Unlike some of Nintendo's recent home consoles, the Switch has become a shining beacon for vibrant and compelling RPGs of all kinds. And though some of these stand as multiplatform games and rereleases, it's tough not to be impressed with the sheer quantity of stellar RPGs as a whole.

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Moreover, Switch seems to be particularly strong when it comes to fast, action-based games of the genre. These action RPGs certainly mesh with Nintendo's arcade roots and prove a great fit for the handheld-enabled console.

Updated June 2, 2023, by Stephen LaGioia: Even after several years, Switch continues to be a great platform for some particularly epic, thrilling action RPGs. The hybrid nature of the console has proven to be a nice fit for the genre. After all, action RPGs usually lend themselves to quick bursts of pick-up-and-play sessions while dazzling on the big screen too. And given the steady stream of great Switch games in this realm still coming out — with an anticipated Zelda sequel leading the charge — we felt it was time to revisit this list.

25 Moonlighter

Moonlighter Dungeon fighting giant golem boss

While multiplatform, one would think this charming role-playing indie was crafted by Nintendo, or at least a second-party studio. It does fit the style of a typical Switch game; Zelda-esque top-down dungeon crawling, vibrant, retro visuals, and plenty of action. Though beneath the whimsical exterior lies ample depth and tough gameplay.

This stems from some unpredictable random maps — taking the form of forest, desert, and tech-themed dungeons. On top of this, the game brings light sim and roguelike features through town upgrades, crafting, and losable loot. Still, these elements just make Moonlighter all the more rewarding when securing a nice haul or triumphing in a fight.

24 Diablo 2: Resurrected

Diablo 2 Resurrected Sieging A Building With Skeletons

With this 2021 rendition of the classic dungeon crawler, Switch players get to experience the best Diablo game, and perhaps in its best form on the console. Veteran fans will be pleased to know that Resurrected retains most elements that made the 2000 game so great. This includes rewarding progression and looting, lush, creepy biomes, and impressive customization.

At the same time, Blizzard smooths out most of the rough edges — tightening the mechanics and pacing, as well as refining the visuals and lighting. The result is an action RPG experience that's charmingly familiar yet largely fresh. And with 85 hours required to fully delve into its depths, Switch-exclusive gamers may not feel too left out in the cold with regards to Diablo 4.

23 Tales of Symphonia Remastered

Tales of Symphonia Remastered tiger blade in combat

Even after two decades, Namco's Tales of Symphonia remains a fan-favorite in the series. The GameCube RPG was especially renowned for its wondrous story, neat plot twists, and likable heroes. The remastered version of course retains these strong traits, including the thrilling real-time combat and delightful presentation.

But the remaster also minimizes most dated vibes with various quality-of-life refinements, crisper visuals, and smoother controls. And despite some memorable dialogue, there's much to be had here — making the ability to skip cutscenes a welcome addition. While little is added in terms of extra content, the near-50 hours of engrossing gameplay makes this unnecessary.

22 Fire Emblem Warriors

Fire Emblem Warriors_Three Hopes_Ingrid_Luin

Fire Emblem has been a staple Nintendo franchise for some time, though far more in Japan. It hasn't quite taken off as much in the West, likely on account of the complex, slower pacing, and turn-based tactical elements. Warriors seeks to draw a wider appeal — taking from the rewarding, deep gameplay and rounding it out with hack-and-slash action.

The game isn't a full-on button-mashing Dynasty Warriors clone, though. The 2017 romp sprinkles in some strategy, by way of team fights and coordinated attacks plotted in advance through map screens. The game also includes the rock-paper-scissors style of combat, forcing players to attack and respond according to enemy behaviors.

21 Xenoblade Chronicles 3

xenoblade chronicles 3 unique enemy

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is largely an amalgamation of elements fans love about this franchise — a compelling story, vibrant vistas, and thrilling combat that doesn't get old. Though not quite Xenoblade 1 level, fans regard this sequel for its emotional, humanistic plot, with a political backdrop of war and strife.

It's separate and strong enough to stand alone while being well-immersed in the rich, established lore of past games. The Aionios locales are as large and gorgeous as ever, quests are more diverse, and combat is even more thrilling and dynamic. It's an interwoven medley of action and tactics, as players utilize different Arts, team combos, and swappable party members that number up to seven.

20 The Legend of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

Tears of the Kingdom Rabella Wetlands Tower

Being the rich and distinct open-world adventure it was, Breath of the Wild seemed like a tough one to top for many. Yet, in many areas, this lavish sequel answers the challenge of its iconic predecessor. Added to its lovely foundation of organic physics, deep exploration, and fun combat are deeper, darker themes and new inclusions.

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This is largely manifest by a shadowy new material fittingly called Gloom. The potent hero Link is laced with new powers, including the amusing ability to pop through the other side of roofs. The already expansive vistas are overhauled too, as Nintendo incorporates the new Sky Islands and eerie Depths.

19 Bastion

Bastion gameplay

Thanks to its isometric viewpoint and gorgeous hand-painted art style, Bastion still looks great when compared to modern titles. That's pretty impressive, considering the game stands over a decade old. The gameplay also holds up well, as does the game's wonderful narrative.

Everything about the game feels like it was made with fun in mind, from its bright color palette to its storybook presentation — complete with narration. The Kid could perhaps have done with a bit more character development and the pacing isn't always as smooth as it could be, but these are just minor niggles with an otherwise brilliant game.

18 Hyper Light Drifter

Hyper Light Drifter gameplay

This charming 2D action RPG might not look like much at first glance, but hidden beneath the stunning sprite-work can be found a wonderful adventure that shouldn't be missed. It features some truly fantastic environments; and looks and sounds amazing throughout.

Hyper Light Drifter first came about thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign which saw it raise more than 20 times its original goal. Unlike some other big Kickstarters, however, the team behind the project actually followed through with a great game. The special edition Switch port is probably the best way to experience it too thanks to the inclusion of some additional content and the ability to play on the go.

17 Legend Of Mana

Talking to an NPC in Legend Of Mana

Both visually and thematically, this role-playing game feels like a fantasy storybook come to life. Overlooked as a PlayStation release, this Square action RPG has seen new life on the Switch as a remaster. Despite a vastly different aesthetic, Legend of Mana keeps the same gameplay style and aura of older Mana games.

It boasts satisfying real-time battles, a slew of colorful worlds and baddies, and neat multiplayer options. On top of gorgeous illustrated graphics, the game also stands out for its unique 'Land Make' system. This function brings a somewhat non-linear structure to overworld navigation and has players plop Artifacts on bare plots to fill out a map. These, in turn, summon biomes that can be traversed.

16 The Outer Worlds

Firing electricity at mech with trees and rock formation in The Outer Worlds

Switch gamers may still be waiting for a mainline Fallout on their console, but in the meantime, they can opt to play this action RPG shooter from Obsidian. The experience can best be described as Bethesda's post-apocalyptic romp fused with the sleeker sci-fi of Mass Effect.

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Players will be drawn from the get-go in this interstellar odyssey hundreds of years in the future. The Outer Worlds entices gunners and adventurers alike, with an array of fun firearms, special attacks, and various skills. These variables and dynamic progression allow one to mold 'The Stranger' into their liking, as they set out amongst the megacorp planetary colonies, staving off human and alien foes alike.

15 Minecraft Dungeons

minecraft dungeons armored character wielding sword approaching throne and wizard

Minecraft Dungeons tends to get unfairly measured against the older, richer sibling from which it's based. However, that would be doing this charming dungeon crawler a disservice. There is much arcade-style action and fun to be had here, which diehard Minecraft fans and newcomers alike can enjoy. In a departure from the mainline game, players will plunder various blocky biomes while playing from an isometric perspective and gather bounties of pre-crafted loot.

The gameplay involves hacking, shooting, and casting one's way through hordes of recognizable Minecraft foes. These dungeon runs lead to intense end boss fights and various upgrades that allow one's blocky warrior to grow in strength and versatility. Thrilling co-op gameplay — and ample DLC add-ons — have kept the game's momentum going since its 2020 release.

14 Hades

Hades Death Defiance using in battle against fiery beast

Seemingly manifesting out of nowhere, Hades has fast become one of the most notable indie games in recent years. In the same way Diablo's themes stress the dark and demonic, this game thrives with inspired Greek mythology.

Using this rich symbolism and lore as a backdrop, Supergiant Games draws players with flashy, satisfying combat and a deep, rewarding progression system. Hades draws from the intense, appealing traits of roguelikes and spruces them up with unique mechanics and concepts. Fighting one's way out of the depths of hell has never been so gratifying.

13 Crypt Of The NecroDancer

Crypt Of The NecroDancer

Crypt of the NecroDancer is a highly unique game that borrows elements from a number of different genres. On the one hand, it's a roguelike dungeon crawler, but its incorporation of action, RPG, and rhythm-based mechanics makes it a sort of a jack of all trades. Whatever one wants to call it, it's a lot of fun!

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Although not quite as enjoyable, fans of Nintendo and the Zelda franchise in its infancy may instead prefer Cadence of Hyrule. It uses a lot of the same ideas and gameplay mechanics as the aforementioned title while adding in characters, locations, and items from the Zelda universe.

12 The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

Link paragliding with a landscape of Hyrule in the background

Zelda games have had light RPG elements since Link's first outing, but none more so than The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It's the most ambitious Zelda game ever made and features a ridiculous amount of content for players to explore and complete.

Much like Windwaker before it, the game's art style proved a bit divisive among some old-school fans when first unveiled, but that doesn't seem to have stopped players from making this a Switch mega-hit. It's now sold nearly 30 million copies, making it the best-selling Zelda game by some margin. Though its distinctly awesome sequel may give it a run for its Rupees.

11 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher 3 Geralt slaying insect in desert

That CD Projekt Red was somehow able to get The Witcher 3 running on the Nintendo Switch is an impressive accomplishment. It does beg the question though, if they can do this, then how did they fail in their attempts to get Cyberpunk 2077 running on the PS4 and Xbox One?

Gamers may never get a proper answer to that question, but it's somewhat irrelevant here. What we do know is that The Witcher 3 is one of the most comprehensive action RPGs ever made and a must-play for fans of the genre. With a compelling story, near-endless side activities, and a fully fleshed-out romance system, it really is a masterpiece of a game.

10 Trials of Mana

Trials of Mana Axe Goblin in battle

To the surprise of fans of this long-dormant series, Square Enix announced a remake of the Japanese-only Secret of Mana sequel at E3 '19. While it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of, say, the Final Fantasy 7 revamp, the mechanics and visuals are a step above the sprite-based '95 game.

This majestic world could now be experienced in the third dimension, complete with charming and vibrant visuals that exude a more modern JRPG style. The gameplay is equally refined and enjoyable, with thrilling real-time battles, tons of rewarding spells, and a nuanced class system to tinker with.

9 Dark Souls: Remastered

dark souls remastered pvp fight dark glowing foe

FromSoftware helped spearhead an entirely new subgenre with the grueling "Soulslike." These games raise the stakes and add to the intensity by putting the player's life on the line each fight, drawing from the roguelike mechanic of limited saves. With this polished remaster, Nintendo gamers finally get to experience one of the most intense, dynamic action RPGs of late.

It should be noted that the Switch version of Dark Souls fails to hit the native 60 FPS benchmark like its multiplatform peers. Still, the ability to explore the vast dungeons and slay countless beasts on the go makes this an appealing game for RPG fans of a grittier, old-school bent.

8 Cat Quest 2

Cat Quest II Co Op combat gameplay in Mew fields

One doesn't often think of indies when it comes to rich, captivating RPGs. Yet, studio Gentlebros and PQube have quietly crafted one of Switch's best — and most adorable — action RPGs with Cat Quest. The series boasts tons of arcade-style action, as players control a cat hero hacking, slashing, and spell-casting their way through baddies.

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While the original distilled things down to a simpler Zelda-like adventure, this cat-tastic sequel fleshes out the gameplay and brings more expansive, diverse environments. Not only this but Cat Quest 2 introduces co-op, yielding even more action-packed fun and insanity into the fray.

7 Ys 8: Lacrimosa Of Dana

Ys VIII Lacrimosa Of DANA Sea Creatures by pond

The Ys series may not be as known to Western RPG fans compared to, say, The Elder Scrolls or Final Fantasy. Yet, many who have unearthed this hidden gem have found its visuals, gameplay, and overall quality to reach a level near the likes of Xenoblade and the Tales series.

Newcomers may be intimidated by the fact that this is the eighth mainline game in a long-running series. Yet, Ys 8 is regarded as a great introduction to this respected franchise. This is thanks to a palatable, stand-alone story centered on a deserted island; not to mention some fun, accessible action-based combat.

6 Final Fantasy 12 The Zodiac Age

Battle in Final Fantasy XIIFinal Fantasy XII Zodiac Age Battle Monsters

This converted PS2 game gets overshadowed by bigger names in Final Fantasy like 7 and 10 which reside in the same era. But despite its "black sheep" status, this remaster of the '06 RPG proves one of the more interesting entries in the FF series. It's worth a look for those who fancy more grounded, nuanced political plots — and the intense, fast-paced combat doesn't hurt either.

With the game's more open-world sensibilities and real-time combat in 3D, FF12 feels more akin to an MMO than a typical Final Fantasy. But for many, this is part of its charm; as are the notable enhancements and polish of this HD remaster.