Underrated SNES/Genesis/TurboGrafx RPGs?

[Edmond Dantes]

So I'm thinking its time I got back together with my first girlfriend--the 16-Bit RPG. But I've played most of the popular ones (in fact I have a standing rule of re-playing Chrono Trigger, Earthbound, and the Final Fantasy games once every couple of years) so I want something I'm not likely to have played or have heard of.

Throw something at me.

[Bughuntertf]

Have you tried the Ys series?

[Tanooki]

If an action-rpg style (ie: Zelda style) game is allowed which even has distinct leveling (like Ys) I'd throw a big vote in there for The Twisted Tales of Spike McFang.

[FrankSerpico]

If you haven't already played Beyond Oasis, you should. Also if you can find it or don't have a problem using an emulator, the SNES Ogre Battle is superb

[xelement5x]

Have you tried the Ys series?

THIS!

Dragon Slayer for the Turbo is pretty good and is also Falcom.

[Natty Bumppo]

For the Genesis:

I have always been fond of Traysia - not a great game but still pretty solid

Master of Monsters - this is an outstanding SRPG - beware of the PS version - that is pretty wretched.

Landstalker is a blast.

Warsong - the only game of the esteemed Langrisser series to make it over here. The first battle is quite challenging if you stick around to destroy the enemy rather than running off like a whipped cur.

---------------------------

For the turbo the Neutopias are good - just depends how much tolerance you have for Zelda clones.

---------------------------

SNES

Seventh Saga - Most people either really like or really despise this - I happened to really like it

Brain Lord - not a terribly deep game but quite a bit of fun

Addams Family Values - Could have been a really great game but for three flaws
1) It was obviously rushed into production as there are some unfinished and/or rough elements.
2) It has a horrible password save system where the letters are in a goofy script that makes it very hard to accurately read
3) It has been awhile since I played it but IIRC there is only one place where you can save - at the bottom of the world map in the swamps.

Paladin's Quest - not a super great game but I enjoyed it

-------------------------------------------------------

Honorable mention to Gemfire - not quite an RPG but a pretty enjoyable strategy game that doesn't take too long to play - perfect filler for a night or two of light gaming. (Both on SNES and Genesis).


------------------------------------------------------

There were some really great games on the SEGA CD - especially considering what a small library (both overall and for rpgs) that it had.

[8-Bit Archeology]

I am a fan of the odd stuff.

Dnd Order of the griffon tg16. Super pricey. My fav dnd game of the retro era. If you dont love dnd, this might not be a good one.

Cadash tg16. Pricey but unique as all get out. Very fun.

I agree with Y's those are fun. And not to hard to get ahold of.

If you like fallout style post apocolyptic overviews, Go for...
Shadowrun for the genesis. Very cool dark style game.

A great rpg with cool graphics for the snes is...
Arcana, it mixes card battles with the good ol rogue rpg. I love this game.

[Natty Bumppo]

If you like fallout style post apocolyptic overviews, Go for...
Shadowrun for the genesis. Very cool dark style game.



Although totally different than the Genesis one, the SNES Shadowrun is also very good.

Inindo for the SNES is also pretty good.

[dgdgagdae]

Does Fatal Labyrinth on the Genesis count? It's really a roguelike.

[AbnormalMapping]

The Lunar series. They're every 16 bit "Dreamer becomes a warrior, and saves the world" JRPG trope you can imagine, but it's all in the execution. It's the rare console game where you can tell the writer cared about the characters, and even the NPCs are worth talking to.

The fully orchestrated soundtrack alone justifies playing the first one, over its many remakes.

[Rickstilwell1]

The Lunar series. They're every 16 bit "Dreamer becomes a warrior, and saves the world" JRPG trope you can imagine, but it's all in the execution. It's the rare console game where you can tell the writer cared about the characters, and even the NPCs are worth talking to.

The fully orchestrated soundtrack alone justifies playing the first one, over its many remakes.

Well I know he's got those ones, because I sold them to him! lol They were in fantastic shape too. I hope I get around to actually playing them someday so I can buy new copies in similar condition.

I've been playing a lot of Sega Master System games this month ( I've gotten through 2 RPGs and 2 adventures so far), but March I switch to Genesis month so by the end of next month I might be able to come back with some 16 bit opinions.

[Edmond Dantes]

Yeah I've got the Lunars (both the Sega CD ones and the first PS1 one).

Ys, I have all four of the PC Engine ones, the first two in both Japanese and English.

Dragon Slayer: Legend of Heroes... I have the first two but only in Japanese (I don't read Japanese tho)

I have all the Shadowruns except the Mega CD one.

Oh yeah go ahead and throw NES and Master System RPGs too. Keep in mind I already know the big series like Phantasy Star and Shining Force. My favorite NES RPG is Legend of the Ghost Lion followed by Might and Magic.

[FrankSerpico]

I had no idea Addams Family Values on the SNES was an rpg. I need to check that out

[Rickstilwell1]

Over the course of the last month I have completed 2 Sega Master System RPGs and 2 adventures.

You already know Ys, and since you have the superior TurboGrafx version I wouldn't recommend the lesser Sega Master System port.

Last night I completed Miracle Warriors. If you liked the original Dragon Warrior and the second one, you might be able to stand this game. It's not bad but it's probably not on the level of Phantasy Star (which I haven't played all the way yet).

For adventures, I have completed Golvellius and Golden Axe Warrior. Golden Axe Warrior I believe is the easier of the two and actually has battery backup. Golvellius on the other hand has passwords. At first I thought I didn't like either of them as much as Zelda but after getting used to both of them I realized how different the physics were and started to become hooked on them until I was done.

On the NES all I have really played through yet are RPGs and adventures you probably already know. Zelda I & II, Dragon Warrior I & II, Final Fantasy I, II and III, and Faxanadu. I like Wizardry for what it is and for being my first RPG but I have never completed a legit run.

[PreZZ]

If you haven't played Pier Solar on the genesis, I STRONGLY suggest you pre-order it at watermelon game factory, this is probably the last reprint they will make in cartridge format. It's the best genesis rpg (maybe second best next to PSIV!), this game was released in 2010. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUg-tD2M8jo
http://www.magicalgamefactory.com/

[BlastProcessing402]

Last night I completed Miracle Warriors. If you liked the original Dragon Warrior and the second one, you might be able to stand this game. It's not bad but it's probably not on the level of Phantasy Star (which I haven't played all the way yet).

If you manage to stomach Miracle Warriors, you may want to consider Cosmic Fantasy 2 for the TGCD.

[Jorpho]

Magician for the NES is pretty great, I hear. Or how about The Magic of Scheherazade?

[kupomogli]

I'll second 7th Saga, The Magic Scheherazade, and Faxanadu. I'll fourth, fifth, or whatever number I am at recommending it Ys 1 and 2 on TG16CD.

One of the best TRPGs that no one's played is Dark Wizard on the Sega CD. Sword of Vermillion on Genesis is an action RPG/first person dungeon crawler. Lufia 2 for SNES is a standard turn based RPG.

[Daria]

I'll third Magic of Scheherazade. It's a time traveling, Arabian themed RPG with both Dragon Warrior-esque menu battles and Zelda ARPG overworld combat. Given your love of Ghost Lion and Chrono Trigger, I think it may be right up your alley.

[tomaitheous]

Yeah I've got the Lunars (both the Sega CD ones and the first PS1 one).

Ys, I have all four of the PC Engine ones, the first two in both Japanese and English.

Dragon Slayer: Legend of Heroes... I have the first two but only in Japanese (I don't read Japanese tho)

I have all the Shadowruns except the Mega CD one.

Oh yeah go ahead and throw NES and Master System RPGs too. Keep in mind I already know the big series like Phantasy Star and Shining Force. My favorite NES RPG is Legend of the Ghost Lion followed by Might and Magic.

Legend of Heroes is worth playing in English. It's a fun little RPG. I've beaten it many times over the years.

[Tanooki]

No one else here is into Spike McFang? I've found it a pretty solid game so far.

[Daria]

No one else here is into Spike McFang? I've found it a pretty solid game so far.

No it's pretty awesome. One of the first games I thought of when I read the topic title, but didn't bother to suggest it since it was the second game listed.

As for other good Zelda clones, Willow on the NES is also quite excellent.

[Tanooki]

I saw that for $8 at a half price books a week ago. Ive never looked into it as I usually avoid movie games plus I didnt think it would convert all that well to a NES game given the plot. Seems more suitable for a kings quest clone.

[Jorpho]

I didnt think it would convert all that well to a NES game given the plot.The connection to the plot of the movie is pretty minimal. (But actually, the arcade game follows the movie more closely and didn't turn out too badly.)

http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/willow/willow.htm

[Tanooki]

I've finished that arcade game before back in the 90s using one of those CPS1 emulators as I never had seen a real one before, it wasn't bad. I also had the old PC-DOS game which was a decent run as well as far as being new to computers in 1990 and having it with like 100 games thrown on a CD from Philips. Reminds me also how much I really loved that nazi clone of gauntlet Into the Eagles Nest, Sky Fox 2, and some others.

[Lictalon]

My 2 have already been mentioned:

1. Shadowrun for the SNES. I always thought that game was pretty original. Has any other game taken care of NPC interaction like that one?

2. Willow for the NES. I think that game compares favorably with Zelda.