The JRPG genre continues to provide the world withsome of the very best games around. Granted, some of them can be incredibly long and others are not at allsuitable for beginners. For those looking for a game with strong storytelling,excellent loreand arewarding combat system, however, few genres are better equipped.
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While there have been plenty ofinnovative JRPGs released over the past few yearsthough, most modern examples are instead building upon the foundations laid by those which came before them. Throughout the eighties and nineties, in particular, developers like Square and Enix released some of the most influential JRPGs of all time; and they weren’t the only ones either.
10Lunar: Silver Star Story
Although not the first JRPG title to use full motion animated cut-scenes for storytelling purposes,Lunar: Silver Star Storyarguably popularized their use. On top of that, it also cherry picked some of the best ideas and mechanics found in earlier JRPGs and put them together into a complete package of sorts. It has a high quality English localization too; something that wasn’t always common for older JRPGs.
The original Sega Saturn version of the game never released outside of Japan, although a PS1 port did make its way west a few years later. Frustratingly, a subsequent windows port of the game was also confined to the Asian market, although the game did receive a solid IOS port worldwide in 2012.
9Ogre Battle: The March Of The Black Queen
It could perhaps be argued thatOgre Battle: The March of the Black Queenis not actually a JRPG in the traditional sense; instead falling squarely into the tactical RPG genre. While this would certainly be a fair assessment, it’s worth noting that when the game first released in 1993,tactical RPGswere not really a thing. As such, many consider it to be the pioneer of a new genre, despite it having originally fallen under the JRPG banner.
The SNES version of the game originally released exclusively in Japan, but came to North America a few years later. A PlayStation port soon followed, although there have been no further ports in the west since then. The game’s sequel was remade for the PSP in 2011 though and arguably offers a far superior experience than the original game.
8Persona 3
TheShin Megami TenseiandPersonaseries have each been around for quite some time now, although it’s only in recent years that they’ve received any significant attention in the west. A big part of their appeal comes from theirsocial mechanics, which were first established inPersona 3. Although not the first title to use these mechanics,Persona 3both refined and popularized them; leading to them becoming staples not only of theSMTfranchise, but also the very JRPG genre itself.
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First released for the PS2 back in 2006,Persona 3can also be played on the PSP or PS Vita in the form ofPersona 3 Portable. Given the recent success ofPersonagames in the west andPersona 4having made its way to PC last year though, it would not be at all surprising if thePersonaseries' third entry (well, technically, it’s the fourth)soon follows suit.
7Disgaea
The firstDisgaeagame didn’t bring too many new ideas to the table, although it was able to expertly combine some of the ideas and mechanics from games that had proceeded it to great effect. As many other JRPG series have turned towards realistic graphics and real-time combat in the years that have followed, however, theDisgaeaseries has stuck stubbornly to its roots and built up a rather sizable fanbase as a result. As such, it demonstrates that there is still a clear and obvious demand for more traditional JRPG titles.
Unlike some other Japanese companies, Nippon Ichi Software is very good at preserving the playability of its past games. It regularly ports older titles to newer hardware, meaning that the firstDisgaeagame can now be played on numerous platforms. As well as several older consoles, it’s also available on PS4, Windows, Switch and Mobile..
6Pokemon Red, Blue & Green
The firstPokemongames had a huge impact on the JRPG genre in a number of different ways. First and foremost, they were some of the earliest to cater to a younger demographic and this helped them to find a huge audience in both the east and the west. They also inspired countless imitators, thus creating a subsection ofcreature collecting gamesin the process.
Originally released on the Game Boy, they have since been remade on numerous occasions;first asFire Red & Leaf Greenon the Game Boy Advanceand then again asLet’s Go Eeevee & Pikachufor the Switch. It’s still possible to play the games in their original form as well, either on the 3DS via the Virtual Console or by using the original Game Boy cartridges.
5Earthbound
Earthbound, orMother 2, as it is known in Japan, is one of the strangest JRPGs to ever make its way west. For as unusual as it is though, it is also one of the most enjoyable.Its unique design choicesshowed other developers that it is okay to stray from the norms from time to time and also had a huge impact on the indie gaming scene in later years.
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Sadly, there’s still no word on if or when the game will be making its way to the Switch, meaning that there aren’t too many viable ways to play it. Aside from owningthe original SNES cartridge, the only other legal way to play the game is by downloading it through the Virtual Console on the 3DS. One suspects, however, that it is only a matter of time before it comes to the Switch as well.
4Secret Of Mana
TheManaseries isup there with the likes ofDragon QuestandFinal Fantasywhen it comes to influential JRPGs, thanks in large to its innovative real-time battle system and cooperative multiplayer functionality. It does still share plenty of similarities with the aforementioned series though, which is perhaps unsurprising considering that it started life asaFinal Fantasyspin-off gameknown asFinal Fantasy Adventure.
While some may prefer the 2018 remake ofSecret of Manadue to its improved visuals and the many quality of life updates it offer, traditionalists would perhaps be better served elsewhere. TheCollection of Manaset that released the following year containsthe originalManatrilogyin all of their 8 and 16-bit glory. Sadly, the latter can only be played on Switch though, meaning that PC and PlayStation players will have no choice but to settle for the remake.
3Chrono Trigger
Many considerChrono Triggerto bethe best JRPG game ever madeand there is strong evidence to support this opinion. The game looks and sounds great, has anexcellent and innovative combat systemand a wonderful branching story that’s full ofcharming and well realized characters. What’s more, the game popularizedthe inclusion of multiple endingsin JRPGs as well as the inclusion of a New Game Plus mode.
The original game was released for the SNES and was later ported to the PS1. An enhanced port for the 3DS followed some 10 years later and the game was eventually brought to Steam and mobile devices the following decade. Whether or not it will ever come to the Switch remains to be seen, although the Steam release should be good enough for most players.
2Dragon Quest
Much likeAlone in the Darkdid for the survival horror genre, the first threeDragon Questgames set a lot of the standards for future JRPG titles.Nameless protagonists,turn based combatand random encounters were just some of the innovative elements that punctuated the series' earlier entries and helped to make them some of the most popular and best selling Japanese games of the late eighties.
Most of theDragon Questgames, including the original trilogy, can be played on the Switch via digital download. There are also several other ports and remakes available, although the most accessible of these are probably the ones for IOS and Android. A PS4 port was also released in 2017, although, sadly, it never left Japan.
1Final Fantasy
IfDragon Questis theAlone in the Darkof the JRPG genre, thenFinal Fantasyis perhaps itsResident Evil. It is by far the most recognizable JRPG series ever created and is responsible for some of the very best games of their kind.The first fewFinal Fantasygames haven’t aged particularly well, but the series' sixth, seventh and tenth entries in particular are arguably just as enjoyable today as they were at the time of their releases.
The popularity of the series is such that pretty muchall of the mainlineFinal Fantasygamesandspin-offsare fairly easy to get hold of, either on their original consoles or on some of the more recent ones instead. The PS4 and PS5 have access to the majority of modernFinal Fantasygames; many of which can also be played on Switch and PC. Those hoping to get their hands on some of the earlier games may be better served on mobile though, as the first nine games are now playable on both IOS and Android devices.
