Many consider the nineties to be the golden age of gaming. It was during this decade that some of the most iconic video game franchises were created; many of which could be found exclusively on the Super Nintendo. In particular,the system played host to a huge selection of excellent role-playing games. As time has passed and technology has improved, however, the genre has gone through some pretty drastic changes.
Random encounters, turn-based combat, and 2D visuals are becoming increasingly difficult to find in modern role-playing games. Granted,this will no doubt suit some people, but there are plenty of others who may find themselves missing that classic RPG feel. Thankfully, there are still some viable options available for those people; especially if they happen to own aNintendo Switch. With that in mind, what are some of the best Switch RPGs for fans of the genre’s classic SNES-era games?
Updated July 28, 2025, by Tom Bowen:Though a lot has changed since the nineties, the essence of classic role-playing games can still be found hidden away in many modern titles if one knows where to look. The Nintendo Switch is a great place to start, as the system boasts an extensive library of excellent RPGs, many of which borrow heavily from some of the fantastic games that came before them. Some of them may look pretty different than their pre-3D pixel art predecessors, but beating beneath their well-polished visuals lies the heart of a classic SNES RPG.
1Live A Live
Metacritic Rating: 81 (Switch)
With its unique narrative system,Live A Livewas one of the most innovative games of its eraand likely provided much of the inspiration forOctopath Traveller. 28 years on from its initial release, a remake was developed for the Nintendo Switch, helping to put the game into the hands of a whole new generation of gamers, and, for the first time, players in the west.
Due to the original only selling 270,000 copies in Japan, the decision was made not to localize the game for Western audiences. However, unofficial fan translations began cropping up in the early part of the twenty-first century, which helped the game to expand its cult following outside of Japan. The Switch remake now serves as the definitive version and is a must-play for fans of old-school SNES role-playing games.
2Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition
Metacritic Rating: 77 (Switch)
When it comes toold-school SNES JRPGs, they arguably don’t come much better thanChrono Trigger. Sadly, Square’s 1995 masterpiece is still not available on the Nintendo Switch at the time of writing, but players can at least get their hands on its oft-misunderstood sequel, which is playable on Switch in the form ofChrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition.
Unfortunately, the 2022 remaster feels a little half-hearted, with very few improvements made despite more than two decades having passed since the release of the original game. Even so, it remains a top-tier RPG and is well worth playing for those who’ve yet to check it out. Even for those who have, it’s highly replayable due tothe vast number of potential party members, so a second or third playthrough may be in order.
3Sega Ages: Phantasy Star
Metacritic Rating: 82 (Switch)
Though the two companies seem to share a healthy relationship these days, there was once a time when Sega and Nintendo were huge rivals. Kids would typically pick one console over the other and then argue with their friends that their console of choice was superior. This meant that a lot of Sega kids missed out on the likes ofFinal FantasyandChrono Trigger, though that’s not to say that they didn’t have a fewgreat RPGsof their own.
The originalPhantasy Stargames were among the very best and offered something unique that just couldn’t be found on Nintendo consoles at that time. With Sega bowing out of the hardware industry at the turn of the century, many of the company’s best games have now been released on Nintendo consoles, includingPhantasy Staron Switch via theSEGA AGES Phantasy StarSwitch store release. Given that Nintendo fans likely missed out on the game the first time around, it’s definitely worth a look.
4Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Metacritic Rating: 89 (Switch)
When Roy and Marth firstmade their debuts inSuper Smash Bros. Meleefor the GameCube, most Western players had no idea who they were. Japanese players, on the other hand, instantly recognized them as characters from theFire Emblemseries, which has been incredibly popular in the country since making its 1990 debut.
Fast forward two decades, however, andFire Emblemgames are now arguably just as popular in the West as they are in the East. The pick of the bunch is perhaps the most recent,Fire Emblem: Three Houses, which some people consider to be one ofthe best tactical RPGs of all time. It contains a surprising amount of depth and offers a modern take on a classic idea.
5Xenoblade Chronicles
Xenogearsand theXenosagagames were some of the very best RPGs that players could get their hands on around the turn of the century.They excelled in the storytelling departmentand built upon the excellent work done by Square, Enix, and other big nineties studios in further developing narrative-driven gameplay in role-playing games.
Though they are considered spiritual successors rather than sequels, theXenoblade Chroniclesgames picked up right where their predecessors left off. The pick of the bunch is definitely the first of the three titles though, and its definitive edition, which was released for the Switch in early 2020, more than lives up to its title.
6I Am Setsuna
Metacritic Rating: 75 (Switch)
I Am Setsunamay only be five years old at this point, but it’s already starting to show its age in some areas. The graphical department isn’t one of them though, with the game’s unique and endearing art style still just as charming as ever. That’s not all that the game has going for it though.
Extensive character customization optionsand a tragic yet beautifully told story really help the game to stand out, as too does its fantastic piano score. The combat is solid too, even if the obvious lack of enemy variety does hold it back a little at times. There are definitely better RPGs available on the Switch at this point, but for those who’ve already played them,I Am Setsunamight just be worth a punt.
7Breath of the Wild
Metacritic Rating: 97 (Switch)
Despite falling squarely into the action-adventure genre,Zeldagames have always incorporated ideas and mechanics from RPGs. This is especially true of the series' most recent entries,The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildand 2023’sTears of the Kingdom, which are somewhat reminiscent ofclassic action RPGs likeSecret of ManaandTerranigma.
Players are able to acquire new armor and upgrade it to increase Link’s defensive capabilities. There’s also a wide variety of weapons, stat-altering potions, and permanent upgrades to Link’s health and stamina. Granted, it’s still missing a lot ofthe elements that make up a traditional RPG, but that’s not to say that fans of the genre can’t still enjoy it for what it is.
8Bravely Default 2
Metacritic Rating: 76 (Switch)
Silicon Studio’sBravely Defaultgames are RPGs through and through. In fact, the first game actually started out as a sequel toFinal Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Lightand still maintains many ofthe features one would expect from aFinal Fantasygame. It still brings plenty of new ideas to the table though and feels like a natural evolution of the classic JRPGs of yesteryear.
Though the series' first entry is currently unavailable on Switch, its sequel,Bravely Default 2, was released in early 2021. It’s not quite as impressive as its predecessor, but its stunning visuals, interesting environments, andinnovative job systemshould still appeal to fans of old-school SNES RPGs.
9Collection of Mana
Metacritic Rating: 83 (Switch)
TheManaseries helped to popularizethe action RPG genreand remains incredibly popular even to this day thanks to its wonderful gameplay and excellent storytelling. This should perhaps come as little surprise considering it started life as aFinal Fantasyspin-off, although it has since gone on to become a standout series in its own right.
Frustratingly, the 2018 remake ofSecret of Manais still to make its way to the Switch, although this likely won’t matter too much to fans of classic RPGs. They’ll probably be more interested in theCollection of Mana, which includesthe originalManatrilogyas well as a port of the Game Boy game that started it all,Final Fantasy Adventure.
10Romancing SaGa
Metacritic Rating: 71 (Switch)
TheManaseries isn’t the only successfulFinal Fantasyspin-off series. Far from it, in fact. There have been quite a few of them over the years, although none have had quite as big an impact asSaGa. LikeMana,the series started life on the Game Boy asThe Final Fantasy Legend, although picked up theSaGaname after the first three games in the series; all of which can be played on the Switch as part ofCollection of SaGa Final Fantasy Legend.
It’s perhaps theRomancing SaGatrilogy for the SNES, however, thatreally helped the series to take off both in the West and in Japan. All three of the games can be played on the Switch through the Nintendo Online Store, as too can the PlayStation classicSaGa Frontierwhich was remastered for the system in early 2021.
