Which 2026 JRPG Should You Play?

2026 it's been a pretty good year already JRPGs, stretching back to January. While most of the year is still unknown and major releases don't appear until July, it's safe to assume that come summer, a lot of developers will unfortunately abandon the release date, or perhaps push the games back with updates.

The following games that have been released so far, along with some new games and ports on the horizon, make 2026 already a busy year. Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster came to PC and Xbox consoles The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is a fascinating upcoming action JRPG. What other games are out now that you can look forward to? Let's find out.

Front mission 3 remake

Future tactics

Front Mission 3 was originally released in 2000 for the PS1 in North America before receiving a modern version Front Mission 3: The Remake on Switch in 2025, though it's more of a remaster. Semantics aside, it's now available on most major platforms, including PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, so now's a great time to check out this impressive and challenging mecha game.

Players will go through a series of linear missions, but have extensive customization options when it comes to arming their mechs, called Wanzers, with the best parts and weapons to choose from. Being part of a small team, players will need to be careful with every decision they make on these grid-based maps, as victory always tastes sweeter after a particularly tough match.

Pokemon FireRed & LeafGreen

Rebirth while hunting monsters

Pokemon FireRed and Pokemon LeafGreen were both released in 2004 on the GBA and were remakes of the original Pokemon games. The games are now back on the Switch, but they can also be enjoyed on the Switch 2, and the timing is perfect as it's the franchise's 30th anniversary in 2026.

Players can discover what started the Pokemon phenomenon with a redesigned art style and map as they explore Kanto and strive to be the best. Catch and battle Pokemon in the tall grass, collect gym badges and aim for the top in this classic turn-based monster-catching RPG.

Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster

I'm finally leaving Nintendo

Brave Default: Flying Fairy was first released for the 3DS in 2012 in Japan before its North American debut in 2014, then Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster in 2025, which was an exclusive launch game for the Switch 2. The game in all its versions is now finally playable on non-Nintendo systems, including PC and Xbox Series X/S.

Players travel around it Final Fantasy– An inspired turn-based RPG world, complete with a Job system for players to deeply customize their party of four. It's a light-hearted adventure that harkens back to old-school RPG designs from the 80s and 90s, while still feeling modern with great visuals and combat options.

Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection

Beyond the Battle Network

Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection in this collects the three core DS games Mega man RPG spinoff series, including multiple versions of each. The Mega Man Star Force franchise was a spiritual successor Mega Man Battle Network games.

In each game, players will find equipment that allows them to use different abilities in battle, a hybrid between action and turn-based combat systems. Battles are fought from an overhead third-person perspective, which makes them feel a bit more modern than battles Mega Man Battle Network games. Whether players enjoy every game in the collection or just one, fans will have a lot of fun with this one.

Ys Memoire: Revealed in Celceta

Top down adventure

Ys Memoire: Revealed in Celceta was originally released as Ys: Memories of Celceta on PS Vita in 2013 for North American players, with this new version heading to Switch in late April 2026. Like every entry in Ys series, this game is an action JRPG featuring the main character of the series, Adol Christine. However, unlike many entries, this game has many other playable party members.

Players wander around maps while fighting monsters and traversing dungeons, without much variety. It was a simple game on PS Vita, but also deeply satisfying, and the Switch version should be just as rewarding.

Tales Of Arise – Beyond The Dawn Edition

The Man With the Iron Mask

Tales of Aise was released for all major platforms, including PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, in 2021, which now seems confusing in retrospect because there was no new Fairy tales from entry since then. Regardless, Switch 2 players will get their hands on the latest game with enhanced features and additional content in May. Tales of Arise – Beyond the Dawn Edition.

The core of the game will remain intact and will feature the action of fighting four party members at once, which can be switched between. By creating links, players can join forces to create devastating combos in spectacular combat in a wide, colorful world of magic. Tales of Aise one of the best entries in the series ever.

The Adventures Of Elliot: The Millennium Tales

HD-2D Zelda

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is another HD-2D experience coming from Square Enix. However, instead of a turn-based game like Octopath Travelerit will be an action adventure RPG with time travel elements.

From a top-down perspective, players can travel around the world and through dungeons, fighting enemies in real-time using a variety of weapons, tools, and a fairy tale companion. The game currently has a live demo on the Switch 2 for anyone curious to check it out, and is currently slated for a mid-June release.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Infinite Ragnarok

Sky-Based Dungeon-Crawler

Granblue Fantasy: Relink was originally released in 2024 for PC, PS4 and PS5 and this new version, Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Infinite Ragnarokcoming to Switch 2 in July. Like Tales of Arise's This new version will have new gameplay improvements and content, which will be a bonus for returning players and newcomers alike.

The core of the game is an action JRPG with great anime-inspired visuals, frenetic action with lots of chaining abilities, and great design between dungeons and floating areas. Additionally, there's an online co-op mode to dive into that features standalone dungeons that will also be present in the Switch 2 version. This version will also have local co-op.

Echoes Of Aincrad

Anime Spinoff

Echoes of Aincrad takes place within Sword Art Online universe that began as a Light Novel series before becoming a legendary anime. The plot of the first season involves players jumping into an MMO and getting trapped for real. The game takes place before this event in the beta session and then ties into the main online capture storyline.

Those who die in an MMO die in real life, so the stakes are high, although players who die in the context of this video game are not doomed. Players can explore this high-quality action RPG starting in July for systems like PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Decapolice

Detective RPG

Decapolice is developed by Level-5 and there haven't been many updates for it in a while, which is strange since the company just had a big stream about their upcoming games. It's been pushed a few times before, but right now the site still lists 2026 as the release window. Whether or not they make that window, RPG fans know that Level-5 is taking its time to release memorable games.

This one features a large open city that you can explore as a detective. There are turn-based battles to find and even skins to wear, so hopefully this game will appear during Nintendo's next big live stream and stick to its 2026 release plans.