30. Outer Wilds (Switch eShop)

If you can overlook the technical challenges — and we could — Outer Wilds remains a wondrous experience on Switch. With almost no gating and free rein to investigate a rich corner of the universe, it captures the quest for learning in the most direct way possible: the only reward for progress is knowledge.

Starting with no information at all, you come to understand the intricacies of this little solar system better than its inhabitants. Having soared through such an epic, introspective, and existentially inquisitive adventure, we probably came to understand ourselves a little more, too.

29. Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key (Switch)

Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key ends Ryza's three-game run on a high note, serving up a heady mix of exploration, crafting, and combat that benefits greatly from a narrative arc that's had time to develop and grow.

The new key mechanics add more depth to combat, synthesis, and exploration, the world is more seamless and diverse than ever before, and the whole thing comes together to form a satisfying end for this hugely popular protagonist.

We did have some issues with small text, no English dub, and a little fussiness in how information is relayed, but overall this is Gust's finest adventure to date and a JRPG experience that long-term fans and newcomers alike will find plenty to delight in.

28. Star Ocean: The Second Story R (Switch)

This revival of a PlayStation classic does a thorough job of mixing modern game design and artistic elements with old-school sensibilities to make for one of the most impressive RPG releases of 2023. A lengthy, player-driven story, thrilling combat system, gorgeous new visual style, and remixed soundtrack all come together to make this one of the easiest recommendations we can make to any RPG fan.

If you’re even vaguely interested in picking this up, we’d encourage you to do so as soon as you can; Star Ocean: The Second Story R is comfortably the best entry in this series.

27. Red Dead Redemption (Switch)

Red Dead Redemption on Switch is a straightforward port of 2010's masterpiece with no added bells or whistles for a rather high price tag. If you can get over that, this is a game we highly recommend digging into, especially if you've yet to experience it.

Rockstar's Western epic holds up surprisingly well, its story is as powerful as ever, its knockabout action still feels great, and it looks and plays perfectly well on Nintendo's console. Multiplayer has been cut, which is a sore but understandable excision, and we'd really have liked to see effort put into adding gyro controls or touching up the graphics a little, but it is what it is.

This is a proper all-timer ported successfully to Switch and, if you can stump up the cash, you'll have a great time here regardless of the lack of TLC.

26. Persona 3 Portable (Switch eShop)

Persona 3 Portable remains an enjoyable JRPG, but we would say this is the most skippable of the mainline Persona games on Switch at present.

An engrossing story and well-balanced gameplay loop easily justify a purchase, though things like Tartarus’ repetitive floors, the visual novel presentation, and the lack of FES content hold this one back from the heights its successors reached.

If you have other gaming platforms, the remake — Persona 3 Reload — totally eclipses this entry, besides the lack of a female protagonist. P3P is still a great instalment for Persona fans and will be best appreciated by players who have that contextual series knowledge, but its rougher edges may put others off.

25. Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless (Switch)

Disgaea 7 offers up yet another enjoyable entry in the long-running series, offering up a more refined take on the famously in-depth gameplay systems. New mechanics such as Jumbification add some interesting wrinkles to the SRPG battles, while new modes like competitive ranked online bring even more playability to a game that’ll take you hundreds of hours to see to completion.

Perhaps best of all, Disgaea 7 is very newcomer-friendly, though the very deliberate and measured approach to min-maxing isn’t for everyone. Whether you’re looking for an excellent new RPG to sink a lot of time into or you’ve been a fan of Disgaea since the PS2 days, Disgaea 7 is a worthwhile entry that we’d recommend you pick up when you can.

24. Hogwarts Legacy (Switch)

A Switch port of Avalanche Software's action RPG released on other platforms earlier in 2023, Hogwarts Legacy takes players back to the same School of Witchcraft and Wizardry attended by Harry Potter, Esq. and co. Set over 100 years before the boy who survived first arrived at the institution, it sees you taking the role of a student and getting into enchanted scrapes in a third-person adventure filled with fantastic beasts and magical goings-on of the trademark Potter variety.

23. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (Switch eShop)

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater was a landmark achievement back in 2004 and remains so almost two decades later. It represents a significant shift in gameplay style from the previous two games, which might prove overwhelming for newcomers, but ultimately makes this one of the most involving Metal Gear titles available.

The 30fps performance on Switch is certainly disappointing in principle, but the gameplay holds up regardless, making this a must-play if you're wondering what all the fuss is about.

22. Final Fantasy IV (Switch eShop)

Yet another version of Final Fantasy IV, albeit playable on Switch. The Pixel Remaster might be lacking the GBA additions and the DS's difficulty, but this is classic Final Fantasy at its finest, whatever way you play it. Cecil's journey is one of the franchise's best, making him a fantastic main character.

And even though this was the game that introduced the ATB system, it already feels perfect right out of the gate. Final Fantasy IV isn't a super long RPG, but it is an essential one — even if some elements feel a bit outdated today.

21. Vampire Survivors (Switch eShop)

Vampire Survivors skyrocketed in popularity in 2022 for good reason. It's one of the best roguelites in recent memory thanks to its gripping gameplay loop and metagame that hijacks your mind.

The Switch port only adds more to love with local co-op and updated content. It's so easy to slip into a blissful sense of flow in Vampire Survivors' Castlevania-inspired, comically named levels as its ripping soundtrack and satisfying sound design propel you into the horde that you'll surely lose track of time playing it.

It's a good thing that rounds don't usually last more than half an hour. With the addition of free Adventures and a host of DLC, including the excellent Ode to Castlevania, this undead master is teeming with life.