Upcoming JRPGs 2026 — Every Game Worth Watching

Every year I keep a running list of all the major JRPGs released this year that will be worth looking forward to. As the release schedule for 2026 starts to shape up differently than the last few years, it is evident that the flush of the 2024 era — with titles like Metaphor: ReFantazio and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth being released within a 12-month period — as well as 2025's genre-defining surprise Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, there were AAA blockbuster titles being spread out over the entire calendar year of 2026. Specifically, all of the big AAA titles are coming out in the summer and were more evenly spaced throughout the entire year. After the first quarter, most of the large AAA titles have been just remakes or remasters and only have a limited number of new titles being released in the remaining two quarters of 2026.

I list every single stated or rumored JRPG release for 2026 in chronological order on this site. This site gets updated as soon as any new information regarding release dates, changes to existing release date(s), or delay(s) is made public me. If you're looking to decide what JRPGs you want to get from your launch library or what you want to do from your backlog, please check out my JRPG recommendations site for 2026. This site only contains information for titles that are expected to release sometime in 2026; the current status of each title can be found on my website, along with the stated release day(s), the associated remaster(s), and/or rumors about each title.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

I have put together a JRPG platform guide with complete lists for GBA, DS, 3DS, PSP, Vita, SNES, PS1, PS2, PS5, PS4, Switch, Steam, and Xbox. A complete JRPG tier list has also been created that compares every JRPG released across all available platforms, as well as a description of the JRPG genre as a whole.

Confirmed Release Dates

These are the JRPGs I have confirmed release dates for, and I doubt they will be moved in any way. We've publicly committed studios; currently running advertisements; demos/previews are mostly accessible for players' review.

This remake of the original game released on the Vita, 'Ys: Memories of Celceta' by Falcom, is now making its way to the Switch, allowing players to see how Adol's amnesic journey began. Like the PlayStation 4/PlayStation 5 versions of 'Ys VIII' and 'Ys IX', this is an updated remake of a classic with modern graphics and party-based combat mechanics. Originally released on the Vita in 2013, 'Memories of Celceta' functions well for handheld gaming due to its focus on exploration (percentage completion of entire map/target specific objectives/hidden items or areas), and all of these elements are still present when playing on the Switch. The Switch version features both new, playable party members and a remastered soundtrack. If someone played 'Ys VIII' on PS4 or Switch and wonders where the idea for the game originated, they will discover that it all started here in 'Memories of Celceta.' One of my favourite exploration areas in the original as well as the previous two entries of the series was 'Great Forest,' and it was an incredibly dense and satisfying environment to explore. You could find multiple hidden treasures throughout it, as it was very spacious and didn't feel like an enclosed corridor system, providing players with a sense of discovery. The Switch port of 'Memories of Celceta' should retain the enjoyable exploration aspect from the original Vita version if it has a more reliable frame rate, making this a potential underrated title for someone who wasn't able to access the Vita platform.

Radical Fish Games created CrossCode, my favourite indie JRPG of the last ten years. Alabaster Dawn was created in the same engine as CrossCode; however, the gameplay mechanics between the two are different and dramatic. The gameplay for Alabaster Dawn will focus more on 2D action combat (Devil May Cry style) with a greater emphasis on combos and aerial juggles for the main character (Juno) as he tries to survive in a large, post-apocalyptic world. This is a huge departure from CrossCode's typical format of twin-stick puzzle solutions. The Early Access Launch of The Last Winter (TWW) has led to an extended wait for its full version, but based on the Steam demo, there is enough evidence about TWW’s combat system to see that it has the right foundation to build off of. This title has an active following already. Players who were able to play the demo reported that the game’s combo system felt responsive while lifting and juggling enemies up into the air using launcher skills, the multiple aerial slashing skills that could be chained together in the air, and the ability to finish off enemies with a slam attack that creates shockwaves across the battlefield. Overall, TWW has moved away from the waiting for a turn-based combat system like CrossCode (CC) and has instead concentrated on making hits between characters very rewarding and satisfying, whether that be throwing chakrams in a puzzle game or slashing demons with a sword in TWW.

Team Asano is producing its first ever action role-playing game (ARPG) using the HD-2D graphics engine (HD-2D). Every game that they have produced is worthy of being listed on at least one chart: Octopath Traveler, Triangle Strategy, and Live A Live remake. Elliot has shifted away from using a turn-based system completely by creating a real time sword fighting game where a player fights alongside a fairy in a top-down view similar to A Link to the Past (LTTP), but with added RPG progression mechanisms that will help enhance the gameplay experience. The time travel storyline sounds huge, and with a launch date in June, it is one of the few 2026 JRPG games that can be planned for. The playable demo on the Switch 2 system demonstrates the 60frames per second (60fps) HD-2D action combat system and provides an experience that will have high quality visuals. Elliot can build out multiple "Magicite" whereas his fairy companion is primarily used for ranged attacks/environmental interaction, and Elliot is melee-focused; hence two characters effectively working together combat-wise as two separate characters would in a 2D version of NieR: Automata's Pod system. The time between now and June 18 is torturous. See the Jrpgs On Nintendo Switch guide.

I've been burned badly by licensed anime JRPGs in the past, but Echoes of Aincrad has me hopeful(ish). Instead of having the player live through another retelling of Kirito's story, Echoes has you create a custom character and explore the beta version of Aincrad before the death game begins. The ability to create a custom character as well as having the main focus be dungeon crawling gives me a much more Etrian Odyssey-like feel than the previous SAO titles ever did. I'm cautiously excited as the premise is solid; however, the execution could still be a miss. I appreciate the use of a beta setting to avoid any emotional weight of the death game; players have the ability to log out in a beta and this means removing the survival aspect and concentrating on exploration/dungeon design without having to justify why my character doesn't have a panic attack every so often. That is a clever design decision that allows the developers room to create an enjoyable game first and then a faithful adaptation second. Following the conclusion of the open beta test in June, more information will come out.

I played the original and this new version is the best version of one of 2024’s most underappreciated action-oriented JRPGs. That original version was recommended in a guide; this new version features combat that is incredibly fun with over 20 playable characters plus 4-player co-op mode, meaning this is one of the best co-op multiplayer JRPGs to come out in years. Endless Ragnarok features new playable characters, a large Endgame Mode, and a Switch 2 port makes the earlier version completely portable. If someone didn't play the first version of Relink before, this is the version you should pick up.

This game is the second provided by Falcom in 2026 after Ys Memory. Kyoto Xanadu is the sequel to Tokyo Xanadu and combines both 2D side-scrolling with 3D combat environments throughout the game. The Soul Device progression system allows your character (Rei Kamiya) to learn new abilities via a Tech Tree that branches based on how you play the game. It's confirmed that Japan will get the title on July 16, and it seems quite probable that falcon will also attempt to have simultaneous western launches during late 2026, following Falcom's efforts to have simultaneous worldwide releases of various titles recently, but there's no promise that this will happen. An early indicator of how quickly Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter was localized will help with such hopes.

Summer & Fall 2026 Window

Several of these titles have already provided release windows during 2026 without having provided a specific date. Based off of their marketing strategy and updates throughout this year, the majority of these titles will likely release sometime between July and November 2026.

For me, the most anticipated JRPG of 2026 and then some, is Fortune's Weave; as the followup to the very successful Fire Emblem: Three Houses and as being one of the best tactical-based JRPGs available for the Nintendo Switch, it has a brand new setting based around gladiatorial combat that is based on the Heroic Games. It seems to me that the game is using a multi-path structure again; plus with three different ways to play Three Houses, should have no issues with frame rate drop compared to other versions during higher intensity battles.

While Nintendo hasn't announced a date, it is pretty clear that the game has been available at recent events for play testing; therefore, it seems reasonable to assume we'll see Fortune's Weave sometime in the second half of 2026 based on the fact that Three Houses was able to be played in all three available routes. If Fortune's Weave follows the same type of play replayability as Three Houses and improves the performance of battles, then it could be my choice for game of the year.

Because of the difference in setting (no longer will the game be based around school life), people are curious whether or not Fortune's Weave will have an arena systems like the monastery system in Three Houses. From the combat footage from recent event displays, it seems that Fortune's Weave will have larger maps that contain significantly more units greater than what were offered in Three Houses including armoured knights; cavalry archers; and a new magic user flight class not present in Three Houses. See the Ps4 guide.

If the difficulty level of Fortune's Weave equals the Maddening Mode in Three Houses (without experience of people quitting because of frustration in initial levels), it will keep people engaged throughout all summer.

TBA 2026 — Keep an Eye On

The turn-based spin-off of Monster Hunter called Monster Hunter Stories has unexpectedly become one of my favorite franchises in the collection. Monster Hunter Stories 2 has some excellent monster-collection mechanics and a surprisingly emotional story about friends you find along the way. Monster Hunter Stories 2: Twisted Reflection will have an expanded Gene system which allows you to customize your Monsties’ abilities, and from its title, it should have some type of mirror world mechanic included. There is no date listed other than 2026, but Capcom has been silent since announcing it, leading me to believe it has a good chance of being pushed back to early 2027. The battle mechanics for Monster Hunter Stories 2 were interesting in that by swapping Monsties in and out of battle for exploiting elemental weaknesses created a loop that resembled Shin Megami Tensei more than it did Pokémon. I dedicated over 60 hours playing Monster Hunter Stories 2, and I still have not finished hunting down the elder dragons once I completed the story mode. If Monster Hunter Stories 2: Twisted Reflection improves upon the Gene customization and has an online trading system for Monstie eggs, Capcom has an entry in the new franchise that could help define it.

I finished the original Code Vein on PS4, and the sequel includes a story revolving around time travel where your character (one that you can create) goes back in time to save the world from being destroyed. The original Code Vein did not have great graphics, but provided a great deal of character customization and an offline AI companion system; both of which made it a little less difficult than other Souls-like games. I finished playing Code Vein on PS4, and the developer did a nice job with long-term design, even if the level design did not quite match the quality of combat. Code Vein II's time travel structure implies that it will have branching narratives and many endings, providing players with significant replayability over the first game's lack of. One of the best ideas in any Soulslike was the Blood Veil System from Code Vein, where the equipped veil dictated the type of draining attack you used and offered passive abilities. One would hope that Code Vein II does not streamline this system, but expands upon it instead. The Character Creator was also one of the top in its class, and early screenshots indicate that the sequel will offer the same level of customization. If Code Vein II has a level design to match the high quality of its combat, it should have no trouble living up to or surpassing these other titles in this list.

I have been following Toby Fox's Undertale sequel since it started episodic releases in 2018, with Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 released in 2025. Each chapter introduced new mechanics to keep the gameplay experience fresh. Chapter 5 will most likely be released late in 2026 according to the development road map newsletter that Fox provides, and given his past track record of delivering products on time, I am very confident that will be the case here. Deltarune chapters can be enjoyed as standalone experiences, while still allowing for an overarching narrative that will be built upon, and all of them have been well worth the wait.

While these titles do have target release windows of 2026, they may easily be rescheduled to confirm or shift release to 2027 based on what updates are received.

I played Edge of Eternity for a little over 40 hours, and the follow-up title from Midgar Studio has not only very visually-supportive hand-painted community-driven environments, but also party-based action-combat as well as tactical-style battle mechanics. The very first title that was able to exceed its indie reputation was the last, and the overall quality of the released trailers makes it seem that every trailer of Memories is getting better and better. The main character, Eline has the ability to change into Berserker Mode and appears to have a significantly greater array of customization options when compared to the customization options in the game Edge of Eternity. See the Ps1 guide.

Edge of Eternity has been played for roughly forty hours and has produced an impressive level of gameplay for a small indie studio. Should Memories maintain the same visual quality represented in the trailers, it will definitely be a potential highlight for the year 2026.

Ports & Remasters Worth Noting

The hand-painted art direction deserves a great deal of attention because every environment visible in the events of the game looks as if they were made by hand, unlike many 2D and 3D modeling styles found in HD-2D-style games and Unreal-style games in today’s game industry. With the increasing concern from gamers regarding AI-generated artwork and the lack of integrity toward developers and their artistry, the hand-painted graphics from Midgar Studio deserve the support of gamers based on that principle alone.

I’m keeping a close eye on this one; an indie studio called Pixelated Milk is creating a game called SacriFire that is an homage to Vagrant Story and Valkyrie Profile. The main character, Ezekiel, will be engaged in chaining combo attacks as part of a system that will reward a player’s timing and sequencing of those chains in a world being torn apart by gods and demons. Each of SacriFire’s audio scores were composed by Motoi Sakuraba, who has worked on Star Ocean, the Tales of series, and Dark Souls, so he certainly has an extensive history in the gaming industry. SacriFire was originally tentatively planned for release in the first quarter of 2026, but after acquiring a new publisher (and delaying their release date), they are now aligned to have an equal release across multiple platforms at the same time. The 2.5D aesthetic is a combination of fantasy and sci-fi elements that have a nostalgic feel for fans of the game, Star Ocean: The Second Story. This is something to be appreciated when coming from a veteran Pokémon developer such as Game Freak. See the Ps4 guide.

The game is part of the Pokémon franchise but will not be connected to any of the main series; this game was first announced during the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 event. This game is an open world, post-apocalyptic action role-playing game that has similar visual themes to both Princess Mononoke and Horizon: Zero Dawn.

The production values are noticeably higher than those that we typically see in games made by Game Freak; also, it appears that the creature designs will be very impressive as seen in the trailer footage. It has not yet been confirmed whether or not this game will be as challenging as the Dark Souls series, but it has been said that the game does have the potential to be a dark souls-style game. See the 3Ds guide.

My Personal Watchlist — Top 5

No specific release date has been announced except for "2026," but I wouldn't be surprised to see this one released during early 2027.

Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia will be published by NIS America and is being developed by Adglobe (the team behind ENDER LILIES). This game is represented by six factions across the continent of Meltitea, with elements of managing kingdoms and tactical combat. The first Brigandine game on Playstation 1 was a cult classic, and there is still an audience for this type of game, as evidenced by the success of the Switch sequel that was released in 2020. In addition to an increase in the number of factions, there has been speculation that the game will introduce a Morale System that affects unit performance in battle. The game currently displays a vague target of 2026 for a potential release date but no solid release date has been confirmed so far. Based on the success of ENDER LILIES, there is no reason to doubt that Adglobe can deliver on their combat design capabilities for this new title, as strategy games and Metroidvanias are completely different types of games. A well-made game like Brigandine Abyss could give players more of an enjoyable experience based on what they've already played. What I mean is, in the conflict between the five nations of the original game and their different styles of gameplay, having the sixth Abyss Factions will add another variable to the multiplayer scene that might make competitive matchmaking difficult. This new faction will have players who want to play in a new stylistic manner than the ones before them.

For example, introducing another faction into the existing game system would force developers to make adjustments to ensure true balance between factions, which will allow them to have some degree of confidence that they are getting as close to balance as they can.

Decapolice, a Level-5 detective JRPG, has been delayed several times to the point where I have given up trying to guess when it will come out. The concept of a JRPG based on investigating crimes through virtual recreations of crime scenes combined with turn-based combat against digital foes is very exciting. However, since I know that Level-5 developed some of the best-selling video games in history (a.k.a. Professor Layton, Ni no Kuni, and Inazuma Eleven), I can be reasonably certain that the developers at Level-5 understand what they are doing when developing games. Unfortunately, after not meeting the promised released windows since being revealed in 2022, the Decapolice website now shows a general release date of "2026." I won't believe it until I have access to the game-to-go.

Generally speaking, Ports of previously released games do not count as "Coming Soon," but several of the Ports coming out for the 2026 platform expansion have enough importance that they deserve to be mentioned here for those who may have missed their original release:

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is now available on Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S and will, therefore, have been released on all major platforms for the first time in history. For everyone who has waited for the opportunity to play Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade away from PS4 or PC, 2026 will provide this chance. The title received the number two spot on the PS4 JRPG list published earlier today. Mega Man Star Force: Legacy Collection is the complete collection of all seven installments (titles) belonging to the action JRPG offshoot of the Mega Man Battle Network franchise released on DS (Nintendo DS). These titles are considered by some to be spiritual successors to the Battle Network titles although it did not enjoy as much recognition or support as those titles did. That said, the hybrid turn-based/action combat system that was utilized to create this series has aged much greater than most of what can be found in DS-era JRPGs.

Release Calendar At a Glance

Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster was also made available for the PC and Xbox prior to the start of the 2026 calendar year, which marks the first time that a game from the 3DS era is being distributed outside of any Nintendo platform.

I have included below the five titles from the previous list that I am most excited to play broken down by the projected date at the time of release; the list also ranks those titles in order of likelihood for having a day one purchase:

1) Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave - 3 Houses was an epic 200-hour plus experience spread across three different routes; If Fortune's Weave matches that level of content with the upgraded Switch 2 hardware on its release date in late 2026, then no other title released during 2026 will come close.

2) Adventures of Elliott: The Millennium Tales - I have not seen a disappointing title come out from Team Asano in their history of game development; This will be team Asano's first venture into the action RPG genre, meaning there is great talent and creativity taking a huge risk when this title releases in mid-June, making this the next title I will be looking forward to playing when it launches.

3) Memories of Edge of - I know from the support that I have received from Midgar Studio that Edge of Eternity and the development team will develop a title that is competitive to mid-range support from Square Enix, therefore Edge of is going to represent a leap up from everything in terms of gameplay and quality.

4) Deltarune: Chapter 5 - Toby Fox has released four excellent chapters and the stakes of the gameplay continue to increase with each new chapter just as each new chapter has introduced increasingly experimental and unique mechanics, creating an "event" around every chapter.

5) Alabaster Dawn - Development team from CrossCode building a DMC-inspired action RPG on a new non-Nintendo engine is an example of the kind of creative pivot that will produce phenomenal results in the industry. I will be able to track the progress and development of Alabaster Dawn very closely due to the planned Early Access phase prior to launch date.

Below is a timeline with all confirmed and projected dates (from past release to future) together on one sheet:

Release Date (by title): - April 2026: Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta (Switch) - May 2026: Alabaster Dawn (Steam Early Access) - June 2026: Adventures of Elliot: Millennium Tales (Various) - July 2026: Granblue Fantasy Relink: Endless Ragnarok (Various) SAO: Echoes of Aincrad (Various) Kyoto Xanadu (JP) - Q3-Q4 2026: Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave Monster Hunter Stories 3 Code Vein II Edge of Memories SacriFire - Late 2026 Deltarune Chapter 5 Beast of Reincarnation Brigandine Abyss Decapolice (??) See the Jrpgs On Ps5 guide. See the Jrpgs On Steam Pc guide. See the best RPGs of all time.

June through July is officially the busiest time of the year for game releases. On the verge of being done with June through July releases and the volatility that is in the middle of the year, there will be no shortage of games to play the remainder of 2026 if Fire Emblem releases in either August or September. Keep updating this page for new announcements, and be sure to bookmark and check it often post Nintendo Directs, State of Play events, or any other publisher showcases. The 2026 recommendations page has further details on the best releases during the first half of 2026 to keep you entertained while waiting for all of this summer's game launches. See short RPGs for quicker picks. See the best RPGs of all time.