Hard to Beat Switch JRPGs

I'm one of those people who grew up when console wars were a thing, and Nintendo and Sega had loud commercials signaling the greatness of their brand. And while those days are mostly in the past, there are still some console exclusives, even on Nintendo. That said, when I mention the word exclusive here, I'm also talking about games you can play on PC, just not on Sony or Xbox.

As someone who pretty much only plays games on Switch and Steam, I am always looking for worthy exclusives. And as a fan of the JRPG genre, I'm happy to share that there are just enough to mention on Nintendo Switch. And yes, several of them are pretty hard to beat.

There's a good range of JRPG adventures here, and I've ranked them according to a mixture of my fondness for them, difficulty and overall reception. They run the gamut from iconic series to smaller indies, classics brought to the present and more besides. So grab your sword and shield, and let's go adventuring in these hard to beat JRPGs on the Nintendo Switch.

10 Fire Emblem: Engage

The Black Sheep of the Family

I know that Fire Emblem: Engage gets a lot of crap from fans. But I've played Fire Emblem since it came to the West, and I personally think it gets a bad rap. Sure, it's sitting low on this list, but that's not because it's a bad game. Just because, comparatively, it's not as difficult as the other games on this list.

Fire Emblem: Engage had great visual style, and magical rings that brought heroes from the past blazing into the present. It also features a demonic dragon named Sombron as well as resurrected soldiers. It's a lot of crazy, and it's juggled relatively well in the game's story. Like any Fire Emblem, it's not easy, but it's also not as hardcore as other entries in the series.

Fire Emblem: Engage also caters to modern players with features like letting you turn back the clock, a must if you're playing with features like permadeath turned on. Though the last few battles in the game might make you want to turn that feature off.

9 Mario & Luigi: Brothership

Where Being a Bro is a Good Thing

As someone who enjoys all the Mario & Luigi games, I was still surprised to see them get another entry in Mario & Luigi: Brothership. The reason is simple — the original team behind the game had folded a few years beforehand. Thankfully, Acquire did a reasonable job with the property, and managed to keep the silly style and complex turn-based gameplay intact.

The entire game takes place in another world called Concordia, where light is fading and the brothers get caught up in reinvigorating the devastated Uni-Tree. You even have a boat called the Shipshape, which is actually a giant, moving island of sorts. It's pretty weird, and while the plot does meander a bit, overall it's a solid adventure.

While Mario & Luigi: Brothership isn't always brutal, some of the final dungeons and puzzles, as well as the ultimate boss battle, are much more challenging than you'd expect. So much so that it took me repeated attempts to finally deal with the big bad, who surprisingly isn't Bowser.

8 Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition

Digital Detective Work

I know there's a bit of a rivalry between Digimon and Pokémon, and for good reason. And while I don't personally think Digimon has ascended to the same heights as Pokémon, some of their games have been pretty great. Games like Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition.

Yes, it's a very decade-old, turn-based adventure, but that in no way diminishes how fun it is, nor how colorful. And while it's a fair challenge on Normal, those who are looking for a brutal challenge should try it on Hard.

More than anything, the challenge of Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition mostly comes from how grindy it tends to be. Still, if you don't mind taking your time with a game, you'll enjoy this digital adventure.

7 Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore

Making the Switch From Wii U

While there weren't a ton of great JRPGs on the Wii U, one of my absolute favorites was the original Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE. So when I discovered it was getting a port to Nintendo Switch in Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore, I was delighted. And that impression persisted after I got hands on it.

Both games are pretty much identical, featuring a plot that mixes Fire Emblem characters with Shin Megami Tensei style, and a bright, colorful cast of chaotic characters. One of the things Encore brings to the table is an optional dungeon for once you're done with the story, as well as all the DLC packs.

Put simply, this is an incredibly fun and challenging game with a dynamic, weakness-based combat system. Honestly, the only thing holding the game back is that the ride is over too soon, even with the new content. But it's one ride I'm willing to take again and again, and highly recommend to others.

6 Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster

Bandai Namco Gives You Wings

I missed out on Baten Kaitos the first time around, so the fact that both games got brought to the Switch in an HD port was kind of amazing. And while it's a game that very much still shows its age, it's also one that's aged remarkably well. That said, if you're easily confused, the game's card-based combat might throw you for a bit of a loop, making it that much harder.

It's a classic call to adventure against evil gods, and both games in Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster feature magical wings and horrifying monstrosities to wage war against. The combat is a bit slow-going at first, but once you have a good deck of cards, you'll start to really vibe with the games.

While Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster is a good time, my own personal issue with the game is that it was only available physically in other regions. That said, if you don't mind playing games digitally or playing games from other regions, you're in for a treat.

5 The World Ends With You: Final Remix

Survive the Reaper's Game

When The World Ends With You (TWEWY for short) arrived on the Nintendo DS, it was a game changer for me. It fully immersed players in a magical, nightmarish Tokyo full of Reapers and lost souls, and brought it all together with one of the most complex yet engaging combat systems I've ever enjoyed. I was so obsessed I even bought pins based on the game from online stores.

And then, for a couple of decades, we got nothing. I was convinced the series would never get another game, until they announced not just The World Ends With You: Final Remix, but later on a sequel in NEO: The World Ends With You. And while I was originally unsure if Final Remix technically qualified as a traditional JRPG, it's so good I felt I had to include it.

Final Remix features everything that made the original so great, along with modern control options, new DLC and a bunch more. If you've never played the story of Neku and friends, you really need to check out this modern masterpiece.

4 Quartet

Eight Heroes, One Destiny

When you hear about games on Nintendo consoles with multiple heroes, you'll probably first think of things like Octopath Traveler or Live a Live. Both incredible games in their own right, but also games that exist on other consoles. Which is why I felt I had to instead include Quartet, a recently released indie, retro adventure that's only on PC and Switch.

Quartet takes everything I love about classic JRPGs and brings it to a modern adventure. There are multiple heroes with intertwining stories, deep, nuanced and turn-based combat, and punchy SNES visual flair. Best of all, you choose the order you play the narrative, which makes it that much more personal.

I know that retro JRPG games aren't for everyone. But as a fan of the genre, I feel Quartet is one of those JRPGs more people should be talking about.

3 Xenoblade Chronicles 3

End of an Era

It's always funny for me to consider the fact we're at Xenoblade Chronicles 3. Back when I got started in this industry, I worked at a site known for bringing the original game to the West, something that wasn't a guarantee. Fast-forward several years later, and not only did the Xenoblade Chronicles series thrive, but it's now something of a darling JRPG adventure.

This third and final entry in the trilogy takes place in Aionios, a dangerous world where life spans are measured in 10 meager years. There's also warring nations and dangerous monsters to fight, and you'll do so here by fusing two characters together as superpowered Ouroboros. It's a far-flung sci-fi plot, with a lot of anime influence.

As for how it plays, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is sprawling, full of amazing places to explore. Combat is a mix of real time and tactics, and you'll need to be at your best to survive the forces arrayed against you. Even though I usually prefer turn-based combat, this JRPG adventure really makes the best of the fast-paced timing of battles.

2 Shin Megami Tensei V

Lucifer's Fury

While part of me prefers the more linear, story-based Persona games, there's a lot about the Shin Megami Tensei adventures I enjoy. The freedom to explore a vast world, recruiting a team of demons and fighting monstrous bosses is a blast. And in Shin Megami Tensei V, you do so in a post-apocalyptic world shattered by Lucifer himself.

Another important part of any Shin Megami Tensei adventure is the morality system, where your decisions have repercussions and affect the ending you get. While it's true that V did suffer from some technical issues, it's still a game that any fan of the series will spend endless hours playing, even though it's one of the most challenging Switch exclusives.

1 Bravely Default II

Beyond Bravery

In an era where many publishers were only embracing modern takes on various genres, it was outstanding to see Square Enix take a chance on the Bravely Default games. They took the sensibilities of classic, hardcore JRPGs, and mixed them with modern systems like adjusting attacks with carefully managed Brave Points.

While the series started on Nintendo handhelds, I was happy it got a console adventure in Bravely Default II. It took all the complex storytelling and deep combat, and married it with flashier visual style. And if you're a fan of challenging games, you're in luck. Some of the end game and optional bosses in Bravely Default II took everything I had to withstand their fury.

Put simply, getting the best ending in the game will be a massive challenge. But it's one I can confirm is totally worth your time. Just get ready to grind before you're able to finish this story.