals and refinements to perfect the gameplay, Xenoblade is a masterpiece.

Pokémon Sword and Shield

While it might not have all of the Pokemon in the base game, Sword and Shield is a fun entry into an amazing series. The region of Galar is filled with interesting places to explore and Pokemon to capture.  the games takes place in the UK inspired Galar region, which is filled with history and innovation. Gyms are back now and have a unique spin in that these battles are done in front of a huge crowd in a stadium. It’s great to see a huge crowd cheering on the player and when the Pokemon Dynamax. Dynamax is a phenomenon that is only possible in Galar, and this is just one of the innovations the game has. While many seems to hate the game for not going far enough innovation wise, the game does a lot to add its own spin. definitely worth getting.

Diablo III Eternal Collection

Do dungeon crawler ARPGs count for this list?  Well they have classes, a narrative and story progression as well as item management so I say they count and therefore here is the best of that genre on Switch. Diablo III looks absolutely amazing on the Switch, in both handheld and docked mode and you will be amazed by how well the game was ported. It feels like nothing was lost except for some graphical fidelity that most will not notice.  The game also makes great use of HD rumble, and at times feels like it wi replicating the feeling of weapons moving. It may not be on the level of the Pc or PS4/Xbox One versions, but this is still a good version of the game. The Switch version  even comes with some neat bonuses, such as a Ganondorf transmogrification set, that lets you transform your equipment to make yourself resemble the king of Evil, along with an item that will let you use amiibo and even a custom amiibo to go with the gam and help you out. This version also lets you start in Adventure mode right away, in case you don’t want to have to play through the story again. It is a masterpiece

And our Plus 1 Entry

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle

While the recent Paper Mario games have not reached the heights that series once had, we have another game in that series’ place.  Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle was mocked and jeered when it was leaked and then announced, only for everyone to come around when they finally played the game. It plays nothing like Paper Mario obviously, being instead a turn based tactical RPG, but that didn’t matter. The game managed to capture the spirit of the Paper Mario series far better than the ones put out by Nintendo recently, with a great story, surprisingly deep gameplay, and also having music and humor that helped win over fans. Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle may  play nothing like Paper Mario but it feels somehow exactly like it.  It doesn’t matter if its a different genre, or a different variation of a genre and I will even go so far as to say that when it comes to spiritual successors, a game can play completely differently.

And there you have it. What are your favourite RPGs on Switch? Let us know.