The best JRPGs on PC and Nintendo Switch

Japanese role-playing games: a party of characters you grow fond of, grand adventures, distinctive combat systems and often an unmistakable style.

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  1. 1. Undertale

    Pixel art · Choices with consequences · Lots of humour

    9.99 € 96 % positive

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  2. 2. Final Fantasy VII Remake

    Lavish presentation · Companions and relationships

  3. 3. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

    Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging) · Turn-based combat

Close behind

  1. 4. Final Fantasy IX

    2000 20.99 € 95 % positive

    Fantasy setting · Turn-based combat

  2. 5. Persona 5 Royal

    2019 59.99 € 96 % positive

    Distinctive, stylised art style · Turn-based combat

  3. 6. Final Fantasy XV

    2016 34.99 € 83 % positive

    Action-packed real-time combat · Open world

  4. 7. Kingdom Hearts III

    2019 39.99 € 89 % positive

    Action-packed real-time combat · Lavish presentation

  5. 8. Pokémon FireRed Version

    2004

    Turn-based combat · A party of several characters

  6. 9. Final Fantasy XIII

    2009 12.99 € 74 % positive

    Lavish presentation · Strong, story-driven narrative

  7. 10. Child of Light

    2014 14.99 € 90 % positive

    Distinctive, stylised art style · Fantasy setting

The full ranking

1 Undertale

Pixel art

2015 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable 9.99 € 96 % positive

A charming indie RPG where every fight can be resolved without violence, blending turn-based menus with bullet-hell dodging. Its quirky humor, memorable monsters and a story that remembers your choices made it a cult classic.

2 Final Fantasy VII Remake

Lavish presentation

2020 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch

A reimagining of the classic that blends real-time action with pausable command menus. The story of Cloud and Avalanche in the city of Midgar is lavishly presented, with memorable characters and a superb score.

3 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)

2025 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck verified 49.99 € 95 % positive

Turn-based RPG with real-time parrying and dodging, set in a melancholic Belle Époque–inspired fantasy world.

4 Final Fantasy IX

Fantasy setting

2000 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable 20.99 € 95 % positive

A fairy-tale classic with iconic characters and turn-based combat.

5 Persona 5 Royal

Distinctive, stylised art style

2019 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified 59.99 € 96 % positive

High-school life in Tokyo meets dungeon crawling: stylish turn-based battles, time management and a long, gripping story.

6 Final Fantasy XV

Action-packed real-time combat

2016 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified 34.99 € 83 % positive

A road trip with four friends through a world that blends fantasy and modern technology, featuring fast warp-strike combat, campfire evenings and an increasingly tragic story about friendship and duty.

7 Kingdom Hearts III

Action-packed real-time combat

2019 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified 39.99 € 89 % positive

Sora, Donald and Goofy travel through lavishly recreated Disney and Pixar worlds in flashy, over-the-top real-time combat. As the finale of the Xehanort saga, it delivers big emotions and a famously convoluted story.

8 Pokémon FireRed Version

Turn-based combat

2004 Nintendo Switch

A remake of the original Pokémon adventure that sends you across Kanto to catch and train creatures, beat the Gym Leaders and take on the Elite Four. Accessible turn-based battles and the collecting loop give it timeless appeal.

9 Final Fantasy XIII

Lavish presentation

2009 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck playable 12.99 € 74 % positive

A visually stunning, highly linear JRPG about a band of branded outcasts, with fast ATB battles built around tactically swapping party roles through Paradigm Shifts. Lavish presentation and a strong soundtrack carry a dense science-fantasy story.

10 Child of Light

Distinctive, stylised art style

2014 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified 14.99 € 90 % positive

A fairy-tale RPG with hand-drawn visuals and a timeline-based battle system.

11 Final Fantasy XII

Tactical depth

2006 PlayStation, PC, Steam Deck verified 49.99 € 88 % positive

A politically charged Final Fantasy set in the sprawling world of Ivalice, where the Gambit system turns programming your party's AI into the tactical core of real-time-flowing battles. Huge zones, optional hunts, and the License Board offer deep long-term progression.

12 Pokémon Sword

Turn-based combat

2019 Nintendo Switch

Catch, train and battle Pokémon across the UK-inspired Galar region, with stadium Gym showdowns, giant Dynamax battles and a roaming Wild Area. An accessible, colorful turn-based adventure with co-op Max Raid battles online.

13 Pokémon LeafGreen Version

Turn-based combat

2004 Nintendo Switch

This remake of the original Pokémon adventure sends you across the Kanto region to catch, train and battle monsters on your way to beating the Gym Leaders. Simple yet tactically engaging turn-based fights and the urge to collect them all give it timeless appeal.

14 Deltarune

Lots of humour

2025 PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified 23.99 € 98 % positive

Toby Fox's follow-up to Undertale mixes menu-based party battles with bullet-hell dodging, and enemies can be spared instead of fought. A charming, funny cast, a standout soundtrack and an unsettling meta-mystery sit beneath its colorful surface.

15 Pokémon Shield

Turn-based combat

2019 Nintendo Switch

A classic Pokémon adventure in the UK-inspired Galar region: catch and train creatures, climb the Gym Challenge and use giant Dynamax forms in turn-based battles. Accessible and colorful, with online trading and battling.

16 Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Lots to discover

2022 Nintendo Switch

A Pokémon adventure set in ancient Sinnoh where you sneak up on wild Pokémon, catch them directly in sprawling open zones, and build the region's very first Pokédex. Research and collecting take center stage over the classic turn-based battles.

17 Mario & Luigi: Brothership

Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)

2024 Nintendo Switch

Mario and Luigi sail an island-ship across a fractured ocean world, fighting turn-based battles where precise timed inputs and flashy Bros. Attacks make the difference. It's all wrapped in slapstick humor and a vibrant cel-shaded style.

18 Secret of Mana

Pixel art

1993 Nintendo Switch

A 1993 action RPG with real-time combat, the signature Ring Command menu and a fairy-tale fantasy adventure that can be played with up to three players in co-op. Lovely pixel-art worlds and a famous soundtrack define the experience.

19 Xenoblade Chronicles 2

Lots to discover

2017 Nintendo Switch

A sprawling JRPG set on the backs of giant Titans, where you collect Blades and use them in a real-time combat system built on auto-attacks and combos. Exploring the cloud-sea world of Alrest and a deep progression system drive the experience.

20 Honkai: Star Rail

Sci-fi setting

2023 PC, PlayStation

A turn-based sci-fi gacha RPG where you travel from world to world aboard the Astral Express, building a team of many characters around elemental weaknesses and ultimates. Polished presentation, dialogue-heavy storytelling and a large roster of collectible characters define it.

21 Omori

Pixel art

2020 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable 16.79 € 97 % positive

A surreal RPG that contrasts bright dreamlike worlds and childhood friendship with psychological horror and heavy themes. Its emotional story and memorable soundtrack stand out, and turn-based battles use emotions as a core mechanic.

22 Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Lots of humour

2020 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck verified 19.99 € 93 % positive

A turn-based RPG set in modern-day Yokohama that blends gritty yakuza drama with absurd humor and plenty of charming side activities. Ichiban and his ragtag party turn everyday jobs into battle classes.

23 Metaphor: ReFantazio

Distinctive, stylised art style

2024 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck playable 39.99 € 89 % positive

A fantasy RPG from the Persona team with stylish presentation and tactical turn-based combat.

24 Final Fantasy XIII-2

Lavish presentation

2011 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck playable 15.99 € 58 % positive

A JRPG with a fast paradigm-shifting battle system where you hop through time across different eras and timelines. You recruit monsters as allies and solve occasional puzzles and paradoxes along the way.

25 Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom

Action-packed real-time combat

2018 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified 59.99 € 82 % positive

A colorful, Ghibli-style action JRPG where you play an exiled young king, recruit allies, build up your own kingdom and fight in real time alongside adorable Higgledies.

26 Digimon Story: Time Stranger

Strong character progression

2025 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified 69.99 € 89 % positive

A turn-based JRPG where you collect hundreds of Digimon, evolve them and build your own teams while unraveling a time-travel mystery spanning the human and Digital Worlds.

27 Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles

Tactical depth

2025 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified 49.99 € 89 % positive

The remaster of the strategy classic tells a grim tale of intrigue, betrayal and honor amid the wars of Ivalice. You fight grid-based battles and shape your squad through a deep job system, now with full voice acting, improved visuals and new difficulty options.

28 Octopath Traveler

Distinctive, stylised art style

2018 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable 59.99 € 85 % positive

Eight travelers, each with their own story and path action, roam a fantasy world rendered in the striking HD-2D blend of pixel sprites and 3D dioramas. The Boost-and-Break system makes its turn-based battles surprisingly tactical.

29 Digimon Survive

Choices with consequences

2022 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable 49.99 € 78 % positive

A group of teenagers on a school trip gets stranded in a strange world full of Digimon. It blends visual-novel storytelling with morally weighty choices and grid-based turn-based tactical battles.

30 Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

Lavish presentation

2024 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified 49.99 € 74 % positive

The second chapter of the Final Fantasy VII remake sends Cloud and his companions across a vast world in pursuit of Sephiroth. It blends real-time combat with tactical command menus, offers sprawling regions and plenty of minigames, and delivers a cinematic, emotional story.

31 Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!

Cosy, great for unwinding

2018 Nintendo Switch

A streamlined, beginner-friendly return to Kanto with Pikachu at your side, built around motion-controlled Pokémon catching. Great for families and newcomers, with turn-based battles and simple two-player co-op on one console.

32 Tales of Berseria

Action-packed real-time combat

2016 PC, PlayStation 49.99 € 91 % positive

A dark JRPG where you play the vengeful Velvet and lead a band of misfits against the world's established order. Fast real-time combat and a character-driven story set it apart from typical heroic tales.

33 Tales of Arise

Action-packed real-time combat

2021 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified 49.99 € 86 % positive

A fast-paced action JRPG about two people from opposing worlds joining forces to break an oppressive rule. Flashy real-time combat with party-based combos and a character-driven story are the core of the experience.

34 Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee!

Cosy, great for unwinding

2018 Nintendo Switch

A streamlined, beginner-friendly retelling of the Kanto adventure where you catch wild Pokémon with a throwing motion instead of fighting them first. Eevee is your partner, and a second player can drop in locally at any time.

35 Final Fantasy Resonance

Pixel art

2026 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified 49.99 € 95 % positive

A Final Fantasy in modern pixel art that revives the classic turn-based formula. A party bound by fate calls on Visions in battle to stop a force threatening to destroy the world.

36 Sea of Stars

Pixel art

2023 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified 33.99 € 87 % positive

Retro RPG with lavish pixel art and turn-based combat where well-timed button presses deal extra damage.

37 Dragon Quest XI S

Fantasy setting

2017 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable 39.99 € 92 % positive

A warm-hearted classic fantasy RPG with turn-based combat and plenty of charm.

38 Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age

Fantasy setting

2017 PC, PlayStation, Steam Deck verified 84 % positive

A warm, classic JRPG with turn-based battles, a lovable band of heroes and a storybook world full of monsters and towns. It leans on comfort and nostalgia, and lets you switch between 3D and retro 2D visuals.

39 Lisa: The Painful

Dark, serious atmosphere

2014 PC, Steam Deck playable −60 % 19.99 € 7.99 € ends today 95 % positive

A quirky pixel-art RPG across a post-apocalyptic wasteland that blends dark humor with grim, disturbing moments. Forced moral choices cost you party members, limbs or strength, making every decision genuinely painful.

40 Persona 3 Reload

Emotional impact

2024 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified 59.99 € 95 % positive

As a transfer student you balance school life and friendships with turn-based Persona battles in the Tartarus tower during the Dark Hour. The remake blends social sim, an emotional story and slick stylish presentation with modern polish.

41 Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake

Fantasy setting

2024 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified 59.99 € 75 % positive

A classic JRPG adventure in gorgeous HD-2D: you build a party with the vocation system and roam a wide world to defeat the archfiend Baramos. Turn-based battles, an orchestral score and modern quality-of-life options make this genre cornerstone easy to enjoy.

42 Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade

Lavish presentation

2021 PC, PlayStation, Steam Deck verified 39.99 € 86 % positive

A remake of the classic: real-time combat with a pausable ATB system and lavish presentation.

43 Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road

Tactical depth

2025 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified 69.99 € 88 % positive

An anime-style football RPG where you collect and train a huge roster of players and build teams around over-the-top special moves. A new cast, an original story and online tournaments round out the package.

44 Dragon Quest VII Reimagined

Turn-based combat

2026 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified 59.99 € 87 % positive

This remake of the PlayStation classic sends you on a traditional turn-based adventure through many small island worlds and past eras. The charming doll-like look and a streamlined battle system make its huge scope more approachable.

45 Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

Action-packed real-time combat

2013 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck playable 15.99 € 78 % positive

As Lightning you have just thirteen days to save souls before the world ends. A real-time combat system built on swapping outfits and constant time pressure make it an unusual entry in the Final Fantasy series.

46 Suikoden II

Companions and relationships

1998 PC, PlayStation

A classic JRPG with a gripping war story of friendship and betrayal. Over 100 recruitable characters, a growing home base, plus duels and army battles keep the gameplay varied.

47 Evoland

Pixel art

2013 PC, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified 9.99 € 83 % positive

Evoland retraces the evolution of action-adventure and RPG games: you unlock new graphics and mechanics as you go, from monochrome pixels to 3D, packed with playful nods to genre classics.

48 Fantasian Neo Dimension

Turn-based combat

2024 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified 49.99 € 75 % positive

A classic JRPG from Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi with music by Nobuo Uematsu. You play turn-based battles across handcrafted diorama worlds while helping Leo recover his memories in a world threatened by machines.

49 Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster

Turn-based combat

2013 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable 24.99 € 87 % positive

A turn-based classic: Tidus and Yuna journey across Spira, with tactical turn order and a party you can swap at any time.

50 Pokémon Scarlet

Turn-based combat

2022 Nintendo Switch

Pokémon Scarlet drops you into an open region where you can freely catch, train and battle Pokémon in turn-based fights. Three story paths and co-op exploration make it more open than earlier entries, though the technical performance is rough.

51 Tales of Zestiria

Action-packed real-time combat

2015 PC, PlayStation, Steam Deck playable 49.99 € 80 % positive

An action-driven JRPG where you play Sorey, the Shepherd, fusing with Seraphim partners to unleash powerful combos. The journey crosses broad landscapes and tells a classic tale of light versus malevolence.

52 Granblue Fantasy: Relink

Boss fights as highlights

2024 PC, PlayStation, Steam Deck playable 39.99 € 89 % positive

A fast, flashy action RPG set in the sky world of Granblue Fantasy, with a large cast of heroes, spectacular fights against huge bosses and co-op for up to four players. The story is warm and classic JRPG, but the combat is the main draw.

53 Costume Quest

Lots of humour

2010 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck verified 9.99 € 95 % positive

A charming Double Fine Halloween RPG where kids trick-or-treat through the neighborhood and their homemade costumes transform into giant heroes for turn-based battles with timed button presses. Funny, short and very approachable.

54 Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter

Turn-based combat

2025 PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified −50 % 59.99 € 29.99 € 2 days left 95 % positive

This remake of the series opener follows siblings Estelle and Joshua as they travel Liberl to become Bracers. Turn-based battles, a warmly drawn world and extensive dialogue make it a character-driven JRPG.

55 Persona 5 Strikers

Action-packed real-time combat

2020 PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch 59.99 € 88 % positive

The sequel to Persona 5 blends Dynasty Warriors-style real-time crowd combat with Persona summoning and weakness exploitation. The Phantom Thieves road-trip across a stylishly presented Japan, with dungeons, strong character drama and a jazzy soundtrack.

56 Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana

Action-packed real-time combat

2016 PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified 39.99 € 90 % positive

A fast-paced action JRPG where Adol is shipwrecked on a cursed island, gathers fellow survivors and builds a village. Fluid combat with dodges and party switching, plenty of exploration and a stirring soundtrack.

57 Octopath Traveler 0

Fantasy setting

2025 PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified 49.99 € 78 % positive

You create your own hero in the HD-2D world of Orsterra and rebuild your devastated home piece by piece through town building. Turn-based battles and a party of characters remain the heart of the experience, as fans of the series will expect.

58 Suikoden

Turn-based combat

1995 PC, PlayStation

A classic JRPG where you recruit 108 Stars of Destiny, grow your own castle headquarters and lead a rebellion against an empire. Alongside turn-based party battles it features army battles and one-on-one duels.

59 The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky

Turn-based combat

2004 PC, PlayStation

A classic JRPG following young Bracers Estelle and Joshua across the kingdom of Liberl. Tactical turn-based combat and a warm, character-focused story with political intrigue make it a beloved start to the Trails saga.

60 Breath of Fire IV

Turn-based combat

2000 PC, PlayStation, Steam Deck playable 9.99 € 74 % positive

A classic PlayStation JRPG with a hand-drawn look, following Ryu and Princess Nina through an emotional tale of war and dragon powers. Turn-based combat with dragon transformations and a master-apprentice skill system give it its own character.

Coming soon

Coming soon: JRPGs

Upcoming games that fit this topic. Save them with the bookmark and, if you like, we’ll email you on release day. See all new releases →

  1. 2026
    SacriFire
  2. 2026
    Lost Hellden
  3. Jan 28
    Fate/Extra Record
  4. Feb 18
    Persona 4 Revival
  5. Apr 8
    Final Fantasy VII Revelation
  6. Sep 30
    Threads of Time

What matters: JRPGs

JRPGs are built around a cast you spend dozens of hours with, so the main question is whether you want to follow a story or fiddle with a combat system. Most games here are story rich and party-based, but they differ a lot in feel. The biggest split is turn-based versus action combat, so decide that first. After that, think about tone: comedic, emotional, stylish or dark.

If you want turn-based combat with a lot of personality, Persona 5 Royal is a strong pick for its stylish presentation and party focus, and it is the version on the list that is available on PC, Xbox and Switch as well as PlayStation. Final Fantasy X suits players who want an emotional fantasy story in a classic turn-based format. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the newest entry, mixing turn-based combat with parrying and a dark fantasy setting. Undertale is the easiest way in if you like humor, pixel art and choices that matter.

If you prefer action, Final Fantasy VII Remake combines real-time combat with a cinematic, sci-fi story and a party. Kingdom Hearts III is colorful and action-driven if you like anime-flavored fantasy. Older games like Final Fantasy IX are worth it if you enjoy classic turn-based fantasy, and check the platform lists, since several entries are limited to one system.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best JRPG for beginners?

Undertale is a gentle starting point, with simple turn-based combat, humor and pixel art. Final Fantasy X is also approachable if you want a classic, story-driven fantasy adventure.

Which JRPGs have action combat instead of turn-based?

Final Fantasy VII Remake, Final Fantasy XV, Kingdom Hearts II and Kingdom Hearts III are tagged as action RPGs. Final Fantasy XV also adds an open world.

Which JRPGs are good if I want a stylish, story-heavy game?

Persona 5 Royal and Persona 5 are both tagged stylish, story rich and party-based. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a good alternative if you prefer a dark fantasy tone with turn-based combat.

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