snes rpgs for beginners

[ckymanchav]

Im new in the rpg genre and want to know what you guys and girls think are some good quality snes rpgs that are good for beginners like myself to pick up and play.

[Kroogah]

Final Fantasy Mystic Quest if you're completely and utterly new to the genre

Then there are FF2, FF3, Chrono Trigger, Earthbound, and Super Mario RPG, which are all pretty easy.

[Daria]

Chrono Trigger, Earthbound,

If you're just trying out RPGs, and there's a chance you won't care for the genre I wouldn't recommend anything as expensive as those two games.

Super Mario RPG is a good choice, not exactly a super cheap game but it's not one of the more expensive titles either. Also an excellent RPG and definately worth playing if you liked Super Mario World.

Some other inexpensive but decent RPGs include Illusion of Gaia, Lufia, & Breath of Fire.

[Steven]

FWIW I am new to RPGs too and I'm already planning FF Mystic Quest as my 1st RPG go, since it is THE RPG on SNES for beginners, according from everything to gamers to the original ads for Mystic Quest!

Brandish is not a pure RPG, but I am enjoying it at present moment. However, it is generally slammed, but I like it.

[50TBRD]

Chrono Trigger, Earthbound,

If you're just trying out RPGs, and there's a chance you won't care for the genre I wouldn't recommend anything as expensive as those two games.

Super Mario RPG is a good choice, not exactly a super cheap game but it's not one of the more expensive titles either. Also an excellent RPG and definitely worth playing if you liked Super Mario World.

Some other inexpensive but decent RPGs include Illusion of Gaia, Lufia, & Breath of Fire.

Super Mario RPG is one of, if not the best RPG for the SNES. A lot of people like to taut Chronotrigger, Earthbound and Final Fantasy III, but none of them are as gameplay oriented as SMRPG. Daria was dead-on about everything. Daria knows RPGs.

[Trebuken]

Ys II maybe...

Young Merlin is listed as an RPG sounds fairly rudimentary...

Later,
Trebuken

[cyberfluxor]

My first RPG was Final Fantasy 5 on emulator, back before I really got into gaming plus it was back in middle school so it wasn't like I could afford anything. It was really fun but for the real thing it may cost you some money, but I'd suggest if you want to try the FF series to grab those collections at the store. They can usually give you 2-3 games for $20 or less plus most are redux so it's a bit "cooler" if you have played lots of newer generation games. If you plan on buying it new from the store then ask someone in the game department what RPGs they have available and if they have any suggestions as well because most of what we're responding with are SNES games.

If you want to go the route of the computer then you have a huge market that's also flooded with crappy titles. Just let us know if you want some assistance with options in that field.

[Abman]

I would suggest going for Super Mario RPG. I play lots of RPGs from Final Fantasy to Wild Arms to Paper Mario and Super Mario RPG is still my favorite. Plus it is great for starters. The weapon equip system is very basic and so is the battle system.

The games charm comes from the amazing design of the game. I have played through it multiple times. I love Nimbus Land and all the worlds. It is a very impressive SNES game. Plus it even has some platforming sections.

The only problem is you will be paying a good bit for it. I bought a loose cart for 47 dollars. It was a little overpriced but it was well worth it for this amazing adventure. The lowest I have seen it go (as far as eBay is concerned) is 35 bucks.

[AMG]

Final Fantasy Mystic Quest if you're completely and utterly new to the genre


Agreed. This was the first game that came to mind when I read the topic title, and the one I was going to suggest.

[sirhansirhan]

People need to quit recommending Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest. That game is enough of a wet poop to turn someone off of RPGs forever. Mario RPG is a good choice, but I think Earthbound is better, as it is a better game, and also the hint man will save a beginner's ass. Or, if you want to start with the best, try Final Fantasy III (American number system); it isn't hard to figure out or anything.

[gjb-sensei]

Super Mario RPG would be a good place to start if you're a newbie to the RPG genre.

[VG_Maniac]

Super Mario RPG is the game that got me into RPGs. I had never Played Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy II & III, or any other SNES RPGs because I had never been interested in them. Then Super Mario RPG came out and I rented it just cause it was a Mario game. Well, I got hooked. I bought it shortly afterward, and after I beat it...I started going RPG crazy. I completely agree with everyone here who has said SMRPG is a great place to start.

[CreativeOnlineSurname]

Final Fantasy II (IV to the purists) was my very first RPG, so I can wholeheartedly recommend that one. The storyline kept me on edge when I was ten, but I don't know how exciting it will be for you. But at least it isn't too difficult to get into.

[Jorpho]

Some other inexpensive but decent RPGs include Illusion of Gaia, Lufia, & Breath of Fire.

Breath of Fire frequently gets thoroughly monotonous. I am curious about the second one, after reading the glowing praise in the recent Hardcore Gaming 101 (http://hg101.classicgaming.gamespy.com/bof/bof.htm) article, but I'm waiting for that high quality retranslation (http://bof2.blogspot.com/) to get finished.

Illusion of Gaia is more of an action-adventure than an RPG, and one that's tough as nails, or so I've heard.

[pseudonym]

Final Fantasy Mystic Quest bored me to tears when I played it. I wouldn't bother unless you're an absolute beginner to RPGs or even gaming.

Super Mario RPG is a good RPG for beginners. It's fairly basic overall but has a good deal of depth. The storyline is more light-hearted than others like FF, Chronotrigger, etc, which are more serious as a whole. You're almost given the whole scope of the storyline at the beginning of the game but there are other, small plot twists all throughout the game, which I personally liked.

Pretty much the whole cast of the Super Mario Bros. series appears in the game. There's a good deal of variety in locations, even some platforming areas as Abman mentioned. It wouldn't pay $40+ for the game personally; $20-30 sounds more reasonable.

[FlufflePuff]

FF2, Soulblazer, and Secret of Mana are my favorites. Secret of Evermore could be a good alternative too if youre looking for cheap, good RPGs for beginners.

[MmmK413]

I totally dig both the "Secret Of" games, and FF2 (4) and FF3 (6) are both fantastic. Obviously my favorite one is Chrono Trigger, unfortunately it'll cost you. Mario RPG is also another great one.

[Daria]

Some other inexpensive but decent RPGs include Illusion of Gaia, Lufia, & Breath of Fire.

Breath of Fire frequently gets thoroughly monotonous. I am curious about the second one, after reading the glowing praise in the recent Hardcore Gaming 101 (http://hg101.classicgaming.gamespy.com/bof/bof.htm) article, but I'm waiting for that high quality retranslation (http://bof2.blogspot.com/) to get finished.

Illusion of Gaia is more of an action-adventure than an RPG, and one that's tough as nails, or so I've heard.

Note my use of the word "decent" as opposed to "great". And Breath of FIre II is again, not a cheap game unlike BoF1.

[Jisho]

Some other inexpensive but decent RPGs include Illusion of Gaia, Lufia, & Breath of Fire.

Breath of Fire frequently gets thoroughly monotonous. I am curious about the second one, after reading the glowing praise in the recent Hardcore Gaming 101 (http://hg101.classicgaming.gamespy.com/bof/bof.htm) article, but I'm waiting for that high quality retranslation (http://bof2.blogspot.com/) to get finished.

Illusion of Gaia is more of an action-adventure than an RPG, and one that's tough as nails, or so I've heard.

The second Breath of Fire is leaps and bounds above the first.

Illusion of Gaia is an action rpg that is not nearly as hard as it's precursor Soul Blazer ( I highly recommend Soul Blazer given it's value, but be warned it is old and very unfriendly to people new to the genre). Personally, Illusions gets more credit than it deserves primarily because it is pretty easy to get a copy, not to say it isn't a good game though.

And ignore "Lufia". It's not as good as Chrono Trigger and Earthbound (or even both FFs, BoF2, SMRPG, an zounds others) but just as expensive. The sequal is even more expensive but that one is a good game.

[All Things Sega]

Final Fantasy Mystic Quest was geared towards newbies and the "intellectually and game challenged". Squaresofts way of trying to lure casual gamers into their products. I agree you should try the Chrono trigger after because you can play that game forever just to get the different endings. Personally enjoyed the breath of fire series and lufia games. Are we considering the Y's 3 game an RPG?

[Daria]

Intellectually challenged? XD

Damn. No wonder I liked it so much.

[j_factor]

If you're looking for something on the action-rpg side, I highly recommend The Twisted Tales of Spike McFang.

[scorch56]

Whenever someone asks a "what is a good <insert genre here> for a newb" type question.. you're gonna' get the standard answers.. only makes sense. Eventually.. a hardcore or "manly-MAN" type player is gonna' intercede and say "That game was poop!".. and here we go again. In my opinion.. if you play nothing but RPGs.. you're not a manly type anyway (and I can say that because I play a lot of them; and enjoy them.. it's called self-introspection) so I'm not trying to flame anyone.

Having said that.. I WOULD recommend Mystic Quest and Gaia.. like Daria said. There's nothing wrong with them for noobs. After you've gummed on them for awhile.. mayne Robotrek and Secret of Evermore. Then the big boys.. Secret of Mana and Chrono Trigger. I thought SoM was overly cute.. but it's still one of my favs of all time (even more than CT).

There's absolutely nothing wrong, or shameful about working your way up. My first console RPG was Phantasy Star IV (GENS) though.. so what do I know (and yes.. it's still one of my all-time favorites). If I was to start all over again though.. I think I'd have liked to teeth on the Zelda N64 games.. not really RPGs in the truest sense.. but would've been fun enough to pique my interest.

Oh yeah.. and then there was that Zelda thing for the SNES.. first game I ever played on an emulator way back.. I thought THAT was boring.

Also.. if your a beginner.. you probably don't want to spend an initial "wad" for some. I've seen Gaia go for $10 to $20 complete quite often on evilBay.. and MQ goes for around $25 usually, and let's face it.. with RPGs.. you gotta' have manuals if you're gonna' play effectively. (This is the point for another manly-man to step in and say, "Manuals! I don't NEED no stinkin' manuals!")

[carlcarlson]

Well I might as well chime in, though I'm basically repeating what's been said. Mario RPG would be a good beginner RPG. I became a little bored with it after awhile, but I think for a beginner it would be alright. I definately would NOT recommend Earthbound, as I found it to be pretty difficult and monotonous. Chrono Trigger is a great great RPG, but maybe a bit advanced. Mystic Quest was a bit boring as well. The above poster who said it's not a bad idea to work your way up has a point, though I started playing rpgs with FF7. And as for manuals, you don't necessarily need them, but they do come in handy. Most info you can get off the interenet though anyway.

[Jisho]

Also.. if your a beginner.. you probably don't want to spend an initial "wad" for some. I've seen Gaia go for $10 to $20 complete quite often on evilBay.. and MQ goes for around $25 usually, and let's face it.. with RPGs.. you gotta' have manuals if you're gonna' play effectively. (This is the point for another manly-man to step in and say, "Manuals! I don't NEED no stinkin' manuals!")

Manuals?! Hah! I don't need not stinkin' manual!

All kidding aside, not to come off as an asshat, you really DON'T need manuals given it is too easy to get them off the internet (gamefaqs for starters) and especially with some RPGs getting them with manuals is not only hard but stupidly expensive.

Then again, this can vary game to game as usual.

[Ruudos]

Lufia II was for me the first pure RPG I played. Good choice.

[sirhansirhan]

Whenever someone asks a "what is a good <insert genre here> for a newb" type question.. you're gonna' get the standard answers.. only makes sense. Eventually.. a hardcore or "manly-MAN" type player is gonna' intercede and say "That game was poop!".. and here we go again. In my opinion.. if you play nothing but RPGs.. you're not a manly type anyway (and I can say that because I play a lot of them; and enjoy them.. it's called self-introspection) so I'm not trying to flame anyone.

Having said that.. I WOULD recommend Mystic Quest and Gaia.. like Daria said. There's nothing wrong with them for noobs. After you've gummed on them for awhile.. mayne Robotrek and Secret of Evermore. Then the big boys.. Secret of Mana and Chrono Trigger. I thought SoM was overly cute.. but it's still one of my favs of all time (even more than CT).

There's absolutely nothing wrong, or shameful about working your way up. My first console RPG was Phantasy Star IV (GENS) though.. so what do I know (and yes.. it's still one of my all-time favorites). If I was to start all over again though.. I think I'd have liked to teeth on the Zelda N64 games.. not really RPGs in the truest sense.. but would've been fun enough to pique my interest.

Oh yeah.. and then there was that Zelda thing for the SNES.. first game I ever played on an emulator way back.. I thought THAT was boring.

Also.. if your a beginner.. you probably don't want to spend an initial "wad" for some. I've seen Gaia go for $10 to $20 complete quite often on evilBay.. and MQ goes for around $25 usually, and let's face it.. with RPGs.. you gotta' have manuals if you're gonna' play effectively. (This is the point for another manly-man to step in and say, "Manuals! I don't NEED no stinkin' manuals!")

What a weird accusation, that I am a "manly-man" because I claim to not like Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest. I'm not sure how you made that leap, but whatever, I think it pretty well killed any sort of credibility you may have once had.

The reason why I strongly recommend that FF:MQ is not the first RPG someone plays is that if it were the first RPG I had played I probably would have never played another one ever again. It is truly an awful, awful game.

The topic at hand here is sort of a weird one, anyway; it operates under the impression that RPGs are hard to figure out and/or get into if you're new to the genre. While it is true that many are like that, they are generally the more obscure ones--you can pick pretty much any popular RPG (American Final Fantasy 1-3 + 7-10, Earthbound, SMBRPG, Lunar, whatever) and have it figured out in just a few minutes, new to the genre or not.

[Daria]

Yeah, RPGs in general are not difficult games to play. I don't think it really matters what game he chooses as long as he's not starting out with "Buck Rogers" or something. Also SNES is a tough system to start for if you're looking to buy these games, because of their popularity and price. That's way I sort of based my list around the financial value of the games. Because again who wants to pluck down $40 on a copy of Chrono Trigger only to realize RPGs just weren't your thing?

sirhansirhan: Scorch wasn't necassarily calling you a "manly-man" (how can anyone be offended by such a silly term anyway?) prehaps you're the the hardcore player instead? He did present an either or situation. He even went on to say that RPG players were incable of being manly anyway.

[vultar]

I would personally go for FF3 or Lufia 2. They're both excellent games with everything, that I think anyway, an RPG should have. They are expensive, but as long as you don't go crazy and totally overspend on them, you should be able to turn around and sell them right back without a bunch of trouble if you don't like them. And if you do, you've got some great games.

[Trebuken]

Get a Super Gameby Adapter. There's a bunch of Gameboy RPG's that would soot your needs...I haven't played too many of them myself but some of these guys must have...

Later,
Trebuken

[Jorpho]

Get a Super Gameby Adapter. There's a bunch of Gameboy RPG's that would soot your needs...I haven't played too many of them myself

:hmm: That's because there aren't very many of them, period.

There's the Final Fantasy Legend/SaGa trilogy, of course, but those are so difficult (and so utterly unlike most other console RPGs) that they are hardly suitable for beginners. Aside from that, there's... well, there's Great Greed from Namco, and maybe Final Fantasy Adventure if you stretch the definition of RPG a little, but that's pretty much it.

[Daria]

Get a Super Gameby Adapter. There's a bunch of Gameboy RPG's that would soot your needs...I haven't played too many of them myself

:hmm: That's because there aren't very many of them, period.

There's the Final Fantasy Legend/SaGa trilogy, of course, but those are so difficult (and so utterly unlike most other console RPGs) that they are hardly suitable for beginners. Aside from that, there's... well, there's Great Greed from Namco, and maybe Final Fantasy Adventure if you stretch the definition of RPG a little, but that's pretty much it.

Actually if you include Gameboy color there's quite a few. And I think the Sword of Hope titles are original B/W.


English:
Azure Dreams
Crystalis
Dragon Warrior I & II
Dragon Warrior III
Dragon Warrior Monsters
Dragon Warrior Monsters 2: Cobi's Journey
Dragon Warrior Monsters 2: Tara's Adventure
Final Fantasy Adventure
Final Fantasy Legend
Final Fantasy Legend II
Final Fantasy Legend III
Gargoyles Quest
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Harvest Moon GB
Harvest Moon GBC 2
Harvest Moon GBC 3
Heroes of Might And Magic
Heroes of Might And Magic II
Knights Quest
Legend of The River King
Legend of The River King 2
Legend of Zelda: Links Awakening
Legend of Zelda: Links Awakening DX
Legend of Zelda: The Oracle of Ages
Legend of Zelda: The Oracle of Seasons
Lufia: The Legend Returns
Mario Golf
Pokemon Blue
Pokemon Crystal
Pokemon Gold
Pokemon Pinball
Pokemon Red
Pokemon Silver
Pokemon Trading Card Game
Pokemon Yellow
Quest RPG
Revelations: The Demon Slayer
Survival Kids
Sword of Hope
Sword of Hope II
Ultima: Runes of Virtue
Ultima: Runes of Virtue II

This isn't difinitive BTW. Just a few that I have cataloged. For example I hadn't heard of Great Greed until now.

[intelli78]

For example I hadn't heard of Great Greed until now.

I picked up a copy of Great Greed at Gamestop a few years ago. Haven't seen one since. If any game can be categorized as "insane", this would be it. As I remember, the main villain is called Bio-Haz Harry, and there is engrish galore.

Not a quality title, needless to say.

[scorch56]

Whenever someone asks a "what is a good <insert genre here> for a newb" type question.. you're gonna' get the standard answers.. only makes sense. Eventually.. a hardcore or "manly-MAN" type player is gonna' intercede and say "That game was poop!".. and here we go again. In my opinion.. if you play nothing but RPGs.. you're not a manly type anyway (and I can say that because I play a lot of them; and enjoy them.. it's called self-introspection) so I'm not trying to flame anyone.

What a weird accusation, that I am a "manly-man" because I claim to not like Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest. I'm not sure how you made that leap, but whatever, I think it pretty well killed any sort of credibility you may have once had.

The reason why I strongly recommend that FF:MQ is not the first RPG someone plays is that if it were the first RPG I had played I probably would have never played another one ever again. It is truly an awful, awful game.

It WAS a joke. You'll notice I said right before that: "hardcore gamer.. or..", that's because I simply abhor the term "hardcore gamer".. so I was looking for a co. a coq.. "coquilism"? Ah hell.. I can't spell worth crap.

As for the credibility part.. like I said.. my favorite RPG is Phantasy Star IV.. so that might be true. Besides.. I'm too old to really care what other people think about my credibility. ;)

As for the "manuals" thing.. I need them.. but I enjoy hardcopy reading. Sure there's FAQs for RPGs all over the net.. but it's hard to find people posting the TRUE manuals themselves because of copyright infringement (Unless it's ReplacementDocs.com.. I don't know how those guys get away with it.. but I'm glad they do.). Besides.. when it comes to my console game collecting.. I'm a completist so I'm speaking from my POV as well. If you can fully enjoy and figure out a RPG without the original manual (and yes.. I've seen MANY a fan written FAQ more detailed than any manual).. I say go for it; but I would tend to think they would really come in handy for a beginner.

[Jorpho]

Actually if you include Gameboy color there's quite a few. And I think the Sword of Hope titles are original B/W.

Aye, but the Game Boy Color games generally do not work with the Super Game Boy.

Would you believe I was going to edit my post and mention Sword of Hope when the board slowed to a crawl? ;)

[sirhansirhan]

It WAS a joke. You'll notice I said right before that: "hardcore gamer.. or..", that's because I simply abhor the term "hardcore gamer".. so I was looking for a co. a coq.. "coquilism"? Ah hell.. I can't spell worth crap.

As for the credibility part.. like I said.. my favorite RPG is Phantasy Star IV.. so that might be true. Besides.. I'm too old to really care what other people think about my credibility. ;)

As for the "manuals" thing.. I need them.. but I enjoy hardcopy reading. Sure there's FAQs for RPGs all over the net.. but it's hard to find people posting the TRUE manuals themselves because of copyright infringement (Unless it's ReplacementDocs.com.. I don't know how those guys get away with it.. but I'm glad they do.). Besides.. when it comes to my console game collecting.. I'm a completist so I'm speaking from my POV as well. If you can fully enjoy and figure out a RPG without the original manual (and yes.. I've seen MANY a fan written FAQ more detailed than any manual).. I say go for it; but I would tend to think they would really come in handy for a beginner.

Hmm... you seemed serious when I read that the first time. Maybe I need to get my sarcasm detector checked. Anyway, it's hard to read the intentions of people you don't know on this cold, impersonal medium.

Anyway, I'm totally with you on the manual thing--the reason I don't yet own Crusader of Centy or your beloved Phantasy Star IV is because I can't find them with their manuals for a reasonable price.

[Daria]

Actually if you include Gameboy color there's quite a few. And I think the Sword of Hope titles are original B/W.

Aye, but the Game Boy Color games generally do not work with the Super Game Boy.

Huh. Well that sucks.

sirhansirhan: Why not buy the game and look for their manuals seperately? That's what I've done with both those titles, worked out pretty well.

[Trebuken]

I had not realised the GB was so RPG deprived...bad suggest on my part...OK how's about a Super 8 adapter then. You can play NES rpgs on your SNES...OK so it might cost as much as three or four NES' but it's a cool adapter...

Later,
Trebuken

[j_factor]

Actually if you include Gameboy color there's quite a few. And I think the Sword of Hope titles are original B/W.

Aye, but the Game Boy Color games generally do not work with the Super Game Boy.

All Game Boy Color black carts work on Super Game Boy; the transparent ones don't. Revelations: The Demon Slayer, for example (I use that one as an example because I own it), is a black GBC cart, so it works fine. I don't know how many of the ones listed are clear carts, but it's probably not that many.

[Porksta]

Hey, I just so happen to have FF3 and Mana on ebay right now!

[FantasiaWHT]

I would advise against FF: Mystic Quest. Even if it's your first RPG... hell, your first video game period, you are going to feel insulted by it unless you are 8 years old. Get into the genre and then go back later to enjoy it's quaintness, but don't start with it.

[scorch56]

It's kinda' pointless anyway.. I just realized we're all "dancing with ourselves" in this thread anyways. OP hasn't been around since he started the thread almost 10 days ago.