What are the Best 8- and 16-bit Console RPGs?

[marurun]

Random trivia! Did you know Robert Woodhead, the president and founder of Animeigo, is also one of the two co-creators of the Wizardry series? He and a fellow student created Wizardry 1-3 before it was handed off to someone else. I think it was negotiations with Japanese companies over Wizardry that got him interested enough to start Animeigo. Also nabbed him a wife, if I'm not incorrect.

[ott0bot]

Random trivia! Did you know Robert Woodhead, the president and founder of Animeigo, is also one of the two co-creators of the Wizardry series? He and a fellow student created Wizardry 1-3 before it was handed off to someone else. I think it was negotiations with Japanese companies over Wizardry that got him interested enough to start Animeigo. Also nabbed him a wife, if I'm not incorrect.

Ok so he negotiated with a Japanese company over Wizardry. Out of the deal he got enough money to start Animeigo and a wife? Was this in the 1870's?

Say what?!

[timewarpgamer]

LOL. Never heard of Robert Woodhead, but that's a great story.

[RadarScope1]

I think Dragon Quest 4 probably still holds up well, despite the stone age graphics. The multiple story lines keep things changing enough to keep your interest going just when it starts to fade.

But yeah, 16 bit stuff stomps most of the rest. My personal faves are FF6 and Secret of Mana. I wish I would have spent more time playing Chrono Trigger and Lufia 1/2 -- I will eventually. Playing Earthbound right now and it's petty damn fun. I'm not having any issues with the graphics or battle system. They are simple but not simplistic. Fun game.

[AwesomeMonstar]

Hmmm.... toughy. Well, here's my stab at it

1. Chrono Trigger
2. Soul Blazer
3. FFVI
4. Terranigma
5. Tales of Phantasia

Why does everybody like FFVI more than the Trigger? The only thing I can think of while playing FFVI is how much Chrono Trigger expanded on and improved it. Story-wise, battle-wise, presentation-wise it seems like a clear cut winner. I do like the system behind the espers and such but... eh... just never seemed as perfect as Chrono triggers... also some characters just seem worthless in comparison to others (Locke). Then again I'm only a paltry 12 or so hours in.

[GSZX1337]

Super Mario RPG > any other ROG that ever has or ever will be released

[ott0bot]

Hmmm.... toughy. Well, here's my stab at it

1. Chrono Trigger
2. Soul Blazer
3. FFVI
4. Terranigma
5. Tales of Phantasia

Why does everybody like FFVI more than the Trigger? The only thing I can think of while playing FFVI is how much Chrono Trigger expanded on and improved it. Story-wise, battle-wise, presentation-wise it seems like a clear cut winner. I do like the system behind the espers and such but... eh... just never seemed as perfect as Chrono triggers... also some characters just seem worthless in comparison to others (Locke). Then again I'm only a paltry 12 or so hours in.

Dang man, how can you think the theif is worthless? You can actually steal many of the games best weapons much earlier in the game than you can buy or find them and some accessories that you can only steal. Plus he can attack at full power from the back row with cetain weapons.

Anyway....comparing Chrono to FF VI is tricky because there are so many differences. I absolutely love the the style of FF VI, the character, summon and enemy sprites look fantastic. Such a great variety of characters and many stories. I like the more interactive attacks that other jrps, like doing street fighter moves or using a jackpot. I do like the fact that you can see the enemies on chrono and it's got great characters and the story is great. It's hard to say which is better, but I have more fondness for VI.

[timewarpgamer]

Just added some Cosmic Fantasy games and Far East of Edens (giving the PC Engine CD more love) to my recommended RPGs list. Admittedly, though it's a little hard to judge them fully when I don't know Japanese...

http://timewarpgamer.com/top10s/rpgs.html

[mobiusclimber]

In no particular order:

Phantasy Star I, II & IV
Final Fantasy VI
Shining in the Darkness
Breath of Fire II
Dragon Warrior 1 & 4 (haven't played 3, didn't like 2), 5
Legend of Ghost Lion
Super Mario RPG

But two of my favorite RPGs are excluded for being ARPGs: Shadowrun (Gen) and Crystalis (NES). Ys I & II on the Turbo is pretty awesome as well.

[Lord_Santa]

Ultima IV (Sega Master System)
Breath of Fire II (SNES)
Breath of Fire I (SNES)
Phantasy Star III (Sega Megadrive)
Rings of Power (Sega Megadrive)

these are the only games I've spent enough time with to call favorites (from the console era of 8/16-bit)