TheNintendo Switchis home to some fantastic modern RPGs likeXenoblade Chronicles 2and 3,Fire Emblem Engage, andDRAGON QUEST XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition. But theSwitchis also home to some fantastic remakes/remasters of classic RPGs from the past.
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The Switch gives many players who are new to RPGs a chance to experience some of the classics with modern-day enhancements like audio/visual improvements, the inclusion of previously region-restricted content, and quality-of-life improvements. The portable nature of theSwitch makes it perfect for playing classic RPGs since the player can drop in and out of the experience at any time by simply putting the Switch in sleep mode.
10Tales Of Symphonia Remastered
Tales of Symphonia Remasteredbring the classicGameCubeAction RPG toSwitchwith updated HD visuals and gameplay improvements. The game’s inclusion onSwitchallows players to experience this critically acclaimed title at home or on the go.
The game features 4 player local co-op, as well as the added content from the Japanese exclusivePlaystation 2release. This remaster is perfect for fans of theTales ofseries who want to replaySymphoniaon modern hardware or new players who want to get into theTales ofseries but don’t know where to start.
9Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition
Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Editionis a remaster of thePlayStation 1original by the same name. The remaster upgrades all of the 3D models in the game to HD. It also features new illustrations and other features not found in the original release, like an auto-battle feature and the ability to turn random encounters off.
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This version of the game also includes the 1996 standalone game;Radical Dreamers - Le Trésor Interdit. TheRadical Dreamers' story was inaccessible to western audiences up until now. The story can be experienced through the included audio novel.
8Dark Souls: Remastered
Dark Souls: Remasteredupdates the genre-defining classic that isDark Soulswith updated visuals and a few quality-of-life improvements. This remaster retainsall of the challengeof the original game’s level design, and a small number of item location changes.
This remaster also adds a new bonfire byBlacksmith Vamosas well as adding the ability to swap Covenants at any bonfire once obtained. This remaster gives players new to theDark Soulsseries a great way to experience its origins. It’s also a great choice for existing fans that want to take theDark Soulsexperience on the go.
7The World Ends With You: Final Remix
The World Ends with You: Final Remixis a remaster ofThe World Ends with Youwhich was originally released on theNintendo DS. This remaster allows players to experience the dark story of The World Ends with You and all of its unique characters in HD.
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This version of The World Ends with You is considered the definitive version of the game thanks to itsrevamped combat systemthat makes the game more accessible, the inclusion of remixed music, and an extra chapter that adds even more to this fantastic story.
6Pokemon Brilliant Diamond And Shining Pearl
These remakes bring the 4th generation ofPokemongames into beautiful HD. Character models have been updated to 3D models and extra lighting and visual effects have also been added to many locations throughout the game. The game also sports remixed music as well as updated online features.
These remakes also adda few quality-of-life featuresto make the experience more enjoyable for new and returning players. These remakes are the perfect starting point for people looking to get intoPokemonfor the first time or fans of the originalDiamond and Pearlgames who want to experience a faithful yet updated version of the games.
5Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition
Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Editionis an HD remake of the original game of the same name. This remake updates many of the game’s character designs and art direction in general to bring it more in line withXenoblade Chronicles 2’sart style. The changes and improvements made to the original in this release really earn it the title of Definitive Edition.
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Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Editionadds 2 new difficulty modes, a fashion gear system, improvements to the game’s maps, improvements to the game’s combat systems, and much more. This edition of the game allows players who missed out on the original game’s Wii release to experience it in its best possible form. It also adds enough changes to makeXenobladeveterans return for a brand-new playthrough.
4Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DXallows players to experience the two classic games in one package.Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DXis a remake of thePokemon Mystery Dungeongame forGame Boy Advanceand theMystery Dungeongame for theDS. This remake combines gameplay and story elements from both games to deliver the definitiveMystery Dungeonexperience.
This remake features updated graphics, sound, and controls, as well as a few newadditions like new Pokemonand even Mega Evolution! The game’s new watercolor art style allows fans who played the originals to experience these games in a whole new light.
3SEGA AGES: Phantasy Star
The SEGA AGESversion ofPhantasy Starbrings a piece of RPG history to modern audiences who own aSwitch. This remasters features a plethora of new quality-of-life features that make theGenesisoriginal completely obsolete.
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This remaster adds a speed-up function, a sound test, controller configuration, sound options, region options, and a new game mode calledAGESmode.The AGESmode increases the amount of experience and money the player gets from random battles.
This speeds up the game’s grinding considerably a makes the experience feel much better paced. This version also adds extra UI elements like a dungeon map character status information. This remaster is the gold standard for how classic RPGs should be brought to modern audiences and is a must-play for RPG fans who own a Switch.
2LIVE A LIVE
LIVE A LIVEis a remake of theclassicSquaregameof the same name. This version of the game will likely be many people’s first chance to experience this game’s unique story and gameplay since, until the release of this remake in 2022,LIVE A LIVEwas only available in Japan.
The remake offers more than just slightly updated visual or quality-of-life features, it certainly has those things, but it also recreates the entire game using stunning 2D-HD graphics. This art style blends 2D pixel art visuals with 3D backgrounds and environments. This allows the remake to maintain the art style of the original game while also making it look like something that came out on modern hardware.
1Trials Of Mana
Trials of Manais a 3D remake of the third game intheSeiken Densetsu/Manaseries. It is a sequel to the critically acclaimedSuper NintendoRPGSecret of Mana.Trials of Manawas previously a Japan exclusive up until this remake’s release in 2020.
This remake takes the original game and brings it into the third and updates many of the game’s systems and mechanics to be more in line with other Action RPGs. This remake takes the complete opposite approach toLIVE A LIVEby mostly using the original as a reference and crafting a completely new experience on top of that.
For some fans of the original, this might be blasphemous, but the originalTrials of Manais available via theMana CollectiononSwitchfor those wishing to experience the game in its original form. For those looking to experience one ofSquare’s greatest RPGs with modern graphics and mechanics, theTrials of Manaremake won’t leave you disappointed.
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