The Nintendo Switch, like all portable gaming systems, excels at certain genres. RPGs are great because they often require players to do a lot of grinding from time to time. Playing them while multitasking is an easy way to keep one’s backlog from getting too big on either side of the equation.
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Then there are roguelikes, a genre that can be demanding and punishing. Since runs can often be quick, they are great for sessions lasting from five to ten minutes to hours. Metroidvanias fall in a similar category as they often times beckon players to keep exploring without many barriers. These are just a few genres represented in the games below that work best for this ever-growing portable empire.
10 Hades By Supergiant Games
So far Hades is only available on PC and Switch but presumably, it will come to other consoles. Right now, either way, just doing that one more run mantra on Switch makes it hard to put down. This game is accessible to even beginners of roguelikes. That doesn’t mean it’s not hard, but even in death, there is always some reward to keep one going on and on.
9 Dead Cells By Motion Twin
Dead Cells is a bit more of a leap up in difficulty from Hades. Like most roguelikes, it actually takes a lot away in death. There are rewards to make one’s character stronger, so it’s not a total loss.
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The experience one gains in the real world from practice is what helps the most. It’s another one of those games that is hard to put down on Switch, as runs can go pretty quickly.
8 Diablo 3 By Blizzard Entertainment
Diablo 3 may seem like the quintessential PC gam,e as that’s where this series started. The community from Blizzard is huge, but it also has the quality of a roguelike. The reason why people like it so much is because it can be played relentlessly. One victory leads to the next and so forth. Plus it’s a great co-op game, especially when taking down a Prime Evil. Playing it on Switch then is perfect for grinding out levels be it alone or with friends.
7 Hollow Knight By Team Cherry
There is something so appealing about an indie Metroidvania like Hollow Knight. It has the essence of a Dark Souls type game as well because it’s challenging and materials can be lost in death. This will get players to actively try to be more careful. The Metroidvania aspect can be addicting because, in many ways, there are no barriers to exploration. Wanting to see what’s around the next corner is perfect for a drop-in, or drop-out session on Switch.
6 Axiom Verge By Thomas Happs Games LLC
Hollow Knight is more along the lines of the Castlevania type of Metroidvania whereas Axiom Verge borrows heavily from the Metroid side of things. That is to say, it is a platform shooter. Since the sequel is due out sometime this year there has never been a better time to try this out or to replay it and catch up. It’s another game where exploring every nook and cranny has its own set of rewards.
5 Celeste By Matt Makes Games
Celeste may look like a cute platformer and it is, but it’s also a darker tale of emotional acceptance. It’s a brutally challenging game where one wrong move can cause instant death. Thankfully, checkpoints are generous and load times make the wait not an irritating process. On Switch, it is even better to try a couple of jumps and then put it down if things get too frustrating.
4 Dragon Quest XI By Square Enix
Before last year’s port of this version of Dragon Quest XI launched on PS4 and Xbox One, this was the definitive version of the game as it says in the title. It added a lot of stuff over the original like a fully orchestrated soundtrack compared to the midi version. It also added quests and an optional viewing mode from the 3DS version that never left Japan. Even though this RPG game did get ported to those other systems, there’s nothing quite like grinding out levels on Switch passively while doing something else like catching up on a show like WandaVision.
3 Final Fantasy X By Square Enix
Final Fantasy X will turn twenty years old this July. Despite it being two decades old, it still sells relatively well as it keeps getting ports. It’s another RPG that is killer to pop out to do some leveling up, side quests, or a game of blitzball. Since it is so old most have played it so one can skip through the story in order to get to the meaty content. Whether one has played this game or has not played it yet, it’s still a worthy package deal on Switch with its sequel.
2 Disgaea 4 By Nippon Ichi Software
This version of Disgaea 4 is the second highest-reviewed entry in the series next to PSP re-release of the first game. It is the entry that rejuvenated the series and harkened back to the original. Final Fantasy X and Dragon Quest XI may be packed full of content, but there is no challenging the Disgaea series.
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Like Diablo, they can be played nearly infinitely due to the high-level count along with being able to level up items. It is a must-have for tactical RPG fans and as good a place as any to jump into the series.
1 Wargroove By Chucklefish
Since Nintendo is seemingly unwilling to make another Advance Wars entry, it is up to indie developers. Wargroove them is a worthy successor to that franchise. It is another tactical game but one that adheres more to the strategy side of things rather than the RPG side. It is a tough nut to crack and will take patience. Thankfully the Switch is the perfect place for a tactician in the making to learn the ropes at home or on the go.