If you're looking for a guide to all the best JRPGs on portable platforms, you're in the right place. We've put together this list on the back of spending countless hours in fantasy worlds, engaging with grand narratives, and duking it out in turn-based battles. All you need to do is decide which is the right one for you and get ready for an epic quest.
We believe that playing JRPGs on handheld consoles is the best way to play, as you can grind levels anywhere, anytime; however, a lot of these are on PC and console as well, so you don't need to worry if you want to play them on a larger-than-life screen, too.
Here are the best JRPGs in no particular order:
1. Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy 7 is my favorite JRPG of all time. With an enthralling, twisty story, an unforgettable villain, and an endearing ragtag cast of controllable characters, I'd recommend this game to any fan of JRPGs.
I gave the original game a perfect 10/10 in my Final Fantasy 7 review, stating that the game "shaped the JRPG landscape into what it is today, has an incredible, unforgettable story and characters, and I continue to listen to the soundtrack regularly." If that's not glowing enough for you, I recommend reading the full piece.
I suggest playing the original game first on Nintendo Switch before heading into the Remake, but to be honest, it doesn't matter too much which you choose first. It's worth noting, though, that as the remake trilogy isn't complete yet, the original is a good way to get a grasp of the full picture while you wait. If this doesn't quite seem like your thing, we have a list of the best Final Fantasy games to peruse.
Check prices for Final Fantasy 7: Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
Check prices for Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
2. Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age
Nintendo Switch fans had a while to wait for this one, but it certainly was worth it. With all the perks of a Dragon Quest game dialed to 11, Echoes of an Elusive Age has it all: engaging characters, challenging battles, a combat system that allows some creative freedom, and a world filled with vivid color and life.
It's also something of an epic, with over fifty hours of content to throw yourself into, providing you can deal with the battle theme never changing for much of that time. PS, stay for the post-game, it's absolutely worth it.
We mentioned the game is on Nintendo Switch above; however, despite its 'playable' status on Steam, we think Dragon Quest XI plays wonderfully on Steam Deck and Windows handhelds, so pick it up on whichever platform you like most. Our list of the best handheld consoles can help you find a suitable way to play.
Check prices: Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
3. Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom
In terms of sheer beauty, Ni No Kuni 2 is in a league of its own among JRPGs, with the colorful Ghibli-inspired world shining from corner to corner. Better still, the combat system isn't bad either, with reinvented mechanics from the first game allowing you a little more control in battle with a few added nuances.
Revenant Kingdom isn't just a JRPG, though; it's also something of a town-builder, leaving with the task of finding a new kingdom for the usurped boy who would be king. It's not an easy job, but someone needs to do it.
Despite loving Ni No Kuni 2, we recommend playing the game on Steam Deck or a Windows handheld over Nintendo Switch, as it performs much better, and means you don't have to put up with slightly wobbly framerates. There's a bit of overlap between the best JRPGs and the best RPGs, so make sure you check out both of our lists for more inspiration.
Check prices: Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
4. Final Fantasy IX
It's an oldie, but by gosh, is it a goodie. Thanks to Square porting a good portion of its Final Fantasy library to Nintendo Switch, there are plenty of options to choose from the iconic series, but for me, it has to be the ninth game, with its famous return to fantasy from the realms of science fiction.
Despite charming characters like Vivi, Quina, and plenty more, Final Fantasy 9 is one of the more existential experiences from the long-running series, with plenty of emotional depth in the ambitious narrative, but don't worry, there are a few comedic moments thrown in as well.
Not only that, but the battle mechanics are a little easier to get to grips with than previous series instalments, and still feel complex enough to offer a challenge by the late game. While it looks like we might not be getting the Final Fantasy 9 remake we were hoping for in 2026, the original still holds up incredibly well, no matter what platform you choose to play on.
Check prices: Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
5. Persona 5 Royal
Heralded as possibly one of the best JRPGs of all time, let alone just on the Nintendo Switch, Persona 5 is a masterclass in narrative, battle systems, character design, and, well, just about everything it does.
So, it should be of little surprise that our Persona 5 Royal review scored the game as a 9/10, praising the visuals, story writing, and smart additions to the battle mechanics. Despite both Persona 3 and 4 now being on Nintendo Switch, it's worth jumping right into the fifth series entry to experience the ultimate Persona experience.
As we head into Persona's 30th anniversary this year, we hope to see a reveal for the sixth entry in the series; however, until that day comes, Persona 5 will undoubtedly fill in over 100+ hours of your life.
Check prices: Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
6. Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger is a classic and is very deserving of its spot on our list. While it might feel a little basic by today's JRPG standards, this one has it all: an incredible narrative, tight battle mechanics, and characters you learn to care about.
Still, for me, the highlight of Chrono Trigger is the beautiful pixelated visuals. It's just the sort of world you want to keep coming back to, as many JRPG lovers do, and it is sure to go down in history as one of the best and biggest influences on the genre.
Playing this one is like doing your gaming history homework, except it's actually fun. We're hopeful for a Chrono Trigger Nintendo Switch port at some point, but some might say that's wishful thinking.
Check prices: iOS, Android, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
7. Octopath Traveler II
The ensemble casts of JRPGs and their intertwining stories are often much like a Hollywood epic, with the core narrative bumping you from character to character at random points. Nowhere is this more true than with Octopath Traveler II, with eight characters combining to tell one overarching story that we think is as close to a perfect Game of Thrones title as we will ever get.
In our 9/10 Octopath Traveler II review, we praise the game for its "nearly 100 hours of turn-based battles and deep, intricate stories" before going on to highlight the "dynamic visuals, addictive combat, and deep and intertwining story that features all eight of your characters."
This title is the perfect example of how glorious a 2D-HD title can look, with every pixel popping off the screen. Better still, there's now a prequel, with an even grander fantasy narrative and more engaging characters. If you like epic storytelling and classic RPG battles, look no further. Read our Octopath Traveler 0 review for our thoughts on that entry.
Check prices: Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, Windows handhelds
8. Xenoblade Chronicles 3
The Nintendo Switch era has been a good time for the Xenoblade Chronicles series, with the games truly coming into their own with a larger audience thanks to the success of the console. If you hadn't heard of Xenoblade seven years ago, you probably have now, and it's time to catch up with one of the best role-playing sagas of the last decade or so.
We gave the game an unbeatable 10/10 in our Xenoblade Chronicles 3 review, confidently saying, "it's the perfect videogame," which is probably the highest praise we could give it. If you're a JRPG fan and haven't tried this title out yet, what are you waiting for?
The massive third installment in the series is brimming with huge mech battles, staggering storytelling across a titan-of-a-game world, and plenty more action-packed battles. However, we also recommend you give XCX a try, too. Read our full 9/10 Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition review to see why.
Check prices: Nintendo Switch
9. Shin Megami Tensei V
For years, there were concerns that the Shin Megami Tensei series was dead and buried, and then the fifth title in the series arrived seemingly out of nowhere, blowing away fans of the franchise in the process.
Shin Megami Tensei V splits your time between Tokyo and the Netherworld, with a whole host of new and returning demons ready to team up and fight alongside you. Our Shin Megami Tensei V review gave the game a 9/10, describing it as "a sinister, magnificent, and deeply satisfying new contender for the best JRPG on Switch."
The fresh gimmick in the fifth game is that you can fuse demons, with some powerful and potent possibilities among the roster of hideous ghouls. It's one of the best Switch games, so it's well worth being the next thing you play.
Check prices: Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
10. Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Pokémon Legends: Arceus offers something different to the main Pokémon series norm, and is a real breath of fresh air for the series, with a wide world of classic and reimagined monsters waiting for you to catch them in one of your old-school Pokéballs.
It's one of the best-looking Pokémon games, and in our Pokémon Legends: Arceus review, we say "not only does it offer a huge world full of gorgeous landscapes and great creatures, but it also features a fantastic origin story for Sinnoh."
There might not be as many battles as the main series, but the few you do take part in are plenty challenging, and it's just never been as much fun to go around catching and training Pokémon. If you're curious about when this game takes place, we have a guide on all Pokémon games in order to help you decipher the timeline.
Check prices: Nintendo Switch
11. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Okay, so Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door isn't your classic JRPG, but it technically counts, so it's on the list. There's a reason that fans spent years clamoring for a Nintendo Switch remake of this game. It's iconic, from its unique battle mechanics to the hilarious dialogue that underpins your adventure.
From platforming to battling to some interesting boss showdowns, there's more than enough to keep you engaged. We gave the game a 9/10 in our Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door review, in which we claim the game is "a lovingly crafted remake that brings all the fun of the original while including some helpful quality-of-life updates that do away with tedious traveling."
Whether you're new to the Paper Mario series or you've played some of the newer games, it's well worth returning to this second outing to see why it holds such high regard with RPG fans. It's undeniably one of the best Mario games, so when you've finished slaying demons in SMT, why not give this a try for a change of pace?
Check prices: Nintendo Switch
12. Digimon Story Time Stranger
If you're looking for something with hours of content, countless characters, and a bunch of engaging battles, look no further than Digimon Story: Time Stranger. The newest entry in the Story series has it all and is a great pick for Digimon superfans, those with a passing knowledge of the series, and everyone in between.
The game scored a 9/10 in my Digimon Story: Time Stranger review, where I praised the game for having "a true-to-life Tokyo and a vibrant, color-saturated Digital World full of life to explore" before urging readers, "I need you to go and play Digimon Story: Time Stranger right now. The game has a free demo that you can try out, so there's nothing to lose."
Unsurprisingly, one of the best things about this game is that it has over 400 Digimon to catch and collect, including iconic monsters such as Greymon and Garurumon. I grew up in the early 2000s, so it also offers that nostalgia kick in the same way that my favorite Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh! games do. It's part of our list of the best Digimon games, but we highly recommend checking out that list if you're after more digital monster goodness.
Check prices: Steam Deck
Upcoming JRPGs
We're also on the lookout for new Switch games and new mobile games, some of which have the potential to be great JRPGs. Some specific titles we're very eager for include a brand new IP from Square Enix called The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales and an intriguing detective game called Decapolice.
Those are our top picks for the best JRPGs on handhelds. We believe our list is pretty comprehensive, but if we've missed your favorite, go ahead and join our community Discord and let us know. If you're not too bothered about genre, we've also got lists of the best Steam Deck games and the best mobile games overall.