There’s something pretty endearing with RPG games. Through them, you could easily step into your favorite character’s role. And with a good RPG game, stepping into that role will feel surreal, like you’re thrown into a life different from your own in a matter of minutes. Tie in a compelling narrative and visually appealing open world, and you’ve got yourself an escape route into a new universe.
Most RPG games aim to please. The genre certainly makes up the best games to play on any console. So picking the best ones to play on Switch is no easy feat. But not to worry, we got you covered in this article, where we’re ranking the best RPGs to play on Nintendo Switch, from Paper Mario: The Origami King to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Paper Mario: The Origami King
To start us off is Paper Mario: The Origami King, a game anyone, whether a die-hard RPG player or newcomer, can play. Slow, steady starts are great for building momentum and getting comfortable to play more difficult levels. These increasingly challenging levels are highly welcome in Paper Mario: The Origami King.
The game features light-hearted scenes among character dialogue and more than enough twists in the story to keep you engaged. Further, it features a unique hard rock soundtrack that you might find oddly satisfying.
In-game, you’ll play as Mario and his partner, Olivia, as they fight an impending origami menace. You’d need to master tactful turn-based combat in ring-based battles and solve complex puzzles to restore order and free Princess Peach from King Olly.
If not for the competition of the other Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, where the gaming experience is most memorable, we’d rank this title much higher. That said, easy-not-so-easy is perfect, especially for newcomers looking to jump into the best RPG on Switch.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Perhaps an easy start doesn’t sound enticing to you. So if you’re looking for a hardcore RPG, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a viable next choice. You may have already had a go at either title from the Elder Scrolls franchise, but in case you haven’t, why not give Skyrim a try?
Skyrim carries outstanding RPG elements we could not ignore. For starters, the game features a massive open world, refined to perfectly depict the Elder Scrolls’ lore setting. You’re free to do whatever you’d like in Tamriel, from exploring creepy dungeons to crafting weapons or getting married; it’s all up to you. You also have an impressive character roster to select from. But it gets even better when you’re free to disregard said roster and build your own character from scratch.
So get ready to save the world in a crazy free-form adventure in which you’ll effortlessly enjoy over 100 hours' worth of action-packed content.
Bravely Default II
A Switch-exclusive Japanese RPG worth checking out is Bravely Default II. Given, its predecessor did an excellent job implementing RPG elements we all love. However, Bravely Default II took a step further to adopt everything that worked in its predecessor and drop all else that didn’t. The result is an outstanding Switch-exclusive installment anyone can jump into right off the bat. There’s certainly no need to worry about storylines as it's completely independent of its predecessor.
Among our favorite RPG elements are the sleek turn-based combat, deep storyline with a surprisingly dark twist, and free-form open-world exploration to keep returning for more. It also takes advantage of jobs and classes that are a pretty stand-out system of the game.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus
We couldn’t withstand giving Pokemon a worthwhile mention among the best RPG games to play on Switch. The latest installment, in particular, has fans taken by surprise by how enjoyable and refreshing the game is.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus took on an advanced formula from previous games. It does well to fully max out the game’s core element of finding, catching, and battling Pokemon. Through new gameplay mechanics, deep storylines, and an optional crafting and battling system, the game is a must-play refresher for anyone who’d like to join in on the fun.
The graphics of the game could have been better. However, it nearly skips critiquing as within moments of playing, you’ll likely get lost in the gameplay for hours-long time worth spent.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
It’s a no-brainer! The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild takes the cake for the best RPG on Switch. There exist tons of excellent RPG elements to mull over. From the start, you’re thrown into a rich, vast, open world that stops you in your tracks just to take it all in. You’ll play as Link, free to explore the Kingdom of Hyrule at will. The world is so massively huge that it’s simply impossible to see it all at once. Perhaps its beautiful environments stand out even more than the story, although defeating amnesia and restoring the kingdom sounds well worth the extensive exploration.
As you get farther into the game, you’ll encounter mind-boggling puzzles, treacherous monsters, and the ultimate battle against Calamity Ganon. When these elements culminate together, it brings out, for all intents and purposes, a perfect must-play game for all.
Given, the franchise has had 30 years’ worth of room for growth. However, giving credit where it’s due, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild perfectly captures immersion in a seamless sense of time and place and is indeed a masterpiece of RPG game design.
And that’s it, for now, the best RPGs to play on Nintendo Switch right now. Are there games you can’t wait to play? Meanwhile, you can check out our “Free-to-play Candy Crush Saga and Its Highly Addictive Nature” article and let us know of any questions or concerns.