Good retro JRPG for somebody who has never played before

[Bakuma1997]

Honestly, I am amazed that no one here has suggested the first Final Fantasy game. The NES version is very glitchy, but you can find great rom hacks that fix that, or you could play the GBA version. It's super simple, super traditional, not too long or hard. I wasn't really into JRPGs up until I played this game.

The Hasted + Restored combo made the game a godsend

 

[Azuris]

I have never properly played a JRPG and would really like to try and give them a fair chance. What would be a good one to start with that would help me break in to the genre without being overwhelming?

My preferences (not absolute):

• Retro title for NES/SNES ideally
• Do not want to play any of the Mario RPGs as my understanding is that those are pretty different than the average JRPG, and I am looking for something pretty traditional
• Shorter playtime
• Not insanely difficult
• Good for learning the standard JRPG mechanics and turn based combat
• Really value a great story (one of the reasons I am interested)

Hope that is all reasonable.

Thanks so much!

Take Final Fantasy IV (the DS Version is the hardest, there are easier ones out there).

If you want it very basic, Final Fantasy 1 on the GBA, it is easier as other Versions and has many modern Optimizations.
With it you can learn the basic Stuff very good.

 

[thanonyx thanonyx]

Don't sleep on Breath of Fire 1 and 2

 

[CG4R12I4N]

The only choice is either Chrono Trigger, Mystic Quest or Live A Live really. Others are kinda way too long or too old school for newbies to get into (DQ1-3, Earthbound/Mother 2).

 

[FateLanegod]

This: https://retrogametalk.com/repository/snes-rom/star-ocean-english-patched/

I began to love JRPG only after it.
There might be elliptic difficulty curve, but you may read guides and walkthrough on hard parts and it should be piece of cake.

Somebody finds battle system complex, but once you level up and get proper gear, AI companions provide a great help.

Anyway, it is just interesting and you eager to figure out what’s next, and I think this is just one of the best and unpredictable stories among other games of that era.

 

[TerrySaw]

Just wanted to say I am well into Chronotrigger and when I got to the trial scene and realized what was going on I was just shouting "Noooo" out loud. Having a great time. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Kremiso]

not so much retro, but Blue Dragon on Xbox360 imo also fits the criteria

could be a perfect title to start from, complete in every aspect

 

[NotGodlike]

Like most mentioned, I also do consider Chrono Trigger to be the best entryway to jrpg, since it doesn't overstay its welcome, less grindy than other games of this genre and is really stunning

 

[UnDubious]

Honestly, I am amazed that no one here has suggested the first Final Fantasy game. The NES version is very glitchy, but you can find great rom hacks that fix that, or you could play the GBA version. It's super simple, super traditional, not too long or hard. I wasn't really into JRPGs up until I played this game.

Very high encounter rate and barely any story, IMO it could easily turn a person away from the genre.

There's a good dozen stone cold 16-bit classics, but I agree with everyone that Chrono is the obvious choice because of how accessible it is. It doesn't have random encounters - enemies appear at set points - and fights take place on the same screen without transition. I love RPGs from that era but the battles can get so tedious, and CT mostly sidesteps that. Great soundtrack and visuals, great characters, cool story and world, not very long.

 

[Bakuma1997]

Don't want a turn battle system? Crystalis is your to go, sure, the menu navigation can feel curbersome and you can accidentaly overwrite your precious save due to said menu navigation, but is a really fast paced ARPG with the best story of any NES RPG, you could beat it in a sitting if it weren't by the clallenging fights

If that is not your cup of tea, try Terranigma, great gameplay, neither too easy nor hard, beatiful ending and great existencialist story with a beautiful ending

 

[CG4R12I4N]

Honestly if you want short NES/SNES action RPG, I'd recommend Neugier: The Heartbeat of Wind and Sea or Alcahest instead. For the former you can literally beat it in under 2 hours even as a newbie and it has decent difficulty with infinite retries with really simplicistic design, while for the latter it's basically a much shorter and easier Godslayer/Crystalis (about 4 hours playtime to ending all in all) with interesting combat system and similarly great plot. Both took mostly combat approach and almost next to no talking to town NPCs or such, which makes them really fast paced and keep your interest occupied.

 

[Dyne]

Just wanted to say I am well into Chronotrigger and when I got to the trial scene and realized what was going on I was just shouting "Noooo" out loud. Having a great time. Thanks for the suggestion!

You're playing Chrono Trigger for the first time.
I'm so jealous! Enjoy!

 

[Poltergeist]

The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky
Good jRPG with amazing writing and you can install a mod for the PC version with Japanese voice acting.
I recommended this game to my friends long time ago and they absolutely loved it.

 

[Mopeybloke]

If you decide to go for the PSX, I suggest Suikoden. Also short and basic, with many characters, but they aren't that necessary to collect.

 

[Mini_Man.XW]

Earthbound

 

[moonbits]

Chrono Trigger, Square's magnus opus.

 

[Patapolis]

secret of mana
trials of mana
super mario rpg

 

[CG4R12I4N]

Actually, just ignore the old and busted, play the new hotness instead.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

 

[Bluewyne]

I'd personally skip the NES for any JRPGs due to how outdated most feel. SNES classics however are still very playable to this day.

For SNES:
Final Fantasy VI
Final Fantasy IV
Dragon Quest 3
Illusion of Gaia
Tales of Phantasia
Chrono Trigger
Earthbound

Now I know you said you'd prefer NES/SNES, but now I'm going to recommend some GBA JRPGs. For me, the GBA and SNES have comparably similar graphics, although the resolution for GBA is intended to be smaller, but that never stopped me from playing GBA games full-screen on an HDTV anyways. Additionally, GBA games are a little more modern and have QOL updates that makes playing them a little more appealing to me.

For GBA:
Final Fantasy VI
Final Fantasy IV
Fire Emblem
Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones
Golden Sun
Golden Sun: The Lost Age
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Advance Wars
Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising
Tactics Ogre: The Knights of Lodis
DBZ: The Legacy of Goku 1 & 2
DBZ: Buu's Fury
Breath of Fire
Breath of Fire 2
MegaMan Battle Network 1-6
Medabots
Medabots AX