10 Best RPGs on Nintendo Switch (2024)

It’s only in gaming that you can become someone else. Whether a hero, a fantasy creature, or a god, gaming allows you to play roles you can only dream of. Moreover, you can role-play with friends and work together in a party-based RPG. You can take over nations and build civilizations from the comfort of your own home. While the Nintendo Switch has an overwhelming supply of RPGs, we’ve compiled the best RPGs on Nintendo Switch for you below.

What is an RPG?

An RPG, or role-playing game, is a game where the player takes control of a character. The character can be the protagonist of the story. Moreover, RPGs often craft fictional worlds where you can become whoever you want to be. While in the game, you can battle it out against foes or make tough decisions that push the story forward.

Best RPGs on Nintendo Switch

Here are the best RPGs on Nintendo Switch:

10. Dragon Quest XI

Embark on a hero’s journey to save the world Erdrea from a looming darkness. But your journey won’t be all rosy as you come across challenges that collide with your identity. Further, you’ll encounter enemies who try to demonize you. Still, you’ll forge on, set on saving the world. From fighting monsters to exploring immersive worlds, Dragon Quest XI ensures that your time here is ultimately well worth the trouble.

9. Undertale

RPGs often need you to destroy enemies. However, Undertale gives you a way out. It’s surprisingly not as complex as you imagine: simply talk your way out of trouble. That’s it. You can essentially play the entire game without having to kill anyone, which can be a nice breath of fresh air. Further, the visual style is quite charming, with a toned-down retro take of an underground dungeon-crawling adventure.

8. Final Fantasy VII

Final Fantasy VII may have come out in 1997. However, it still retains its initial charm. You’ll still follow Cloud Strife as he tries to stop a megacorporation from destroying the world. The story is the selling point here as it trudges you deeper and deeper into its lore. You chase down Sephiroth, a superhuman seeking to become a god at the expense of the world. All the while, you’re running into intriguing monsters and exciting characters who tag along with you on your quest.

7. Bravely Default II

Four main party members take charge of the Bravely Default II story. They head out across an immersive continent to try and get back the crystals of the four elements. The journey ahead brings intriguing twists and turns that make up a more profound story. Plus, you’ll face conniving enemies in engaging turn-based battles that demand skillful mixing and matching of classes and abilities.

6. Triangle Strategy

Alternatively, you can check out Triangle Strategy from the developers of Bravely and Octopath Traveller. It features a war-torn continent called Norzelia. Three factions vie for power, while the land and its people bear the costs of war. Based on utility, morality, and liberty, you have to decide which factions to align yourself with. Can you restore justice and bring peace to Norvelia?

5. Octopath Traveller II

Octopath Traveller II picks up from the success of its predecessor to bring you yet another captivating adventure. It features eight travelers who must head out into Solistia and carve out a unique path. On one side of the world is a thriving economy. On the other is a plague-ridden, war-torn land steeped in poverty. You have the freedom to navigate both worlds and use your talents however you see fit.

4. Pokémon: Legends Arceus

Travel back in in-game time to Hisui and explore all that the region has to offer. Pokemon: Legends Arceus brings back the thrill of catching wild Pokemon with the goal of completing your Pokedex. All the while, you’ll be exploring enhancing open areas and building up on your knowledge of the Pokemon universe as you go. Plus, the game has fast travel, so as much as you’ll be exploring five vast biomes, you’ll cover them quicker in time to discover all the Pokemon there are.

3. Disco Elysium: The Final Cut

Play the role of a detective as you solve a series of murders in Disco Elysium: The Final Cut. Fans of detective games will enjoy interrogating suspects, examining crime scenes, and getting to the bottom of the unsettling events that unfold. But while investigating, you’ll run into suspects who try to bribe you, and it’ll be up to you to make the moral choice of turning them down or not. You can uphold the law and become a hero or walk the path of the dirty cop in the worst possible scenarios. Altogether, Disco Elysium is a must-play and one of the best RPGs on Switch because of its intricate story and unique, player-driven approach to the genre.

2. Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Travel down to Aionios, where two nations are at each other’s throats. Amid the war, you’ll control Noah and his two friends, who can synchronize their abilities and unlock their true potential. With great responsibility, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 charges you with tracking down hidden mysteries. You’ll investigate the way and find ways to restore peace to the world. If you have a group of friends, you can always jump into multiplayer, which allows a whopping seven players to duke it out at the same time. As a result, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is pretty outlandish, but it's one of the best RPGs on the Nintendo Switch if you're looking for something you probably haven't experienced in the genre.

1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The Legend of Zelda has always been a top-tier RPG experience for the books. So, if you haven’t already, do check out Breath of the Wild. It has a chockful of explorative, awe-inspiring moments as you fly above the kingdom of Hyrule. There are a ton of secrets to uncover and mysteries to solve. Moreover, you’ll run into puzzles that offer a nice change of pace from exploration. With Link having lost his memories, you’ll venture out to fight Ganon and save Princess Zelda, but you'll also find hope for yourself.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our best RPGs on Nintendo Switch? Are there more RPGs we should know about? Let us know over on our socials here.