I guess guess what I'm really wondering is who's really responsible for creating the first platformers, RPGS, etc..

Because I live in the USA I remember going into Software City and Programs Plus as a kid and seeing shelves with Apple and C64 titles on them. I remember reading Electronic Games magazine and their previews and reviews of the latest computer games. However I never saw any games or reviews for Japanese games. Were games such as Rogue, Temple of Apshai and Wizardry really the first computer RPGS or did Japan really invent them as some would have us believe but we just never heard of them here in the states? Does Japan really have a claim for inventing the platformer? Do they have examples of prior art before games such as Pitfall?