There are still some amazing JRPGs being released these days, such as Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Tales of Aiseand Metaphor: ReFantasiato name a few examples. As great as these games are, there are some JRPG fans who still feel like the 90s and early 2000s were the pinnacle of the genre and can't relate to modern games.
The 10 Most Timeless Classic JRPGs, Ranked
From the SNES to the 3DS, these JRPGs remain timeless in quality and have earned their place as genre classics.
There are turn-based, tactical, and action examples that still hold up today as they did decades ago. Some even have modern ports or remasters to help them. So let's take a look at some JRPGs that were released before 2010 on a wide variety of consoles. How well do these classics hold up?
Chrono Trigger
It's about time
Chrono Trigger is still one of the best games on the SNES that represents the 90s so well. It's an epic adventure with one surprise after another as players travel between different time periods from the modern age to the middle ages to the future and even the prehistoric era.
Before players know it, they'll be at the end because the pace is so tight without having to backtrack or crush other levels. Additionally, if players want, they can start a new game+ and continue.
Final Fantasy 9
A timeless classic
Final Fantasy 9 is a classic adventure game that showcases what's great about gaming Final Fantasy the franchise as a whole. It might start with a few clichés about princess kidnappings and warring kingdoms, but there's a lot more at stake.
The combat system is decent, each character represents a classic job like Black Mage or Thief, and Trance powers level the battlefield. The best part is how you feel in the world between the well-designed locations and the multitude of races, so the game really feels like a journey across cultures.
Personality 4
Scooby-Doo goes to Japan
Personality 4like most of Persona games, is a linear game in which players, as students, have to live their lives day by day. The first two hours are slow, but once things open up after this trial phase, players start to loosen up.
The overall plot involves a group of teenagers who discover powers in the TV world and try to use them to solve a series of murders in the city. Each month there will be a big reveal that will lead the team to explore a new related dungeon and, like any good detective story, will keep players guessing until the end.
Pokemon Gold/Silver
Monster catching at its finest
Pokemon Gold and Silver
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October 15, 2000
- ESRB
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Everyone // Mild cartoon violence, simulated gambling
Pokemon baby and Silver Pokemon gave fans what any JRPG fan would want from a sequel. There was a new area, Johto, new Pokémon, and new mechanics to keep things fresh.
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Pokemon now had a gender and could breed with each other, players had a phone system to talk to NPCs, and the list goes on. While Pokemon series has evolved and some of the mechanics are now a bit archaic, there is one thing that sets these games apart: the second area. After players beat the game, they can go to the previous area, Kanto, and start a whole new adventure that was amazing back then.
mother 3
Lost but not forgotten
mother 3 it was never released outside of Japan, but that didn't stop fans from wanting to play it officially, as it was released in 2006 on the Game Boy Advance. It serves as the last game in the Mother pacing the series, it's the best the series has to offer, with a faster introduction, partners joining the party faster, and the overall mix of colors making the game more appealing.
The combat system is simple, but also complex if players want to delve deeper into the musical cues, but it's not necessary. Buckle up, though, because this turn-based JRPG is sad.
Orb of Odin
The northern winds are calling
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Developer: Vanillaware
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Publisher: Atlus
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Platform: PS2
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Released: May 22, 2007 (NA)
Orb of Odin it was released late for the PS2 in 2007, almost a full year after it was released on the PS3 in 2006. It may have been missed by many for this reason, but it remains one of Vanillaware's best games. This 2D action JRPG puts players in charge of several characters, all of which are connected in some way, as players will see by skipping through the chapters.
Game systems have been improved in the remaster, Orb of Odin: Leifthrasirmaking the action smoother, for example, but this base version on PS2 is still a worthy work of art.
Golden sun
Turn based puzzles
Golden sun is a great turn-based RPG for those who want some Zelda gameplay also according to their experience. Players will encounter enemies randomly and fight in cinematic battles with large sprites and flashy animations.
In dungeons, players learn psychic abilities to interact with objects, such as the ability to summon a large hand to move pillars. It's a great mix of genres that never overstays its welcome, and along with the sequel, it's part of the GBA collection on Switch consoles.
Parasite Eve
The RPG equivalent of Die Hard
Parasite Eve is a great blend of action and turn-based JRPGs, as players can run around the battlefield avoiding attacks while waiting for their meter to fill up, allowing them to attack back. The game takes place in New York and focuses on a few days around Christmas, where detectives investigate a series of incidents involving the mutation of animals and humans.
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Even though it's a sci-fi game, much of the plot is grounded by the characters. It's also a short adventure, even with add-ons, so now is a good time to play it on a holiday weekend.
Shadow Hearts: Covenant
Alternate History Mayhem
Shadow Hearts: Covenant
- Released
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September 27, 2004
Shadow Hearts: Covenant takes place during an alternate version of World War 1, where Rasputin and other major figures in history assemble a secret society to take over the world. Players will take control of a special unit tasked with defeating this secret society, made up of an eclectic cast of characters such as a magical wolf and a gifted puppeteer.
In battle, players control the Judgment Ring, a spinning wheel that can affect attack power, making the turn-based combat system a little more active. Overall, the tone is sillier than most PS2 JRPGs.
Joan of Arc
Tactically accurate
Joan of Arc is also an alternate history JRPG, except that it takes place during the French and English war in the Middle Ages. Players start as Jeanne, a simple village girl who is drawn into the war when her village is attacked by monsters and is gifted with a magical ability to transform into a knight in battle.
Players will move from battlefield to battlefield while having access to a world map and the combat is a grid-based tactical JRPG. In addition to Jeanne, other party members can also learn the transformation, and once exclusive to the PSP, it can now be made available on modern hardware such as the PS5.
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