The Nintendo Switch saw a fantastic run of Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs) from 2017 to 2025. It featured both games you could only play on Switch, such as Xenoblade Chronicles 2, and impressive versions of older titles like Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE. Whether you prefer classic turn-based combat, fast-paced action, or strategic gameplay, the Switch had a JRPG to satisfy every kind of player.
The Switch 2 doesn’t have a lot of brand new JRPGs yet, but it’s great that it can play almost any game from the original Switch. However, some players might wish for more dedicated support for JRPGs, especially since they feel these games didn’t get enough recognition before. 2025 could be a perfect time for both players and developers to rediscover and appreciate them.
Dragon Quest Builders
A Spinoff Based On A Bad Ending
Players on Switch and Switch 2 can now enjoy Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake, which brings the first two games in the Dragon Quest series to life with updated visuals. The story centers on a hero battling the Dragon Lord, and like the original NES games, there are two different endings. For those interested in a story that explores the consequences of the ‘bad’ ending, Dragon Quest Builders is a great follow-up. It’s an action RPG set in a world similar to Minecraft, where crafting and building are key.
Super Mario RPG
Mario’s First RPG
2025 is the 40th anniversary of the original Super Mario Bros. on the NES, and Nintendo considers this Mario’s official start. To celebrate, they’ve announced several new games and related products launching in 2025 and 2026. Among these is a collection of Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2, two of the most popular 3D Mario adventures. Players looking forward to the next generation of consoles can also enjoy Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, Mario’s first role-playing game, which was recently updated and released as Super Mario RPG for the Switch. This remake features a unique and engaging turn-based battle system that stood out on the SNES.
Fate/Samurai Remnant
A Fantastical History Lesson
Fans are excited for Ghost of Yotei, a large open-world samurai game coming to PS5 in 2025. If you’re a Switch 2 player looking for a samurai experience, Fate/Samurai Remnant is a great option. While it doesn’t have the same massive world, it offers exciting action, a connected map of Japan, and a glimpse into Japanese history presented with an anime style.
Tactics Ogre: Reborn
Before Final Fantasy There Was…
Fans of Final Fantasy have been waiting a long time for a remastered version of Final Fantasy Tactics, and it’s finally here with Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles on Switch and Switch 2. The game offers a substantial campaign that should take players well over sixty hours to complete.
If you’ve enjoyed similar games and are looking for another deep tactical RPG, consider Tactics Ogre: Reborn, which came out on the Switch in 2022. The original, Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together, was a major influence on Final Fantasy Tactics, sharing similar grid-based combat. Plus, the game’s branching storyline and choices offer a lot of replay value, potentially keeping players engaged for weeks.
Persona 5 Strikers
A Direct Sequel To A Brilliant JRPG
This year saw the release of RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army on Switch and Switch 2. It’s a lesser-known game from the Shin Megami Tensei series, and it stands out for its action-focused combat – a departure for the franchise. If you enjoy that style, Persona 5 Strikers is also worth checking out. It’s a direct sequel to Persona 5, where the Phantom Thieves’ summer break turns into another dungeon-crawling adventure, but with fast-paced action gameplay.
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings Of Ruin
Getting Ready For Three
Get ready for Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection coming to the Switch 2 in 2026! If you’re a Monster Hunter fan, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is a great place to start. While the stories aren’t connected, it’s a good way to experience a different kind of Monster Hunter gameplay. These games let you create a team of both humans and monsters, battle in turn-based combat, and explore a large world inspired by classic 90s Japanese role-playing games.
Snack World: The Dungeon Crawl – Gold
Level-5’s Other Action Fantasy
Level-5 saw great success this year with Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time on Switch and Switch 2. If you enjoyed that game and are looking for another action-focused dungeon crawler from Level-5, Snack World: The Dungeon Crawl – Gold is worth checking out. While Snack World was more popular in Japan, its flagship game offers a solid action JRPG experience. It has less character customization and a smaller world compared to Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time, but that actually helps keep the game focused and enjoyable.
Bravely Default 2
From The Remaster To The Sequel
I was so excited when the Switch 2 came out, and it launched with Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster! It was a really great remake of a 3DS game, and honestly, it felt like playing a classic Final Fantasy title. They followed it up with another game on the 3DS, and then a bigger, even better sequel, Bravely Default 2, right on the Switch. I’ve been hooked ever since!
Similar to the Final Fantasy series, each game tells a standalone story, though crystals and turn-based battles are common elements. Players control four characters who can switch between different classes, allowing for strategic gameplay. Many fans consider this to be the strongest game in the series.
Yo-kai Watch 4
Ghost Fans Are Waiting
The latest main Yo-kai Watch game, number 4, came out in Japan in 2019 for the Switch. Interestingly, North America received Yo-kai Watch 3 on the 3DS that same year. This is a bit odd, and unfortunately, it’s the last main Yo-kai Watch game released here, while Japan has several games we don’t. While the series seems to be winding down in 2025, Level-5 could still surprise us with a digital release of Yo-kai Watch 4 on the eShop. It would be a fun option for players who enjoy Pokemon Legends: Z-A, offering similar gameplay like battling and collecting, but with a spooky, ghost-themed twist instead of Pokémon.
Mother 3
Is It Time Yet?
For years, North American fans have hoped for an English release of Mother 3, which originally came out on the Game Boy Advance in 2006. While Japan has had access to the game – digitally in 2024 on Nintendo Online and on Wii U back in 2015 – players in North America are still waiting. Nintendo often releases classic games with little warning, so there’s still a chance Mother 3 could officially come to English-speaking audiences in 2025, letting fans of turn-based Japanese role-playing games finally experience it.
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2025-11-22 14:37