JRPGs took a while to become popular in North America. Final Fantasy 7 is a major contributor to bringing more Westerners into the genre, along with Kingdom Hearts and Persona 4 Goldenamong many others. Now the RPG subgenre is very popular, and fans are looking forward to the next big AAA experience.
However, since it took so long for the genre to catch on, gamers may have missed the opportunity to play the following JRPG for one reason or another. Maybe they didn't even know these existed because they were trapped in Japan. These JRPGs can be hard to find and play now officially, but where there's a will there's a way. Also, in an effort to diversify, the systems will be mixed to create a broader view of the JRPG story.
Lufia 2: Rise Of The Sinistrals
A top ten buried
Lufia 2: Rise of the Sinistrals is one of the best JRPGs on the SNES, one of the best JRPG prequels, and one of the defining points of JRPGs, but it's generally not available to play by official means, nor are the other titles in the franchise.
The turn-based combat was simple, but the sprites were expressive during combat, giving it a more whimsical feel for the era. There were puzzles in dungeons, a captivating story, fun characters and a great adventure waiting on the world map. The game was remade, or more like reimagined, on the DS as Lufia: Curse of the Sinistralsand it is also not available.
Breath Of Fire 4
The SECOND Dragon Quest
Square Enix has been good at re-releasing Dragon Quest games, including the recently released ones Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake. Capcom hasn't been on top of its dragon-themed franchise, Breath of Firein much the same way. Oddly enough, however, one of the best contributions, Breath of Fire 4was made available via GOG in April 2025.
It came out in the middle Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 fever, so it was buried again, just like it was in 2000 on the PS1. JRPG and Capcom fans owe it to themselves to check it out, as the sprite-based models still look great and the turn-based combat is just as engaging, especially with all the cool dragon transformations the hero Ryu could pull off.
Mega Man X: Command Mission
Mega Man's Other RPG
Another unfortunate Capcom JRPG is Mega Man X: Command Mission. When it comes to RPG games based on Blue Bomber, most people tend to think Mega Man Battle Network franchise, but this was X the franchise's only attempt at a turn-based RPG.
The combat system was similar Final Fantasy 10swith players able to equip three party members, both familiar and new, for battle. Unlike Final Fantasy 10however, Mega Man X: Command Mission was difficult, but worthwhile because it expanded X franchise beyond action platformers, and the cel-shading looked great. The PS2 and GameCube versions have unfortunately never been re-released.
Onimusha tactics
Grid-based horror
Onimusha tactics
- Released
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November 12, 2003
- ESRB
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T // Mild violence, suggestive themes
Onimusha tactics was an odd choice for a spinoff as it took the established themes of the PS2 action-horror franchise and simplified them for kids on the Game Boy Advance. Players were still a gifted samurai wielding an Oni Gauntlet, capable of giving them demonic strength.
Additionally, they faced Lord Nobunaga and his demon army in battle, albeit through tactical battles instead of the like Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. While defanging of Onimusha franchise may have felt bizarre to some, it was a decent little GBA JRPG that Capcom would revive, leading up to the release of Onimusha: Path of the Sword.
The Wizard of Oz: Beyond The Yellow Brick Road
A better evil
The Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road is a DS RPG apparently based on Ounce property, albeit with an original Japanese spin. The game was developed by Media.Vision, which most people may know from Wild arms and Valkyria Chronicles franchise agreement.
Players controlled Dorothy in dungeons with a trackball using the lower screen on the DS, and battles were turn-based, with each party member being strong against a specific enemy type. This awesome version of Tin Man was good against plants thanks to his axe, for example. Like many DS JRPGs, this was a niche release, and that's a shame because Media.Vision put their backs into it.
Infinitely undiscovered
Xbox 360 Age Of JRPGs
Infinitely undiscovered
- Released
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September 2, 2008
The Xbox 360 era is filled with enough forgotten exclusive JRPGs that they could easily fill a list alone. There was Blue dragon and Lost Odysseyboth of which were great and playable on modern Xbox systems via backwards compatibility. Together with these two, it is called odd Infinitely undiscovered.
Infinitely undiscovered is an action RPG where players control Capell, who can connect with his party's skills and magic. One of the big gimmicks was Capell's flute, which could reveal hidden passages, making exploration more dynamic. It may be filled with standard JRPG tropes, but the game is still worth checking out for those missing classic JRPG themes.
LBX: The Little Battler's Experience
My toys are better than yours
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Developer: Level-5, Climax Entertainment
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Publisher: Nintendo (NA/EU)
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Released: August 21, 2015 (NA)
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Platform: 3DS
LBX: The Little Battler's Experience is probably a 3DS JRPG from Level-5 that most people missed. It is part of a larger franchise in Japan, Danball Senkiand most games leave Japan.
In this 3DS entry, players controlled a robot toy that could fight action-based battles outside or in living rooms, with regular game boards that seemed large because the toys are just the right size. The robot adaptation is fun to work with, and the plot is solid for a level-5 production, but it can be difficult to track the gameplay now.
I'm Setsuna
Redo Chrono Trigger
I'm Setsuna is a more modern JRPG, even though it's almost a decade old now. Square Enix created a new division, Tokyo RPG Factory, to make throwback JRPGs from the SNES and PS1 era, but the studio is now closed. Although it did not feature time travel, the game system and world map were similar in design Chrono Trigger.
Characters can combine their skills to perform combo attacks in turn-based battles, for example. Of the few games Tokyo RPG Factory made, I'm Setsuna is the best, well worth a visit now as it is available on a plethora of modern systems through backwards compatibility.
