The Ys series, a long-running and genre-defining action RPG franchise, has been captivating gamers for decades. While it may not be as well-known as its contemporaries, such as Final Fantasy, those who have experienced the series' thrilling adventures are ardent devotees. With the recent release of Ys X: Nordics, it's the perfect time to explore the best Ys games available on the Nintendo Switch.

Uncharted Journeys: Discovering the Ys Saga on Nintendo Consoles

Ys Strategy: A Spin-Off Stumble

Even as a spin-off with no bearing on the canon, Ys Strategy is berated by series fans. The slow gameplay, overly-easy encounters, and an overabundance of tutorials ruin what could've been a fantastic side entry in the Ys series. While the music may be great, Ys Strategy is a game that even the most ardent Ys enthusiasts would struggle to recommend.

Wanderers from Ys: An Intriguing Outlier

Wanderers from Ys marked a brief departure from the bump combat system in previous Ys games, and for many fans, that's mostly a downside. Adol's increased mobility is offset by enemies dealing significant damage, and it takes time to adapt to the side-scrolling Zelda II-style perspective. Overall, it just feels more generic than the first two games. Often considered the outsider of the series, Wanderers from Ys, while an interesting piece of history, might be the most difficult Ys game to recommend, even for die-hard fans.

Ys I: The Pioneering Classic

By today's standards, the first Ys game is pretty primitive, but it's one of the most influential action RPGs of all time. The bump combat system is clever and addictive, putting its peers to shame, and it poses a healthy challenge in the later stages. While the Eggconsole release on Switch is hampered by a language barrier, the D$ re-release does explain things where it matters, and it's more than possible to make your way through the game without knowing a lick of Japanese.

Ys II: Narrative Expansion

From its epic opening montage to its larger story, Ys II is a clear step-up in narrative. While it's largely the same in terms of combat and presentation, Ys II does make a few minor changes to make the experience a little smoother. Separate equipment and item menus help declutter the inventory screens, while Adol now has access to magic. As it's a direct continuation of Ys I, however, you really can't play Ys II without playing its predecessor. And, given that both Ys I and Ys II are only available as Eggconsole releases on Switch, you might be better off playing this duo elsewhere.

Wanderers from Ys (SNES): A Curious Outlier

Just like the PC Engine version, the SNES release of Wanderers from Ys is considered a bit of an outlier. There are very few things that differentiate it from the original release, except for a few name changes and some lovely new visuals. Unfortunately, it also comes with all of the caveats of the original and is perhaps the most difficult version of Wanderers to play through. With The Oath in Felghana coming to Switch in 2025, there are few reasons to pick up this version of Ys III besides as a curio.

Legacy of Ys: A Clunky Compilation

If you're limited to Nintendo platforms for your Ys adventures, then Legacy of Ys is a nice little compilation of Adol's first two adventures. Ported by Atlus, you either need to use the stylus to attack or bump into enemies and time your button presses perfectly, resulting in a clunky-feeling adventure without the simplicity of the original. While it's a way to experience the first two Ys games, the PSP or PC versions of Chronicles are easily the best way to play them.

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox: A Flawed Gem

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox isn't a massive step up over its tropical predecessor, Ys VIII, but it hits all the right beats it needs to make for an addictive and engaging action RPG. Were it not for the performance issues, we might even be inclined to say this is the best example of the genre on the Switch yet. Given those problems, however, we urge a little bit of caution with Monstrum Nox on the console. The fast-paced combat, memorable setting, and surprisingly content-rich open world make up for most of the issues and deliver an amazing experience for action RPG fans, but the frame drops are hard to ignore.

Ys Origin: A Brisk Dungeon Crawler

The story in Ys Origin takes a back seat to the brilliant and compulsive dungeon crawling gameplay, which should appeal even to those who don't tend to enjoy action RPGs. No puzzle, no battle, and no single room ever outstays its welcome in Ys Origin, resulting in one of the most easy-going and brisk action RPGs on Switch. Sure, the visuals could be better, the overall length might be too short for hardcore RPG fans, and there's a lot of grinding afoot, but this remains a solid choice if you're a fan of this sort of thing. Ys Origin is perfect even if you've never touched a game in the series before.

Ys X: Nordics: A Solid New Entry

Adol's newest adventure — Ys X: Nordics — stands as another great entry in this long-running action series, bringing in some cool ideas of its own without straying too far from what made its predecessors so beloved. Enjoyable combat, another excellent soundtrack, and an engaging world to explore all make this easy to recommend to both long-time fans and newcomers, even when some of the new ideas don't totally stick the landing. And, as with the other Ys entries on Switch, it stumbles a bit with its performance. If you're looking for another solid action RPG on Switch, then look no further than Ys X.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana: A Shining Gem

With fun, fast-paced combat, likable characters, and an enjoyable story that takes full advantage of its beautiful shipwrecked setting, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is a top-shelf action RPG. Exploring the Isle of Seiren is as rewarding as mastering the character-swapping, hack-and-slash battle system, and both fit into an addictive feedback loop of adventuring that keeps everything moving at a quick clip. The inconsistent image quality in handheld mode is a small blemish on an otherwise polished production, but this is a fantastic way to play Ys VIII, one of the very best action RPGs on the Switch and a true gem.