Between 2017 and 2025, the Switch had a lot of great JRPGs on the console. Some of them were exclusive, e.g Xenoblade Chronicles 2and some of them were ports that worked surprisingly well, e.g Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE. For every type of JRPG fan, from turn-based to action to strategy, there was something for everyone.
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There aren't too many new JRPGs on the Switch 2 yet, but it's nice that players can enjoy virtually any Switch game on the new hardware. Maybe not enough for some players. Maybe this JRPG deserves more attention on the Switch 2, which didn't get the love it originally deserved. For a variety of reasons, 2025 is a good time for players or companies to revisit them.
Dragon Quest Builders
A spinoff based on a bad ending
Switch and Switch 2 players got Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remakea collection of the first two Dragon Quest games in the series. The plot of Dragon Quest features a nameless hero battling an entity known as the Dragon Lord, and without spoiling the details, the game has two endings, which was true in the original NES version as well. If fans want to play a game that has to do with a bad ending, they should Dragon Quest Buildersbecause it is based on this idea, but as an action RPG sa Minecraft– like a crafting world.
Super Mario RPG
Mario's first RPG
In 2025 it will be 40 years Super Mario Bros. to hit the NES, which Nintendo recognizes as Mario's big debut. They've announced a flurry of new titles and connections to celebrate Maria in 2026 and several in 2025, including Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2combining two of Mario's best 3D platformers. To continue celebrating Mario on their Switch 2 in 2025, gamers should check out Mario's first RPG, Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Starswhich was remastered for Switch in 2023 as fair Super Mario RPGwhich featured a new active turn-based combat system unlike anything else on the SNES.
Fate/Samurai Remnant
A fantastic history lesson
Ghost of Yotei is one of the biggest games of 2025 with open world and samurai action, all exclusive to PS5. If Switch 2 fans want a good samurai game to play on their console as an alternative, they should check out Fate/Samurai Remnant. It's not a vast world, but the fantastic action is strong, along with an interactive world map connecting the regions of Japan together. Plus, there's some real Japanese history to learn, albeit through an anime lens.
Ogre Tactics: Reborn
Before Final Fantasy, there was…
Final Fantasy fans finally got what they wanted: a remaster Final Fantasy Tactics over Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicleswhich was released on the Switch and Switch 2. It's a lengthy campaign that was meant to easily last players up to sixty hours.
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If fans have finished this and are looking for a more obscure tactical RPG to check out next, then this should be Ogre Tactics: Rebornwhich came out for Switch in 2022. The original version, Ogre Tactics: Keep us togetherpreceded Final Fantasy Tactics by several years, which serves as its basis, as the game features similar gameplay mechanics to grid-based battles. Also with branching options, players can keep players engaged for weeks.
Persona 5 attackers
A direct sequel to a great JRPG
RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army was released this year on Switch and Switch 2, as one of the most obscure entries in Shin Megami Tensei series. It featured action-packed combat that is not common in the series, so if fans want a little something extra, they should check out Persona 5 attackers other. It's a full sequel Person 5in which the Phantom Thieves go on summer vacation to be bound for another dungeon crawling adventure, but this time with slick action fights.
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings Of Ruin
Getting ready for three
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection coming out in 2026 for Switch 2 so if Monster Hunter fans want to prepare, then they should watch Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin. The games are not connected, but it might be a good idea for fans to immerse themselves in this style of play different from the main action items. Players build a group of human and monster characters, engage in turn-based battles, and explore a semi-open world similar to a 1990s JRPG.
Snack World: The Dungeon Crawl – Honey
Another level 5 action fantasy
Level-5 had a big hit this year Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time on Switch and Switch 2. Anyone looking for another level 5 action dungeon-crawler should also check it out Snack World: The Dungeon Crawl – Honey. Snack World as a franchise was slightly bigger in Japan than in North America, with this game serving as the flagship. It offers less customization options and the world is smaller than Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Timebut that's not a bad thing because it's still a serviceable action JRPG.
Brave default 2
From remaster to sequel
The Switch 2 was launched with Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remastera remaster of the 3DS game that was like a love letter to the old school Final Fantasy games. There was a 3DS sequel followed by a third major Switch entry simply titled Brave default 2.
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Like Final Fantasy In the games, every item is unconnected, except that crystals play a big role in it, along with turn-based combat. With four playable heroes, players can switch between Jobs to build their strategies in battle, and overall it is considered by some fans to be the best entry in the series.
Yo-kai watch 4
Ghost fans await
Yo-kai watch 4 it was released in Japan in 2019 on the Switch and made its way to North America the same year Yo-kai watch 3 on the 3DS, which seems a bit confusing. It's the last major entry to be released in North America, which is sad considering Japan has some exclusive titles. Even though things are winding down in 2025, it's not too late for Level-5 to drop a surprise digital release Yo-Kai Watch 4 on the eShop. It will be a good alternative Pokemon Legends: ZAhow it is characterized Pokemon-like battles and scavenging, but with ghosts instead.
mother 3
Is it time yet?
Fans in North America have been waiting patiently mother 3 since it was released in 2006 on the Game Boy Advance. Japan got the game digitally last year in 2024 through Nintendo Online, while Japanese Wii U players got it in 2015. Nintendo usually releases new retro games with little or no fanfare a few days before release, so mother 3 could still be seen in English for the first time, officially, in 2025, so fans of turn-based JRPGs can finally get their taste.
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