Classic NES/SNES RPGs

[Gunstar Hero]

I am fairly new to the genre as when I became interested in retro gaming a few years ago I started with side-scrollers, and shmups, and other games I first wanted to try. Now that I am devoted to retro gaming and have a solid collection I want to try some RPGs. Also I have suddenly become very fond of the genre, so I ask what are sme classic or very fun NES/SNES RPGs to try out? I don't care if they're expensive because in addition to my SNES and NES I have a PSP with SNES and NES emulators and I feel that RPGs are good for car rides and I can play the expensive ones on my PSP without having to shell out a great deal of money for rare ones. I also obviously want to buy some for the real hardware. Please give some suggestions for me to get started!

[GizzyGames]

Im a Dragon Warrior whore, so im going to have to go with those =)

[The Adventurer]

Now, I'm a bit of a layman (RPGs have never really been my 'thing') but I'm willing to bet these are the gold standard

NES
Dragon Warrior
Final Fantasy
Ultima 3: Exile

SNES
Final Fantasy 3
Chrono Trigger
Earthbound
Breath of Fire
Lufia & the Fortress of Doom
Super Mario RPG
Orge Battle


If you're into 'Action/RPGs'...
The Secret of Mana (SNES)

[ultimaweapon]

Chrono Trigger & Earthbound for the SNES. There's a reason Earthbound is ridiculous high. For the NES, love the first two Zeldas.

[Space-Ace-13]

A lot of the great ones have been names... but heres a few that I haven't seen mentioned yet.

NES: Crystalis (maybe the best on the NES imo), Tombs & Treasures, Faxanadu (both recommended by me, especially Faxanadu)... also games like Shadowgate, Deja Vu, Maniac Mansion, and the Uninvited if you like point and click style games

SNES: Illusions if Gaia, Secret of Evermore, Shadowrun

[BlastProcessing402]

The original Dragon Warrior is downright archaic. Every action in that game except simply moving has to be done through the tedious menu. Want to talk, gotta open the menu. Want to open a chest? Menu. Want to open that door? Guess what... menu! Oh, stairs. Hey why am I not climbing them... Oh right... menu.

Things aren't quite that insane on the rest of the NES DW's, fortunately, but unless you're really in it for the true retro experience, you're really better off playing the remake of the first game on GameBoy (or the SFC version with a translation patch).


If you're not absolutely set on them being NES/SNES, the Phantasy Star series (1st game was Master System, rest were Genesis) are also very good. Yes, you can play them on the PSP too!

[o.pwuaioc]

Chrono Trigger & Earthbound for the SNES. There's a reason Earthbound is ridiculous high. For the NES, love the first two Zeldas.

Yes, because of Smash Bros. Earthbound is crap.

My recommendations:

NES:

Final Fantasy
Dragon Warrior
Crystalis
Battle of Olympus

SNES:

Final Fantasy IV, V, & VI
Secret of Mana & Seiken Densetsu 3
Secret of Evermore
Illusion of Gaia & Terranigma
Breath of Fire & especially BoF II

[Zing]

There's a reason Earthbound is ridiculous high.

Yes, and it has little to do with the quality of the game.