Need Present Ideas

[FairlyHardcore]

My little brother is turning 13 in a week and I want to buy him an RPG for his Birthday. I'm an avid RPG player and he isn't, so I'm trying to convert him. Do you have any suggestions? We own an SNES, N64, PS, DS, GC, and Wii.

I was thinking of getting him one of the following:
Chrono Trigger
FF IV, VI, or VII
Soul Blazer
Secret of Mana
Illusion of Gaia

Can you pick one for me to buy, or point out one blatantly obvious game that I've missed. I'm not looking to pay too much ($20 tops).

[sevin0seven]

most of those RPGs are over $20 except for Illusion of Gaia. so i would go with that.

[saturnfan]

Skies of Arcadia (GC)

Also let me know if you find Chrono Trigger for $20, I'll give you $30 for it.

[dedalusdedalus]

I'd say Chrono Trigger or FFVI are your safest choices for "converting" someone to RPGs.

From a gameplay standpoint, they're fairly conventional RPGs, so these would be a great way to introduce someone to the internal logic of RPGs. I also thought the battles were easy, so you're removing the frustration risk right there. And the last thing is--they're just masterfully executed, so you're starting him with the best that 16-bit RPGs have to offer.

Soul Blazer, Secret of Mana, and Illusion of Gaia are all fine RPGs in their own right, but they're also somewhat idiosyncratic and I think the frustration factor might be higher. For that reason, they're not ideal starting RPGs.

[Ziggy]

If you're trying to get some one into the RPG genre, you should start them on a more simple game. Do you have a Super Gameboy for your SNES? If not, they could be had for cheap. Reason being, I'm recommending the early Pokemon games. They're dead simple and still fun to play.

Another I recommend is Final Fantasy 1, but the version that was in Final Fantasy Origins for the PS1. It's a pretty simple RPG, and the PS1 version isn't hard at all especially if you use a guide. And yet, it's a really great game.

[Opa Opa]

I normally suggest starting with Chrono Trigger. The DS version is about $20 new as opposed to the $60+ for the SNES version and includes a couple new dungeons, some new features, and the added content from the re-release on the PS1.

[Lokkenjawnz]

I'd say Secret Of Mana because you can both play it together, and that might encourage him to play more. Plus it's an action-RPG, so if he's bored easily this might keep his attention better.

[alienjesus]

I think you're suggesting some pretty hardcore grindy old school RPGs there, which to me, arent a good way to get someone into RPGs. I'd be looking at getting him something like Paper Mario or Mario & Luigi - great RPGs with a twist, that arent too grindy and have some other gameplay styles mixed in.

Otherwise, i'd say pokemon but i know some kids that age wouldnt be seen dead with a pokemon game. How about Golden Sun - that's one of my favourite old-school style RPGs, its not too hard or too easy, not too grindy and has fun puzzle mechanics outside of battle too.

I see you didnt list any gameboys though. Do you have a gameboy player or phat/lite DS?

If not, my vote is for Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door.

[Anapan]

How 'bout FF Mystic Quest. I remember it being pretty straightforward and didn't take too long or too much effort to beat. I don't think I did any grinding at all.

[Ziggy]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention Mystic Quest. Wikipedia says it was marketed as a "simplified role-playing game...designed for the entry-level player" in an attempt to broaden the genre's appeal. So the game is actually aimed at people that haven't played RPGs before. Also, it could be had for dirt cheap.