These 10/10 Retro JRPGs Need No Notes

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Japanese Role-Playing Games, or JRPGs, really took off in the 1990s. Many of the most beloved games for consoles like the Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, and PlayStation were JRPGs. Titles like Final Fantasy VII were huge hits and are still considered all-time classics. The popularity of JRPGs continued into the 2000s, with many more memorable games being released.

Great JRPGs are plentiful, but a few truly stand out as must-play masterpieces. These three games remain the best examples of the genre, and continue to be benchmarks for quality that many others try to meet.

Phantasy Star IV Is Sega’s Best JRPG

Released in 1995 for the Sega Genesis, Phantasy Star IV is a captivating Japanese role-playing game with a story presented through scenes resembling comic books. The game takes place in a world ravaged by disaster, now overrun with monsters. Players follow Alys Brangwin and Chaz Ashley as they lead a team to uncover the source of mysterious creatures known as biomonsters.

Dangerous creatures called biomonsters can be found in every corner of the world. In the game Phantasy Star IV, these monsters are a constant threat, and it’s up to Alys, Chaz, and their team of monster hunters to defeat them all.

Phantasy Star IV concluded the main story arc of the series, and it’s considered a strong finale. Though initial reviews were mixed, it has since gained recognition as one of the best role-playing games of all time.

Chrono Trigger Is the Best JRPG On the SNES

First released in 1995, Chrono Trigger is a highly acclaimed game and often ranked among the best video games ever made. It’s especially known for being created by a talented team, including the late Akira Toriyama, famous for his work on Dragon Ball, who contributed to the game’s art and story.

In Chrono Trigger, the hero Crono and his friends Marle and Lucca are unexpectedly sent back in time. They then travel through various periods in history, working together to stop a devastating event from wiping out the world.

Similar to classic Final Fantasy games, Chrono Trigger features an Active Time Battle system. However, instead of battles starting randomly, you can see enemies right on the game’s world map. Characters can also team up to perform powerful combined attacks called teches.

Chrono Trigger stands out from other Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs) thanks to its innovative combat and a time-traveling story with several different outcomes. It’s remained a beloved classic for years, and it often wins over even players who don’t usually like JRPGs.

Final Fantasy VII Was a PS1 System Seller

The Final Fantasy series began in 1987, but it didn’t become widely popular until 1997 with the release of Final Fantasy VII. The game was a huge hit on the PlayStation and sold over 3.27 million copies in Japan by the end of that year.

The world of Final Fantasy VII is called Gaia, and it’s facing an environmental crisis because its natural resources are running out. The Shinra Electric Power Company is responsible, and they use their powerful SOLDIER mercenaries to silence anyone who opposes them. Cloud Strife, a former member of SOLDIER, now helps AVALANCHE, a group fighting to protect the planet, even if their methods are considered extreme.

Final Fantasy VII was a groundbreaking game because it was the first in the series to use 3D graphics, which really enhanced the storytelling. Memorable characters like Cloud and Tifa instantly resonated with players, and the game’s many side activities made it incredibly engaging.

The massive success of Final Fantasy VII was a pivotal moment for Japanese role-playing games, opening the door for other popular titles like Final Fantasy VIII and Dragon Quest VII. Even now, the game remains incredibly popular, with the third installment of its remake series being highly anticipated.

Golden Sun Is the Perfect GBA JRPG

Released in 2001, Golden Sun is set on Weyard, a planet similar to Earth where the environment is governed by elemental powers. These elements – Mercury (water), Venus (earth), Mars (fire), and Jupiter (wind) – are all named after planets.

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When the world’s natural powers are in danger, the game’s main character, Isaac, and his friends embark on a journey to keep them out of the wrong hands. What makes Golden Sun unique is that even the antagonists believe they’re acting for the greater good.

Golden Sun perfectly demonstrates that great games don’t need massive size or power. Despite being made for the Game Boy Advance, it’s a sprawling RPG that rivals games made for more powerful consoles. The original game proved so popular it led to two sequels, another GBA title, and a game for the Nintendo DS.

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2025-12-27 04:43