When it comes to Nintendo Switch games, there are a couple of areas where the library really thrives: RPGs and remasters. Though there are plenty of great new games, there is no shortage of notable revamps and rereleases on the system, to be sure.
The Switch’s competent, unique hardware has allowed many of these already rich, appealing games to shine like never before. At the same time, a number of them have enjoyed increased exposure and given new life amongst the growing Switch userbase.
Whether you’re a veteran revisiting nostalgic classics, or discovering them for the first time, there are many great role-playing remasters in which to immerse yourself. This list will explore just some of the best RPGs that have received a remaster facelift.
Updated August 1, 2022 by Stephen LaGioia: Nintendo’s hybrid console continues to be a force when it comes to RPGs, particularly with regards to spruced-up re-releases. Titles like Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition are able to express their full potential with prettier visuals and better hardware. These improvements add to their epic nature and reignites hype in the series—which surely helped stoke the newly-released Xenoblade Chronicles 3’s success.
Meanwhile, the leaps from two very different machines, as is the case in The World Ends With You, can allow the game to be experienced in a new way, especially when given new content or quality-of-life tweaks. And with a growing lineup of appealing Switch RPG remasters, we decided to revisit this list.
14 Child Of Light: Ultimate Edition
A rare shining light of the Wii U’s barren eShop, this RPG grips with its graceful storybook visual style that rings like an interactive fairy tale. You take the role of a floating princess trying to find her way home as she traverses the lush lands of Lemuria.
Ubisoft draws you in with some rich, lovely atmosphere, but keeps you hooked with an accessible-yet-deep blend of RPG and sidescrolling gameplay. Child of Light also stands out when it comes to the fun, fluid combat, which uses an active-time battle system comparable to Grandia.
13 Baldurs Gate And Baldurs Gate 2 Enhanced
As part of the expansive D&D universe, this bundle of Overhaul’s Baldurs Gate games instantly has much fantastical lore to draw upon; and uses it to its advantage. Both the original and its robust sequel bring cross-platform multiplayer to the fold, allowing mages, monks, thieves and otherwise to band together and fight through this massive, memorable campaign.
This modern rendition polishes up the presentation, including widescreen and higher resolution. With countless quests and customization, over 300 spells—and added content in this version—the bundle exposes the advanced-level RPG to a new audience in grand fashion. Collectively, this package can comprise hundreds of hours of fantasy-based fun; which is almost unheard of on Switch.
12 Rune Factory 4 Special
Marvelous Inc. and XSEED’s Rune Factory series has largely been considered a more stylistic, anime-themed Harvest Moon alternative. And there is some truth to this notion, though the series—and particularly this detailed sequel—also stress other elements that are closer to an RPG than sim.
These include a story-driven plot, human relationships, dungeon crawling, and rewarding combat. You can easily become immersed in the vibrant world of Selphia and make the experience your own, as you can craft customizable gear, marry, and even construct ‘Orders’ to instruct your town.
The Special rendition adds to the already dense experience, bringing added content, added anime cutcenes and voice lines, and a new difficulty mode.
11 Pokemon Briliant Diamond/Shining Pearl
After the lukewarm Sword & Shield, fans were looking forward to this revamp of the DS classics Pokemon Diamond & Pearl… to equally mixed results. Still, there are plenty of trappings of that fan-favorite adventure, and new Pokemon devs ILCA do a fine job in translating the content for Nintendo’s hybrid console.
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl host a random slew of Pokemon from past generations, giving team compositions a sort of strategic angle. This, along with gameplay and progression that’s (a bit) tougher than most of its ilk, adds some depth and intrigue when traversing the Japanese-themed Sinnoh.
Being more remake than remaster, the gameplay tweaks and additions are fairly limited. Still, it’s cool to be able to see this game come to vibrant life in 3D (isometric) form on the Switch’s superior hardware.
10 The Last Remnant Remastered
This game from Square Enix is still fairly obscure despite finding its way onto several consoles in over a decade. With a tinge of Western influence and a deep interface, this gritty RPG is something of a departure from the more typical JRPG. The game’s lead is Rush Sykes, the son of prominent scientists, who finds his way in the thick of a chaotic war.
For those who can deal with a fairly steep learning curve, The Last Remnantentices with lush worlds and a deep, structured battle system that fuses action with strategy. The polish of this rerelease suits this epic with its grand, realistic feel. The remaster also bumps up the performance with an upgrade from Unreal 3 to Unreal Engine 4.
9 The World Ends With You: Final Remix
Successfully porting a DS RPG can be tricky, given the distinct features of the hardware. But if there’s any console well-suited to translate a title from this handheld, it’s the Switch. This stylized action romp proves a great fit, and thrives even more with the console’s larger, crisper screen. This makes it easier to decipher all the action and flashy effects.
Rather than using major fantasy tropes like many JRPGs, this cult hit from Square Enix takes a more grounded approach with its urban, semi-real-world themes. While the premise intrigues, it’s the exciting combat that really shines, with its inventive touch-screen commands and frantic pacing.
NEO: The World Ends With You brings a few new baddies, abilities, and a post-game chapter. There’s also motion control support — which adds a fun new dynamic to the gameplay.
8 Final Fantasy 8 Remastered
This game has remained one of the more polarizing entries in the esteemed Final Fantasy series. This can largely be attributed to its unique plot and odd quirks. There’s also its distinct battle system, which hinges on summoned monsters known as Guardian Forces. These “GF” serve as alternate moves to bust out beyond basic attacks, and help break the monotony of grindy battles.
With its uniquely dark vibe, dynamic characters — and a surprisingly fun card game within — FF8 still captivates on Switch. The remastered game not only polishes the crude PS1 visuals but also tosses in quality of life improvements and adds a bit of content.
7 Dark Souls Remastered
One of the most grueling titles in modern gaming slashes its way onto Switch, serving as a tempting option for old-school Nintendo fans used to the grind of NES games. This APRG epic is made all the more atmospheric — and thus eerie — with the spruced-up visuals and smoothed performance.
With Dark Souls’ pure, undiluted action gameplay, this one lends itself to handheld play—though you’ll want to avoid tossing the handheld console in frustration following the inevitable deaths at the hands of Dark Souls’ unforgiving ominous foes. The technical leaps of this remaster are more marginal on Switch, though it does refine the online experience with the addition of dedicated servers.
6 Grandia HD Collection
Some might be deterred by a fairly steep price and the exclusion of PS2’s Grandia 3 in this bundle. Still, it’s hard not to be enticed by these two terrific RPGs in one appealing HD package. Along with a gripping narrative and memorable worlds, Game Arts’ epics arguably have among the most inventive and fun battle systems in the genre. They continue to stand out even after two-plus decades.
This is particularly the case in the second game, which pits you in a fully-3D arena, allowing for free-roaming in addition to more thrilling action. The ingenuity lies in a system of timed hits, which allow you to disrupt enemy attacks. It’s a rewarding feat, made all the more exciting by the swift pacing of the turn-based system and the range of flashy spells at one’s disposal.
5 Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate
A converted 3DS title, this RPG is made all the more monstrous with this robust remaster on Switch. What it lacks in the stereoscopic 3D visuals, Generations Ultimate more than makes up for with its polished graphics and crisper textures, giving a more organic look to the creatures.
Like other Monster Hunter games, you’ll venture out to various lush locales and clash with ominous creatures, either alone or with fellow monster-slayers. Along with loads of distinct weapons and gear, you’ll also have useful special attacks and new combat styles at their disposal this time. This expanded rerelease also boasts a slew of new monsters and extra content, which can run a whopping 730 hours for completionists!
4 Collection Of Mana
This retro gem feels like a delightful look into Mana’s history in addition to a video game compilation. Not only does it host three classics from Square Enix’s Final Fantasy spinoff series, but it also hosts a soundtrack playlist — with some of the best RPG music to date.
You’re are treated with a frankly archaic, but still-delightful trip to the series’ roots with a rare Game Boy port on Switch, Final Fantasy Adventure. But more significant is the HD remaster of the charming Secret of Mana, and the first Western release of the hidden gem Trials of Mana. This ARPG swan song for SNES can now be enjoyed in all its vibrant glory on Switch, in its true form.
Nearly 70 hours of deep, thrilling gameplay can be savored between all three games in the Collection of Mana.
3 Final Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age
This black sheep tends to be overshadowed by classics like FF7. It makes sense on one level, given its distinct style that almost resembles a Western MMO more than a typical Final Fantasy romp. But this is partly why Final Fantasy 12 thrives. Along with a darker, more nuanced plot involving political strife, the game enthralls with its fun, fluid battle system, which is more action-based than its FF kin.
Though the game is already solid in its original PS2 form, the remaster reinforces it with improved technical performance and some quality-of-life tweaks.
2 Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition
This memorable Tales game got off to a slow start, with fairly limited exposure on Xbox 360. Over a decade later, it now shines as one of the Switch’s best RPGs.
The thrilling, fast-paced battles prove quite fitting with the Switch’s pick-up-and-play nature. Its colorful aesthetic really shines on both the handheld screen and while docked. It’s easy to get immersed in the vibrant, majestic lands of Terca Lumireis, as you’re treated to semi-open-world exploration, fun combat, and loads of goodies to find.
The Definitive Edition injects even more life into the joyous journey. This takes the form of crisper visuals and better performance, but also added content, full voice acting, and new party members.
1 Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
It says something that even after the release of Xenoblade Chronicles 2, a remaster of the 2010 original can produce so much hype. Monolith Soft’s Xenoblade became one of Wii’s most renowned RPGs, with its deified biomes, exhilarating battles, and iconic weapons.
Building on the already rich, majestic experience, XC: DE brings quite a few welcomed quality-of-life refinements. For the most part, it wipes away its few weak spots — with a more palatable interface, added waypoints, and gorgeous visuals that pop like never before.
An Expert Mode and Time Attack add even more to the onslaught of fun content this ’titanic’ game offers.
NEXT: Underrated (& Overrated) RPGs For Switch
