Those with no interest in the Japanese idol industry may be alienated by how deeply Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE: Encore digs into it (I'm sure I missed a lot of jokes), but I can't imagine there are Nintendo gamers out there who aren't interested in Japanese entertainment. Don't seek this one out specifically as a Fire Emblem game, but fans of Persona, Shin Megami Tensei, or JRPGs in general should love it.
I have yet to play a game that needed a Definitive Edition as much as Xenoblade Chronicles, and it fully delivers. It's a game no JRPG fan should miss, and a version that no JRPG fan should bypass for a second or third play-through.
Horace is a pitch-perfect puzzle platformer that expertly balances addictive gameplay with its moving tale of a robot trying to discover himself in a world that makes no sense. It knows why we love video games, and it confirms we're right to do so.
Don't look at Chained Echoes as a throwback to the 16-bit JRPGs of yesteryear, just look at it as an amazing game with an engaging battle system and wonderfully paced story. You can also look at it as one of the best Nintendo Switch games of 2022.
Fire Emblem: Engage will be welcomed by longtime fans who've felt disenfranchised by the direction of recent Fire Emblem games. The battlefields are clever and challenging, the visuals are outstanding, and the social stuff-although mostly unnecessary-isn't so invasive as to bog down gameplay. The story may be perfunctory, but it's hard to care when you're having so much fun unleashing Twin Strike on your enemies.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed is an absolutely essential component of the Xenoblade Chronicles trilogy. Combat and exploration are tightly refined to keep things moving along, so there's never a dull moment unless you choose to take a breather. The story relies heavily on nostalgia for its emotional moments, but fans will be pleased that some of the loose ends are finally tied together, albeit with knots they likely didn't expect.
Pikmin may be a somewhat overlooked Nintendo franchise, but it's also consistently one of their best. Pikmin 4 is arguably the best game in the series, making it a perfect place for newcomers to start. And if you've played the previous games, it's a fantastic reward for your patience between releases.
Unicorn Overlord is one of the best tactical strategy RPGs to have been released for the Nintendo Switch. Maybe one of the best games, period. No matter which series first made you a fan of the genre, Unicorn Overlord will help you discover that thrill all over again.
Valkyria Chronicles 4 is a game squarely aimed at the Fire Emblem crowd, but any fan of tactical, turn-based combat, military strategy and…honestly…YA romance should at least download the free demo and give it a try.
I said earlier that not everyone will want to play Gris. That's fair. But if you do, and if you're able to connect with its themes, I think you'll find it's a game well worth experiencing. Even if you don't connect with it emotionally, the creative and gorgeous visuals combined with the haunting music should be more than enough to carry you through. I'd suggest playing it in docked mode to fully take in the artwork, but the music and audio effects are better experienced with headphones. Either way, give Gris a try. You'll be happy you were with her.
Get Mechstermation Force, get a partner if you can, and get ready to save the world. You're going to frequently die trying, but the process will be a blast.
However you decide to play Agent A: A Puzzle in Disguise, do it. The game is clever, it's funny, it's well-designed, and it's involving. It's a great game to share with others, but it's fun to play on your own, too.
If you haven't made room in your crowded wish list for DRAGON QUEST XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age, do so now. You don't need to take my word that it's one of most enjoyable Switch releases of the year, you can hit up the eShop for the demo and let the game's first 10 hours speak for themselves.
Banner of the Maid is a highly unique entry in the shoulder-to-shoulder "thin red line" of turn-based JRPGs available for Nintendo Switch. Its alternate take on the French Revolution provides a wonderful backdrop for some of the best strategic gameplay I've experienced since Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn. Vive la France!
Talk of double-dipping aside, Pikmin 3: Deluxe is one of the best games available for the Nintendo Switch. Local co-op play in story mode, however, is the only addition that helps it stand out from the original Wii U version. If you're not playing with a partner, view this only as an expensive stopgap as we await the ever-elusive Pikmin 4.
The new version of Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water comes with improved graphics and some new content, but it would be a game worth playing even without them. Although it's occasionally more frustrating than scary, the clever gameplay and its dedication to tone and story make it one of the best survival horror games available for the Switch.
The massive world and intricate real-time battle system of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 may seem daunting even by JRPG standards, but both are easy to get into. It's not my favorite Xenoblade Chronicles game, but I can say with certainty I enjoyed nearly every battle, plot twist, and Nopon I encountered in the 140+ hours I've put into it (so far).
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza & the Lost Demon is a charming action/puzzle game. Hardcore Bayonetta fans may not have much interest in seeing their heroine during her formative early years, but their loss is the gain of anyone seeking a wonderfully presented and consistently clever adventure.
Might & Magic – Clash of Heroes: Definitive Edition's nearly perfect combination of puzzle and RPG elements make for engrossing gameplay that's only occasionally hampered by frustration with the components that involve random luck. Whether this is your first playthrough or a double (or even triple) dip, it's not to be missed.
Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is a turn-based, roguelike adventure that will help skeptics understand the appeal of such games. Frustration is part of the fun. And although the gameplay can feel unfair, every attempt to beat it is a joyful run.