The 10 Best Strategy RPGs on Nintendo Switch – Tactical RPGs, SRPGs, and More: SwitchArcade Special Edition

We’ve covered many genres in our SwitchArcade Special Editions so far, but there’s one that I adore and play whenever I need to relax. The strategy RPG genre. Now before getting into the games, I want to clarify that by Strategy RPGs, I’m going to cover SRPGs, Strategy Simulation with RPG elements, and TRPGs (tactical RPGs). This means games with SRPG or TRPG elements are also going to be here. There are so many great ones on Nintendo Switch, that I’ve had a hard time limiting it to just 10. This is why, there might be a few picks where I include more than one game from a franchise or a complete franchise summary to help you find the best of the best in the genre on Switch. In no particular order, here are our picks for the best of the bunch.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses ($59.99)

After how much I enjoyed Fire Emblem Awakening back on 3DS, I was ready to try every new entry including spin-offs. I’ve since played Fire Emblem Fates multiple times over the years and adore Fire Emblem Warriors, but Fire Emblem: Three Houses feels like a once in a generation release with how much quality content was packed into the base release with lovely characters, excellent maps, brilliant music, and more. You play as a professor who selects one of three classes. Each class features characters from one of the three major countries. Fire Emblem: Three Houses has multiple storylines that show you different perspectives, tell different stories, and reveal more about the characters you will grow to love. I love the Persona games and Fire Emblem: Three Houses brought in some of the social aspects of Persona into Fire Emblem making it a much better game. This may be a negative for you, but Fire Emblem: Three Houses barring a few technical issues, is a top tier SRPG on Switch.

Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia ($49.99)

When Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia came to Switch a few years ago, I saw a lot of excitement for it. I had never heard of the Brigandine series before, but Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia is a new tactical RPG from Happinet and Matrix Software that is a sequel to a PlayStation game titled Brigandine: The Legend of Forsena. In Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia, you play as one of six nations trying to unify the land. Blending in turn-based battles and grand strategy with war simulation, Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia looks gorgeous and I wish I had played it back when it released. It feels like a very polished game with a ton of content waiting for you. The asking price for a sequel to a game you might not have heard of will likely put some people off, but there is a free demo to check out so it is worth playing that for sure.

Into the Breach ($14.99)

Into the Breach from the developers of FTL is a fantastic turn-based strategy game set in the far future where humanity faces off against monsters called the Vek. It is basically chess with mechs, and the Nintendo Switch version is dangerous because of how addicted I got to it at launch. A post-launch update also added touchscreen support which complement the HD rumble and gorgeous art well. The asking price for this one is criminally low given the quality and content offered here. If you’ve heard of FTL or enjoyed playing it, this is a no brainer. If you haven’t heard of FTL or Into the Breach and enjoy strategy games, you need to play Into the Breach.

Triangle Strategy ($59.99)

After the success of Octopath Traveler, Square Enix’s Team Asano returned with a full-fledged tactical RPG in the same aesthetic with Triangle Strategy. Triangle Strategy features many unique playable characters, awesome music, a memorable story, and some deep battles across its multiple playthroughs. It is set in the fictional continent of Norzelia after a war between three countries took place over salt and iron. There’s a lot of conflict, political intrigue, and more here, but the only aspect that might put some off is the dialogue. Not so much the quality, but the amount of it. This is a very wordy game, and if you enjoy that like I do, Triangle Strategy will be one of the best games you play this year.

Disgaea 4 Complete+ ($49.99) / Disgaea 5 Complete ($39.99)

NIS America’s Disgaea franchise made a huge splash on Nintendo Switch with Disgaea 5 Complete back in 2017. The Disgaea games are over-the-top tactical RPGs with deep customization and a ton of content. Some consider them statistical playgrounds. Disgaea 5 Complete is the best version of Disgaea 5 with how well it looks and plays on Nintendo Switch, but the publisher has brought more games since. Both Disgaea 4 and Disgaea 5 on Switch are worth playing, which is why I’ve cheated here by including two games. If you had to pick just one, go with Disgaea 5 Complete with its lower asking price, but Disgaea 4 Complete+ is also well worth getting. Just avoid Disgaea 6 on Switch if you have access to playing on PC or recent PlayStation systems where it will be a lot better.

Valkyria Chronicles and Valkyria Chronicles 4 Bundle ($39.99)

When SEGA brought its beloved tactical RPG series to Switch, Nintendo owners could also buy the first game that was remastered for Switch and on a portable for the first time. Valkyria Chronicles and Valkyria Chronicles 4 are both deep tactical RPGs with gorgeous visuals and memorable characters. I’ve played them on every platform now, but they really are excellent on Nintendo Switch. My biggest regret is not buying the artbook of the first game before it went out of print. Both Valkyria Chronicles and Valkyria Chronicles 4 are available in a discounted bundle or individually on Nintendo Switch. If you already played them before, the bundle is worth grabbing for a replay. If not, get the first game. It is cheap and you will not regret it. I just hope SEGA eventually does a new entry for all platforms including Nintendo Switch.

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle ($59.99)

Ubisoft’s two best Nintendo Switch games are Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle and Immortals Fenyx Rising. The former is what we care about in this feature with its gorgeous visuals and great strategy gameplay. The levels are challenging and it even has a nice meaty DLC available. I didn’t think it would end up being as good as it did when initially revealed, but Ubisoft delivered in spades here. It is worth getting even if you don’t care about the Rabbids franchise because the interactions between both sides here are excellent. This regularly goes cheap and it is worth keeping an eye on it if you missed it during the Switch’s first year.

SteamWorld Heist: Ultimate Edition ($19.99)

While the SteamWorld Dig games are what most people know of the series, SteamWorld Heist and SteamWorld Quest are worthy of the name with the sheer quality gameplay they provide. SteamWorld Heist: Ultimate Edition is a turn-based strategy game set in the SteamWorld universe featuring lovely characters, gorgeous visuals, and the signature SteamWorld charm. I own this on every platform and it is one of the best games in the genre to release in the last console generation. The Nintendo Switch version includes the paid DLC from the get go as well.

The Banner Saga 1,2,3 ($24.99 each)

The Banner Saga viking RPG games have been released on mobile, consoles, and PC over the years. The games are known for their engaging story, art, music, and excellent strategic battles. I know I’m cheating here again by including more than one game, but the trilogy is available at retail at least in a bundle. On the eShop The Banner Saga, The Banner Saga 2, and The Banner Saga 3 are all sold separately and they are definitely worth grabbing if you find the aesthetic and setting appealing. The games are gorgeous as well. If you enjoy the likes of XCOM and Oregon Trail, this has some bits of both blended together.

Langrisser I & II ($49.99)

Just like Brigandine, I hadn’t heard of Langrisser until this remaster/remake hybrid of the first two games released on consoles including Nintendo Switch and PC. Langrisser I & II from NIS America includes two full games with new visuals, a re-orchestrated soundtrack option, quality of life improvements, and more. The collection includes multiple endings and tons of character outcomes. If you’re looking for a more gameplay-focused SRPG experience, Langrisser I & II will deliver. It has a demo you can check out if you aren’t sure you will enjoy this as well. I played Langrisser I & II on Steam around launch and recently started playing it again on Nintendo Switch to experience it on the go.

Do you have a favorite SRPG on the Switch that you don’t see on this list? Let us know in the comments below. I love this genre and it was hard to limit this as you can tell to just 10 games. What are your favorites in the genre on Switch and what have you been playing recently?

Interested in more lists? Check out our other Nintendo Switch recommendations!