10 Best JRPGs of 2026 (Ranked by Metacritic)

If you like JRPGs, then you'll find that 2026 has been a solid year for the genre. This is especially true if you own a Nintendo Switch 2 and like re-released games, as many titles from the world of JRPGs and other genres have made Switch 2-specific versions of their games available.

However, the Switch 2 getting a bunch of JRPGs made for it and released this year has definitely skewed the rankings on Metacritic. Therefore, a fair chunk of the top JRPGs of the year on Metacritic aren’t exactly new games, but games that were re-released for the Switch 2.

10 Dragon Quest VII Reimagined

83 Metascore

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined JRPG Adventure Released February 5, 2026 ESRB Everyone 10+ / Comic Mischief, Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol Developer(s) Square Enix, HexaDrive Publisher(s) Square Enix Franchise Dragon Quest Number of Players Single-player Steam Deck Compatibility Playable Platform(s) PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC Genre(s) JRPG, Adventure X|S Optimized Yes OpenCritic Rating Strong

This Dragon Quest 7 remake is much more beginner-friendly than the original. It also tries to condense a game that can take over 100 hours into a less intimidating runtime, which can be great when you have to work, attend school, or both. Despite that, it keeps the core charm that makes DQ a beloved series.

With Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined, the biggest drawback is the same as the original game. It has a slow pace that makes the first hours feel sluggish before it starts picking up. If you didn't like that in the original, you're probably not going to like it here. Otherwise, it's still a solid, fun game.

9 Ys X: Proud Nordics

83 Metascore

Ys X: Proud Nordics RPG JRPG Action Released February 20, 2026 ESRB Teen / Blood, Language, Violence Developer(s) Nihon Falcom Publisher(s) Clouded Leopard Entertainment, NIS America Franchise Ys Number of Players Single-player Steam Deck Compatibility Verified Platform(s) PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, PC Genre(s) RPG, JRPG, Action

Ys X: Proud Nordics is an updated version of Ys X: Nordics that's available for the Switch 2 and on PC. In general, it hasn't made big changes from the original game as far as the actual content goes, such as the story, characters, and all that. It just refines and adds to what the original offered.

You get quality-of-life improvements that make the general gameplay experience better, such as polishing the mechanics. You also have additional locations and bosses that weren't in the original game. The biggest drawback is that players feel like the game has too much bloat, mostly when it comes to dialogue.

8 The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon

84 Metascore

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon RPG JRPG Action Adventure Action RPG Released January 15, 2026 ESRB Teen / Fantasy Violence, Sexual Themes, Language, Simulated Gambling Developer(s) Nihon Falcom, PH3 GmbH Publisher(s) NIS America Prequel(s) The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak, The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II Franchise The Legend of Heroes, Trails Number of Players Single-player Steam Deck Compatibility Unknown Platform(s) PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC Genre(s) RPG, JRPG, Action, Adventure, Action RPG How Long To Beat 58 hours OpenCritic Rating Strong

This is part of the same overarching series that Trails in the Sky is in, but you don't need to play any of the other games before jumping into it, as it's a standalone title. However, it might help to play the first two games in the Calvard arc of the Trails series for the sake of context.

While the game is generally considered solid, there are some complaints that it takes too long to really get into the plot. There seems to be an overall feeling among players that the game is too padded with unnecessary content and features that the belief is it'd be better with those parts trimmed down to let the actual important parts and mechanics shine.

7 Final Fantasy Resonance

86 Metascore

Final Fantasy Resonance RPG JRPG Released October 22, 2026 ESRB Everyone 10+ / Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, Language, Suggestive Themes Developer(s) Square Enix, Lancarse Publisher(s) Square Enix Franchise Final Fantasy Number of Players Single-player Steam Deck Compatibility Unknown Platform(s) PC, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S Genre(s) RPG, JRPG X|S Optimized Yes File Size Xbox Series 14 GB

Final Fantasy Resonance feels like a love letter to the franchise and its players. It sparked a lot of anticipation, and then it delivered on that excitement with a game full of nostalgia, yet still accessible to players who may not be into the franchise normally.

I felt like this was a variation of Dissidia with the way you have characters from various games coming together in a single experience. However, the overall vibe of Resonance is closer to classic Final Fantasy experiences, and sometimes you just can't be the classics.

6 Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

86 Metascore

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Action RPG Released February 19, 2026 ESRB Teen / Animated Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence, In-Game Purchases Developer(s) Monolith Soft Publisher(s) Nintendo Multiplayer Online Co-Op Franchise Xenoblade Chronicles Number of Players 1-32 players (online) Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date February 19, 2026 Platform(s) Nintendo Switch 2 Genre(s) Action, RPG

A re-release of Xenoblade Chronicles 2, the game hasn't been changed. It's just been made compatible with the Switch 2, but because this version was released in 2026 and still has a solid Metascore, it gets a spot in the ranking.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 has a beautiful world in which you're searching for a fabled paradise and a soundtrack that you'll want to listen to even outside the game. The biggest drawback is that the tutorial, and therefore opening hours, are tough to get through as you learn the mechanics.

5 Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection

86 Metascore

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection RPG Creature Collector Exploration Adventure Released March 13, 2026 ESRB Teen / Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, In-Game Purchases Developer(s) Capcom Publisher(s) Capcom Prequel(s) Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, Monster Hunter Stories Franchise Monster Hunter Number of Players Single-player Steam Deck Compatibility Unknown Platform(s) PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC Genre(s) RPG, Creature Collector, Exploration, Adventure X|S Optimized Yes OpenCritic Rating Mighty

Perhaps not like the Monster Hunter games you're used to, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection turns the world of Monster Hunter into a JRPG that's made improvements on elements that past games didn't quite hit. The result is a game set in a gorgeous world that's considered a must-try title.

You can restore habitats and feel like you're making a difference in the game’s world, and the narrative feels more serious compared to past games in a good way. The biggest bummer is that there's no multiplayer this time, so it's just you and the NPCs, which isn't the worst and tends to be the more common setup for JRPGs.

4 Kingdom Hearts Collection 1-3 on Switch 2

89 Metascore

KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I～III] Action Adventure RPG JRPG Released October 8, 2026 ESRB Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol Developer(s) Square Enix Publisher(s) Square Enix Franchise Kingdom Hearts Number of Players Single-player Xbox Series X|S Release Date October 8, 2026 PS5 Release Date October 8, 2026 Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date October 8, 2026 Platform(s) Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S Genre(s) Action, Adventure, RPG, JRPG X|S Optimized Yes File Size Xbox Series 118.53 GB

This is another entry that's not exactly new considering how long the games in the Kingdom Hearts collection have been out, but we finally have Kingdom Hearts 4 on the horizon. It's been a long wait though and the storyline tends to come with confusion.

So, this collection is perfect for refreshing your memory before KH4 if you've played the series before. With such a high Metascore, the Switch 2 version does justice to the original telling of Sora’s story, and getting all three games in one collection means you have everything you need to get into the series before the next release.

3 Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave

89 Metascore

Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave RPG Tactical Released September 17, 2026 ESRB Teen / Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, In-Game Purchases Developer(s) Intelligent Systems Publisher(s) Nintendo Franchise Fire Emblem Number of Players Single-player Platform(s) Nintendo Switch 2 Genre(s) RPG, Tactical OpenCritic Rating Mighty

Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave is the latest entry in this massive series. Opinions vary quite a bit about this game, but it overall has a solid Metascore and was generally enjoyed by players. I find this tends to be the case for a lot of FE games where some parts are enjoyable, but one or two drawbacks keep them from being better.

With Fortune’s Weave, players enjoyed the world and NPCs the most. I love that it includes social simulator elements that basically encourage you to slow down and take your time to learn about and interact with the world around you between big moments.

2 Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade on Switch 2

89 Metascore

Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade JRPG Released June 10, 2021 ESRB T For Teen Due To Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence Developer(s) Square Enix Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine Unreal Engine 4 Franchise Final Fantasy Platform(s) PC, PS5 Genre(s) JRPG How Long To Beat 33 Hours Metascore 89 PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium OpenCritic Rating Mighty

Having the first game of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy as a top JRPG of 2026 is actually fitting for this year. Since the final part of the trilogy has revealed its title and isn't far away, it's a great time to pick up the game and play it if you haven't already.

In addition to Cloud's normal journey from the regular version of FF7R, the Intergrade version includes a DLC that gives you some extra story lore. I feel that it helps the events in Rebirth make more sense, and I won't argue with having more content in a game I enjoy.

1 Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter

90 Metascore

Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter JRPG Adventure Released September 17, 2026 ESRB Teen Developer(s) Nihon Falcom Publisher(s) Nihon Falcom, GungHo Online Entertainment, Clouded Leopard Entertainment Prequel(s) Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Franchise Trails Number of Players Single-player Steam Deck Compatibility Unknown Platform(s) PC, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 Genre(s) JRPG, Adventure

The second game in Trails in the Sky and specifically the remake version, Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter comes out on top for the best JRPGs of 2026 (so far). This series and the larger The Legend of Heroes series are both classic parts of the genre.

Picking up after the first game, Estelle goes searching for her adopted brother, Joshua, now that she's a senior Bracer and dealt with the threat lurking from the first game. Naturally, looking for Joshua means that there's a new threat you face.

Metacritic takes a bunch of reviews into account to give games an average score. It's not a perfect system, but it can be a good starting point if you're looking for games based on opinions to try out, whether it's bad scores or good scores you're searching for. For these JRPGs, we see that 2026 was a solid year for remakes and re-releases.