A couple of quick notes:
- All screenshots were taken by me using the SNES9X emulator. One exception is Tengai Makyou Zero, as I couldn't find a functioning ROM.
- After some debate I decided not to include the Satellaview "BS" games. The reason for this is because no actual carts were released for these titles, and most are unplayable (at least to 100% completion) even as ROMs. There are two notable exceptions - which have been hacked into complete games. Those games are BS Zelda no Densetsu and Radical Dreamers.
- When a game has more than one translation patch, I have linked to the one I consider the most "definitive." I will not be providing any links to actual game ROMs.
- I realize that theoretically any one of these games can be made into a reproduction cart. When I say "Yes" a repro cart exists, I mean that it's currently available at sites like GameReproductions.com or RetroZone.
- I'm playing fast and loose with my definition of "RPG" here to be as inclusive as possible. Thus some decidedly non-RPG games are listed, so long as they are sequels/prequels to an RPG game or are otherwise influential to the genre.
- This list is in alphabetical order - sort of. I've tried to keep games in the same series listed together. Therefore Illusion of Gaia is listed after Soul Blazer, Dragon View is listed after Drakkhen, etc.
- I was originally going to include a short description of each game, but the writing process was getting way too long, tedious, and redundant. I do hope this post will create some great discuss about these classics, however.
On to the list........!
3x3 Eyes: Seima Kourinden
Nova Games / Yutaka
Japan Only
Released: 07/28/92
Genre: Console-style RPG
Translation Patch: In Progress
The 7th Saga / Elnard
Produce / Enix
US / Japan
Released: 04/23/93 (Japan), 09/??/93 (US)
Genre: Console-style RPG
Mystic Ark
Produce / Enix
Japan Only
Released: 07/14/95
Genre: Console-style RPG
Translation Patch: Yes
Reproduction Cart: Yes
ActRaiser
Quintet / Enix
US / Japan / EU
Released: 12/16/90 (Japan), 11/??/91 (US), ??/??/92 (EU)
Genre: Action-adventure / simulation
Translation Patch: Yes (Retranslation)
ActRaiser 2 / ActRaiser 2: Chinmoku e no Seisen
Quintet / Enix
US / Japan / EU
Released: 10/29/93 (Japan), 11/??/93 (US), 11/??/94 (EU)
Genre: Action-adventure
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Eye of the Beholder
Westwood Associates / Capcom
US / Japan
Released: 03/18/94 (Japan), 04/??/94 (US)
Genre: PC-style RPG / Dungeon crawler
Also Available On: PC, Amiga, PC-98, Sega CD, Game Boy Advance (Remake)
Akazukin ChaCha
Landwarf / Tomy
Japan Only
Released: 08/09/96
Genre: Action RPG
Translation Patch: In Progress
Albert Odyssey
SunSoft
Japan Only
Released: 03/05/93
Genre: Strategy RPG
Translation Patch: In Progress
Albert Odyssey 2: Jashin no Taidou
SunSoft
Japan Only
Released: 12/22/94
Genre: Strategy RPG
Translation Patch: In Progress
Alcahest
HAL / Squaresoft
Japan Only
Released: 12/17/93
Genre: Action RPG
Translation Patch: Yes
Reproduction Cart: Yes
Ancient Magic: Bazoe! Mahou Sekai
Hot-B
Japan Only
Released: 07/23/93
Genre: Console-style RPG
Translation Patch: Yes
Reproduction Cart: Yes
Angelique / Angelique Voice Fantasy
Koei
Japan Only
Released: 09/23/94, 12/08/95 (Premium Box), 03/29/96 (Voice Fantasy)
Genre: Action-adventure / Dating sim
Also Available On: PC, PC-FX, Saturn, PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, DS
Translation Patch: In Progress
Arabian Nights: Sabaku no Seirei Ou
Pandora Box / Takuyo
Japan Only
Released: 06/14/96
Genre: Console-style RPG
Translation Patch: Yes
Reproduction Cart: No
Arcana / Card Master: Rimusaria no Fuuin
HAL
US / Japan
Released: 03/27/92 (Japan), 05/??/92 (US)
Genre: PC-style RPG / Dungeon crawler
Arcus Spirits
Wolf Team / Sammy
Japan Only
Released: 10/22/93
Genre: Action RPG / Dungeon crawler
Also Available On: Genesis
Translation Patch: No
Aretha
Japan Art Media / Yanoman
Japan Only
Released: 11/26/93
Genre: Console-style RPG
Also Available on: Game Boy
Translation Patch: In Progress
Aretha II: Ariel no Fushigi na Tabi
Japan Art Media / Yanoman
Japan Only
Released: 12/02/94
Genre: Console-style RPG
Also Available on: Game Boy
Translation Patch: In Progress
Bahamut Lagoon
Squaresoft
Japan Only
Released: 02/09/96
Genre: Strategy RPG
Translation Patch: Yes
Reproduction Cart: Yes
Battle Robot Retsuden
WinkySoft / BanPresto
Japan Only
Released: 09/01/95
Genre: Strategy RPG
Translation Patch: In Progress
Benkei Gaiden: Suna no Shou
SunSoft
Japan Only
Released: 12/11/92
Genre: Console-style RPG
Translation Patch: No
Big Sky Trooper
LucasArts / JVC
US / EU
Released: 09/??/95 (EU), 10/??/95 (US)
Genre: Action-adventure
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon: Another Story
Angel
Japan Only
Released: 09/22/95
Genre: Console-style RPG
Translation Patch: Yes
Reproduction Cart: Yes
The Blue Crystal Rod
Game Studio / Namco
Japan Only
Released: 03/25/94
Genre: Action RPG / Dungeon crawler
Translation Patch: No
Bounty Sword
ITL / Pioneer LDC
Japan Only
Released: 09/08/95
Genre: Strategy RPG
Translation Patch: In Progress
Brain Lord
Produce / Enix
US / Japan
Released: 01/28/94 (Japan), 08/??/94 (US)
Genre: Action RPG
Brandish
Falcom / Koei
US / Japan
Released: 06/25/94 (Japan), 02/??/95 (US)
Genre: Action RPG / Dungeon crawler
Also Available On: PC, PC-98, FM Towns, PC Engine CD, PSP
Brandish 2: The Planet Buster / Brandish 2 Expert
Falcom / Koei
Japan Only
Released: 08/11/95, 03/15/96 (Expert)
Genre: Action RPG / Dungeon crawler
Also Available On: PC, PC-98
Translation Patch: Yes
Reproduction Cart: Yes (Brandish 2 Only)
Breath of Fire / Breath of Fire: Ryuu no Senshi
Capcom / Squaresoft
US / Japan
Released: 04/03/93 (Japan), 08/10/94 (US)
Genre: Console-style RPG
Also Available On: Game Boy Advance
Breath of Fire II / Breath of Fire II: Shimei no Ko
Capcom
US / Japan / EU
Released: 12/02/94 (Japan), 12/10/95 (US), 04/25/96 (EU)
Genre: Console-style RPG
Also Available On: Game Boy Advance
Burai: Hachigyoku no Yuushi Densetsu
Pandora Box / IGS
Japan Only
Released: 01/14/93
Genre: Console-style RPG
Also Available On: MSX, Mega CD, PC Engine CD
Translation Patch: No
Bushi Seiryuuden: Futari no Yuusha
Game Freak / T&E Soft
Japan Only
Released: 01/17/97
Genre: Console-style RPG
Translation Patch: No
Chaos Seed: Fuusui Kairouki
Neverland / Taito
Japan Only
Released: 03/15/96
Genre: Action RPG / Strategy RPG
Also Available On: Saturn
Translation Patch: In Progress
Chou-Mahou Tairiku Wozz
RED / Bullet Proof Software
Japan Only
Released: 08/05/95
Genre: Console-style RPG
Translation Patch: Yes
Reproduction Cart: Yes
Chrono Trigger
Squaresoft
US / Japan
Released: 03/11/95 (Japan), 08/22/95 (US)
Genre: Console-style RPG
Also Available On: PlayStation, DS
Translation Patch: Yes (Retranslation)
Radical Dreamers: Nusumenai Houseki
Squaresoft
Japan Only
Released: 02/03/96
Genre: Visual novel
Translation Patch: Yes
Reproduction Cart: Yes
Crystal Beans: From Dungeon Explorer
Hudson
Japan Only
Released: 10/27/95
Genre: Action RPG / Dungeon crawler
Also Available On: Turbo CD
Translation Patch: Yes
Reproduction Cart: No
Cyber Knight
Advance Communication Company / Tonkin House
Japan Only
Released: 10/30/92
Genre: Console-style RPG
Also Available On: PC Engine
Translation Patch: Yes
Reproduction Cart: No
Cyber Knight II: Chikyuu Teikoku no Yabou
Group SNE / Tonkin House
Japan Only
Released: 08/26/94
Genre: Console-style RPG
Translation Patch: Yes
Reproduction Cart: No
Dai-3-Ji Super Robot Taisen
WinkySoft / Banpresto
Japan Only
Released: 07/23/93
Genre: Strategy RPG
Also Available On: PlayStation
Translation Patch: Yes
Reproduction Cart: No
Super Robot Taisen EX
WinkeySoft / Banpresto
Japan Only
Released: 03/25/94
Genre: Strategy RPG
Also Available On: PlayStation
Translation Patch: In Progress
Dai-4-Ji Super Robot Taisen
WinkySoft / Banpresto
Japan Only
Released: 05/17/95
Genre: Strategy RPG
Also Available On: Saturn, PlayStation
Translation Patch: In Progress
Super Robot Wars Gaiden: Masou Kishin – The Lord of Elemental
WinkySoft / Banpresto
Japan Only
Released: 03/22/96
Genre: Strategy RPG
Translation Patch: In Progress
Daikaijyuu Monogatari
Birthday / Hudson
Japan Only
Released: 12/22/94
Genre: Console-style RPG
Translation Patch: In Progress
Daikaijyuu Monogatari II
AIM / Hudson
Japan Only
Released: 08/02/96
Genre: Console-style RPG
Translation Patch: In Progress
Dark Half
West One / Enix
Japan Only
Released: 05/31/96
Genre: Console-style RPG
Translation Patch: In Progress
Dark Kingdom
Nippon Telenet
Japan Only
Released: 04/29/94
Genre: Console-style RPG
Translation Patch:No
Der Langrisser
NCS
Japan Only
Released: 06/30/95
Genre: Strategy RPG
Also Available On: Mega Drive, PC-FX, Saturn, PlayStation, PC
Translation Patch: Yes
Reproduction Cart: No
Dokapon 3-2-1: Arashi o Yobu Yuujou
Asmik Ace Entertainment
Japan Only
Released: 12/02/94
Genre: Console-style RPG
Translation Patch: No
Dokapon Gaiden: Honoo no Audition
Earthly Soft / Asmik Ace Entertainment
Japan Only
Released: 12/01/95
Genre: Console-style RPG
Translation Patch: No
Down the World: Mervil's Ambition
ASCII
Japan Only
Released: 09/30/94
Genre: Console-style RPG
Translation Patch: No
Dragon Ball Z: Chou Saiya Densetsu
TOSE / Bandai
Japan Only
Released: 01/25/92
Genre: Console-style RPG
Translation Patch: Yes
Reproduction Cart: Yes
Dragon Ball Z Super Gokuden: Totsugeki-Hen
TOSE / Bandai
Japan Only
Released: 03/24/95
Genre: Console-style RPG
Translation Patch: In Progress
Dragon Ball Z Super Gokuden: Kakusei-Hen
TOSE / Bandai
Japan Only
Released: 09/22/95
Genre: Console-style RPG
Translation Patch: In Progress
Dragon Knight 4
Elf / Banpresto
Japan Only
Released: 12/27/96
Genre: Strategy RPG
Also Available On: PC, PC-98, FM Towns, Sharp X68000, PC-FX, Saturn, PlayStation
Translation Patch: In Progress
Dragon Quest I & II
ChunSoft / Enix
Japan Only
Released: 12/18/93
Genre: Console-style RPG
Also Available On: NES, MSX, Game Boy Color, Wii
Translation Patch: Yes
Reproduction Cart: Yes
Dragon Quest III: Soshite Densetsu e…
Heart Beat / Enix
Japan Only
Released: 12/06/96
Genre: Console-style RPG
Also Available On: NES, Game Boy Color, Wii
Translation Patch: Yes
Reproduction Cart: Yes
Dragon Quest V: Tenkuu no Hanayome
ChunSoft / Enix
Japan Only
Released: 09/27/92
Genre: Console-style RPG
Also Available On: PlayStation 2, DS
Translation Patch: Yes
Reproduction Cart: Yes
Dragon Quest VI: Maboroshi no Daichi
Heart Beat / Enix
Japan Only
Released: 12/09/95
Genre: Console-style RPG
Also Available On: DS
Translation Patch: Yes
Reproduction Cart: Yes
Dragon Slayer: Eiyuu Densetsu
Falcom / Epoch
Japan Only
Released: 02/14/92
Genre: Console-style RPG
Also Available On: MSX, PC-88, PC-98, FM-7, Sharp X68000, Mega Drive, Turbo CD, PlayStation, Saturn, PC
Translation Patch: No
Dragon Slayer: Eiyuu Densetsu II
Falcom / Epoch
Japan Only
Released: 06/04/93
Genre: Console-style RPG
Also Available On: PC, PC-88, PC-98, PC Engine CD, Mega Drive
Translation Patch: No
Lord Monarch
AIM / Epoch
Japan Only
Released: 06/24/94
Genre: Strategy RPG
Also Available On: PC-98, Mega Drive, PlayStation, PC
Translation Patch: No
Dragon's Earth
Human Entertainment
Japan Only
Released: 01/22/93
Genre: Strategy RPG
Translation Patch: No
Drakkhen
Infogrames / Kemco-Seika
US / Japan / EU
Released: 05/24/91 (Japan), 09/??/91 (US), ??/??/91 (EU)
Genre: PC-style RPG
Also Available On: PC, Amiga, Atari ST, PC-98, FM Towns Marty, Sharp X68000
Dragon View / Super Drakkhen
Atari / Kemco
US / Japan
Released: 08/26/94 (Japan), 11/??/94 (US)
Genre: Action RPG
Dual Orb
I'Max
Japan Only
Released: 04/16/93
Genre: Console-style RPG
Translation Patch: In Progress
Dual Orb II
I'Max
Japan Only
Released: 12/29/94
Genre: Console-style RPG
Translation Patch: Yes
Reproduction Cart: Yes
Dungeon Master
FTL Games / JVC
US / Japan
Released: 12/20/91 (Japan), ??/??/92 (EU), 06/??/93 (US)
Genre: PC-style RPG / Dungeon crawler
Also Available On: Atari ST, Amiga, Apple II, PC, Turbo CD, Sharp X68000, PC-98, FM Towns
DunQuest: Majin Fuuin no Densetsu
Technos Japan
Japan Only
Released: 07/21/95
Genre: Console-style RPG
Translation Patch: No
E.V.O.: Search for Eden / 46 Okunen Monogatari: Harukanaru Eden e
Almanic / Enix
US / Japan
Released: 12/21/92 (Japan), 07/??/93 (US)
Genre: Action RPG
Also Available On: PC-98
EarthBound / Mother 2: Gyiyg no Gyakushuu
Ape Studios / Nintendo
US / Japan
Released: 08/27/94 (Japan), 06/05/95 (US)
Genre: Console-style RPG
Also Available On: Game Boy Advance
Eien no Filena
Tokuma Shoten
Japan Only
Released: 02/25/95
Genre: Console-style RPG
Translation Patch: In Progress
Elfaria
RED Entertainment / Hudson
Japan Only
Released: 01/03/93
Genre: Console-style RPG
Translation Patch: No
Elfaria II
RED Entertainment / Hudson
Japan Only
Released: 06/09/95
Genre: Console-style RPG
Translation Patch: In Progress
Emerald Dragon
Alfa System / Media Works
Japan Only
Released: 07/28/95
Genre: Console-style RPG
Also Available On: MSX, PC-98, FM Towns, Sharp X68000, PC Engine CD
Translation Patch: Yes
Reproduction Cart: Yes
Energy Breaker
Neverland / Taito
Japan Only
Released: 07/26/96
Genre: Strategy RPG
Translation Patch: Yes
Reproduction Cart: No
Equinox / Solstice II
Sony / Sony Imagesoft
US, Japan, EU
Released: 11/12/93 (Japan), 03/??/94 (US), 03/25/94 (EU)
Genre: Action-adventure
Farland Story
TGL / Banpresto
Japan Only
Released: 02/24/95
Genre: Strategy RPG
Also Available On: PC, PC-98, Saturn
Translation Patch: In Progress
Farland Story 2
TGL / Banpresto
Japan Only
Released: 12/22/95
Genre: Strategy RPG
Also Available On: PC, Saturn
Translation Patch: In Progress
FEDA: The Emblem of Justice
Max Entertainment / Yanoman
Japan Only
Released: 10/28/94
Genre: Strategy RPG
Also Available On: Saturn
Translation Patch: Yes
Reproduction Cart: No
Final Fantasy II / Final Fantasy IV / Final Fantasy IV Easytype
Squaresoft
US / Japan
Released: 07/19/91 (Japan), 10/29/91 (Japan – Easytype), 11/23/91 (US)
Genre: Console-style RPG
Also Available On: PlayStation, WonderSwan Color, Game Boy Advance, DS, PSP
Translation Patch: Yes (Final Fantasy IV), Yes (Final Fantasy IV Easytype)
Final Fantasy V
Squaresoft
Japan Only
Released: 12/06/92
Genre: Console-style RPG
Also Available On: PlayStation, Game Boy Advance
Translation Patch: Yes
Reproduction Cart: Yes
Final Fantasy III / Final Fantasy VI
Squaresoft
US, Japan
Released: 04/02/94 (Japan), 10/20/94 (US)
Genre: Console-style RPG
Also Available On: PlayStation, Game Boy Advance
Translation Patch: Yes (Retranslation)
Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest / Final Fantasy USA: Mystic Quest / Mystic Quest Legend
Squaresoft
US, Japan, EU
Released: 10/05/92 (US), 09/10/93 (Japan), ??/??/93 (EU)
Genre: Console-style RPG
Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo
Intelligent Systems / Nintendo
Japan Only
Released: 01/21/94
Genre: Strategy RPG
Translation Patch: Yes
Reproduction Cart: No
Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu
Intelligent Systems / Nintendo
Japan Only
Released: 05/14/96
Genre: Strategy RPG
Translation Patch: In Progress
Fire Emblem: Thracia 776
Intelligent Systems / Nintendo
Japan Only
Released: 01/21/00
Genre: Strategy RPG
Translation Patch: In Progress
First Queen
Kure / Culture Brain
Japan Only
Released: 03/11/94
Genre: Console-style RPG
Also Available On: Sharp X68000, PC-98
Translation Patch: No
Front Mission
G-Craft / Squaresoft
Japan Only
Released: 02/24/95
Genre: Console-style RPG
Also Available On: PlayStation, WonderSwan Color, DS
Translation Patch: Yes
Reproduction Cart: Yes
Front Mission: Gun Hazard
Omiya Soft / Squaresoft
Japan Only
Released: 02/23/96
Genre: Action RPG
Translation Patch: Yes
Reproduction Cart: Yes