The Legend of Heroes: Trails From Zero takes us back to the formation of the SSS, an organization Switch gamers will know from the Trails of Cold Steel games. It also takes us back to a relatively simpler system that's perfectly sized for JRPG adventuring on the go.
A former Apple Arcade exclusive, Little Orpheus successfully brings its cinematic platformer action to Nintendo Switch. This throwback to pulp movie serials works well on the TV screen, and the gameplay is better suited to Joy-Con controls than a touchscreen. The sense of wonder does slowly wear off, but it's a quick, casual adventure worth completing.
Avenging Spirit is a lesser-known '90s arcade game with a unique "possession" angle that helps distinguish it from the excess of retro platformers available on the Switch. It's worth a playthrough, especially if you're unfamiliar with its charms.
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).
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II will provide a mana-blast of nostalgic glee for those who played the original Dark Alliance hack-and-slash RPG on their GameCube, but it doesn't offer enough excitement or variety to otherwise hold your attention.
Running on Magic is a runner platformer that puts players in a challenging but light-hearted race against the Grim Reaper himself. Its whimsical presentation and procedurally generated levels keep things interesting for its somewhat short lifespan, just don't expect it to be more than it claims to be.
Krut: The Mythic Wings is a very pretty but brutally difficult action platformer based on Thai mythology. The game can be completed in under 10 hours, but the bulk of that time will be spent tediously grinding for better gear to advance past even the common enemies. For the hard-core gamers only.
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes carries enough of Three Houses to appeal to that game's fans even if they're not into the hack-and-slash of Musou games. Warriors fans should like it, too. If your Fire Emblem fandom reaches further back than the 3DS, however, you'll once again have to grin and bear all the fluff.
Yurukill: The Calumniation Games combines puzzle solving with bullet hell action to create a unique gaming experience. Its dark premise is handled with humor and an engrossing mystery that'll push you quickly to a rewarding end, and various difficulty settings will make sure fans of both genres can get there.
The action adventure game Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising manages to carve out its own identity while serving as an introduction to the lore of the forthcoming Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes JRPG. Basic combat, tedious fetch-quests and linear town-building may put off those seeking a solid challenge, but the game's sprightly action, jovial spirit, and spunky characters will carry casual platformer fans through its relatively short play time.
Touken Ranbu Warriors is a purposeful regression of the Warriors franchise, focusing on the characters and story instead of the Musou-style combat. It works as a lark, especially for fans of the Touken Ranbu franchise. But at the asking price, there are much better options available (and forthcoming) for those who enjoy the 1 vs. 1,000 gameplay mechanics and strategies.
Legend of Ixtona is a by-the-numbers JRPG with turn-based battles fought on an isometric grid. The ability to hire customizable characters and invest in your village adds some unique elements, but not enough to fully overcome the generic gameplay, graphics, and story.
The fun and nostalgic creative choices of '70s ear Bush League Hockey aren't quite enough to make up for its clunky gameplay and bad AI. Its 4-player local multiplayer may appeal to hard-core hockey fans, but consider it a healthy scratch for everyone else.
Basically an officially licensed version of What the Dub?!, RiffTrax: The Game succeeds as a creative/comedy party game by adding the familiar voices of the RiffTrax crew. A few gameplay tweaks improve the dialogue riffing formula, but more movie clips and some variation in the game's rounds would keep the fun running longer.
The House of the Dead: Remake successfully moves to the Switch everything you loved about the on-rails shooting arcade game…except the controls. It's fun to play with a friend provided you both understand that the very act of aiming and shooting will be an exercise in frustration.
TAITO Milestones is a no-frills package of ten '80s-era arcade games, most of which are available separately in the Nintendo eShop. If you don't already own the ones you want, it's a decent collection with some obscure gems that may become your new favorites. A couple, however, don't make a smooth transition from their arcade controls to your Joy-Con.
The Last Cube is a challenging (but fair) logic game that can be enjoyed by both casual and hard-core puzzle solvers. The interesting visuals and strict focus on the puzzles create an atmosphere in which it's easy to stay lost even when frustration starts to set in.
Triangle Strategy pushes heavily into its narrative, perhaps to the detriment of its turn-based combat. That will turn some away. But for those who are willing to push through, you'll find the game worth (nearly) every second you put into it. Excellent level design, diverse character abilities, and a tense political climate generate an engrossing experience for JRPG fans.
Remember when Fire Emblem games focused more on story and combat than on fishing, construction, and class studies? So do the developers of Dark Deity, an SRPG that survives some annoying bugs and UI issues to provide a satisfying, briskly-paced adventure.
Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure is another worthwhile entry in the Pinball FX3 library. Although it's not the best deal Zen has to offer, the machine is good enough to appeal to fans of pinball in general or Indy himself (with visual presentation options to accommodate both groups).