Top 10 JRPG games, back when JRPG's used to be Awesome

A long time ago JRPG's used to use a simple formula, which consisted of epic and unique stories with interesting and strategic battle systems, optional hard bosses and mini games, it was a guaranteed success. But now the JRPG developers have ignored these formulas and the genre is having some trouble on consoles.

Honourable mentions:
12. Secret of Mana
11. Dark Cloud 1 & 2

[Emilio_Estevez]

Final Fantasy IX is def my favorite FF. Also, like the 10 to 1 list, people usually feel the need to start with 1.

[Ranma1]

Have you played all the games on my top 10 list. whats your top 10 or 5?

[Emilio_Estevez]

No, just FF6,7,9 and part of 10. Not a big fan of JRPG's, but sometimes I'll check em' out.

[iChii]

You forgot a few epic games..like Final Fantasy VIII (The best FF in my opinion) and Secret of Mana. Also, Chrono Trigger deserves a better spot than 7, that game is legendary but I respect your opinion.

[thorstein]

You mean, your top 5 JRPGs and top 5 FFs.

You left out the original Dragon Warriors (Dragon Quests), which were phenomenal, Earthbound, Actraiser, Secret of Mana, Ogre Battle (all iterations) Star Ocean, Phantasy Star.

If you don't recognize any of those, grab a SNES and GET THEM!!! You won't be disappointed. Oh, (and though it isn't JRPG) if you do grab an SNES pick up Shadowrun.

[dedicatedtogamers]

FF10 as #1? Gotta disagree there, but I suppose I did grow up with a lot of cRPGs in the '90s so perhaps my RPG preferences are colored. All the games on the list are ace, of course. No disagreements there.

[LightofDarkness]

Absolutely, I even rank XII ahead of X (blasphemy, I know). I think a lot of people rank X so highly because it was their first Final Fantasy game, but honestly there are a lot of better games IMO. I didn't like the cast at all, really. I'd also have ranked IX ahead of VII, and probably put IV in there. And Chrono Trigger is always #1. ALWAYS.

CRPGs do tend to colour one's perception of JRPGs, true. Stories like those found in Planescape: Torment and Baldur's Gate II just seemed to be more meaningful and "mature." Even playing through Xenoblade Chronicles, perhaps one of the most progressive JRPGs in some time, I can't help but notice the ever-present story cliches and archetypal characters.

I could never get into the Persona games, mostly because I have a hard time empathizing with high-school kids and their problems :p, but I just didn't find them engaging enough. I also have yet to play Dark Cloud, Tales or Suikoden games. Perhaps I'll tackle them after The Last Story.

[dedicatedtogamers]

If you like more "mature" storylines, you'd enjoy Suikoden, especially II. Yeah, it has its cliches, but its almost entirely political/racial. Vagrant Story is another good one.

[Kalowest]

Most of those are Square-Soft games, SMH now like at them.

[PhantomTommy]

Chrono Trigger and Persona 4 are amazing, I think Dragon Quest: Journy Of The Cursed King should be on the list though, what a game.

[thorstein]

Yes DQ VIII. I wish my Fat Ps3 still worked so I could play it!!!

[Theo1130]

Notice how all those game look about the same aesthetically, that's why jrpgs aren't doing so well.

[Rage_S90]

Someone needs to play Xenogears.

Also Dragon Quest 8 is brilliant.

[LightofDarkness]

Xenogears is t*ts.

[Megaman_nerd]

true that man. DQ8 has been the best DQ game since DQ3 and Xenogears has like, the most mature story ever told in a JRPG.

[belac09]

ive played every one and i would say ff 9 or tales of symphonia. maybe kh.... so hard to choose. great list though, i agree with you fully!

[Valenka]

JRPGs are still cool; have you kept up with the Final Fantasy games, or maybe played Resonance of Fate?

[Capt-FuzzyPants]

Go to any article back when 13-2 came out and you'll quickly learn his opinions on new JRPGs.

[Capt-FuzzyPants]

No FF13 or 13-2? I thought you loved those games. Just kidding, not a bad list though.

[Megaman_nerd]

I didn't like X one bit but I was really surprised when many of my friends that never played an JRPG's before loved the game so much. I really didn't like the world nor the characters and I didn't even really like the music which everybody say that it is one of the best soundtracks. But more weird is the people that say that they liked FFX but not FFXIII when they both are so similar. From the PS2 FF games XII was the best in my opinion. And no FF game can beat FFVII or VI and FFVIII was my first but it really wasn't that good. As a kid I loved it but as I grew up I understood why so many people didn't like it.

[jjordon]

For me JRPGs stopped being cool around 1999 or so. Of course, after Morrowind, I just could not look back.

[moegooner88]

Final fantasy x was my first FF as well, to say it is a masterpiece is an understatement.

[DragonKnight]

Man Suikoden II is the shiznit. That game rules. Infinite improvements over the first one (which also totally rocks) and is just an incredible game. The 2D graphics WERE NOT a failing about this game. It is generally agreed that once Suikoden switched to 3D it lost something. None of the games following have been able to top Suikoden 1 or 2, though 5 at least got back to basics.

Shadow Hearts is also fantastic except for number 3. Never cared for it really. I guess you just get used to Yuri and his life that you don't want to play as someone else as the protagonist. Unique combat system that hasn't been seen since. Someone needs to pick up the rights for it and make a new one. As long as they can do it justice.

Personally, I think you're forgetting many games, but 3 I would put up there for sure are Earthbound, FFIV, and FFTactics (not the lame Advance versions, the original one that was on PS1)

Earthbound was just a very fresh, unique RPG. There was nothing like it when it came out, and there still isn't. Tons of humor, unforgettable music, the most unique enemies you could possibly imagine, and a great world to explore. It will always be one of my all time favorite RPGs.

FFIV is the reason FFVII even exists. That game has been called the grandaddy of FF games and even JRPGs. The story of FFIV is where many (if not most) of FFVII's story got it's themes from. The cast is a lot more enjoyable and memorable than FFVII's that's for sure, as the only useless character you ever have is Edward as opposed to FFVII where Cait Sith is useless, Aeris dies too early to be useful, Tifa is pretty useless. Essentially you can beat the game with just Cloud. I also think FFIV has better music and a better final boss (with better final boss music too) than FFVII.

And FFTactics. My god, you want to talk about a game with a good story then FFTactics is your game. Immensely political and religious. The story is just too deep to talk about in one comment post here. Also, it has the most punishingly unforgiving AI I've ever seen in a game. To date I haven't played a game where the enemies co-ordinate so well to crush you. It's the kind of game where you could be at max stats with the best equipment and have your a$$ handed to you by 1 Red Chocobo. It's also a very long game with so many secrets and so much customization you'd be hard pressed to find another game with more. Seriously, play it.