Last Updated on November 6, 2021 by Zachary Brictson
It’s time to put a very strange year behind us, and prepare for new and exciting upcoming JRPGs releasing in 2021!
I maintain this list of JRPG release dates on a daily basis, making it the most accurate 2021 release calendar for upcoming JRPGs on the web. These dates concern North American releases only.
Previous JRPG Release Calendars:
Update: Look forward to the year ahead with the 2022 JRPG release calendar.
Most Anticipated JRPG Releases in 2021
The biggest question mark for 2021 is whether or not Final Fantasy XVI will make the cut. While Square Enix has become notorious for long development cycles, recent reports claim FFXVI is coming sooner than people think.
Even if it doesn’t, there’s plenty of other upcoming JRPGs to be excited for in 2021.
The long awaited Shin Megami Tensei V is confirmed to launch worldwide in 2021. The same goes for Ys IX: Monstrum Nox, Rune Factory 5, Monster Hunter Rise, and NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139…
And meanwhile, we can all hold out hope for possible 2021 release dates for JRPGs like Elden Ring, Tales of Arise, Bravely Default II, and much more.
Let’s take a look at the JRPG releases for 2021:
January
Last year’s popular installment of the Atelier franchise has resulted in a sequel, Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & The Secret Fairy releasing January 26th, 2021.
Stay tuned as we await more confirmations for JRPGs releasing this month.
| Game | Platform | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen | PC | 22-January |
Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & The Secret Fairy | PS4, PS5, Switch, PC, | 26-January |
| Dragon Quest Tact | iOS, Android | 27-January |
| Labyrinth Legend | Switch | 28-January |
| Marchen Forest: Mylne and the Forest Gift | PS4, Switch, PC | 28-January |
| The Yakuza Remastered Collection | Xbox Game Pass, PC | 28-January |
February
While it released last year in Japan, the West is finally getting the next Ys in early February 2021!
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox releases February 2nd, 2021 for the PS4, Switch, and PC.
| Game | Platform | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
Ys Ix: Monstrom Nox - Pact Edition | PS4, PC, Switch | 2-February |
The Nioh Collection | PS5 | 5-February |
| Nioh 2 – The Complete Edition | PS4, PC | 5-February |
| Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age | Xbox Game Pass | 11-February |
Azur Lane: Crosswave | Switch | 16-February |
Fallen Legion Revenants - Vanguard Edition | PS4, Switch | 16- February |
Persona 5 Strikers | PS4, PC, Switch | 23-February |
BRAVELY DEFAULT II | Switch | 26-February |
March
The PS5 version of Yakuza: Like a Dragon is confirmed for March 2021.
A new Monster Hunter game also releases as a Switch exclusive in March.
| Game | Platform | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Harvest Moon: One World Standard Edition | Switch | 2-March |
| Neptunia Virtual Stars | PS4 | 2-March |
Yakuza: Like a Dragon | PS5 | 2-March |
| Saviors of Sapphire Wings/ Stranger of Sword City Revisited | PC, Switch | 16-March |
| Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town | Switch | 23-March |
| Final Fantasy VIII Remastered | iOS, Android | 24-March |
| Yakuza 6: The Song of Life | Xbox Game Pass, PC | 25-March |
Monster Hunter Rise | Switch | 26-March |
| Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix | PC (Epic Store) | 30-March |
| Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue | PC (Epic Store) | 30-March |
| Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind | PC (Epic Store) | 30-March |
| Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory | PC (Epic Store) | 30-March |
April
The remaster of Nier, originally released on the PS3, is coming to PS4, Xbox One, and PC on April 2nd, 2021.
This version will feature the younger male protagonist that Japanese players are familiar with, instead of the older father figure of the original North American release.
We’ll have to wait for updates to fill out April and the rest of 2021 with upcoming JRPGs, so check back!
| Game | Platform | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Fantasian | iOS, Android | 2-April |
| The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV - Frontline Edition | Switch, PC | 9-April |
| Disgaea RPG | iOS, Android | 13-April |
| Poison Control | PS4, Switch | 13-April |
| SaGa Frontier Remastered | PS4, PC, Switch, iOS, Android | 15-April |
| Atelier Mysterious Trilogy Deluxe Pack | PS4, Switch, PC | 22-April |
Nier Replicant Ver.1.22474487139... | PS4, PC, Xbox One | 23-April |
| Death end re;Quest | Switch | 27-April |
May
Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster releases May 25th, 2021 on PS4, Switch, and PC (via Steam).
This JRPG from the PS2 era has a lot in store for first timers. The soundtrack goes hard let me tell you!
| Game | Platform | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Dragon Quest Builders 2 | Xbox One, Xbox Game Pass | 4-May |
| Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster | Xbox Game Pass | 13-May |
| Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster | PS4, Switch, PC | 25-May |
June
Legend of Mana is getting a remaster that will release June 24th, 2021 for Switch, PS4, and PC.
The game was originally on the PSX and released in 1999.
| Game | Platform | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Edge of Eternity | PC, PS4, Xbox One | 8-June |
| Neptunia Reverse | PS5 | 8-June |
| FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE | PS5 | 10-June |
| Legend of Mana Remastered | Switch, PS4 | 24-June |
| ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights | PC, Switch | 22-June |
SCARLET NEXUS | PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PC | 25-June |
Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny: Unrelenting Edition | Switch | 29-June |
July
The next TWEWY game will release on PS4 and Switch on July 27th, 2021.
| Game | Platform | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Shadowverse: Champion’s Battle | Switch | 1-July |
| Atelier Online: Alchemist of Bressisle | iOS, Android | 8-July |
| Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin | PC, Switch | 9-July |
| Tales of Crestoria | iOS, Android | 15-July |
| Trials of Mana | iOS, Android | 15-July |
| NEO: The World Ends with You | PS4, Switch | 27-July |
| Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters (I, II, and III) | PC, iOS, Android | 28-July |
| NieR Re[in]carnation | iOS, Android | 28-July |
August
Dragon Star Varnir comes to the Switch on August 3rd, 2021.
Other than that, the summer looks to slow down for new JRPG releases.
| Game | Platform | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Dragon Star Varnir | Switch | 3-August |
| Fantasian Part 2 | iOS, Android | 13-August |
| Labyrinth of Touhou: Gensokyo and the Heaven-Piercing Great Tree | PC | 23-August |
| Prinny Presents NIS Classics Volume 1 | Switch, PC | 31-August |
| Soul Nomad & the World Eaters | PC | 31-August |
September
Tales of Arise releases worldwide September 10th, 2021 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam!
Tales of Arise features an exciting new redesign compared to past entries in the series.
| Game | Platform | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Bravely Default II | PC | 2-September |
Tales of Arise | PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, PC | 10-September |
| Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom - Prince's Edition | Switch | 17-September |
| Collection of SaGa: Final Fantasy Legend | iOS, Android | 22-September |
| Astria Ascending | PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch, PC, Game Pass | 30-September |
| Mary Skelter Finale | PS4, Switch | 30-September |
October
The Caligula Effect 2 comes to PS4 and Switch on October 19th, 2021.
SquareEnix announced at TGS 2021 that RPG Dungeon Crawlers will release in October as well.
| Game | Platform | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| RPG Dungeon Encounters | PS4, Switch, PC | 15-October |
| The Caligula Effect 2 | PS4, Switch | 19-October |
| Collection of SaGa: Final Fantasy Legend | PC | 21-October |
| Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi Switch | PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Switch, PC | 28-October |
| Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars | PC | 28-October |
November
Shin Megami Tensei V releases November 12, 2021 for the Nintendo Switch.
With new Pokemon installments and an expansion for FFXIV also releasing in November (now delayed to December), this is a pretty major month for JRPGs in 2021.
| Game | Platform | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Reflection: Second Light | PS4, Switch, PC | 9-November |
| Final Fantasy V Pixel Remaster | Steam, iOS, Android | 10-November |
| Shin Megami Tensei V: Steelbook Launch Edition | Switch | 12-November |
| Pokemon Brilliant Diamond | Switch | 19-November |
| Pokemon Shining Pearl | Switch | 19-November |
December
Danganronpa Decadence releases December 3rd, 2021 for the Nintendo Switch.
Check back to see what other JRPGs might release before the end of the year.
| Game | Platform | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Danganronpa Decadence | Nintendo Switch | 3-December |
| Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker | PS5, PS4, PC | 7-December |
| Rune Factory 4 Special | PS4, Xbox One, PC | 7-December |
| Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade | PC | 16-December |
To be Confirmed
I’ll keep a close eye on what JRPGs are confirmed for a 2021 release, but as the year comes to a close, be sure to keep an eye on JRPGs releasing in 2022.
You can keep track of any JRPGs that are still yet to be confirmed for 2021 in the table below:
| Game | Platform | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
Digimon Survive | PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch | TBA |
| Utawarerumono: ZAN 2 | PS4, PS5 | TBA |
As always, be sure to check out the Icicle Disaster JRPG Podcast. The audio show covers playthroughs of JRPGs from any era and takes your recommendations on what to play next!
Thanks to everyone who uses my JRPG release calendars. I am glad they are useful!
Disclosure: All hyperlinks to products are Amazon affiliated by Icicle Disaster JRPG Podcast.
Hi are you still updating this? If so Lost Judgment, Danganronpa Decadence and SMT V need to be added!
Added, thank you!
various updates on the TBD list
– Eldin ring has an official release date of 1/21/22.
– Caligula Effect 2 now has a release date of 10/19/21.
– Prinny Presents NIS Classics Volume 1 released on 8/31/21
From there, several of the mobile entries have been released. Tales of Crestoria released in 2020 (July 15th), Digaea RPG released (In english ) on 4/13/2021. Fantasian was split into two parts and the first part lauched on 4/2/2021. Part 2 came out this month, 8/13/2021
Lastly, I would add Monark to the TBD list. It will officially release in 2021 in Japan, but localization is only listed as 2022.
Thank you for this list, very concise and convienent.
I appreciate the help, will have these updated.