Much is said about how the SNES and PS1 eras were the golden age of JRPGs, and while I agree, I don’t think we should overlook that it wasn’t the only generation with significant titles. In celebration of the start of 2026, I wanted to look back 20 years to see which JRPGs were released, and I was surprised by the sheer number of heavyweight games that came out then.
Some of these JRPGs were released on the PS2, others on the Xbox 360, and a few on the Nintendo DS. The thing is, JRPGs were thriving, and every single one introduced some innovation or twist on traditional mechanics that still echo in contemporary releases.
8 JRPGs Born from Kickstarter Campaigns
These JRPGs only exist thanks to the collective funding of a passionate community.
Although not all of them have a port or a remastered version for modern consoles, if you can manage to play any of the JRPGs mentioned here, they are worth it. Because despite being 20 years old, every one of them still warrants a playthrough in 2026.
10 .hack//G.U. vol.1//Rebirth
A Game World Within a Game
In 2002, .hack was released, an action RPG in which our character entered an MMORPG world and needed to complete quests to discover why some players were falling into a coma. After four parts, .hack//G.U. emerged: a sequel set 7 years after the original.
In general, both the first series and .hack//G.U. have intriguing premises, but basic gameplay. For example, you can explore the digital hub and even assemble new areas to visit by inserting a three-word phrase. Still, in the end, the execution always results in similar areas with few variables.
The fact that we connect almost manually to the MMORPG called The World, exchange emails with other players (who are NPCs), and the whole videogame ecosystem is cool and even has an interesting plot, but it falls a bit short of its ambitions. However, it is still a good game! And good news: there is a remaster called .hack//G.U. Last Recode that contains all three games in the series.
9 Enchanted Arms
Before Soulsborne
I’ll start with a confession: Enchanted Arms isn’t actually that good. It’s a fine game, but there are certainly better ones on this list. I included it because it was developed by none other than FromSoftware, shortly before Demon’s Souls.
Does that mean it has the elements for which FromSoftware is so acclaimed today? Not even close! Enchanted Arms is more of a traditional turn-based JRPG than those punishing but lovely titles. In battle, each individual is on a grid, and their respective skills—whether ranged or melee—depend on the positioning of the members.
The story hinges on golems. In the past, the Golem War occurred. After these mechanisms toiled away for years, the golems stopped functioning, and the war ended. However, some pesky researchers are after the secrets to control the golems again, which could trigger another war. We play as Atsuma, an enchanter student who uses his powers to face golems. Oh, spoiler alert, golems are back.
8 Digimon World DS (Digimon Story)
The Start of the Story
Digimon World DS, better known as Digimon Story in Japan, is the progenitor of the Story franchise. In other words, if you played and enjoyed Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth, you need to thank this RPG of digital monsters released on the Nintendo DS in 2006.
This title launched a new series in the Digimon game world, featuring a more traditional JRPG system with random encounters and turn-based battles. It was in Digimon World DS that many mechanics known from subsequent games were born, such as the process of scanning Digimon in battle to convert them to our team, and also the Digi-Farms.
Our role is to enter the Digital World and put a stop to an entity called Unknown-D. In the middle of the journey, we will complete various sidequests, digivolve our Digimon infinite times, and – if you know someone with the game and a DS nowadays – trade your digital monsters with one another.
7 Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
Legacy of the Valkyrie
Valkyrie Profile is one of the best JRPGs on the PS1, the fruit of a collaboration between Square and tri-Ace. Given its success, it’s no surprise that it got a sequel. Titled Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria, the game takes place hundreds of years before the first, and we play as the titular valkyrie Silmeria after she angered Odin and was imprisoned in the body of Alicia as punishment.
The combat in Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria draws on elements from the first game but innovates. Instead of being static, we can move through a battlefield until we reach the enemy to engage them, or even run away. Each action consumes AP, prompting us to ponder the best command to issue in each clash.
As usual, Silmeria can rescue Einherjar while wandering through dungeons, adding them to the party and expanding the game’s world-building. It’s a really neat game that deserved more love when it was released back then. Hopefully, it gets a port like the first game did.
6 Suikoden V
Prequel to the First
Many who played Suikoden II during the PS1 era say it is their favorite JRPG. And I understand! After all, it was an extremely ambitious, provocative, and engaging game for its time. Having 108 party members, each with a reason to join the resistance (even if it was just for a plate of food), was something unusual.
The subsequent games didn’t manage to capture lightning in a bottle with the same intensity as the second title. However, they are still pleasant, especially Suikoden V (especially compared to Suikoden IV). In Suikoden V, the plot already begins involving runes. Arshtat, queen of the Queendom of Falena, uses the power of the Sun Rune to face rebels but goes mad in the process.
Our protagonist is none other than Freyjadour Falenas, the queen’s son, who travels the world seeking to solve his nation’s problems. Suikoden V brings all the staples of the series, like 108 recruitable characters, turn-based battle with 6 members (and 4 in reserve), combos depending on the party members present, and a magic system based on runes. Also, the best mechanic in any JRPG is present: managing your headquarters.
5 Blue Dragon
Mistwalker’s Debut Game
I am circumventing my own topic here because while Blue Dragon did indeed release in 2006, it was in Japan only. The game only hit international shelves in August 2007. However, since it was conceived as a means to win over the Japanese crowd with the Xbox 360, I believe it qualifies.
The creator of Final Fantasy, Hironobu Sakaguchi, founded Mistwalker as soon as he left Square. His debut project was Blue Dragon, a turn-based JRPG featuring a soundtrack by Nobuo Uematsu and art by Akira Toriyama. It only lacked Yuji Horii for the dream team to return, as was done in Chrono Trigger.
In Blue Dragon, we play as Shu and his friends as they travel the world to face Nene, the evil ruler of the Grand Kingdom. In battle, the characters use the power of Shadows, which can assume different classes and learn distinct skills in the process. The game was well-received at the time, almost reaching a perfect score in Famitsu. The problem is that until today, Blue Dragon is stuck on the Xbox 360 (though it’s at least backward-compatible).
4 Xenosaga Episode III
End of a Dream
Okay, I don’t suggest you start with Xenosaga III, since all the games are sequels. But Xenosaga Episode III: Also sprach Zarathustra was released in 2006, and it would be remiss of me not to add it here, even if it has an abrupt ending that brings Tetsuya Takahashi’s and Soraya Saga’s dreams to an end once more.
The events in Xenosaga III occur one year after the end of the second game. We return to the role of Shion after she discovers a connection between two entities that I won’t mention to avoid spoilers for a 20-year-old game, because I want you to play the game now and be surprised! KOS-MOS also returns, although we don’t start the game with her.
The combat in Xenosaga III is a mix of the first and second titles, bringing together everything that worked in both and refining it to the maximum. It’s turn-based, and we have a Break system where a group becomes stunned when the bar fills up, as well as Boost, which allows you to act twice per turn or unleash a special attack.
There is also mecha combat, which follows a similar structure. If you aren’t going to play Xenosaga because Bandai Namco insists on keeping the franchise stuck on the PS2, at least give Xenoblade Chronicles a chance. I’m sure you won’t regret it.
3 The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC
The Best Direct Sequel
How emblematic is it that, 20 years after its release, The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC is receiving a full-fledged remake? I would say very. Also, as I mentioned with Xenosaga III, I don’t recommend starting your amazing Trails adventure with the second game, since it’s a direct sequel that takes place one day after the end of the first.
In Trails in the Sky, we meet Estelle and Joshua as they wander through the kingdom of Liberl after becoming Bracers. In Trails in the Sky SC, Estelle discovers that a mischievous organization is behind many of the problems they encountered on their journey and must get to the bottom of it if she wants to protect Liberl once and for all.
Turn-based combat with a dose of movement returns, as do all the characters from the first Trails. There are new features, like Chain Craft, more Quartz, and greater freedom in exploration. Most importantly, Trails in the Sky SC concludes the story of Estelle and Joshua while setting the stage for an even larger one that continues to this day in the franchise’s most modern releases.
2 Final Fantasy XII
Prime Ivalice
Final Fantasy XII takes us back to Ivalice, the same setting seen in Final Fantasy Tactics and Vagrant Story. In Square’s long-standing desire to create a more dynamic combat system, the Active Dimension Battle (ADB) was conceived, which still uses the ATB bar of older entries but focuses on real-time movement. It gives a sensation of freedom in exploration, though perhaps the combat became a bit too streamlined.
This is because Final Fantasy XII introduced Gambits, automations that dictate which actions party members should take in given situations. Since I was never good at using Gambits, I only automated basic actions like healing, while manually selecting attack abilities. This also kept me more engaged with the game.
If the gameplay didn’t entice you, another way Ivalice will win you over is through its political plot, which is very prominent in this world. The Archadian Empire has invaded the Kingdom of Dalmasca, and Ashe, the princess, organizes a resistance to try and save her realm. In the process, she assembles a ragtag group whose values and ideals align in the search for peace. Oh yeah, we also have Vaan, a boy who dreams of being a sky pirate. Some say he’s the protagonist of Final Fantasy XII.
1 Persona 3
The Creator of Social Links
Persona 3 needs no introduction. But I’ll still introduce it because this is my job. SMT already had a certain renown in Japan, as did its numerous spinoffs, but it was with Persona 3 that the apprentice surpassed the master and the high-school franchise became a powerhouse in its own right. From the start of the game, it’s possible to see how much larger Atlus’s investment was.
Upon arriving in the port city of Iwatodai, our protagonist witnesses the eerie event known as the Dark Hour, which occurs every midnight and traps the living in coffins. Only a select few can experience and walk through this phenomenon, which is where creatures known as Shadows roam. To face these threats, some students awaken the power of Persona, including ourselves.
Now, as part of the execution group SEES, we need to face these Shadows during the full moon to prevent a disease known as Apathy Syndrome from spreading through the city. The turn-based combat system favors attacking enemies’ weaknesses, which our protagonist’s shuffling Personas power neatly enables.
However, the legacy of Persona 3 lies in its calendar and relationship system. Between wandering through Tartarus and kicking ass, we can work part-time to earn money, improve our social stats, and build relationships with various important characters to enhance our Social Link and produce stronger Personas. It’s various mechanics that have been perfected in every new Atlus title and copied in other JRPGs as well.
8 Best JRPGs Where You Play A Rebel
In some games, our protagonists are rebels; in others, we’re part of a rebellion.
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Author: 360 Technology Group
