JRPGs took a while to become popular in North America. Final Fantasy VII is one of the big contributors to getting more westerners into the genre The heart of the kingdom and Persona 4 Goldamong many others. Now the RPG subgenre is very popular and fans are looking forward to another great AAA experience.
However, since it took so long for the genre to catch on, gamers may have missed the opportunity to play the next JRPG for one reason or another. They also may not have known they existed because they were imprisoned in Japan. These JRPGs may be hard to find and play officially now, but where there's a will, there's a way. Also in an effort to diversify, the systems will be mixed to create a broader view of JRPG history.
Lufia 2: Rise Of The Sintrals
Top Ten buried
Lufia 2: Rise of the Sinistrals is one of the best JRPGs on the SNES, one of the best JRPG prequels, and one of the best JRPGs period, but it is not widely available to play through official means like the other titles in the franchise.
The turn-based combat was simple, but the goblins were prominent during the fight, giving it a more whimsical feel of the time. Puzzles in dungeons, a compelling story, fun characters and a great adventure awaited on the world map. The game was remade, or rather remade, on the DS as Lufia: Curse of the Sinistralsand that is also not available.
Breath of Fire 4
ANOTHER Dragon Quest
Square Enix was good with the re-release Dragon Quest games, including recently released ones Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake. Capcom wasn't at the top of its dragon-themed franchise, Breath of fireexactly the same way. Oddly enough though, one of the best posts, Fire Breath 4was made available via GOG in April 2025.
It came out in the middle Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 fever, so it was buried again, just like it was in 2000 on the PS1. JRPG and Capcom fans owe it to themselves to check it out, as the sprite-based models still look good and the turn-based combat is just as engaging, especially with all the cool dragon transformations the hero Ryu could do.
Mega Man X: Command Mission
Mega Man's Other RPG
Another unfortunate Capcom JRPG is Mega Man X: Command Mission. When it comes to an RPG based on Blue Bomber, this is what most tend to think about Mega Man Battle Network franchise, but this was X the franchise's only attempt at a turn-based RPG.
The combat system was similar Final Fantasy 10'swith players able to equip up to three party members, both familiar and new, into battle. Unlike Final Fantasy 10although, Mega Man X: Command Mission it was hard but worth it because it spread X franchise outside of action platformers and cel-shading looked great. Unfortunately, the PS2 and GameCube versions were never re-released.
Onimusha tactics
Grid-Based Horror
Onimusha tactics
- Released
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November 12, 2003
- ESRB
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T // Mild violence, suggestive themes
Onimusha tactics was an odd choice for a spinoff, as it took the established themes of the PS2 action-horror franchise and simplified them for kids on the Game Boy Advance. Players were still gifted samurai who wielded the Oni Gauntlet, capable of giving them demonic power.
They also faced Lord Nobunaga and his demon army in battle, albeit in a tactical battle that resembled Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. While defending Onimusha franchise may have seemed bizarre to some, it was a decent little GBA JRPG that should be revived by Capcom, leading to the release of Onimusha: Path of the Sword.
The Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road
Better bad
The Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road is a DS RPG apparently based on Oz property, albeit with an original Japanese spin. The game was developed by Media.Vision, which most of you may know from Wild weapons and Valkyrie Chronicles franchises.
Players controlled Dorothy in dungeons using a trackball using the bottom screen of the DS, and battles were turn-based, with each party member strong against a specific type of enemy. This massive version of the Tin Man was good against plants thanks to his ax for example. Like many DS JRPGs, this was a niche edition, and it's a shame because Media.Vision put their backs into it.
Endless revelation
Xbox 360 Age of JRPG
Endless revelation
- Released
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September 2, 2008
The Xbox 360 era is full of forgotten JRPG exclusives that could easily fill a list on their own. They were there Blue dragon and A lost odysseywhich were good and can be played on modern Xbox systems thanks to backwards compatibility. Along with the two, the stranger is named Endless revelation.
Endless revelation is an action RPG where players control Capella, who can combine with his party's skills and magic. One of the big tricks was Capello's flute, which could reveal hidden passages to make exploration more dynamic. It may be full of standard JRPG tropes, but the game is still worth checking out for those missing classic JRPG themes.
LBX: Experience of Little Warriors
My toys are better than yours
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Developers: Level-5, Climax Entertainment
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Publisher: Nintendo (NA/EU)
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Released: August 21, 2015 (NA)
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Platform: 3DS
LBX: Experience of Little Warriors is probably Tier 5's most missed 3DS JRPG. It is part of a larger franchise in Japan, Danball Senkiand most games leave Japan.
In this 3DS entry, players controlled a robot toy that could fight action battles outside or in living rooms, making regular sets seem large because the toys are bite-sized. Bot customization is fun and the action is solid for a level 5 production, but tracking down the game now can be tricky.
I'm Setsuna
Chrono trigger rework
I'm Setsuna is a more modern JRPG, even though it's almost a decade old now. Square Enix created a new division, Tokyo RPG Factory, to create throwback JRPGs from the SNES and PS1 era, but the studio is now closed. Although it did not feature time travel, the game system and world map were similar in design Chrono Trigger.
For example, characters could combine their skills to perform combo attacks in turn-based combat. Of the few games that Tokyo RPG Factory has produced, I'm Setsuna is the best, it's worth revisiting now that it's available on a plethora of modern systems thanks to backwards compatibility.
