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The Switch is home to a bounty of brilliant and engaging games, and that’s also true for the console’s selection of RPGs. Although the compact Switch may lack some of the technical capabilities that other consoles boast, like the PS4 or Xbox One, it has something they don’t: its unique portability.
You can play your games on the TV, sure. But you can also take your games everywhere, continuing your adventures during a long bus ride or a visit to the toilet. And if you’re really trying to fill your time, Nintendo Switch role-playing games will give you astonishingly long playtimes.
So, if you’re ready to dive into the best Nintendo Switch role-playing games, look no further. Here’s my list of essential RPGs for the console.
Although Skyrim on the Switch doesn’t look as good as on other systems, you’ll be far too busy to even notice. This open-world adventure allows you to be anyone and do anything — and now on the Switch, you can play it anywhere. Get your hands dirty taking on enemies and mythic beasts, picking locks, and making bank with the Thieves Guild.
My only complaint here? The text is a little small when playing in handheld mode.
I’ve seen more than just a few people call The Witcher III one of the best RPGs of the past decade, so it’s safe to say it should be in everyone’s inventory. This story-driven, open-world adventure in a dark fantasy universe features the genuine Witcher experience we already know and love, but in a handheld device that you can take anywhere. It also supports cross-saves with the PC version.
For something entirely different, check out Undertale. It puts you in a world where you need to fight opponents non-violently, and you’ll trade the typical combat for petting dogs, whispering secrets to knights, and dancing with slimes. Of course, you could kill the monsters in the Underground, because it’s completely up to you and the path you choose.
Set in the world of Terca Lumireis, the story focuses on Yuri Lowell, a former soldier who forms a guild. As you explore the world, you’ll discover factions trying to abuse blastia energy resources and threatening the existence of all. The decade-old original has been reworked with updated full HD graphics, new music tracks, an expanded story, two more playable characters, and a collection of unreleased costume DLC.
Between Pikachu and Eevee, the choice is yours! Are you #TeamPikachu or #TeamEevee? This installment in your Pokémon journey is a fun experience. There are more than 150 Pokémon to encounter, tons of NPCs to fight and gain XP, and badges to collect on your journey to becoming a Pokémon master. Plus you can call a friend to help out, even when you’re mid-battle.
If you remember Xenoblade Chronicles from the Wii and 3DS, you’ll be happy to know it’s gotten the HD treatment it deserves. Wield a mysterious future-seeing blade while carefully positioning characters and executing chain attacks in real-time combat. The game offers an entire imaginative universe of sprawling environments built upon Bionis and Mechonis, two titans frozen in battle.
Explore the psychological stresses of adventuring with Darkest Dungeon. You’ll have a whole team to battle monsters, but they aren’t the biggest threat. Just what kind of toll does a life of adventure take? Your heroes will face disease, famine, and more, testing their mental fortitude. Stress is probably your biggest threat, though. If left unchecked, behaviors start to change, and your hero could wind up dying of a heart attack.
I’ll bet you didn’t expect something like this, but West of Loathing is a single-player slapstick comedy RPG that is worth checking out. Set in the wild west of the Kingdom of Loathing, you’ll have to punch skeletons in cowboy hats, clash with demon cows, and traverse snake-infested gulches. There’s a vast open world to explore, and a colorful (not literally) cast of characters to encounter.
Final Fantasy is already at the top of the list when it comes to JRPG franchises, but fans will want to return to the world of Ivalice with Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age for Switch. This HD remaster features a reworked game design and updated graphics and sound. It features an increase in battle tempo, a variety of mini-games for endless adventure, and the Zodiac Job System to freely grow and develop characters.
Space travel is so hot right now, so it seems like the perfect time to check out this cheeky sci-fi RPG. There’s a deep conspiracy threatening to destroy the Halcyon colony, which has conquered the stars. Explore the furthest reaches of space and encounter various factions vying for power. Your choices will affect literally everything in this game, from the way the story develops to end-game scenarios. And thanks to the Switch’s portability, Halcyon will be with you all the time, whether you like it or not!
Zelda doesn’t gain experience points or level up in a traditional sense, so plenty of gamers have argued over the years that Zelda is or isn’t a true RPG. I don’t care; I’m including Link on this list. Breath of the Wild is the most RPG-like Zelda game. Y’all can argue amongst yourselves.
Link’s latest adventure is set in a stunning wide-open world full of foes to battle and puzzles to solve. Travel through forests, across fields, and to the peaks of mountains to discover what has become of Hyrule. It features customizable gear, an inventory that can be expanded by collecting Korok Seeds, and status-altering potions.
