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The Nintendo Switch may be the best console on the market right now for any gamers wanting a plethora of exclusive titles in the JRPG genre. Nintendo has always been partial towards this style of game and the latest generation is no different. As the era of the original Nintendo Switch draws to a close, there are some underrated JRPG gems on the system that are a must-buy for any fans of the genre who haven’t experienced them yet.
Live A Live
Live A Live is an early Square cult classic that is a must-play not only for fans of Final Fantasy and Persona, but also certainly for fans of games this directly inspired like Chrono Trigger and Octopath Traveler. The recent remake of the JRPG for Nintendo Switch seamlessly translates the combat and story of the original into a modern pixel-style format that essentially makes it everything in the original Live A Live with an HD makeover. This game can scratch a unique itch for players looking for an experience that allows them to jump across multiple stories in various settings and times without missing a beat.
Shin Megami Tensei V
Once upon a time, Atlus was putting Shin Megami Tensei on every copy of new Persona games to increase brand recognition at a time when SMT was actually more recognizable than its spin-off series. Clearly, that isn’t the case anymore, which has made Shin Megami Tensei V something of a hidden gem on the Nintendo Switch and a must-buy JRPG for Persona fans. It’s received some criticism from the community for having a considerably weaker story than Shin Megami 3 & 4, but mechanically, this game feels great. Running across the landscape fighting all manner of demons while completing all of the available objectives is as snappy and satisfying as any current Persona game. The only real shame is that the Switch’s hardware can make the framerate a little gaudy at times, but that’s nothing new for Switch owners.
Octopath Traveler 2
Octopath Traveler 2 only delivers modest differences over the original, but the real draw of the game is to feel more like an experience catering to classic JRPG fans wanting something that feels current and nostalgic simultaneously. On that promise, this game delivers in spades, combining a unique but familiar turn-based combat system with the varied stories of each protagonist similar to Live A Live and, undoubtedly the biggest selling point of the game, the stunningly beautiful art style.
Super Mario RPG
The combat of Super Mario RPG will never get as challenging or complex as anything in Final Fantasy or Persona, that seems like kind of a given, but this game is proof that difficulty isn’t always congruent with fun. The recent remake of Super Mario RPG for Switch takes all of the fun ideas and charm of the SNES classic and enhances it with a modern glow.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Xenoblade might be the most niche series on this list. Not to say that Xenoblade Chronicles 3 isn’t accessible to new players, but overall, this is definitely a franchise that has its rabid fans and doesn’t push outside of that box too often. Still, if the stunning overworld along with the unique (but incredibly complicated) combat and party management mechanics seem appealing to any JRPG fans out there, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 has those things in spades.
