Remember, this list is dynamic and subject to real-time change according to each entry's User Rating in our database. If you haven't rated one, click the star in each entry's banner to score the game out of 10 and influence the ranking. Enjoy!
The Trails / Kiseki series might be one of the biggest RPG franchises around right now — at least, in terms of size and scope.
This storied JRPG saga takes place on the continent of Zemuria and follows different interlinking arcs, characters, and stories. Everything is carefully interconnected, with events affecting other storylines and characters frequently reappearing in future games. And with a staggering 12 mainline games to follow — with a 13th coming out in Japan later this year — its reputation is nothing short of prolific.
The series has been steadily arriving on Switch since 2020, but which one is the best one? Well, we've decided to rely on you, the lovely readers, to rank each of the games. Don't worry, this list isn't set in Cold Steel — you can click on the star next to the game title below and give the game a rating out of 10, and you may well influence the order. So if you're not happy with the number one pick, then you might be able to change that. It's all in your hands.
With that, let's have a look at the best Trails / Kiseki games on Nintendo Switch:
8. The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails (Switch)
The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails is a fun action RPG that takes elements of the wider series it's based on and crafts something unique. The minute-to-minute gameplay is also engaging, although with some minor platforming frustrations here and there.
While the story may be simplistic and not as politically engrossing as the mainline Trails games, the heartfelt cast of characters and side quests help flesh out its world.
Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.
7. The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II (Switch)
Trails Through Daybreak II doesn’t feel nearly as refreshing as its predecessor, but it’s still a solid entry in the long-running series that ticks the necessary boxes (legible text aside). Though its story isn’t all that exceptional, the combat is as rewarding as ever and new gameplay features like the Marchen Garten help to make this feel distinct and worthwhile.
And while we wouldn’t necessarily suggest that this is a great starting point for newcomers, series fans will find lots to love here, even if it won’t be topping many lists as a series favourite.
6. The Legend Of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV (Switch)
Trails of Cold Steel IV is the climax that fans of the series deserve, comprehensively delivering on its promise as the end of a saga while setting up future plotlines that are sure to affect the lore in all kinds of fascinating ways. That said, this is also a rather weird game to recommend. Newcomers absolutely should not play this game first, given that it’s a concluding chapter to an ongoing saga years in the making.
Longtime fans, on the other hand, don’t need any convincing, as they’re going to get this game if they’ve already invested the hundreds of hours of legwork that set it up. Assuming that's you, Trails of Cold Steel IV is a spectacular RPG experience that no fan of the genre will want to miss out on.
5. The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III (Switch)
Trails of Cold Steel III is another excellent addition to a franchise that gains so much of what makes it absorbing from the huge amount of background detail and world-building that's been achieved in earlier entries in the series. Newcomers should be aware that taking the time out to play Trails of Cold Steel I and II is advised to get the absolute maximum amount of enjoyment out of this one but, even if you're jumping in fresh, there's still plenty to love here once you find your feet.
With a massive cast of well-written characters and tons of excellent combat and exploration spread across its epic running time, this is a top-notch addition to the Switch's library of JRPGs.
4. The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie (Switch)
Capping off the Crossbell and Cold Steel arcs with a nice little bow, The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie hits some high highs – such as with C and the True Reverie Corridor – and when it does, it's an RPG fan’s paradise. But as an overall package, it feels like an easy excuse to get a huge number of characters together rather than do something meaningful with them. I
t’s far from the series’ best, but fans will find a lot to love here, even if we'd recommend seeking it out on another platform for the best experience, or waiting for a patch.
3. The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure (Switch)
The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure takes everything that’s excellent about Zero and runs a marathon with it. It’s one of the best-paced games in the series, with some of the best characters, best music, and easily the best setting.
The Crossbell Arc is a hugely compelling two-parter that captures everything that makes the Trails series what it is perfectly, and Azure in particular deftly balances high-stakes drama, political intrigue, and poignant character moments. This is one Switch RPG we won't be feeling blue about anytime soon.
2. The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak (Switch)
Trails through Daybreak stands as another great entry in the storied Legend of Heroes series, making the most of its new setting with its memorable characters and engaging turn-based combat.
Though it’s held back a bit by things like the awkward introduction of action-based combat and some irritating quirks (and nearly unreadable text in portable mode), this is still an entry that we would strongly recommend to both series fans and, yes, newcomers, too.
Trails through Daybreak is a strong inaugural outing, offering another fresh start for this franchise; we’d suggest you give it a shot.
1. The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero (Switch)
In a series renowned for its stellar writing, twisting plots, and wonderful characters, The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero is a stand-out RPG. Narrowing the focus of its story to one state, and honing in on a smaller cast of characters, makes for a fantastic and engrossing adventure that is about both intimate relationships and huge, secretive scandals.
The fact that this is just one half of a duology means that, while the story wraps up nicely here, we had tons of questions that we were itching to get answers to in Trails to Azure. If you haven't played Trails, it's time to overcome that barrier, because there’s no better place to zero in on this fantastic series than in Crossbell.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many games are there in the Trails / Kiseki series?
At the time of writing this, there are 12 mainline games in the Trails / Kiseki series and three spin-offs. Of the main series in the West, six games are on Switch, plus one spin-off.
The 12th game in the series, Trails through Daybreak II, launched in English on 14th February 2025 and is the latest mainline release in English. A 13th game, Kai no Kiseki - Farewell, O Zemuria, launched in 2024 in Japan, with a Western release to be announced.
What is the best Trails / Kiseki game to start with?
There's no easy way of saying this, but the best place to start really is the beginning of the franchise, so The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky is the ideal place to start.
Of course, that's not available on Switch, so the next best thing is to start at the beginning of an arc. That means if the Switch is your only means of playing the games, then the best place to start is The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero.
Cold Steel III isn't the worst place to start, but it casually name-drops and spoils essential events from both the Liberl and Crossbell arcs and plenty of characters from each arc drop in and out of the story. So if you start there, prepare to be confused. Just... maybe don't start with Azure, Cold Steel IV, or Reverie.
If you're into action RPGs, though, then The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails is largely unrelated to the mainline series, so that's also a perfectly fine entry point.
Can you play the Trails / Kiseki games in any order?
It's not recommended, but you definitely can — you just might have a few gaps. The series is known for having a long, interconnected story, and characters and events pop up in multiple games in the series. But only part of the series is available on Switch, so if that's your only method of playing the series, then you'll have a few gaps.
Ideally, you at least want to play the respective arcs before moving on to another arc. This fantastic guide from RPGFan does a great job of summarising each entry/arc, but we'll bundle them together for you here. These are also listed in Japanese release date order:
- Liberl Arc - Trails in the Sky, Trails in the Sky SC, Trails in the Sky the 3rd (PSP/PC only)
- Crossbell Arc - Trails from Zero, Trails to Azure (Available on Switch)
- Erebonia Arc - Trails of Cold Steel, Trails of Cold Steel II, Trails of Cold Steel III, Trails of Cold Steel IV, Trails into Reverie (Cold Steel III, IV, and Reverie available on Switch)
- Calvard Arc - Trails through Daybreak, Trails through Daybreak II, Kai no Kiseki (Kai does not have a Western release date yet).
Is The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky coming to Switch?
It is indeed!
During the August 2024 Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase & indie World presentation, we got our first look at a remake for the very first Trails game: Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter. It looks beautiful, and combines the best of old and new Trails to help bring a new generation of fans into the franchise.
GungHo is publishing this one in the West, and it's launching on Switch worldwide in Fall 2025.
NIS has announced that Trails Beyond the Horizon is also coming in Autumn 2025.