The Xbox consoles were once about as synonymous with JRPGs as Nintendo machines are for violent FPS titles. They're still few and far between, to say the least, though the lineup is growing. It makes sense that this genre remains somewhat scarce, given Microsoft's lack of success in breaking into the Japanese market. Still, there's hope for Xbox fans who enjoy this delightful brand of role-playing games.

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This list will draw from the small-but-growing pool of JRPGs on Xbox systems and highlight the best examples. Exclusives will be the focus, though nods will also be given to remasters and multiplatform entries that are truly notable.

Updated November 27, 2023 by Stephen LaGioia: As the Xbox brand becomes more seasoned and its hardware more appealing, it has seen a larger outpouring of JRPGs — even those of a more colorful anime-style bent.

Games like Elden Ring and Tales of Arise have sought to blur the lines between the East and West flavors of the genre, which has also benefited the Western-oriented Series X. With a growing number of great and diverse JRPG options on Xbox, we thought we'd revisit and add to this list.

21 Unicorn Overlord

20 Edge Of Eternity

19 Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth

18 Resonance Of Fate

Metascore: 74

Though it's not without its flaws and oddities, this JRPG "resonates" for its distinct blend of Eastern and Western influences, along with its flashy, inventive combat. Despite being overshadowed by heavy-hitters like Final Fantasy, this thrilling romp shines with a fun balance of action and strategy, coupled with an atmospheric steampunk setting.

The imaginative, gritty sci-fi themes, along with enjoyable shooting duels, make Resonance of Fate an underrated gem worth checking out.

17 Nier

Metascore: 67

Crafted by studio Cavia as a Drakengard spinoff, Nier has become a charming ARPG in its own right, with a rich open-world campaign that's held up well since its initial release over a decade ago. The range of dynamic locales is strengthened by a unique lineup of monsters that range from shadowy ghouls to robots.

The game holds plenty of familiar RPG staples of the modern era, though stands out for its blend of sci-fi and fantasy as well as a captivating story. While it's retained a cult following, a polished remaster in 2021 has captured the attention of more fans of the genre, complete with reworked combat and various QoL refinements.

16 Chained Echoes

Metascore: 90

Matthias Linda's Chained Echoes greatly captures that 16-bit RPG charm, with an experience that truly feels like an SNES or PlayStation RPG that never was. Players who embark on this pixelated epic will notice shades of Secret of Mana, Xenogears, and Final Fantasy 6 — which serve as clear sources of inspiration.

Yet, the game wipes a few more burdensome traits of that era, most notably random encounters. Combat balances a fairly standard turn-based system with a bit of strategy via Ultra Moves and an "Overdrive" meter that can overheat. The result is a rewarding battle system that doesn't feel overwhelming or repetitive.

The standard leveling system is also ditched in favor of skills, which can be beefed up through battles and skill point bonuses. This superb blend of retro styles and novel concepts has made Chained Echoes a top-tier JRPG by critics and fans alike.

15 Monster Hunter World

Metascore: 90

There's something quite satisfying about winning a long and hard-fought battle against a huge monster — and reaping the many rewards that come with it. This vast role-playing sequel captures this appeal better than most in the series, by leaning on traits that have enticed millions while adding and refining some areas.

Capcom offers a large interconnected world without load times, along with a more intuitive, user-friendly interface and mechanics, making it a great entry-level Monster Hunter. At the same time, the experience is as deep as it's ever been, with a near-endless slew of quests, customizable gear, and towering monsters to slay.

The online system is seamless and opens up the potential for even more epic journeys, with raids that can support up to 16 players.

14 Infinite Undiscovery

Metascore: 68

This relatively "undiscovered" RPG shines for its visual design, dynamic progression, and creative world-building. Though its busy, tactical real-time battles prove divisive, the game garnered a cult following on 360 following its 2008 release.

Infinite Undiscovery grips players with an enchanting plot involving a Moon-bound world. Regions bound to this lunar chain are plagued with blights, setting the stage for uniquely dramatic and memorable bouts. Clocking in at 90 hours for completionists, the game subtly injects a surprising amount of depth into this journey.

13 Blue Dragon

Metascore: 79

Given that this was one of the rare exclusive JRPGs for Microsoft's consoles and that it was helmed by Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi, RPG fans on Xbox were intrigued upon hearing about it. Though it didn't quite live up to the expectations for many, Mistwalker's Blue Dragon proved a joyous journey overall.

The game fuses modern sensibilities with a more classic turn-based battle system that's both deep and accessible. The Final Fantasy influence can certainly be sensed when it comes to the combat, as well as the rich fantasy settings. Those seeking to break from the darker, grittier WRPGs that tend to populate Xbox would do well to give this rich, lighthearted romp a look.

12 Ys Origin

Metascore: 82

Similar to how Xbox never quite broke through in Japan, this established JRPG series hasn't found much traction in Western markets. It's surprising, as those who have discovered this hidden gem praise it for its depth, fun combat, and colorful settings.

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This ARPG is also a great starting point for those unfamiliar with the Ys universe, as it stands as a prequel taking place centuries before Ys 1: Ancient Ys Vanished. This captivating origin story proves tough to put down, with its real-time battles and sprawling dungeons.

11 Eternal Sonata

Metascore: 79

As one might have guessed from the title, this tri-Crescendo RPG leans on the concepts of musical melodies and lavish fantasy. The game takes a unique approach both in terms of mechanics and its musical themes revolving around a real musician, the Polish romantic pianist named Chopin.

Eternal Sonata draws in viewers with its vibrant visuals and rich settings and refuses to let go with its thrilling combat that blends action with turn-based tactics. This is as much an enjoyable RPG as it is a cerebral, dream-like journey of music. There is much action, imagination, and fun packed into this 20-hour adventure.

10 Tales Of Vesperia: Definitive Edition

Metascore: 81

Bandai Namco's Tales series has quietly become a renowned JRPG staple with a pretty consistent track record of quality. Though the series looks to veer into a darker, more Western-inspired direction with Tales of Arise, this lesser-known entry is a reminder of its more lighthearted roots.

In classic Tales form, the game tells its story through a delightful visual style that feels akin to playing an anime. Meanwhile, the combat takes on the feel of an exciting fighter, with satisfying real-time mechanics. Its plot, centered around a vital energy source called Blastia, is particularly memorable, as is its diverse cast of characters.

While the original 09 classic was robust as is, this remaster crams even more content — including new party members — while enhancing the visuals.

9 Final Fantasy 15

Metascore: 87

Square Enix's RPG phenom has seen a plethora of renditions over the decades, each being largely distinct in its themes, premise, and gameplay. This latest fantasy epic marks a particularly unique shift in style the likes of which hasn't been seen since FF7. The game blends modern themes and settings with sci-fi and fantasy elements, enticing players with its intense, awesome battles.

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Sure, the odd style and seemingly out-of-character vehicular travel may have turned off some purists. Overall, though, FF15 manages to shine with dynamic, open-world gameplay and inventive design.

8 Phantasy Star Online: Episodes 1 And 2

Metascore: N/A

Though it may seem a bit dated now, this Sonic Team epic was ahead of its time with its vast scope and online elements that are somewhat "proto-MMO". This type of social RPG was fairly unheard of when it came to home consoles at the time, and it's a formula that's since been popularized and fleshed out by many studios.

This expanded port of the Dreamcast classic still shines after nearly two decades thanks to its addictive grind-it-out gameplay, in-depth combat, and its fun blend of sci-fi and magic. This sprawling saga, which can span dozens of hours, is a joy to embark on, especially when teaming up with a friend.

7 Final Fantasy 10 + 10-2 HD

Metascore: 85

When it comes to remasters, this classic is scarcely matched, offering not one, but two memorable adventures starring the charismatic Tidus. FF10 particularly lends itself to the HD enhancements, with some engaging cutscenes and epic landscapes. The game balances an enthralling cinematic plot with satisfying gameplay via streamlined combat.

Though the sequel 10-2 didn't prove as strong for many fans, the sheer breadth of the content included in this budget title is impressive, to say the least. Really, it's worth it just to experience the remastered version of the classic FF10 in all its high-res glory — not to mention the ever-addictive Blitzball.

6 Lost Odyssey

Metascore: 78

This hidden gem from Mistwalker shines as yet another interesting and unique take on the genre by Sakaguchi. Unlike his more lighthearted project in Blue Dragon, though, Lost Odyssey targets something of an older audience with its darker themes and emotional storytelling.

The combat excites with a solid turn-based system and a slew of satisfying powers shown off via dazzling visual effects. Rough load times aside, this is a memorable odyssey that melds modern flashiness with classic JRPG elements.

5 Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes Of An Elusive Age

Metascore: 91

Final Fantasy aside, it's hard to think of a console RPG more storied and renowned than this Square Enix epic. While the series has soared in Japan, it's also begun to take flight in the West—thanks in part to this robust, rewarding game. Released in mid-2017, Dragon Quest 11 is one of the richest and boldest Dragon Quest sequels to date.

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There's much of that staple DQ style here—vibrant, vast fantasy worlds, colorful monsters to slay, and various unique classes to play with. At the same time, cool new elements and features are added, including more versatile, customizable battles. The game feels both retro and modern, dialing things up in terms of depth and grandiosity, while also featuring a nostalgic 16-bit mode for retro gamers.

4 Tales Of Arise

Metascore: 87

Bandai Namco's Tales franchise has largely stayed the course over the years, adhering to cel-shaded graphics and generally lighter themes. Not so for this more ambitious project from 2021. Both thematically and in terms of premise, Tales of Arise ventures into darker, quasi-WRPG territory.

Made by a team of veteran designers and newcomers, the game seeks to draw a new audience while keeping that charming Tales feel, and it succeeds. The fun real-time "Linear Motion Battle System" remains intact in some fashion. This time, however, more tactical elements are added to combat, while the game at large stresses an epic solo experience, rather than co-op.

3 Octopath Traveler

Metascore: 83

Octopath Traveler has excelled in gripping modern and retro gamers alike, by way of helming the visually distinct HD-2D style. The game decorates the fantasy world of Orsterra with charming pixel art, laced with 3D depth and flashy lighting and particle effects.

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Though the game's allure extends beyond its unique design. RPG gurus Square Enix captivates players with a vast range of protagonists, each with their own tales and conflicts to deal with in this hostile land. Added to this is the satisfying battle system that never seems to get old. It balances turn-based tactics with swift pacing—stressing different attacks, vulnerabilities, and stackable Boost Points to turn momentum.

2 Shenmue 2

Metascore: 80

Sega surprised many Dreamcast players with an inventive RPG called Shenmue, which tossed flowery fantasy aside in favor of grittier themes and realism. This even more dynamic sequel made for a terrific fit for the Xbox, which usually favors darker, open-world titles.

Shenmue 2 takes players on an atmospheric, cinematic journey, letting the plot, character interactions, and worldbuilding reside over more traditional gameplay elements. This RPG adventure was really ahead of its time, and it's a reason this cult classic holds up well today.