Advice on checking out old school RPG console games?

[shaxper]

Hey guys,

Believe it or not, I JUST finished Final Fantasy I for the first time. I didn't have video games as a kid so, as an adult, I'm really fascinated with old school consoles. I've acquired a few, but I've largely ignored newer consoles, wanting to experience the old school stuff first.

So I'm on an RPG kick. While I like most RPG games, I'm mostly interested in the Final Fantasy/Phantasy Star turn based games, as opposed to real time combat games like Zelda/Sword of Vermillion or text based games like Bard's Tale or The Pawn.

I've outlined a list of RPGs I want to tackle, and I'd really appreciate any input available. Should I skip any of these? Is there anything I should add to the list? Is there a better version of the game that I should be using, etc. I prefer to use original versions of the games as opposed to souped up later versions with enhanced graphics and such. Like I said, I'm old school.

You'll notice the list is relatively chronological. That way I can experience new innovations and technologies in order and appreciate what each game adds to the genre better.

1. Final Fantasy II (Japanese Famicon version) -- The real FF II. I'm using a translated rom on my PC to play it in as close to the original context as I can.
2. Final Fantasy III (Japanese Famicon version) -- same as FF II.
3. Phantasy Star II (Sega Genesis) -- I'm skipping over the original Phantasy Star because it looks too old school for even my tastes. I really do want to explore the rest of the series, though.
4. Phantasy Star III (Sega Genesis)
5. Phantasy Star IV (Sega Genesis)
6. Shining in the Darkness (Sega Genesis)
7. Shining Force (Sega Genesis)
8. Shining Force II
9. Final Fantasy IV (Playstation "Final Fantasy Chronicles") - I've been told that this is exactly the same as the original version, only with some movie clips added in. It's cheaper to get it this way.
10. Chronotrigger (Playstation "Final Fantasy Chronicles") - I've been told that this is exactly the same as the original version, only with some movie clips added in. It's cheaper to get it this way.
11. Final Fantasy V (Playstation "Final Fantasy Anthology")
12. Final Fantasy VI (Playstation "Final Fantasy Anthology")

And that's as far as I've planned, partially since I'm still waiting for FF VII to be rereleased in a cheaper format. Any suggestions for the list? Games to add, delete, etc?

[Sanagi]

The PSX versions of Square's SNES games are badly hampered by loading times. This is particularly painful in Chrono Trigger, because a big part of that game's appeal on the SNES was the seamless transition between exploration and combat. Since you haven't played them before, you might not notice the difference that much, but consider yourself warned. If you can get the GBA versions of those FF games, I'd reccomend them much more highly, but there isn't any other alternative for Chrono Trigger.

Suggestions:
Final Fantasy Legend 2 / SaGa 2 for the Gameboy - The first three FFL games are all pretty good, but FFL2 is the most fun and addictive.

Lufia 2 for the SNES - Probably the best RPG for the SNES that wasn't made by Square.

Ultima: Quest of the Avatar for the NES - This game has some annoyances and can really try your patience, but it's very different from other RPGs of its time. It has proto-RTS elements and a lot of cool, unique ideas.

[shaxper]

Thanks for the tips. I'll check all of those out. Maybe I can get FFL 2 on an emulator rom. I can't stand portables. How do the FFLs compare to the regular FF series, in general?

[shaxper]

The PSX versions of Square's SNES games are badly hampered by loading times.

Do you think this would be as evident if using a PS2? I've only played a few PS games, but each time I was apalled by the very idea of load times. I'd definitely like to minimize them. I guess I could grab an SNES FFII if the PS version of IV is too slow, but there's no way I'm paying $60-$80 for a used SNES Chronotrigger.

[Sanagi]

Thanks for the tips. I'll check all of those out. Maybe I can get FFL 2 on an emulator rom. I can't stand portables. How do the FFLs compare to the regular FF series, in general?
Completely different, for the most part. In Japan the series was called SaGa - the SaGa Frontier games are more recent sequels. They are actually related to the incremental stat upgrade system of the Japanese FF2. The SaGa series can be seen as following that path - one that was not popular enough to succeed in Final Fantasy. FF2 and the later SaGa series are, in fact, widely disliked, but I think the early SaGa games are well worth looking at.

[Sanagi]

Do you think this would be as evident if using a PS2? I've only played a few PS games, but each time I was apalled by the very idea of load times. I'd definitely like to minimize them. I guess I could grab an SNES FFII if the PS version of IV is too slow, but there's no way I'm paying $60-$80 for a used SNES Chronotrigger.
I haven't tried them on a PS2 so I couldn't say for sure.

[Jeremi]

Most defenatly try to get your hands on Breath of Fire 1 & 2, I personally enjoyed both very much. Others would be Super Mario RPG and if you can find it Bahamuts Lagoon.

[Young Avenger]

I don't see Earthbound on your list. Shame on you! It's a great RPG!

[Young Avenger]

I don't see Earthbound on your list. Shame on you! It's a great RPG!

[Sanagi]

I don't see Earthbound on your list. Shame on you! It's a great RPG!
It's also one of the highest priced SNES games, typically costing more than Chrono Trigger. This is why I didn't bother to mention Ogre Battle, which is rare on both SNES and PSX.

[Wesley Dodds]

I'd strongly advise against getting the Playstation Chrono Trigger or Final Fantasy games. I had Final Fantasy VI and the loading time for the menu was extremely disruptive.

If you won't play the SNES versions the GBA versions of Final Fantasy IV to VI are almost as good. Basically, the same graphics, some new features, and poorer music quality.

An English patch for the SNES turn-based RPG "Live A Live" was just released, so that might be worth checking out.

[Astonishing X-Fan]

Super Mario RPG on the Super NES was awesome.

Really, don't count on a FF7 rerelease. More likely, they'll be an actual remake on the PS3 first. Just get the current version, it can't be that expensive.

Also, as far as I can tell, the PS2 doesn't help the loading times on those Squaresoft PS1 games at all.

[Celisasu]

There was a strategy RPG for the Genesis called Warsong that I'd highly recommend. It's one of my favorite games from the 16 bit era.

[Celisasu]

Bah. Double post.

[jesse_custer]

Eliminate the Phantasy Star games. They're boring and clumsy. Shining Force is a fantastic Genesis RPG series, however.

I recommend adding the following:

Earthbound (SNES)
Super Mario RPG (SNES)
Lufia 2 (SNES)
Ogre Battle (SNES)
Breath of Fire II (SNES)

I also highly recommend playing Final Fantasy IV, VI, Trigger, etc. on the SNES itself. The SNES smashes everything else, basically.

[shaxper]

I'd strongly advise against getting the Playstation Chrono Trigger or Final Fantasy games. I had Final Fantasy VI and the loading time for the menu was extremely disruptive.

If you won't play the SNES versions the GBA versions of Final Fantasy IV to VI are almost as good. Basically, the same graphics, some new features, and poorer music quality.


I'm very much against doing it on a portable system. It just isn't my style. Instead, I may check them out on emulator roms for my PC. Thanks for the tip!




Really, don't count on a FF7 rerelease. More likely, they'll be an actual remake on the PS3 first. Just get the current version, it can't be that expensive.


$75. I consider that expensive.


Eliminate the Phantasy Star games. They're boring and clumsy. Shining Force is a fantastic Genesis RPG series, however.[/b]

I already picked up Phantasy Star II for $5, so I'll give it a try. If I don't love it, I'll ditch the whole series. When I was first getting into consoles, Phantasy Star was the series to play. I always wanted them back then, so I feel like I've got to give them a chance now.

How far would you suggest going in the Shining Force series?




I recommend adding the following:

Earthbound (SNES)
Super Mario RPG (SNES)
Lufia 2 (SNES)
Ogre Battle (SNES)
Breath of Fire II (SNES)

I also highly recommend playing Final Fantasy IV, VI, Trigger, etc. on the SNES itself. The SNES smashes everything else, basically.


Your recommendations sum up a lot of what many people have been saying. I will certainly look into all of those. Thanks!

[Sanagi]

I'd just like to mention that I never liked portables until the GBA SP came out. It is a beautiful machine.

[shaxper]

I'd just like to mention that I never liked portables until the GBA SP came out. It is a beautiful machine.

While I don't feel that anything beats playing it on a big old TV with your friends (or my wife) watching and getting involved in the action, my main problem with resorting to the GBA is that the games have been retooled. I really want to play them as they were originally intended (or as close to it as possible). I don't like my classic movies colorized, and I don't like my classic sprites redrawn :)

[Astonishing X-Fan]

The greatest hits version of FF7 can be found on ebay for 25-30 bucks. There's no way you should have to pay $80 for it. That's robbery.

[Serik]

Don't overpay for old console RPGs. The eBay/Half/Amazon resellers are highway robbers -- especially when it comes to old player's guides. There are many theories on why the market is like that; scarcity never seems to be one of them.

I actually found a seller on Abebooks that unloaded tons of SNES RPG guides for $4/each. Got Earthbound, Super Mario RPG, and a few others. Hell, I've seen the Final Fantasy Tactics guide sell for like $80 on Amazon Marketplace!

Fry's Electronics sells several PS1 RPGs, including Chrono Chross and other Square FF compilations if you're interested.

Also check out www.cheapassgamer.com for info on where to buy. They have a pretty active trading forum, though I've never used it.

[666MasterOfPuppets]

I'd recommend Chrono Cross and Breath Of Fire IV for the PSOne.

[Alex]

Just make sure you do Phantasy Star 4 and Chrono Trigger first, those are still, probably,my two favorite rpgs ever.

[Alex]

And remeber, roms are illegal!
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(But you can get a bunch of old school games for free and you can even get hard to find ones, as well as getting games that were never put out in the US but have been translated by fans. Go find yourself a Secret of Mana 3 rom and don't feel bad because they never put it out here and it was the last time the series was good!)

[666MasterOfPuppets]

You mean Seiken Densetsu 3? :biggrin:

[jesse_custer]

How far would you suggest going in the Shining Force series?

I've only played the two Genesis games, and they're fantastic. Definitely inspiration for later excellent RPGs like Final Fantasy Tactics (PS1) and Disgaea: Hour of Darkness (PS2).

Also shaxper, I know you said you did not want any real-time action examples, but if you ever change your mind, Secret of Mana, Secret of Evermore, and, especially, Illusion of Gaia are also great SNES games. The latter has a crushing and unique story, but admittedly I would call it adventure before RPG.

If you ever get interested in 1990s RPGs on the PC, the Fallout series, Planescape: Torment, and the Baldur's Gate series are jaw dropping in their scope and playability. If you've already played them, you know what I'm talking about.

[titanfan]

I actually thought Phantasy Star I was the 2nd best of the series after #4.

Off the top of my head:

1. Final Fantasy Tactics
2. Wizardry (especially if you grew up playing 80's Computer RPGs)
3. Lufia II
4. Super Mario RPG
5. Arcana
6. Ultima III (if you never finished it on your Apple/Commodore)
7. Breath of Fire III and IV
8. SUIKODEN series

[Daemon]

Shining in the Darkness is a 1st person dungeon crawler that I enjoyed growing up.

its sequals Shining Force 1 & 2 are tactical RPG's though which are also fun.

I've seen a couple recomendations for Breath of Fire 3 & 4 so I suggest 1 & 2 since they are equally as fun.

7th Saga is a fun RPG for the SNES.

[Michael P]

Everyone else has already covered most of my recommendations, but you might want to give the Dragon Warrior/Dragon Quest series a try. I know the first three games were re-released for the Game Boy Advance a while back (1&2 were in a single cart together).

[marshal99]

And nobody mentioned the Lunar series yet. :frown:

Lunar 1 & 2 for PS1

Lunar 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEIURTJKek0

Lunar 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpAO2PC1HOI

[Phrozen]

Shining Force III was actually put out for the Saturn. It was supposed to be the first of three parts. I don't know if the other two were released in Japan or not.

I also recommend Tactics Ogre but be warned, it is very very hard and do not get attached to your soldiers as sacraficing one or two can mean the difference between winning and losing.

[Sanagi]

Shining Force III was actually put out for the Saturn. It was supposed to be the first of three parts. I don't know if the other two were released in Japan or not.

I also recommend Tactics Ogre but be warned, it is very very hard and do not get attached to your soldiers as sacraficing one or two can mean the difference between winning and losing.
I've never been able to get into the Tactics Ogre games, despite my general love for Quest and Yasumi Matsuno.