JRPGs are the perfect example of a genre that has aged quite well, with many classic developers still actively releasing new titles in long-running series. Unfortunately, many of the best games in the genre are stuck on retro consoles that not every player has regular access to, leaving these excellent titles deadlocked and somewhat forgotten over time. Even if they were all available as-is on modern consoles, though, they would still alienate some gamers due to the simple fact that certain systems and graphical aspects have aged poorly.
The remedy to both of those issues may be to fully remake these classics, shedding the jank of their era and allowing them to fit more in line with modern sensibilities. This is a precedent already set in place by Square Enix’s recent Final Fantasy VII remake series, which alters the iconic title from the ground-up. This run down features some absolute classics that deserve this same treatment, which would assuredly allow a whole new generation a chance to appreciate these all-time greats.
10 Super Mario RPG
While everyone expects Super Mario RPG to bring a certain charm with it, what might surprise some of you to know is that it also packs an incredible amount of depth behind that charm. A wonderful progenitor to the Paper Mario series, this epic journey sees players through a rather unique storyline in the Mario franchise.
Beginning with you saving the princess for what is likely the 100th time that week, the game quickly goes to chaos with Mario, The Princess, and Bowser himself all being thrown towards different points on the planet, as star fragments fall from the sky. It is up to you to navigate this perilous land, save the princess, and restore the stars to their rightful place. A Nintendo Switch remake would be incredible, with the developers being able to use all of their knowledge from the ensuing Paper Mario and Mario and Luigi series to craft a perfect RPG, sure to please new fans and retro gamers alike.
9 Panzer Dragoon Saga
Releasing later on in the life span of a console hardly anyone bought, the Sega Saturn, Panzer Dragoon Saga is perhaps the most overlooked entry on this list, at least on release. In recent years, it has seen its fair share of reconsideration, and with hindsight, it is often stated to be one of the best JRPGs of the era.
There is good reason for this reconsideration, as well, with the title being inventive and unique — even by today’s standards. Allowing you to control the player character and a Dragoon, both with their own stats and options in combat, this is one title that holds a shocking amount of depth, allowing for different experiences between each player. A remake bringing this under-praised title a higher graphical fidelity and to more consoles could perhaps revive a dead franchise, affording many new players the opportunity to experience its fantastic story for the first time.
8 Skies Of Arcadia
Often touted as one of the best RPGs on the Dreamcast, Skies of Arcadia is one gem to come from Sega’s last gasp in the console industry, and what a shining gem it is. With one of the most likable cast of characters in any JRPG, and an original style of gameplay for the genre, this is one of the most memorable games from the console.
Were Sega to remake this adventure for the ages, fans new and old could fall in love with those wondrous characters all over again and go on a swashbuckling trip the likes of which they have never seen. With its unique setting of a giant, floating airship, it would be a true spectacle to see with all new textures and models.
7 Chrono Trigger
The Super Nintendo played host to some of the most inventive games of all time, let alone within the JRPG genre. Chrono Trigger is one such title that fits into both categories quite nicely, and is often stated as one of the best SNES games ever released.
Though there was a remaster for this beloved title, a full remake could do well in servicing the time-traveling absurdity of the original’s story, allowing players a chance to truly experience first-hand the gorgeous new lands that the broken teleporter takes them to. Exploring the introductory carnival would surely make for a blast of nostalgia.
6 Earthbound
With Nintendo’s recent focus on open-world titles, such as The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild, it becomes an interesting thought piece to picture classic franchises taking an open-world approach. One title that would definitely make for an interesting open-world conversion is the Super Nintendo icon Mother 2, more widely known as Earthbound.
One of only a few JRPGs to take place in a regular, everyday American town, Earthbound quickly flips the concept of reality on its head and takes you through one of the most mind-bending plots ever conceived. Going from talking on the phone with dad to fighting giant alien brain babies, things get real wild, real fast. Seeing such a refreshing take on the genre updated to play on modern systems would certainly be a treat.
5 Grandia
Grandia sees you playing as Justin, a boy hoping to one day see adventure, growing up in an ever advancing world rebuilding itself after the collapse of an ancient society. This is one title that has been dwarfed a bit, in terms of popularity, by its sequel and does not often see the recognition it deserves.
A big reason for this is that it was initially released for the Sega Saturn, until it was ported over to the Playstation in North America in October 1999 — 3 years after its original release, and only one month before the release of its much more ambitious younger brother. As such, it never gained the foothold it should have, as the experience itself is nothing short of flawless, featuring an unforgettable story and a gameplay style still not often seen in the genre. A remake could put these features into a new light, allowing for a reevaluation of Grandia, and its potential as one of the best in the genre.
4 Parasite Eve
Being a sequel to the horror novel of the same name, Parasite Eve represented a bit of a turning of the tide for what constituted acceptable content in the genre. SquareSoft’s first M for mature title brought with it many heavy themes, the likes of which shocked gamers in the 1990s. This led to it being slightly overlooked, although it is now widely regarded as a fantastic title, and even on release it was well praised.
A remake of this stunning title could update those themes to actually have quite the effect on modern audiences, with the core story remaining one of the most harrowing and moving JRPG tales of all time. With modern lighting and horror sensibilities, the scares could come across quite nicely, as displayed by Capcom’s wonderful Resident Evil remakes.
3 Vagrant Story
Vagrant Story has many elements that are distinctive within the wide space of gaming at large, and perhaps unrepeatable by any other title. With no shops to gain items or other characters to interact with in any capacity, this is one fantasy epic sure to puzzle even veterans of the genre.
Instead of following standard genre conventions, you forge your own path, progressing through large 3D levels by solving intricate, thought-provoking puzzles. You upgrade gear by finding parts in the environment, making world design a rather important aspect of its gameplay. This world design would do well with a revision, and a full remake could do wonders by revitalizing this masterpiece of single-player role-playing.
2 Legend Of Legaia
Legend of Legaia’s combat system is practically unparalleled in even modern games, being a turn-based RPG with a fighting game twist. Rather than selecting an enemy and attacking with one basic attack, as is the case with most turn-based systems of the time, you have to pick out certain body parts and unlock large combos to unleash upon the enemy, maximizing damage to the fullest.
Given that fighting games have seen an equal amount of change to JRPGs in the ensuing decades since this title’s release, Legend Of Legaia could benefit greatly from a full remake, adding in flashy new animations to give this intriguing combat system some extra flare.
1 Xenogears
Perhaps the most mature JRPG of its time, Xenogears was so touchy that it nearly didn’t see a localization to North America due to its delicate subject matter. A great number of fans are thankful it did, though, seeing as how it released as one of the most widely beloved JRPGs ever made.
Featuring one of the greatest RPG villains for the PSX, this is one game story that everyone needs to experience at least once, which is particularly difficult now since it is only available for the PSX. A remake could potentially unlock one of the best games ever made for a whole new generation of players.
