The Best Japanese Games for Nintendo Switch

Update : Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven added at rank #17.
1

Persona 5 Royal (2019)

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96
Review score
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Playstation 4 Xbox Series X Xbox One Playstation 5 PC Windows Nintendo Switch

Persona 5 Royal is a JRPG that mixes turn-based combat with stealth and puzzles, creating an unbelievably cool and unique gaming experience. You play as a high schooler fighting supernatural forces while balancing everyday activities and relationships. The game features excellent visuals, an outstanding soundtrack, and a well-realized story that deals with some serious teenage issues. With refined mechanics and new additions, Persona 5 Royal is undoubtedly worth playing.

Buy

What we like:
  • Well-realized story
  • Unique gameplay loop
  • Top-notch combat system
  • Outstanding soundtrack
  • Multiple meaningful additions
What could be improved:
  • Heavy on dialogue and story
  • Slow start
  • Can be overwhelming

  • japanese
  • rpg
  • dungeon
  • jrpg
  • turn-based
  • battle
  • combat
  • fight

2

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance (2024)

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86
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Xbox One Xbox Series X Playstation 5 Playstation 4 PC Windows

Become a mighty demigod and battle through a decimated Tokyo in a war between angels and demons. Make new allies along your journey, engage in intense, turn-based combat, recruit hundreds of demons and forge your own path to dictate the fate of all existence.


  • japanese
  • demons
  • rpg
  • jrpg
  • turn-based
  • battle
  • combat
  • boss
  • post-apocalyptic
  • narrative
  • dungeon
  • exploration
  • skill
  • fight
  • open-world

3

Chained Echoes (2022)

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90
Review score
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Playstation 4 Xbox One Mac OS PC Windows Nintendo Switch Linux

Chained Echoes is an indie JRPG that surprises players with engaging combat, compelling characters, and stellar worldbuilding. It pays homage to classic RPGs and adds clever twists. The turn-based combat system is excellent, requiring strategy and skill upgrades. Well-written characters and a thought-provoking story make the game enjoyable throughout its 30-40 hour runtime. The music perfectly complements the high fantasy setting. Chained Echoes is a fresh and smart adventure that celebrates classic JRPGs while incorporating modern improvements.

Buy

What we like:
  • Engaging combat
  • Compelling characters
  • Stellar worldbuilding
  • Thought-provoking story
  • Excellent music
What could be improved:
  • Grindy levelling system

  • japanese
  • rpg
  • jrpg
  • turn-based
  • mech

4

Octopath Traveler II (2023)

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84
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Android Xbox Series X Xbox One Playstation 5 Playstation 4 PC Windows

Octopath Traveler is a stunning homage to 16-bit era JRPGs. It features beautiful art design, nuanced and mature storytelling, complete with 8 unique characters that the player can get to know in their own journeys. Players will also experience a behemoth of an overall narrative, a robust combat system, and plenty of content to explore.

Buy

What we like:
  • Homage to 16-bit era JRPGs
  • Beautiful art design
  • Nuanced and mature storytelling
  • Unique characters with personal stories
  • Robust combat system
  • Plenty of content to explore
What could be improved:
  • Can be difficult to navigate the world at points
  • Battles tend to go overlong
  • No visual indication when bosses are weakened or close to death

  • japanese
  • rpg
  • jrpg
  • turn-based
  • battle

5

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero (2020)

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93
Review score
Logo of The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero Screenshot of The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero Screenshot of The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero Screenshot of The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero

Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch PC Windows

The Legend of Heroes: Trails From Zero is a classic Japanese JRPG that has been localized for the West. Players take control of a team of young police recruits in a major city as they strive to improve the reputation of their force by completing odd tasks for citizens. With impressive visuals and engaging characters, Trails From Zero will provide an enjoyable experience for both newcomers and veterans alike.


What we like:
  • Tactical turn-based combat
  • Dynamic shadows
  • Keyboard & mouse support on PC
What could be improved:
  • Boring side quests
  • PC offers higher frame rate but needs powerful hardware

  • japanese
  • rpg
  • jrpg
  • detective
  • battle
  • turn-based

6

Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream (2022)

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88
Review score
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Nintendo Switch PC Windows Playstation 4

Embark on a heartwarming journey with Sophie the Alchemist in Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream. Explore a world where you can fulfill your dreams while attempting to return a friend's soul to human form. The game features a beautifully designed anime-inspired world, a captivating story, and an engaging alchemy crafting system. Battle with six party members and utilize weather manipulation to open up new paths. Enjoy lovable characters, great music, and improvements over previous Atelier titles. With a variety of DLC content available, the adventure never ends.

Buy

What we like:
  • Beautiful anime-inspired world
  • Captivating story with rich characterizations
  • Engaging alchemy crafting system
  • Excellent turn-based combat with weather manipulation gimmick
  • Lovable characters
What could be improved:
  • Panel Synthesis alchemy system returns mostly unchanged from previous game
  • Fully voiced in Japanese without an option for English
  • Gathering system can be tedious
  • Alchemy system requires a lot of understanding

  • japanese
  • rpg
  • jrpg
  • turn-based
  • grid
  • battle
  • combat
  • crafting

7

Star Ocean The Second Story R (2023)

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87
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Playstation 5 Playstation 4 PC Windows

In this science fantasy RPG, choose between Claude or Rena, play through their perspectives, and unlock various endings. Recruit allies and defeat foes in fast paced real-time battles.

Buy

  • rpg
  • japanese
  • jrpg
  • remake
  • battle
  • sci-fi
  • dungeon
  • classic

8

Live A Live (2022)

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87
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Android PC Windows Playstation 5 Playstation 4

Live A Live is a cult classic Super Nintendo game that has been brought to the west with this remastered version. With a unique story told across multiple time periods and characters, enjoy an ambitious scope of HD2D visuals, voiceovers in both English and Japanese, unique turn based combat, and fantastic music!

Buy

What we like:
  • Unique story told through multiple time periods
  • HD2D visuals and particle work
  • Voiceovers in both English and Japanese
  • Unique turn based combat system with risk/reward elements
  • Fantastic music
What could be improved:
  • Some may feel disappointed by the lack of 3D remake feature

  • japanese
  • rpg
  • jrpg
  • grid
  • turn-based
  • remake
  • battle
  • fight

9

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (2024)

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79
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Xbox Series X/s PC Windows Playstation 4 Playstation 5 Xbox One Xbox Series X

Eiyuden Chronicles: Hundred Heroes is designed to bring players a modern take on a classic JRPG experience. Get ready to lead 100+ playable characters through a war-torn world only you can save.

Buy

  • japanese
  • rpg
  • jrpg

10

Rise of the Third Power (2022)

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83
Review score
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Playstation 4 Linux Mac OS PC Windows Nintendo Switch Xbox One

Experience the fusion of East and West, old and new in Rise of the Third Power. Join a party of eight on a suicide mission to topple the Arkadyan emperor in a world of political intrigue. With a custom battle system, persistent equipment, and a captivating story, this RPG is meant to surpass the developer's previous work and leave you wanting more. Will you be able to prevent the reprise of the Great War?

Buy

What we like:
  • Top tier character writing
  • Strong balance of serious story with comic relief
  • Story mode for easy battles
  • Humorous dialogue between characters
  • Unique combat mechanics
  • Enjoyable music
  • Well-written story
  • Engaging combat
  • Interesting sidequests
What could be improved:
  • Lack of local map
  • Pacing issues towards the end
  • Some characters feel underdeveloped
  • Smaller party size and limited strategic options
  • Crafting system feels less impactful
  • Challenging and unfair boss fight

  • japanese
  • rpg
  • jrpg
  • war
  • party

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