The best classic RPG

Key Takeaways

• Some video games are timeless, and RPGs from the '80s and '90s are still just as breathtakingly beautiful as when they debuted.

• Games like Earthbound and Super Mario RPG offer plenty of humor, while other titles like Xenogears and Final Fantasy 7 tell thought-provoking stories that will stay in your mind long after the credits roll.

There's nothing better than sinking hundreds of hours into the latest big-budget RPG, but sometimes it's nice to revisit the game that started it all. The '80s and '90s were the heyday of role-playing games, with studios like Square Enix and Game Freak producing some of the most innovative titles in the genre.

It's amazing what an old-school RPG can achieve on retro hardware. These games created immersive fantasy worlds, told captivating stories, and offered timeless combat within the confines of the Super Nintendo, PlayStation 1, and even Game Boy. The following games in particular are still as good today as they were when they were released:

8

earthbound

A silly but charming cult classic.

Best known as the inspiration for Undertale, Earthbound is the second installment in Nintendo's cult classic Mother series. You must control Ness, a boy with telekinetic powers, to harness the power of Earth to fight against the alien invader Giygas and his army of brainwashed creatures.

Although it wasn't a hit upon release, Earthbound has since gained a loyal following thanks to its captivating modern setting, engaging turn-based combat, and hilariously bizarre humor. After all, there's no RPG that can fight sentient circus tents and piles of vomit. You never know what to expect, but that's part of the charm.

7

Xenogear

Pilot robot suit in this epic sci-fi RPG

Fans of mecha anime will feel right at home with Xenogears. The story follows the amnesiac Fei Fong Wong, who learns to pilot mechanical suits called Gears in order to end war across the planet. A predecessor to Xenoblade Chronicles, the game explores many similar themes, including spirituality and existentialism.

Gameplay-wise, the switch between on-foot combat and fighting in a mech suit keeps the game fresh and interesting throughout the 80-hour campaign. Simply put, Xenogears strikes the perfect balance between epic animated action and thought-provoking story beats.

6

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

A plumber's greatest adventure

Mario has appeared in many amazing RPGs, but nothing can top the RPG that started it all. In Super Mario RPG, the famous plumber must team up with Bowser and Peach to stop the evil Smithy Gang from conquering the Mushroom Kingdom.

Super Mario RPG revolutionized the genre with action commands that kept you engaged in battle turn after turn. Not to mention the game's amazing world-building, engaging story, and lovable characters like Geno and Mallow. It adds so many dimensions to the Mario universe that it's a must-play for any fan of Nintendo or RPGs in general.

5

Shining Force 2

A Sega classic that will test your strategic thinking

If you want a retro tactical RPG, Shining Force 2 is your best bet. When a dark portal opens, an ancient evil escapes, and the king falls ill with a mysterious disease, terror strikes the kingdom of Gransil. It's up to a young swordsman named Bowie to raise an army and drive the demons back to prison.

Like Fire Emblem, each battle feels like a game of chess. You must place your units throughout the stage and decide when to attack, defend, and retreat. Challenging, strategic, and full of twists and turns, Shining Force 2 is a gem in Sega's library.

4

Suikoden 2

Face your destiny in this iconic JRPG

Suikoden 2 is the story of best friends Riou and Jowy, who find themselves caught up in war after each finding half of the magical Rune of Beginnings. What begins as an unbreakable duo turns into a fierce rivalry as they are destined to fight until one of them possesses both rune fragments.

What makes this game unique is its mix of traditional turn-based combat and Fire Emblem-style tactical combat where you command large armies. Add in amazing pixel art and a cast of memorable characters, and Suikoden 2 is a blast of fun you'll be able to revisit again and again.

3

final fantasy 7

Best game in the series

You can't go wrong with a classic Final Fantasy game, but if you can only pick one, the seventh entry is your best choice. Set in a dystopian future, the plot follows mercenary Cloud Strife and his band of rebels as they must stop a tyrannical megacorporation and the power-hungry demigod Sephiroth.

Final Fantasy 7 is widely regarded as one of the most influential RPGs of all time, thanks to its immersive sci-fi world, cinematic story, memorable characters, and shocking late-game plot. It was more than innovative at the time and remains astounding today.

2

Pokemon Gold & Crystal

Get ready to catch 'em all

Pokemon Red and Blue set the foundation for the series formula, but Gold and Silver almost perfected it. Explore the Johto and Kanto regions to catch, train, and battle up to 251 types of Pokémon. The amount of content packed into such a small Game Boy cartridge is truly astonishing.

Gold and Silver introduced several new mechanics, many of which became staples of Pokémon, including breeding, holding items, and the time system. But the biggest advantage of all is accessibility. Turn-based combat is easy to learn but difficult to master, making it perfect for beginners and long-time RPG fans. Don't sleep on this retro masterpiece.

1

Chrono Trigger

JRPG for the ages

Of all the JRPGs Square Enix has made, Chrono Trigger is the best of the best. After witnessing a failed time travel experiment, Chrono must venture into the past and future to restore the timeline. What follows is a strong, character-driven story with 12 different endings to keep you entertained for more.

I can't stress enough how innovative Chrono Trigger was for its time. The lack of random encounters was a huge step forward for the genre, and the Active Time Battle system hasn't lasted a day. Plus, the music is really great and the characters are expertly designed by Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama. Simply put, some games are timeless, and Chrono Trigger is one of them.