While it’s a lot of fun to immerse yourself in the latest big RPGs that require hundreds of hours, returning to the games that laid the foundation for the genre provides a unique experience. In the 1980s and 1990s, RPGs were going through an incredible period of innovation with studios like Square Enix and Game Freak delivering unforgettable titles.
It’s amazing what classic RPGs have achieved on old consoles: they managed to build immersive fantasy worlds, tell compelling stories, and deliver timeless combat despite the technical limitations of devices like the Super Nintendo, PlayStation 1, and Game Boy. What is different about these games is that they are still as fun and unique today as they were when they were released.
On the ground
Earthbound is one of the games that inspired Undertale, and is the second installment in the classic Nintendo Mother series. The story revolves around a boy named Ness who has the ability to teleport, and who must use the power of the Earth to face the alien attack led by Giygas and his army.
Although the game was not a huge success upon release, it has gained a loyal fan base thanks to its engaging modern setting, interesting turn-based combat system, and quirky sense of humor. or a bunch of pigs!
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
Although there are many Mario games in the RPG genre, the game that started it all is the best. In Super Mario RPG, Mario teams up with Bowser and Peach to stop the evil Smithy gang from taking over the Mushroom Kingdom.
Super Mario RPG revolutionized the world of role-playing games by introducing an interactive system that allows players to directly participate in combat even after it has ended. The game features a rich, carefully designed world, an exciting story full of adventures, and adorable characters like Geno and Mallow. These elements add new depth to Mario’s world, making it an unmissable experience for Nintendo RPG fans.
Shining Force 2
Shining Force 2 is a top choice for fans of classic tactical RPGs. The story begins with a disaster in the kingdom of Grancell, where a dark portal opens, causing an ancient evil force to escape and afflict the king with a mysterious illness. You play as Bowie, a young swordsman who is responsible for raising an army to face the demons and bring them back to their prison.
The game has a style similar to Fire Emblem, with each battle requiring you to intelligently plan the movement of your units and choose the right moment to attack, defend or flee. With its strategic challenges and surprises, Shining Force 2 is one of the most famous titles in the Sega library.
Suikoden 2
Suikoden 2 tells the story of two friends Riou and Joy, who find themselves in the middle of a war after each of them receives a portion of the magical “Rune of Beginning”. Gradually their strong relationship turns into a terrible conflict, because they have to fight until one of them has both parts.
The game combines the classic turn-based combat system with tactical battles that require commanding entire armies, adding a strategic aspect. Stunning pixel-style graphics and tons of memorable characters complete the experience, making Suikoden 2 an experience worth returning to again and again.
Final fantasy 7
Of all the classic Final Fantasy games, if you’re going to pick just one, 7th edition is a great choice. The story takes place in a dystopian future, with the player following the mercenary Cloud Strife and a group of rebels as they try to stop a tyrannical mega-corporation and a powerful enemy named Sephiroth .
Final Fantasy 7 is considered one of the most influential RPGs in history thanks to its immersive world, cinematic story, unforgettable characters, and shocking plot twists. The game was uniquely innovative at the time of its release, and remains unique today.
Pokemon Gold & Crystal
Pokemon Gold & Crystal is a qualitative leap in the development of the series, because it built on the foundations of Pokemon Red and Blue and added improvements that brought it closer to perfection. These versions allow you to explore the Johto and Kanto regions, finding 251 types of Pokemon to train and battle with.
The games featured amazing content for the Game Boy’s limited capabilities, and introduced new features that would later become pillars of the series, such as the mating system, Pokémon carrying items during battles, and the time system dynamic. Its most notable feature is its turn-based combat system, which combines ease for beginners with tactical challenges that will keep veteran players engaged.
Chrono Corruption
Chrono Trigger is one of the most prominent and best JRPG games presented by Square Enix. The game takes us on a journey with Crono, who finds himself faced with a mission to repair the timeline after a failed time travel experiment, which forces him to investigate the past and the present to come The game offers an interesting story full of unique characters, with 12 different endings that will give you a constant reason to come back and explore more.
Chrono Trigger was characterized by innovations that were ahead of its time, such as the elimination of random encounters, which is a big change in this type of game, as well as the active battle system that is still ‘ keep his reputation. The characters are also brilliantly designed by Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball. In short, Chrono Trigger is not just a game, but an experience that defies time.
