The Only 26 JRPGs You Absolutely Have to Play

[Jmustang1968]

1. Final Fantasy VI - YES
2. Illusion of Gaia - NO
3. Chrono Trigger - YES
4. Lunar: Eternal Blue Complete - Haven't played, but probably yes
5. Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 - haven't played but probably yes
6. Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch - Haven't played
7. Xenoblade Chronicles - Haven't played
8. Xenogears - YES
9. Dark Souls - Haven't Played
10. The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky - Haven't Played
11. Final Fantasy IX - YES
12. EarthBound - YES because it is unique, but I feel it is overrated
13. Final Fantasy VII - YES
14. Radiant Historia - Haven't played
15. The Last Story - Haven't Played
16. Lufia 2: Rise of the Sinistrals - Haven't Played
17. The World Ends With You - Haven't Played
18. Suikoden II - YES
19. Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride - Haven't Played
20. Final Fantasy Tactics - YES
21. Secret of Mana - YES
22. Final Fantasy Type-O HD - only played demo, and would be leaning no
23. Valkyria Chronicles - Haven't Played
24. Tales of Vesperia - Haven't Played
25. Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together - Resounding YES
26. Fire Emblem Fates - NO (FE Awakening is better)

This makes me realize I am really slacking on playing some of these... Though I admittedly play a bit more Western RPGs.

I would definitely add PSIV and Shining Force 2 and 3. Type-Our making it over those and other FFs is a joke. FFIV would also be a contender for me. This list seems to lack PS2 RPGs. I also think they lean to more recent titles due to recent familiarity

[Exhuminator]

23. Valkyria Chronicles - Haven't Played

With this one you are legit missing out. Fantastic SRPG.

[Ack]

Yeah, most of what I'm familiar on here with would be the older stuff. I largely stopped playing JRPGs around the PS1/PS2 transition point, and much of this is "newer." Have we entered some new golden age of JRPGs? Last I looked, folks were still lamenting their death on consoles.

[Gunstar Green]

Xenogears disc 1 was awesome, though it was partially the mecha fan in me that made it that way for me. Then disc 2 happened. Oh boy.

[Sarge]

Xenogears disc 1 was awesome, though it was partially the mecha fan in me that made it that way for me. Then disc 2 happened. Oh boy.

Precisely that. Not to mention the story kinda stopped making anything resembling sense. If the quality had held up throughout, I'd certainly declare it to be one of the best of that era.

I do understand why there are some modern games here like Ni No Kuni. For better or for worse, it's one of the few shining examples of a traditional console RPG. And it's not bad at all, I just think other games Level-5 worked on are better; Dragon Quest VIII and Rogue Galaxy immediately come to mind. It's pretty, though.

I'm actually a bit surprised that Final Fantasy XII didn't end up here. I know there are quite a few folks that are smitten with it (even if I'm not), and I think it would be a better representative on the list than FFIX... another one that I didn't really like. In some ways, though, Xenoblade fills that void well. I think you have to leave Final Fantasy VII on just from sheer historic importance.

I think Valkyrie Profile would have been a splendid choice for one of the spots.

Yeah, most of what I'm familiar on here with would be the older stuff. I largely stopped playing JRPGs around the PS1/PS2 transition point, and much of this is "newer." Have we entered some new golden age of JRPGs? Last I looked, folks were still lamenting their death on consoles.

Heck no. Handhelds are where all the good ones have fled, for the most part. I'm actually quite surprised that there aren't a few more entries on that front. I think one could make a case for including one of the Etrian games, for example. NOPE

[MrPopo]

I'd put the Etrian games in the same bucket as the Dark Souls games; not JRPGs even though made by a Japanese developer.

[Ack]

I'd put the Etrian games in the same bucket as the Dark Souls games; not JRPGs even though made by a Japanese developer.

Sort of like naming one of the numerous Wizardry spin-offs, eh?

[Sarge]

Actually... yeah. You're right. Not sure what I was thinking there, especially with my hardline stance on Dark Souls.

[marurun]

Illusion of Gaia is not really that awesome a game. No idea why it's on this list.
And 4 Final Fantasy titles seems like overkill. Get rid of Type 0 and IX. Maybe replace VII with X *shrug*.

Why Persona 4? Is it really that much more impactful than, say, the original Persona? (Legit question as I haven't played it.)

Some titles that clearly needed to be on the list:

Grandia (US translation was weak, but the core game is still fantastic, and the Japanese Saturn version is a joy in every regard.)
Phantasy Star II (or IV, but II is more iconic)
Panzer Dragoon Saga
Shining Force II (or III, but II is more iconic)

[Xeogred]

My argument for Xenogears is that, the second disc ruins the 50 some hour journey up to that point for you guys? I really don't mind that disc 2 turns into a novel, but I'm apparently like the only one out there that thinks this. But, I am also probably the only person in the world that has beaten Xenogears, Xenosaga 1, 2, 3, and Xenoblade, and likes them all.

This list gave me a headache immediately when I saw Illusion of Gaia. The marbles fell from there. lol

And FF6... I just don't know guys. I find 4-5 to be just as awesome, if not better in ways. And I'd probably take FF10 and Lost Odyssey over FF9. I haven't even played Type-0 but there is just no way that tops other installments in the franchise. lmfao