Summary
- Chrono Trigger remains one of the greatest video games with a tight pace and lovable characters.
- Final Fantasy 6 impresses with the World of Ruin and iconic villains, aging gracefully.
- Suikoden 2 offers an epic story, impressive roster, and tactical combat that ages brilliantly.
The JRPG genre has been around for a long time. Fans have been treated to some absolute classics that broke new ground back in the day, and are still a ton of fun to play. The genre is still going strong, but it has its roots in the earlier days of gaming.
Some of these classic JRPGs have aged beautifully, with everything from their visuals to their combat drawing in fans even decades after their original releases. Of course, it would be impossible to discuss the strengths of these JRPGs without also highlighting the memorable characters and epic stories that are widespread in the genre. These games may be old, but they're still worth playing — and not just for the nostalgia.
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Chrono Trigger
Still The Greatest JRPG Ever Made
Chrono Trigger
- Released
- March 11, 1995
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Chrono Trigger is one of the greatest video games of all time, with the legendary trio of Akira Toriyama, Yuji Horii, and Hironobu Sakaguchi paving the way for something special. The time-bending adventures of this JRPG are in a class of their own and very tightly paced to boot.
The lovable party members in this game ensure that players will be invested in an incredible story. The fact that players can start a New Game+ mode or tackle the final boss at any time (ideas that were fairly new back in 1995) shows just how ahead of its time Chrono Trigger is.
Final Fantasy 6
Arguably The Best 2D Final Fantasy Game
Final Fantasy 6
- Released
- October 11, 1994
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Partial Nudity
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Final Fantasy 6 is one of the greatest video games ever made, which hardcore fans of the series are intimately familiar with. It boasts the largest cast of party members in a mainline Final Fantasy game and features one of the most iconic video game villains of all time.
The World of Ruin is the highlight of this impressive game, turning Final Fantasy 6 into a non-linear experience as players help the heroes regroup and stage one final assault on Kefka's Tower. All of these moments combine to help Final Fantasy 6 stand out as a great game in the series that has aged gracefully.
Suikoden 2
An Epic Story And A Massive Roster Of Characters
Suikoden II
- Released
- September 29, 1999
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Many gamers consider Suikoden 2 to be the very peak of the series. Recruiting the 108 Stars of Destiny feels great, as players take on Luca Blight, one of the greatest video game antagonists of all time.
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The game takes place during a time when the Kingdom of Highland wages war against the City-States of Jowston. The epic story sees the heroes put everything on the line to stop Highland from wreaking havoc, with the tactical combat and great storytelling ensuring that Suikoden 2 has aged brilliantly.
Super Mario RPG: Legend Of The Seven Stars
The Remake Proved That This Game Has Aged Gracefully
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
- Released
- May 13, 1996
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Super Mario RPG is one of the greatest video games of all time, and the remake is more of a visual upgrade than anything else. The gameplay was left mainly intact and still feels great to this day, with even modern titles like Clair Obscur and Stick of Truth using a similar turn-based combat system with real-time inputs.
Mario teams up with friend and foe alike to stop the Smithy Gang from wreaking havoc on the world. The imaginative levels, excellent music, and the title's relentless charm make it clear why this game is hailed by many as an all-time classic.
EarthBound
Sparked The Anti-JRPG Trend
Earthbound
- Released
- June 5, 1995
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Suggestive Themes, Crude Humor
- Genre(s)
- RPG
While EarthBound's marketing failed to lead to the sales this title deserved, fans soon realized just how revolutionary this anti-JRPG was. The charming visuals, fun combat mechanics, and surprisingly great story elevated EarthBound to new heights.
In a time when most JRPGs focused on grand fantasy settings with high-stakes stories, EarthBound's grounded nature feels like a breath of fresh air. The game has aged brilliantly as a result, with titles like Undertale and Omori carrying forward this title's incredible legacy.
Parasite Eve
A Short, Compelling JRPG That Still Holds Up
Parasite Eve
- Released
- September 9, 1998
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Animated Violence, Mature Sexual Themes
- Genre(s)
- Horror, Action RPG
Players looking for a unique JRPG will love what Parasite Eve brings to the table. Instead of the cheerful high fantasy games SquareSoft was known for, Parasite Eve is set in modern-day New York, and features a mature storyline with copious amounts of body horror.
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It helps that this title isn't too long, so it doesn't overstay its welcome while letting players master a hybrid combat system. All of this combines to make Parasite Eve one of the most unique JRPGs that still feels great to play almost 30 years later.
Final Fantasy 9
One Of The Most Charming, Nostalgic Games In The Series
Final Fantasy 9
- Released
- July 7, 2000
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Violence, Mild Language
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
There's a reason why so many players consider Final Fantasy 9 one of the greatest games in the series. The tantalizing combination of classic and modern Final Fantasy makes this game more memorable than ever.
Unlike the realistic visuals that Final Fantasy 7 and 8 strove to adopt, Final Fantasy 9's charming art style has aged way more gracefully in this regard. Players will love this old-school JRPG with arguably the best Final Fantasy main cast, and a story that pays homage to many recurring elements in the series.
Vagrant Story
A Game Ahead Of Its Time, Released At The End Of The PS1's Lifespan
Vagrant Story
- Released
- May 15, 2000
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Animated Violence
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
It's a shame that Vagrant Story didn't enjoy the sales it deserved, because this title was something special. The localization was impressive for its time and has aged very well, along with the title's tough yet engaging combat.
The lack of grinding in this game means that players must hone their strategies and skills if they don't want to be obliterated by bosses. Once players get the hang of things, Vagrant Story is a memorable experience that serves as a great introduction to the world of Ivalice.
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