Simply put, the Nintendo Switch is a retro gamer's dream come true. All manner of vintage titles and homages to games gone by are all readily available at the click of the eShop icon. But, the real gold mine lies in the RPG genre, and, with several titles spanning subgenres from JRPGs to dungeon-crawlers, there's more than enough adventure to go around.
Even if players have played the various ports of classics like Dragon Quest, Baldur's Gate, and various Final Fantasy titles, there are still plenty of titles out there that will scratch that classic RPG itch, and they can all be carried right in the player's pocket... or handbag, maybe—the Switch isn't quite that small.
Wargroove
While more contemporary players might enjoy the royal epic that is Fire Emblem . Wargroove offers something a little less risky and a lot more rewarding. No permadeath, no complex and confusing plotlines—just straight-forward 16-bit battles with legions to command.
Inspired by Advance Wars, this retro-inspired title puts guests into a vintage-styled wargame of kingdoms, conquerers, and dozens and dozens of colorful units. It's a lot more like chess than anything involving families or three houses, but sometimes the simple route is the best way to go.
Stardew Valley
For hardcore RPGers who are tired of picking up the sword, they can always relax on their little patch of heaven in Stardew Valley. Grow some veggies, build a house, raise a herd of virtual cows—it's a simple life, but with a lot more character.
Taking a cue from farm simulators like Harvest Moon, the game is practically a pocket dimension of rich farmlands, mysterious forests, and monster-filled mines that will delight any fan of '90s-era RPGs. For something with such a simple premise, it's truly a very lively game.
Archlion Saga
If there's an RPG that represents the phrase "more bang for your buck," it's Archlion Saga. It emulates a lot of JRPG tropes and stereotypes, but not without reason. Think of this game as an introductory course to RPG gaming, with all the trimmings and trappings of the genre present.
It's a bit basic, but it's not without its charms. If players are familiar with games like Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, and especially Phantasy Star, they will be right at home with Archlion Saga.
Battle Chasers: Nightwar
Inspired by the comic book of the same name, Battle Chasers: Nightwar is a traditional turn-based RPG with a more western-styled approach than the Japanese cousin it seems to replicate. Instead of using sprites and wide-eyed heroes, this game opts for a more Westernized approach.
Battle Chasers is what would happen if Diablo were a more traditional RPG, and that's not much of a stretch. Many visuals and design choices would be right at home in Sanctuary or an issue of Hellboy. Either way, it certainly stands out in terms of style.
Undertale
Toby Fox's Undertale was a gaming phenomenon when it first debuted, and, now that it has a Switch port, it can be enjoyed by legions of new players for the very first time. In this labyrinth of goat monsters, frogs, ghosts, and silly skeletons, players can solve puzzles and choose how to handle their encounters.
The story and delivery are all original, but the combat feels slightly like that of Earthbound's or even one of the Mario and Luigi RPGs. It's a modern classic that will forever be ingrained into the genre—evil flowers and all.
Battle Axe
Though it's a newer release Battle Axe certainly bears many of the conventions of classic RPG game design. This game is a top-down, arcadey adventure with swords, sorcery, and a SNES-inspired art style that's sure to turn a few heads. But, it's the gameplay and NES-hard difficulty that earns it a mention.
Playing like a combination of Gauntlet and Zombies Ate My Neighbors, Battle Axe carries the same familiar dungeon-crawling vibes from classic fantasy games, much to the delight of many retro gamers.
Hyper Light Drifter
Hyper Light Drifter is a bit of an odd duck, but it's not without its fans. It's a top-down adventure game with a post-apocalyptic aesthetic, tons of dungeons and monsters, and sci-fi RPG elements that make it a must-have for Switch owners.
The overall plot and narrative is anyone's guess, as the game has no written story elements, and what story it does have is all presented through visuals and environmental clues. That might sound a bit too indie for some, but there's no denying that there's something very Zelda-esque about this experience.
Castle Crashers
It might look like a standard-issue cartoon arcade beat-em-up, but there's more to Castle Crashers than meets the eye. Along with dozens of bad guys to fight, monsters to mash, and collectibles and unlockables galore, this is far deeper than the typical arcade action game.
There is a laundry list of beat-em-up titles this game takes from, but there are a few similarities with games like Knights of the Round. Along with bashing villains to the right of the screen, the game offers several outlets for character styling and development, along with a huge array of weapons and skills. Simply put, players shouldn't judge a game based on its graphics.
Diablo III
Diablo is one of the biggest and most famous dungeon-crawling franchises on the market, but the third entry in the series is one of the best action RPGs available on the Switch and should definitely have a place in everyone's library. Whether taking on the Prime Evil with friends or on a solo outing, there are few things as satisfying as slashing through hordes of monsters.
The game has everything its predecessors had and then some, save for the secret cow level. Bu,t it offers a wide array of characters, weapons, and a whole bestiary of demons and other infernal entities to slice, dice, and serve on rice.
Dragon Quest XI S
If there's one franchise that has the classic RPG down to a science, it's the Dragon Quest series. While the series has 11 different core entries, it's the newest game that covers all the bases for a stellar fantasy RPG.
This is a game made for die-hard classic JRPG players, as well as those just looking to dip their toes in the water as they join a party of adventures on a quest to defeat a Dark Lord and their forces of evil. It's a tad formulaic, but the series is a genre staple.