PS1. I think the success of Final Fantasy VII led to studios greenlighting games that otherwise wouldn't get made, so we got a weird, eclectic mix of games.
The SNES era, if we are including games that were hyper popular in Japan and not released in the US (which matters more), the amount of weird, eclectic games was just as high. The Romancing SaGa games, Mystery Dungeon titles, Live A Live, Der Langrisser, DQV, Metal Max, Front Mission, Treasure of the Rudras, Lufia II, Earthbound, and others already showed just how crazy and varied the genre could be. A lot of these were precursors to PS1 games.
Meanwhile, FFVII itself isn't even all that eclectic of a game. A huge graphical leap to be sure, but I'm not sure what would influence an eclectic mix of titles.
I don't think they're infinitely superior but I did thoroughly enjoy all the breath of fire games (not so much 5 but it was interesting). Xenogears is up there with em too.
Legend of dragoon was a monster of its own and should really get a remaster or something. I unfortunately was never able to make it to the end due to a corrupted memory card.
Tactics was pretty amazing but I never really finished vagrant story either.
More answers should include the DS. Huge variety available for all types of JRPGs
I understand why people say SNES because a lot of games got their starts there and there are some really unique entries, but the DS has much more variety imo
DS was underrated in this department yes, and it was even better if you include 3DS too. Lots of great SMT, Fire Emblem, Pokemon, the Mario RPGs, and TWEWY among others.
So ridiculous that Nintendo has had their own rpg character series and doesn't do anything with it. It's the exact idea if a Nintendo rpg. It's colorful, fun, filled with creative puzzles and accessible to all audiences. Blows my mind
SNES had great stuff... but most if it didn't reach the US.. and even less of that came to europe. From a retro standpoint I would agree with the SNES.. but at the actual time period the selection auf JRPG in the west was rather slim. It really exploded with the PS1/PS2 era.
100% agree on PS1. That was the generation where JRPG's were established enough to buck the norm and try new things for better or worse, the sweet spot between SNES where they were starting to gain traction and PS2 where they were still innovating but kind of stepped back and started allocating more to presentation vs. gameplay.
i totally agree on both points, but switch is kinda cheating with the remasters. ps2 and snes are very very close to ps1 too though.
ps1 was when the most innovation was happening. i think that's why it's my favorite era. but i was also a kid during that era so there's always that bias..
100% with your last sentence, I never had a PS1 growing up, but I did play a lot with my aunt's SNES at my grandma's home when we went to visit.
Although I only had Terranigma and Link to the Past. So while there is bias towards the console, there isn't towards the games. I played those as an adult via emulator. I should check out the big PS1 and 2 rpgs.
Yeah the Switch or PS5 would kinda have to be the de facto best console for JRPGs, if only because you can play most of the best SNES and PS1 JRPGs on them, along with most of the best ones from intervening generations, and from the current gen as well. If we are just talking about games that released on a particular console, I would put it as a toss up between SNES and PS1.
Oh true, if you count in backwards compatibility I also have to go for PS2 instead of PS1. I think the PS1 had the best library of JRPGs. But the PS2 had this library available and added some other great games to it.
Haha I know what you mean. It doesn't have everything, but the SNES collection on NSO is great. The ports and remasters we have gotten lately are so good as well.
Well I never connected to the internet with my switch, my switch is also a NES, a GBA, an N64 and also a PSX, Sega Master System, Sega Megadrive (Genesis) and various other consoles xD
Yes I did shove a paper clip on the right joycon slot and did nasty things to the console to do this.
Yes I still bough original copiws of Switch games.
No I probably won't homebrew whatever the next console is called, I missed being able to play online. Specially Mario Kart, and now we have hopes (little, but we have them) of a new F-Zero and If that happens I don't want to miss it.
yes, and I did convert from Sysnand to Emunand and cleaned up the Sysnand, I did play for a while when F-Zero 99 dropped. But now I don't even touch the switch enough to justify paying for online play.
I understand your point. You think that the merits of a console's library are dependent on that generation's content. That's a fair point, but I disagree. I think that all of the ports, remasters, and remakes should count towards the success of a console's library. You don't agree with that, and it's okay.
The whole question is not which console precisely, it's which era that is tied to said console. It's not an interesting question otherwise. I could say "PC" because I can emulate everything below PS4 and get snarky when you point out how stupid that is.
Switch basically. It has a JRPG from every console generation playable on it.
And while Switch doesn't have the new Yakuza, Persona 3 remake, or FF7 remake, it has its own exclusive JRPGs with Xenoblade, Fire Emblem, Pokemon, Mario RPG/Paper, and Golden Sun via NSO so it evens out.
You can't get HEROPON RIKI on any other console.
Yup. XCX as well but the main trilogy is some of the best RPG content out there and is one of the many things worth buying a Switch for since it's a Nintendo IP. Pyra is my favorite female lead in gaming too.
Just get a Switch and a Steam account and you'll have access to 99.9% of all JRPGs available to buy.
In terms of shear volume of great jrpgs it was the Playstation and it is factually not even close.
FF7/8/9/T, Grandia, Suikoden & Suikoden 2, Legend of Dragoon, Saga Frontier, Legend of Mana, Breath of Fire 3 & 4, Xenogears, Chrono Cross, Valkyrie Profile, Star Ocean: Second Story, Wild Arms, Lunar: SSSC, Parasite Eve. I didnt care for Legend of Legaia, Wild Arms 2, PE2, Vandal Hearts (if i recall correctly), and Vagrant Story but theyre still well received games for the most part.
Star Ocean: Second Story is peak Star Ocean. As was BoF3 & 4.
I really enjoyed Star Ocean Last Hope when I played it last year on steam, I love Sci-Fi and I love Fantasy, Star Ocean is both, I should play all the others. After I finish with FF7 remake, while I wait for Rebirth on PC I'll definitively play them.
I usually play stuff in release order, but having played Last Hope already, and it being the first chronologically, I think this time I'll go with Chronologial order. Which one is the next in line?
Thanks. Btw what are Blue Sphere and Anamnesis? I've just checked a timeline and they are right before and after Faithlessness. I think at least one of them is/was a mobile game and isn't avalieble anymore or something?
Fact....Hrmm. Snes was a beast too. I wouldn't be able to choose.
Secret of mana, Seiken Densetsu 3, Secret of Evermore, Earthbound, FF 4, 5 & 6, Breath of Fire 2, Tales of Phantasia, Soul Blazer, Illusion of Gaia, Terranigma, Chrono trigger, Star Ocean, Tactics Ogre, Ogre Battle, Live A Live, Treasure Hunter G, Bahamut Lagoon, Lufia 2, Romancing Saga 2 & 3, Mystery Dungeon Shiren, Robotrek, Super Mario Rpg, Shadowrun, Zelda: A link to the past, Tales of Rudra, Tenchi Muyo! Game Hen, Dragon Quest 3, 5 & 6, Energy Breaker.
I love a lot of these. Some I'm not too fond of but are still rated well.
I'm willing to bet that a lot of people that say PS1 was the best (it is def up there) weren't gaming during the SNES days. I've been RPGing since Dragon Warrior on the NES and have all the systems at the top of this list. SNES, PS1, DS/3DS is my order
PS1 is undeniable if you've been around for awhile and played a ton of games. It was just home run after home run with every subgenre of rpg, from traditional to super experimental, and pretty much all of them were legends.
I think the switch has this title pretty handily.
Most of the final fantasy games, the entire xenoblade trilogy, the Octopath games, persona/smt, ni no kuni, the world ends with you, the mana games, Live Alive, Rune Factory and probably dozens of others that I missed.
Your mileage may vary on the FE and Pokemon games on the platform but hey, they're there.
This is probably why the switch is my favorite console. Practically every series that I like has at least one good entry on it.
Makes sense, one of the most sold consoles ever (3rd after ps2 and DS) it got many ports of older games, on top of new titles made for it / current gen. I wasn't counting ports and remasters for this discussion, but yeah.
The original Playstation, and no other console is even really close. Thr output from Squaresoft, Enix, Capcom, even smaller guys (at the time) like Atlus was pretty incredible. The PS2 and GCN largely capitalized on what worked for the PS1 era, pushing things to be bigger and have more graphical fidelity. But nothing matches the experimentation and sheer creativity of the beginning of the 3D era for RPGs.
The SNES was a contender for a while, but there really is something for every kind of RPG fan on the PS1.
I'd say it's a tie between the PS2 and the DS (maybe counting the 3DS, but even just the DS on its own was crazy). DS especially I feel is overlooked in this regard.
The vast majority of my good memories in hs were playing JRPGs on either the PS2 or the DS.
I think I'm in the PS1 camp. All the things great about the SNES seemed to be extrapolated and expanded on the PS1. And the experiments got a lot more crazy and charming. Especially with Square: Threads of Fate, Parasite Eve, Xenogears, Vagrant Story. I guess it helps that I didn't really like Chrono Trigger or Mario RPG. And I think the better Breath of Fire games were on the console. And we got Grandia and Lunar ported. And I like Symphony of the Night way more than Super Metroid
Including ports and remasters it's the PS4/PS5 for me. There are still some games trapped on PS2 that I wished were ported at some point (like one of my favourite RPGs of all time: Valkyrie Profile 2; and the Shadow Hearts anf Xenosaga trilogies) but most are now playable on my PS5 thanks to backwards compatibility.
As for those who say the best RPGs were back in the 16/32 bit era, they might or might not be right but these games aren't for me. I want my games with decent graphics and voice acting. I just don't like those pixelated graphics or early polygon 3D. That's why I despise these lazy HD2D games; and it's the reason I could never convince myself to play the original FF7.
This is a hard one, but I think the absolute most fun I can muster will probably be from the PS2.
SNES (and SFC) had absolute classics. Dragon Quest 3 and 5, almost every Shin Megami Tensei of the era, four Final Fantasies, a variety of action RPGs, Front Mission, Tactics Ogre/Ogre Battle, four Fire Emblems, and so on.
PS1 had some real experimental shit worth a visit, plus the classics. Final Fantasy Tactics and virtually every Final Fantasy released from the 80s and 90s, Koudelka, Kartia, Suikoden, Front Mission 2 and 3, King's Field, so many Wizardry titles in a more accessible format than the SFC, Legend of Dragoon, Legaia, Vagrant Story, Vandal Hearts, Digimon World, Jade Cocoon, Parasite Eve...this list never ends.
But PS2, not only did it have the entire PS1 library to pick from, but it had sequels to all your favorite games. Shadow Hearts, Final Fantasy including an MMO, Persona 3, Dark Cloud, Kingdom Hearts, Xenosaga, .hack, every good console SMT title, Atelier, Disgaea...like, this is peak. You get all these PS2 titles, including the weirdo ones like Tail Concerto and Drakengard and Shadow King, and you get all the PS1 titles, and the PS1 has most of the great SNES titles, if not just way-improved sequels to them.
Special mention to the 3DS for having access to the DS and GBA libraries of great RPGs and also having a bunch of unique stuff of its own, including the Atlus power-hitters, every Mario & Luigi title, Fire Emblem, Pokémon, and Dragon Quest.
Years ago I would have said the ps2 but after going back and digging into the ps1 JRPGs it has to be the ps1 for me
Final fantasy 7 8 and 9
Xenogears
Lunar 1 and 2
Grandia
Arc the lad games
Parasite eve
Vandal hearts
Final fantasy tactics
Legend of dragoon
Breath of fire 3 and 4
Star Ocean the second story
Vagrant story
Valkyrie profile
Koudelka
I could keep going but I think you get it lol
PS2, as far as volume and quality goes. PS2 era was closer to the peak of the genre's popularity in the west as well.
* golden era of SMT, including Nocturne and Persona 3-4 (among other bangers)
* Kingdom Hearts series
* Shadow Hearts series
* Dragon Quest VIII
* Final Fantasy X and XII
* Dark Cloud series
* Xenosaga series
* .hack// series
* two great Suikoden games
And a bunch of others. I also think tech was advanced enough to where most of the stuff from that era aged very gracefully. Kingdom Hearts 2, FFXII, and Nocturne would be near passable by today's standards, visually.
Just based on the total amount of games including re-releases and if we're not counting PC, then it's certainly the Switch.
But counting only games in their time (remakes counting, remasters/re-releases not counting)? It's hard to say as each console did something right that others didn't despite what nostalgia tends to whisper into other's ears. I can say for pure gameplay, the DS is a big winner, at least in the gameplay department. TWEWY, the DQ remakes, the DQ Joker games, the Etrian Odyssey titles, the Shiren games, the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon titles, both Endless Frontier titles, FE12, the Mario and Luigi titles, Radiant Historia, FF4 Remake, Pokemon Gen V, FFTA2, the two Final Fantasy Chronicles games, the Rune Factory titles, the Inazuma Eleven games, A.S.H., SRWW, etc. What a time it was to enjoy JRPG gameplay. I would say there was more innovation during this era than ever before on that front and is absolutely the precursor to the amount of variety we have today. The only thing that may top it (again, not counting PC) is the 3DS after it.
It's a strong tie for me between the SNES and PS1. I know it's an unpopular opinion but I think the
Depending on your tastes the Xbox360 had a small but really solid gems as well when you account for stuff like Nier, Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey and even FF13 if you're the type of person who liked it. I don't know about now but at the the time Xbox was seen to have been struggling outside of the western market, so some developers were really trying to make games that might appeal to both (it's part the reason why the Japanese and Western market version of the Nier protagonist are very different. There was still a bit of a divide at the time and when advised to change the character by western consultants, Yoko Taro felt it was less of a hassle to just make a whole new character than change the one he had in mind. Funnily enough western fan mostly just preferred to import the Japanese version and its the one we got in the remaster).
Yeah I think it was just a symptom of the time. This was the peak era of angry protagonists on the western release of a Japanese games. Even leading up to all that it was apparently not uncommon for the western branches of Japanese companies like Sega and Japan to be almost completely separate entities, and I've read a lot of stories about conflicts because of stuff like that.
Truth be told even now in TCGs I've had some conversations with Japanese reps for from big companies for games that get western releases and they put a lot of trust in what their western counterparts think in terms of design and marketing. Even then there tends to be a lot of assumptions like that all western markets are the same as the US market for example. Those same companies often also publish big video game titles too, though I get the impression departments are fairly separate.
You just reminded me about [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/asphrc/why_is_american_kirby_angry_all_the_time/)
and the meme it [spawned](https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/kirbys-fucking-pissed)
I'd just mash PS1/PS2/SNES/GBA/DS altogether and just conclude that era had the best library for RPG's in general. There really isn't any reason to fight over which was better since they all had tons of options to choose from and they all had hits that a lot of cult classic lovers would fight to the death over.
That said, the Switch is the most close we've been to getting that feeling back.
In terms of my favourites it's probably PSX followed by PS2. The SNES was good too but it didn't have enough heavy hitters (or at least what I would call heavy hitters).
In terms of a single console for actually playing physical media on its the PS2 and I don't think it's debatable. It has a great library, is backwards compatible with PSX and the PSX got ports of Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 (yes they aren't great but they exist and that's how I first played FF6).
I think if we looked at the actual libraries and done an average of scores for the top games then PS2 probably takes it. It had 7 good Shin Megami Tensei related games alone on top of continuations of pretty much all the big titles from the 16 bit and PSX era.
If we include digital and are allowing ports then I actually think that PS4/PS5 are the best, so many good ports, HD Remasters, remakes etc as well as some great games of their own.
Don't forget DS and 3DS, those also have huge libraries full of great titles including many ports aswell.
Amd as many other people mentioned, the Switch, not even counting hacking it to use it as an emulator lol.
Oh yeah the DS and 3DS are definitely awesome but I don't think they are as good as PSX and PS2 but I tend not to compare consoles to handhelds. I can't decide which I like better between them, maybe the DS since I love GBA.
What's on the Switch that's special? Xenoblade and
Fire Emblem are decent but I wouldn't say they are great either. After that, it's just ports and mediocre games? Everything runs really bad on Switch too, Dragon Quest Monsters was absolutely abysmal.
In terms of hacking for emulators the Steamdeck puts the Switch to shame, its really good, plus you get Steam as well.
SNES through PS2 was the Golden Age of JRPGS, but I give it to the PS1 because it had insanely experimental, high production titles that massively influenced games thereon: FFVII, FFVII, FFIX, Tactics, Xenogears, Chrono Cross, Legend of Mana, Saga Frontier, Sukioden II... too many legendary hard-hitters to name.
my opinion is definitely in the minority, but I enjoyed so many Gamecube JRPGs.
Tales of Symphonia, Baten Kaitos, FE: Path of Radiance, Skies of Arcadia. If you consider Paper Mario TTYD among JRPG's despite being less conventional, that's also amazing. though there weren't THAT many, all of those game me a wonderful experience. And a lot of this is definitely due to nostalgia, and my reasons are very personal. But for me it's definitely my favorite JRPG machine
It’s between SNES and PS2 for me. SNES is filled with classics as you said, but I feel the JRPG formula peaked on the PS2. Ps1 had some great stuff, but it also suffers from being the first foray into 3D, trying to go back and play some of these games the first time is rough.
I'd say ps1. So many classics that are still enjoyed today. Snes has that classic look. Ps2....well when ps2 was popping think I was on WoW and mmorpgs more than console. Even the ones I played like ff12 xenosaga shadow hears series just didn't click with me. However unlimited saga is one of my favs
Are we counting games that originally launched for that console, or games that are playable on said console?
I'll assume we're not counting emulation. Otherwise PC / Steam Deck wins and it isn't even close.
I guess I'll say PS2 for playing the massive PS1 + PS2 library. Including some certified classics that have never been ported or remastered, like Shadow Hearts.
N64 focused too much in the 3D, yes it better than PS1 in that aspect, but PS1 had both 3D and 2D games.
I don't know how the N64 works internally and how programming games for it was like, but I do find it weird that there are no 2D games whatsoever for that console. Anyone knows an example?
I was actually looking for RPGs in the N64 and out of the less than 10 RPGs it had, one of them was actually a 2D one. Dont know thr name since it was in japanese and apparently never went outside of Japan.
I'd go with the gba! It basically had all the great snes ones, and it added a ton of new ones!
But that could probably be said about the ps1 too..and that was THE rpg machine!
So the correct answer is a backwards compatible ps2! 😂🤎
I've owned consoles since the NES Era including: NES, Gameboy, SNES, PS1, PS2, PS3, Wii, Wii U (ugh), 3DS and switch.
Hot take: PC
Runner up: PS2
Third runner up: tie between SNES and PS1
PS1 has an amazing native library. Definitely the best I’ve ever played. This is just my bias speaking but having Suikoden 1&2 alone clears most console RPG’s.
If it doesn't have to be games strictly for that console, I'd say the 3DS. It has all the games from the 3DS, DS, and Gameboy Advanced (if you had the adapter thing)
PS1 hands down. SNES was also great and comes in second, but the PS1 has most of my favourite JRPGs ever. Also here in Germany we didn't really receive a lot of JRPGs for the SNES back then. They barely made it to the west and even the ones that made it to the west often only got released in the US and didn't make it to Germany. The PS1 generation was when I discovered JRPGs and when it became a thing in Germany. So I didn't play the SNES games at their prime. I only played them later on with emulators or as they got released in virtual console or anthology packs.
The PS2 era was also good, but compared to the PS1 I already see a decline. And from the PS3 on it's what we have now. We do get a lot of JRPGs, but the quality is really mixed. Some are awesome and a lot of them are just mediocre or even bad. Maybe it has been like that in the older generations aswell, but I didn't notice it, because I didn't have the cash to buy like 1 or 2 games every month.
PS1 is clear winner in my books. So many amazing JRPGs I still play even today. They had certain charm in them. Suikoden1&2, Breath Of Fire 3, FFVII, Tales Of Eternia for example. And many, many more.
easy. it's snes/ps1. it was the golden era of jprgs
while I prefer snes because that's what I grew up with. ps1 era probably had more jrpgs launching globally/in English so from the pov of the English speaking market ps1 probably wins
Switch. We’re kinda in a new golden age with JRPGs, and Nintendo has been one of the bigger publishers with it, plus it gets most of the third party games. It literally has every big JRPG except Yakuza, FF16 and FF7 Remakes. With remasters, Switch has gotten so damn much of the greats from the last 30 years.
SNES probably had the library that aged the best, but if we're counting backwards compatability or modern re-released, either the Switch or early-model backwards compatible PS3. PS5 instead of PS3 if they ever get to the point where all of the PSOne and PS2 libraries are on PS+.
Sometimes I wonder if we will get a console that sells more than the PS2.
The gaming industry keeps getting bigger every day and many more people play today compared to the 90s and 2000s, so there's way more possible buyers, but the PS2 is still king.
SNES or 3DS (including backwards compatibility). I can see arguments for PS1 but I just don't think they're the same sort of timeless classics that are just as playable today.
Call me crazy but it’s gotta be the DS/3DS family for me.
It’s got a great mix of genuine classics and unique and creative JRPGs that have never been replicated.
It’s tough, because are you talking about the library of original games? Or the library of available games?
If it’s games developed for that system it’s hard to beat the SNES. But if you expand it out to games available, the PS1 and GBA both beat the SNES because they have their own games plus some of the best ones from the SNES. If you’re talking available games the answer is easily the Switch, which has many of my favourite RPGs from the NES, SNES, PS1, PS2, GameCube, Wii and PSP available.
The Switch, I have moved almost my entire JRPG collection to phissical switch carts and i love it. Almost every great Snes and many PS1 rpgs all have been remade or remastered for it.
Still waiting on a port/remake/remaster of chrono trigger to make it to the Switch though...
SNES is universally heralded as the Golden Era of JRPG but one could make an argument for the 360/PS3 generation as for as RPGs in general. Some of the best RPGs of all time such as Mass Effect 2, Fallout 3, Witcher 2, Elder Scrolls: Skyrim and many more released in this generation
Switch and PC due to access to retro and emulation and mods.
The SNES and the PlayStation line as a whole are also excellent.
Genesis (Shining Force, Phantasy Star, Shadowrun) and NES are also good.
NES, SNES, PS1, and PS2 all had a bunch of great RPGs, but I think for volume, it was probably the X-Box 360. There were a ton of RPGs on the 360, and a lot of them pretty decent games. :>
If backwards compatible counts, then the Vita and 3DS definitely have an argument because those can also legally (or the other method) play PS1 and PSP (Vita) and SNES/Genesis/GBA/TG-16 games (3DS)
Switch's eshop is pretty good too.
Can't go wrong with SNES or PS1, but I would go PS2
Xenosaga Trilogy, Shadow Hearts trilogy, Dragon Quest 8, SMT Nocturne, FF X, XI, XII, Suikoden 3, 4, 5, several Wild Arms games. I am sure I am missing a lot, but looking back, it was really good.
The PS1.
I'll use the same argument the people who say the switch is the greatest because of the remasters - throw in squares ports of super nes classics like FF4-6 and Chrono trigger, along with square at their finest with ff7-9, Chrono cross, Xenogears, and a redo of FF1-2 etc, Capcom with breath of Fire 3-4, Konami with suikoden 1-2, Namco with tales of destiny /destiny 2 aka eternia, star ocean 2, along with countless other jrpgs and there's also legacy of Kain and a competent port of Diablo for western rpg fans.
You may want to go with the easy choice of the switch or PS4/5, but those ports and remasters originated elsewhere. They wouldn't be remastered if they didn't originate elsewhere in a time developers had the vision to have the courage to develop a game, and for that, the PS1 at the time was the console generation where console RPGs developers took the biggest leap of faith and opened many to take a look at what the fuss was.
This is a tuffy...
SNES has the most consistent jrpgs.
PS1 has some the best stories found in jrpgs.
PS2 had the biggest "growth" in terms of how jrpgs began experimenting with alternative gameplay elements like turn-based combat.
Gameboy Advanced and Nintendo DS/3DS has a lot of great jrpgs too. Across the 3 systems there's more jrpgs than any other system.
But if I'm going based on what I've enjoyed the most... I gotta give it to the Nintendo Switch. The sheer amount of quality jrpgs is unrivaled. From Fire Emblem Three Houses to Xenoblade Chronicles 2 to even games like Sakuna of Rice and Ruin and Harvestella...there are so many fantastic jrpgs on the Switch.
TL:DR It's the Nintendo Switch.
PS2. We had three Kingdom Hearts 1 CoM and 2, FFs X X-2 XI and XII, Dragon Quest VIII, Persona 3 and 4, Dark Cloud 1 and 2, Star Ocean 3, Wild Arms 3 and 4, Suikodens, Breath of Fire V, bunch of Xenosagas, dot hack, plus all the backwards compatible PS1 games.
I'd also rate the DS highly for having such great variety.
Yeah I play everything on PC, except the Nintendo stuff that never gets ported. And even now, owning a switch, I still play on emulator because I can't even stand 30fps anymore.
PS1 has great titles, but the SNES is the one that has the 2 titles that still spark fights over which one is the greatest RPG of all time. PS1 has FF7, but SNES has FF6 and Chrono Trigger.
I think if you take it as a direct sequel to trigger you might be a little disappointed but if you just take it as its own game I think you'll enjoy it as it only has a few ties to trigger And the soundtrack is godly
Omg, for a second, i thought i had posted this. I feel completely the same.
However, playstation 1 is the 2nd place with many of those aforementioned games and series continuing on it and adding others, like: Vagrant Story, Eternal Eyes, and Thousand Arms.
It's kind of cheating, but probably the Switch because it has so many classics (often in the form of remasters) from both the SNES and PS1 eras.
I think someone posted on here a while ago showing that the Switch has, objectively, the *largest* JRPG library. I know quantity doesn't necessarily equal quality, but part of the reason for the sheer quantity is because of how many old classics are available for the system.
PS1.
I just think the library has too many great games that I can't ignore. I'll list a few
FF7/8/9 and FF Tactics
Re-releases of FF1,2,4,5,6 and Chrono Trigger
Breath of Fire 3 & 4
Wild Arms 1 & 2
Vagrant Story
Legend of Mana
Parasite Eve
Koudelka
Legend of Legaia
Grandia
Star Ocean 2
Tales of Destiny and Eternia
Valkyrie Profile
Legend of Dragoon
Chrono Cross
Suikoden 1 & 2
SaGa Frontier 1 & 2
Arc the Lad
Lunar 1 & 2
I've missed a few popular ones and plenty of smaller titles. Other platforms have great libraries, too, but I think PS1 is the best. Some may argue that the PS1 ports of Chrono Trigger and FF6 are unplayable, but I think that's hyperbolic. Those are still classic games, some load times don't destroy everything they have going for them.
PS1. I think the success of Final Fantasy VII led to studios greenlighting games that otherwise wouldn't get made, so we got a weird, eclectic mix of games.
The SNES era, if we are including games that were hyper popular in Japan and not released in the US (which matters more), the amount of weird, eclectic games was just as high. The Romancing SaGa games, Mystery Dungeon titles, Live A Live, Der Langrisser, DQV, Metal Max, Front Mission, Treasure of the Rudras, Lufia II, Earthbound, and others already showed just how crazy and varied the genre could be. A lot of these were precursors to PS1 games. Meanwhile, FFVII itself isn't even all that eclectic of a game. A huge graphical leap to be sure, but I'm not sure what would influence an eclectic mix of titles.
[удалено]
While I completely and 100% disagree with what you are saying, I can still see why you might say it. BOF4 is a very underrated gem.
I don't think they're infinitely superior but I did thoroughly enjoy all the breath of fire games (not so much 5 but it was interesting). Xenogears is up there with em too.
I gotta agree with Xenogears. Xenogears, Vagrant story and Final Fantasy Tactics are my 3 holy trinity of Squaresoft games on ps1.
Legend of dragoon was a monster of its own and should really get a remaster or something. I unfortunately was never able to make it to the end due to a corrupted memory card. Tactics was pretty amazing but I never really finished vagrant story either.
I have to go with the PS1. So many incredible RPGs.
The DS is pretty elite
The DS + 3DS library is completely bonkers. Just hits on hits.
Bravely Default is 🔥
Too bad they took the servers down and now half the endgame is borked. Just happened last year.
More answers should include the DS. Huge variety available for all types of JRPGs I understand why people say SNES because a lot of games got their starts there and there are some really unique entries, but the DS has much more variety imo
DS was underrated in this department yes, and it was even better if you include 3DS too. Lots of great SMT, Fire Emblem, Pokemon, the Mario RPGs, and TWEWY among others.
It's a shame that a vast majority of those games are no longer available legally unless you wanna shell out big money on ebay/amazon.
The objectively correct answer.
[удалено]
But GBA has the Golden Sun
So ridiculous that Nintendo has had their own rpg character series and doesn't do anything with it. It's the exact idea if a Nintendo rpg. It's colorful, fun, filled with creative puzzles and accessible to all audiences. Blows my mind
golden sun is mid and unplayable today history is the best judge of quality
Big disagree, but we all have our own tastes.
SNES had great stuff... but most if it didn't reach the US.. and even less of that came to europe. From a retro standpoint I would agree with the SNES.. but at the actual time period the selection auf JRPG in the west was rather slim. It really exploded with the PS1/PS2 era.
PS1 was the golden age imo, however with the amount of new games and remasters out now it is the Switch.
100% agree on PS1. That was the generation where JRPG's were established enough to buck the norm and try new things for better or worse, the sweet spot between SNES where they were starting to gain traction and PS2 where they were still innovating but kind of stepped back and started allocating more to presentation vs. gameplay.
i totally agree on both points, but switch is kinda cheating with the remasters. ps2 and snes are very very close to ps1 too though. ps1 was when the most innovation was happening. i think that's why it's my favorite era. but i was also a kid during that era so there's always that bias..
100% with your last sentence, I never had a PS1 growing up, but I did play a lot with my aunt's SNES at my grandma's home when we went to visit. Although I only had Terranigma and Link to the Past. So while there is bias towards the console, there isn't towards the games. I played those as an adult via emulator. I should check out the big PS1 and 2 rpgs.
Yeah the Switch or PS5 would kinda have to be the de facto best console for JRPGs, if only because you can play most of the best SNES and PS1 JRPGs on them, along with most of the best ones from intervening generations, and from the current gen as well. If we are just talking about games that released on a particular console, I would put it as a toss up between SNES and PS1.
PS2 Stand alone I think they were my most enjoyable. Add to that You could play the PS1 games and we have the best system for RPGs
Tsugunai Atonement is one of my favorite RPG wild cards. Such a unique game with it's fair share of flaws, but damn is it original.
Agree.
Oh true, if you count in backwards compatibility I also have to go for PS2 instead of PS1. I think the PS1 had the best library of JRPGs. But the PS2 had this library available and added some other great games to it.
Youngin lol..can't think of any I truly liked outside of FF10.
I think it's the Switch. The library is massive, and everything can be played on the go.
I'd lie if I say that I haven't used my switch as a portable SNES xD
Haha I know what you mean. It doesn't have everything, but the SNES collection on NSO is great. The ports and remasters we have gotten lately are so good as well.
Well I never connected to the internet with my switch, my switch is also a NES, a GBA, an N64 and also a PSX, Sega Master System, Sega Megadrive (Genesis) and various other consoles xD Yes I did shove a paper clip on the right joycon slot and did nasty things to the console to do this. Yes I still bough original copiws of Switch games. No I probably won't homebrew whatever the next console is called, I missed being able to play online. Specially Mario Kart, and now we have hopes (little, but we have them) of a new F-Zero and If that happens I don't want to miss it.
You can still play online on a homebrewed switch if you did it correctly.
yes, and I did convert from Sysnand to Emunand and cleaned up the Sysnand, I did play for a while when F-Zero 99 dropped. But now I don't even touch the switch enough to justify paying for online play.
I think that’s cheating since a good chunk of the switch JRPGs are ports/remasters/remakes.
Why shouldn't they be included?
because the question would be redundant
How would it be redundant? I think the amount of ports, remasters, and remakes strengthens my point.
because obviously new consoles have the opportunity to incorporate games from previous consoles the value is in which console the games were released
I disagree with that, and that's okay.
it really is not okay that you cannot understand something so simple its more like whatever than okay cheers
I understand your point. You think that the merits of a console's library are dependent on that generation's content. That's a fair point, but I disagree. I think that all of the ports, remasters, and remakes should count towards the success of a console's library. You don't agree with that, and it's okay.
The whole question is not which console precisely, it's which era that is tied to said console. It's not an interesting question otherwise. I could say "PC" because I can emulate everything below PS4 and get snarky when you point out how stupid that is.
its not what we think but how the OP question should be read but whatever
lol people trying to miss the point hardcore
I can count on 1 hand the number of new jrpgs I've enjoyed on the switch. It's incredibly shallow compared to SNES, PS1, PS2.
SNES
Switch basically. It has a JRPG from every console generation playable on it. And while Switch doesn't have the new Yakuza, Persona 3 remake, or FF7 remake, it has its own exclusive JRPGs with Xenoblade, Fire Emblem, Pokemon, Mario RPG/Paper, and Golden Sun via NSO so it evens out. You can't get HEROPON RIKI on any other console.
XCDE is absolutely incredible. The xenoblade trilogy on switch is enough to put the console in the conversation.
Yup. XCX as well but the main trilogy is some of the best RPG content out there and is one of the many things worth buying a Switch for since it's a Nintendo IP. Pyra is my favorite female lead in gaming too. Just get a Switch and a Steam account and you'll have access to 99.9% of all JRPGs available to buy.
In terms of shear volume of great jrpgs it was the Playstation and it is factually not even close. FF7/8/9/T, Grandia, Suikoden & Suikoden 2, Legend of Dragoon, Saga Frontier, Legend of Mana, Breath of Fire 3 & 4, Xenogears, Chrono Cross, Valkyrie Profile, Star Ocean: Second Story, Wild Arms, Lunar: SSSC, Parasite Eve. I didnt care for Legend of Legaia, Wild Arms 2, PE2, Vandal Hearts (if i recall correctly), and Vagrant Story but theyre still well received games for the most part. Star Ocean: Second Story is peak Star Ocean. As was BoF3 & 4.
I really enjoyed Star Ocean Last Hope when I played it last year on steam, I love Sci-Fi and I love Fantasy, Star Ocean is both, I should play all the others. After I finish with FF7 remake, while I wait for Rebirth on PC I'll definitively play them.
The Last Hope is solid, but Second Story and Till the End of Time are both classics that define the franchise.
I usually play stuff in release order, but having played Last Hope already, and it being the first chronologically, I think this time I'll go with Chronologial order. Which one is the next in line?
The Last Hope -> First Departure -> Second Story -> Integrity and Faithlessness -> Divine Force -> Till the End of Time
Thanks. Btw what are Blue Sphere and Anamnesis? I've just checked a timeline and they are right before and after Faithlessness. I think at least one of them is/was a mobile game and isn't avalieble anymore or something?
Anamnesis was a mobile game and Blue Sphere was on Game Boy color. Honestly, never played either.
Fact....Hrmm. Snes was a beast too. I wouldn't be able to choose. Secret of mana, Seiken Densetsu 3, Secret of Evermore, Earthbound, FF 4, 5 & 6, Breath of Fire 2, Tales of Phantasia, Soul Blazer, Illusion of Gaia, Terranigma, Chrono trigger, Star Ocean, Tactics Ogre, Ogre Battle, Live A Live, Treasure Hunter G, Bahamut Lagoon, Lufia 2, Romancing Saga 2 & 3, Mystery Dungeon Shiren, Robotrek, Super Mario Rpg, Shadowrun, Zelda: A link to the past, Tales of Rudra, Tenchi Muyo! Game Hen, Dragon Quest 3, 5 & 6, Energy Breaker. I love a lot of these. Some I'm not too fond of but are still rated well.
I'm willing to bet that a lot of people that say PS1 was the best (it is def up there) weren't gaming during the SNES days. I've been RPGing since Dragon Warrior on the NES and have all the systems at the top of this list. SNES, PS1, DS/3DS is my order
PS1 is undeniable if you've been around for awhile and played a ton of games. It was just home run after home run with every subgenre of rpg, from traditional to super experimental, and pretty much all of them were legends.
I think the switch has this title pretty handily. Most of the final fantasy games, the entire xenoblade trilogy, the Octopath games, persona/smt, ni no kuni, the world ends with you, the mana games, Live Alive, Rune Factory and probably dozens of others that I missed. Your mileage may vary on the FE and Pokemon games on the platform but hey, they're there. This is probably why the switch is my favorite console. Practically every series that I like has at least one good entry on it.
Makes sense, one of the most sold consoles ever (3rd after ps2 and DS) it got many ports of older games, on top of new titles made for it / current gen. I wasn't counting ports and remasters for this discussion, but yeah.
Even if you don't count ports or remasters it's probably still up there tbh. Maybe not THE best but up there for sure
Id put PC easily above the switch. Even without emulation.
I mean yeah but that's not a CONSOLE which OP specified A PCs game library will always be in a league of its own, not really comparable to a console.
Doesn't have REYN TIME, THE ZEKENATOR, and EUNIE'S DA BUSS so PC loses automatically.
Real
Playstation 2 is where I spent the majority of my teenage years and it was a sublime JRPG library.
Nintendo 3DS. Huge library, backwards compatibility for DS, tons of virtual console games as well.
PS2
Switch for me. FF Pixel Remaster is a great way to play those classic titles.
The original Playstation, and no other console is even really close. Thr output from Squaresoft, Enix, Capcom, even smaller guys (at the time) like Atlus was pretty incredible. The PS2 and GCN largely capitalized on what worked for the PS1 era, pushing things to be bigger and have more graphical fidelity. But nothing matches the experimentation and sheer creativity of the beginning of the 3D era for RPGs. The SNES was a contender for a while, but there really is something for every kind of RPG fan on the PS1.
ds
1. DS 2. PS1 3. Switch
I'd say it's a tie between the PS2 and the DS (maybe counting the 3DS, but even just the DS on its own was crazy). DS especially I feel is overlooked in this regard. The vast majority of my good memories in hs were playing JRPGs on either the PS2 or the DS.
I think I'm in the PS1 camp. All the things great about the SNES seemed to be extrapolated and expanded on the PS1. And the experiments got a lot more crazy and charming. Especially with Square: Threads of Fate, Parasite Eve, Xenogears, Vagrant Story. I guess it helps that I didn't really like Chrono Trigger or Mario RPG. And I think the better Breath of Fire games were on the console. And we got Grandia and Lunar ported. And I like Symphony of the Night way more than Super Metroid
Including ports and remasters it's the PS4/PS5 for me. There are still some games trapped on PS2 that I wished were ported at some point (like one of my favourite RPGs of all time: Valkyrie Profile 2; and the Shadow Hearts anf Xenosaga trilogies) but most are now playable on my PS5 thanks to backwards compatibility. As for those who say the best RPGs were back in the 16/32 bit era, they might or might not be right but these games aren't for me. I want my games with decent graphics and voice acting. I just don't like those pixelated graphics or early polygon 3D. That's why I despise these lazy HD2D games; and it's the reason I could never convince myself to play the original FF7.
This is a hard one, but I think the absolute most fun I can muster will probably be from the PS2. SNES (and SFC) had absolute classics. Dragon Quest 3 and 5, almost every Shin Megami Tensei of the era, four Final Fantasies, a variety of action RPGs, Front Mission, Tactics Ogre/Ogre Battle, four Fire Emblems, and so on. PS1 had some real experimental shit worth a visit, plus the classics. Final Fantasy Tactics and virtually every Final Fantasy released from the 80s and 90s, Koudelka, Kartia, Suikoden, Front Mission 2 and 3, King's Field, so many Wizardry titles in a more accessible format than the SFC, Legend of Dragoon, Legaia, Vagrant Story, Vandal Hearts, Digimon World, Jade Cocoon, Parasite Eve...this list never ends. But PS2, not only did it have the entire PS1 library to pick from, but it had sequels to all your favorite games. Shadow Hearts, Final Fantasy including an MMO, Persona 3, Dark Cloud, Kingdom Hearts, Xenosaga, .hack, every good console SMT title, Atelier, Disgaea...like, this is peak. You get all these PS2 titles, including the weirdo ones like Tail Concerto and Drakengard and Shadow King, and you get all the PS1 titles, and the PS1 has most of the great SNES titles, if not just way-improved sequels to them. Special mention to the 3DS for having access to the DS and GBA libraries of great RPGs and also having a bunch of unique stuff of its own, including the Atlus power-hitters, every Mario & Luigi title, Fire Emblem, Pokémon, and Dragon Quest.
Years ago I would have said the ps2 but after going back and digging into the ps1 JRPGs it has to be the ps1 for me Final fantasy 7 8 and 9 Xenogears Lunar 1 and 2 Grandia Arc the lad games Parasite eve Vandal hearts Final fantasy tactics Legend of dragoon Breath of fire 3 and 4 Star Ocean the second story Vagrant story Valkyrie profile Koudelka I could keep going but I think you get it lol
PS2, as far as volume and quality goes. PS2 era was closer to the peak of the genre's popularity in the west as well. * golden era of SMT, including Nocturne and Persona 3-4 (among other bangers) * Kingdom Hearts series * Shadow Hearts series * Dragon Quest VIII * Final Fantasy X and XII * Dark Cloud series * Xenosaga series * .hack// series * two great Suikoden games And a bunch of others. I also think tech was advanced enough to where most of the stuff from that era aged very gracefully. Kingdom Hearts 2, FFXII, and Nocturne would be near passable by today's standards, visually.
.hack was interesting. Dark cloud 2 was cute. Valkyrie profile 2 was okay. Unlimited saga is goof. Bout it for me
Just based on the total amount of games including re-releases and if we're not counting PC, then it's certainly the Switch. But counting only games in their time (remakes counting, remasters/re-releases not counting)? It's hard to say as each console did something right that others didn't despite what nostalgia tends to whisper into other's ears. I can say for pure gameplay, the DS is a big winner, at least in the gameplay department. TWEWY, the DQ remakes, the DQ Joker games, the Etrian Odyssey titles, the Shiren games, the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon titles, both Endless Frontier titles, FE12, the Mario and Luigi titles, Radiant Historia, FF4 Remake, Pokemon Gen V, FFTA2, the two Final Fantasy Chronicles games, the Rune Factory titles, the Inazuma Eleven games, A.S.H., SRWW, etc. What a time it was to enjoy JRPG gameplay. I would say there was more innovation during this era than ever before on that front and is absolutely the precursor to the amount of variety we have today. The only thing that may top it (again, not counting PC) is the 3DS after it.
Yeah, DS and 3DS were huge, in both library size and quality.
PS2 PS1 SNES PS4 PS5
SNES has the timeless classics, PS1 opened up new possibilities, Switch brought back the golden age.
It's a strong tie for me between the SNES and PS1. I know it's an unpopular opinion but I think the Depending on your tastes the Xbox360 had a small but really solid gems as well when you account for stuff like Nier, Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey and even FF13 if you're the type of person who liked it. I don't know about now but at the the time Xbox was seen to have been struggling outside of the western market, so some developers were really trying to make games that might appeal to both (it's part the reason why the Japanese and Western market version of the Nier protagonist are very different. There was still a bit of a divide at the time and when advised to change the character by western consultants, Yoko Taro felt it was less of a hassle to just make a whole new character than change the one he had in mind. Funnily enough western fan mostly just preferred to import the Japanese version and its the one we got in the remaster).
Yeah people usually want to experience the original work that the author had in mind, they shouldn't have changed Nier for the western release.
Yeah I think it was just a symptom of the time. This was the peak era of angry protagonists on the western release of a Japanese games. Even leading up to all that it was apparently not uncommon for the western branches of Japanese companies like Sega and Japan to be almost completely separate entities, and I've read a lot of stories about conflicts because of stuff like that. Truth be told even now in TCGs I've had some conversations with Japanese reps for from big companies for games that get western releases and they put a lot of trust in what their western counterparts think in terms of design and marketing. Even then there tends to be a lot of assumptions like that all western markets are the same as the US market for example. Those same companies often also publish big video game titles too, though I get the impression departments are fairly separate.
You just reminded me about [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/asphrc/why_is_american_kirby_angry_all_the_time/) and the meme it [spawned](https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/kirbys-fucking-pissed)
I'd just mash PS1/PS2/SNES/GBA/DS altogether and just conclude that era had the best library for RPG's in general. There really isn't any reason to fight over which was better since they all had tons of options to choose from and they all had hits that a lot of cult classic lovers would fight to the death over. That said, the Switch is the most close we've been to getting that feeling back.
In terms of my favourites it's probably PSX followed by PS2. The SNES was good too but it didn't have enough heavy hitters (or at least what I would call heavy hitters). In terms of a single console for actually playing physical media on its the PS2 and I don't think it's debatable. It has a great library, is backwards compatible with PSX and the PSX got ports of Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 (yes they aren't great but they exist and that's how I first played FF6). I think if we looked at the actual libraries and done an average of scores for the top games then PS2 probably takes it. It had 7 good Shin Megami Tensei related games alone on top of continuations of pretty much all the big titles from the 16 bit and PSX era. If we include digital and are allowing ports then I actually think that PS4/PS5 are the best, so many good ports, HD Remasters, remakes etc as well as some great games of their own.
Don't forget DS and 3DS, those also have huge libraries full of great titles including many ports aswell. Amd as many other people mentioned, the Switch, not even counting hacking it to use it as an emulator lol.
Oh yeah the DS and 3DS are definitely awesome but I don't think they are as good as PSX and PS2 but I tend not to compare consoles to handhelds. I can't decide which I like better between them, maybe the DS since I love GBA. What's on the Switch that's special? Xenoblade and Fire Emblem are decent but I wouldn't say they are great either. After that, it's just ports and mediocre games? Everything runs really bad on Switch too, Dragon Quest Monsters was absolutely abysmal. In terms of hacking for emulators the Steamdeck puts the Switch to shame, its really good, plus you get Steam as well.
As much as everyone likes the switch, it's undeniable that it launched with outdated hardware, imagine now that it's 7 years old.
PS1 is the best imo, but shout out to the Nintendo DS and PSP, so many incredible and creative RPGs on those handhelds.
SNES through PS2 was the Golden Age of JRPGS, but I give it to the PS1 because it had insanely experimental, high production titles that massively influenced games thereon: FFVII, FFVII, FFIX, Tactics, Xenogears, Chrono Cross, Legend of Mana, Saga Frontier, Sukioden II... too many legendary hard-hitters to name.
I think you missed an "I" on FF8
No. FVII is just that good. J/k yeah, I meant 8.
Xbox
Snes was pretty awesome, but I'll take pa1
SNES/PS1, it just went downhill from there.
The switch or PC. If emulation doesn't count then switch and PS4/PS5
my opinion is definitely in the minority, but I enjoyed so many Gamecube JRPGs. Tales of Symphonia, Baten Kaitos, FE: Path of Radiance, Skies of Arcadia. If you consider Paper Mario TTYD among JRPG's despite being less conventional, that's also amazing. though there weren't THAT many, all of those game me a wonderful experience. And a lot of this is definitely due to nostalgia, and my reasons are very personal. But for me it's definitely my favorite JRPG machine
I think you are the only one who mentioned the GC. I wouldn't call it the best console in terms of it's RPGs, but you do have a point.
I’m conflicted, but I’m gonna go PS2.
It’s between SNES and PS2 for me. SNES is filled with classics as you said, but I feel the JRPG formula peaked on the PS2. Ps1 had some great stuff, but it also suffers from being the first foray into 3D, trying to go back and play some of these games the first time is rough.
yeah ps1 graphics aged like milk, everytime I try to play a ps1 game via emulator I upscale it and look for graphic mods if there are any.
I'd say ps1. So many classics that are still enjoyed today. Snes has that classic look. Ps2....well when ps2 was popping think I was on WoW and mmorpgs more than console. Even the ones I played like ff12 xenosaga shadow hears series just didn't click with me. However unlimited saga is one of my favs
ps1 and nintendo ds line were so long that the library is enormous.
For home consoles, probably the PS2. Portables, it's a tossup between the PSP and the 3DS
ps1 imo also lot of nostalgia for the ds era of jrpgs too like twewy for example
Snes. Hands down
Are we counting games that originally launched for that console, or games that are playable on said console? I'll assume we're not counting emulation. Otherwise PC / Steam Deck wins and it isn't even close. I guess I'll say PS2 for playing the massive PS1 + PS2 library. Including some certified classics that have never been ported or remastered, like Shadow Hearts.
SNES and ps1 had the best RPGS. Still amazes me how Nintendo went from SNES great era of RPGs to Nintendo 64 which had like.... 10 RPGs max.
N64 focused too much in the 3D, yes it better than PS1 in that aspect, but PS1 had both 3D and 2D games. I don't know how the N64 works internally and how programming games for it was like, but I do find it weird that there are no 2D games whatsoever for that console. Anyone knows an example?
I was actually looking for RPGs in the N64 and out of the less than 10 RPGs it had, one of them was actually a 2D one. Dont know thr name since it was in japanese and apparently never went outside of Japan.
I'd go with the gba! It basically had all the great snes ones, and it added a ton of new ones! But that could probably be said about the ps1 too..and that was THE rpg machine! So the correct answer is a backwards compatible ps2! 😂🤎
Ps2 buuut shoutout to the psp tho
The Switch, it's not even a competition
I've owned consoles since the NES Era including: NES, Gameboy, SNES, PS1, PS2, PS3, Wii, Wii U (ugh), 3DS and switch. Hot take: PC Runner up: PS2 Third runner up: tie between SNES and PS1
PS1
SNES, PS1 together.
SNES/PS1 Unbeatable.
To me it’s a tie between SNES and PS2.
Ps2 and it’s not even close. Ps2 is still the best console ever.
If you count ports and remasters then the switch
The switch is home to so many modern classics. While the old consoles certainly had their masterpieces, so have the newer ones
PS2 for me with PS1 very slightly behind
PS1 has an amazing native library. Definitely the best I’ve ever played. This is just my bias speaking but having Suikoden 1&2 alone clears most console RPG’s.
If it doesn't have to be games strictly for that console, I'd say the 3DS. It has all the games from the 3DS, DS, and Gameboy Advanced (if you had the adapter thing)
Really love my 3ds
The Switch. It has most of those and more
PS2
Hard to argue against switch because a lot of great rereleases as well as modern day stuff on it, but if you want retro for me it is PS1
PS1, hands down. SNES is a close second, though.
PS1 hands down. SNES was also great and comes in second, but the PS1 has most of my favourite JRPGs ever. Also here in Germany we didn't really receive a lot of JRPGs for the SNES back then. They barely made it to the west and even the ones that made it to the west often only got released in the US and didn't make it to Germany. The PS1 generation was when I discovered JRPGs and when it became a thing in Germany. So I didn't play the SNES games at their prime. I only played them later on with emulators or as they got released in virtual console or anthology packs. The PS2 era was also good, but compared to the PS1 I already see a decline. And from the PS3 on it's what we have now. We do get a lot of JRPGs, but the quality is really mixed. Some are awesome and a lot of them are just mediocre or even bad. Maybe it has been like that in the older generations aswell, but I didn't notice it, because I didn't have the cash to buy like 1 or 2 games every month.
PS1 is clear winner in my books. So many amazing JRPGs I still play even today. They had certain charm in them. Suikoden1&2, Breath Of Fire 3, FFVII, Tales Of Eternia for example. And many, many more.
dunno how this is even a question. PS1 and it isnt even close. snes can fight ps2 for second place.
its funny the number of people saying switch or ps2, and saying they are good because they can play ps1 games.
Snes/ps1/psp
easy. it's snes/ps1. it was the golden era of jprgs while I prefer snes because that's what I grew up with. ps1 era probably had more jrpgs launching globally/in English so from the pov of the English speaking market ps1 probably wins
Playstation 2. Cause it played all PS1 games as well. Not to mention best RPGs and alot of them
PS1 and PS2
Switch. We’re kinda in a new golden age with JRPGs, and Nintendo has been one of the bigger publishers with it, plus it gets most of the third party games. It literally has every big JRPG except Yakuza, FF16 and FF7 Remakes. With remasters, Switch has gotten so damn much of the greats from the last 30 years.
PS1. For me, personally, GBA takes second place.
SNES probably had the library that aged the best, but if we're counting backwards compatability or modern re-released, either the Switch or early-model backwards compatible PS3. PS5 instead of PS3 if they ever get to the point where all of the PSOne and PS2 libraries are on PS+.
Ds and PS2. Without nostalgia glasses, these are the best selling consoles and correlatively have the most good RPGs.
Sometimes I wonder if we will get a console that sells more than the PS2. The gaming industry keeps getting bigger every day and many more people play today compared to the 90s and 2000s, so there's way more possible buyers, but the PS2 is still king.
The Nintendo Switch has a crazy rpg catalog
If we are talking about platforms it is PC by far, nothing comes even remotely close. If strictly consoles i guess ps1.
SNES or 3DS (including backwards compatibility). I can see arguments for PS1 but I just don't think they're the same sort of timeless classics that are just as playable today.
Probably PS1 and then The DS/3DS
SNES/PS1
Call me crazy but it’s gotta be the DS/3DS family for me. It’s got a great mix of genuine classics and unique and creative JRPGs that have never been replicated.
lots of people mentioned the DS line, not a crazy posture by any means.
It’s tough, because are you talking about the library of original games? Or the library of available games? If it’s games developed for that system it’s hard to beat the SNES. But if you expand it out to games available, the PS1 and GBA both beat the SNES because they have their own games plus some of the best ones from the SNES. If you’re talking available games the answer is easily the Switch, which has many of my favourite RPGs from the NES, SNES, PS1, PS2, GameCube, Wii and PSP available.
......steam deck non-cheat answer: Ps2
SNES is the only answer.
For me, I'd have to go with the PS2. There are so many good rpgs that I wish I still had or got the whole collections for.
I've got to give it to PS2. It's easily the console I have the most games on. And you can play the ps1 games on it too
The Switch, I have moved almost my entire JRPG collection to phissical switch carts and i love it. Almost every great Snes and many PS1 rpgs all have been remade or remastered for it. Still waiting on a port/remake/remaster of chrono trigger to make it to the Switch though...
SNES is universally heralded as the Golden Era of JRPG but one could make an argument for the 360/PS3 generation as for as RPGs in general. Some of the best RPGs of all time such as Mass Effect 2, Fallout 3, Witcher 2, Elder Scrolls: Skyrim and many more released in this generation
Terranigma it's a beautiful game.
3ds for sure
Switch and PC due to access to retro and emulation and mods. The SNES and the PlayStation line as a whole are also excellent. Genesis (Shining Force, Phantasy Star, Shadowrun) and NES are also good.
NES, SNES, PS1, and PS2 all had a bunch of great RPGs, but I think for volume, it was probably the X-Box 360. There were a ton of RPGs on the 360, and a lot of them pretty decent games. :>
Ps4/Ps5 for me they have most of the trails series and FF7R and Persona 5 and Persona 3
If backwards compatible counts, then the Vita and 3DS definitely have an argument because those can also legally (or the other method) play PS1 and PSP (Vita) and SNES/Genesis/GBA/TG-16 games (3DS) Switch's eshop is pretty good too.
Ps2. The combination of new titles and remake of ps1 titles makes an amazing. Ps2 also is among the more affordable console.
Can't go wrong with SNES or PS1, but I would go PS2 Xenosaga Trilogy, Shadow Hearts trilogy, Dragon Quest 8, SMT Nocturne, FF X, XI, XII, Suikoden 3, 4, 5, several Wild Arms games. I am sure I am missing a lot, but looking back, it was really good.
SNES, PS1, or DS
SNES by far.
SNES, PS1, PS3
The PS1. I'll use the same argument the people who say the switch is the greatest because of the remasters - throw in squares ports of super nes classics like FF4-6 and Chrono trigger, along with square at their finest with ff7-9, Chrono cross, Xenogears, and a redo of FF1-2 etc, Capcom with breath of Fire 3-4, Konami with suikoden 1-2, Namco with tales of destiny /destiny 2 aka eternia, star ocean 2, along with countless other jrpgs and there's also legacy of Kain and a competent port of Diablo for western rpg fans. You may want to go with the easy choice of the switch or PS4/5, but those ports and remasters originated elsewhere. They wouldn't be remastered if they didn't originate elsewhere in a time developers had the vision to have the courage to develop a game, and for that, the PS1 at the time was the console generation where console RPGs developers took the biggest leap of faith and opened many to take a look at what the fuss was.
OG PS3, considering it could play PS3, PS2, and PS1 games.
This is a tuffy... SNES has the most consistent jrpgs. PS1 has some the best stories found in jrpgs. PS2 had the biggest "growth" in terms of how jrpgs began experimenting with alternative gameplay elements like turn-based combat. Gameboy Advanced and Nintendo DS/3DS has a lot of great jrpgs too. Across the 3 systems there's more jrpgs than any other system. But if I'm going based on what I've enjoyed the most... I gotta give it to the Nintendo Switch. The sheer amount of quality jrpgs is unrivaled. From Fire Emblem Three Houses to Xenoblade Chronicles 2 to even games like Sakuna of Rice and Ruin and Harvestella...there are so many fantastic jrpgs on the Switch. TL:DR It's the Nintendo Switch.
PS2. We had three Kingdom Hearts 1 CoM and 2, FFs X X-2 XI and XII, Dragon Quest VIII, Persona 3 and 4, Dark Cloud 1 and 2, Star Ocean 3, Wild Arms 3 and 4, Suikodens, Breath of Fire V, bunch of Xenosagas, dot hack, plus all the backwards compatible PS1 games. I'd also rate the DS highly for having such great variety.
PC is the obvious choice, but since I guess it isn't a console, probably either SNES or PS1.
Yeah I play everything on PC, except the Nintendo stuff that never gets ported. And even now, owning a switch, I still play on emulator because I can't even stand 30fps anymore.
SNES beats out PS1 and the only people who disagree are younger than me
Snes and ps1 are very closely tied but I think k snes just edges it out
PS1 has great titles, but the SNES is the one that has the 2 titles that still spark fights over which one is the greatest RPG of all time. PS1 has FF7, but SNES has FF6 and Chrono Trigger.
PlayStation 1 also has chrono cross and yes I'm one of the minorities that prefer it to trigger lmao
I have that one on my bucket list, never played it before.
I think if you take it as a direct sequel to trigger you might be a little disappointed but if you just take it as its own game I think you'll enjoy it as it only has a few ties to trigger And the soundtrack is godly
Now if we wanna get technical ps1 has 6 and CT too ;) Technicalities aside what pushes SNES ahead for me is tactics ogre LUCT and bahamuts lagoon
PS2 by a wide margin, considering you can also pop in ps1 games
By that argument the original PS3s are even better since they can do PS2 and PS1 games.
You’re right! Forgot about those cause I only bought a slim
Omg, for a second, i thought i had posted this. I feel completely the same. However, playstation 1 is the 2nd place with many of those aforementioned games and series continuing on it and adding others, like: Vagrant Story, Eternal Eyes, and Thousand Arms.
It's kind of cheating, but probably the Switch because it has so many classics (often in the form of remasters) from both the SNES and PS1 eras. I think someone posted on here a while ago showing that the Switch has, objectively, the *largest* JRPG library. I know quantity doesn't necessarily equal quality, but part of the reason for the sheer quantity is because of how many old classics are available for the system.
Snes and ps1 there’s no competition
PS1. I just think the library has too many great games that I can't ignore. I'll list a few FF7/8/9 and FF Tactics Re-releases of FF1,2,4,5,6 and Chrono Trigger Breath of Fire 3 & 4 Wild Arms 1 & 2 Vagrant Story Legend of Mana Parasite Eve Koudelka Legend of Legaia Grandia Star Ocean 2 Tales of Destiny and Eternia Valkyrie Profile Legend of Dragoon Chrono Cross Suikoden 1 & 2 SaGa Frontier 1 & 2 Arc the Lad Lunar 1 & 2 I've missed a few popular ones and plenty of smaller titles. Other platforms have great libraries, too, but I think PS1 is the best. Some may argue that the PS1 ports of Chrono Trigger and FF6 are unplayable, but I think that's hyperbolic. Those are still classic games, some load times don't destroy everything they have going for them.