When retro RPGs are discussed most gamers focus on consoles like the Super Nintendo and Sony PlayStation. What about the other systems though? Surely they have great role playing games too, right? That’s precisely the question we’ve set to answer, and today we’re focusing on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and it’s Japanese counterpart the Famicom. This was the console where many of the long running and most popular franchises began. It’s also where many older gamers were introduced to the genre. I could blabber all day about the origins of 8-bit role playing games but let’s get started with the list. These are the top 25 best NES RPGs of all time.
#25. – Final Fantasy II
For those who don’t know this isn’t the same game as what we got in the West on the Super Nintendo. Despite the first game’s popularity worldwide Squaresoft kept it’s first sequel as Japan only for over a decade. Thanks to fan translators we can enjoy it as the game was originally intended. Final Fantasy II has the same basic set up as the first. It’s a turn based RPG with random encounters, a world map, and maze-like dungeons. Unfortunately same major changes were made and I’ve never been a fan of them. The progression system is extremely non-traditional. Instead of gaining experience points your party members now gain stats related to their function in battle. This means if you attack a lot your strength rises, take a lot of damage and HP goes up, etc. It may sound interesting, but it’s not. At least the story is good.
#24. – Dragon Warrior II
Dragon Warrior basically started the Japanese RPG as we know it. It was great and is still good. I’ll get to that later though. For now we’re focusing on it’s first sequel. Dragon Warrior II maintains the gameplay staples of its predecessor, but expands on them significantly. Instead of just one character you now have a party of up to three. The game takes place in the same world, but the map is now significantly bigger. Enemies now travel in groups so encounters are bigger and more involved. Unfortunately there are a few issues dragging this one down so low here. The developers failed at properly balancing it. In the later sections of the game your party can be completely wiped out no matter how overleveled you are due to a death spell and status effects. It’s extremely difficult, and pretty unfair, but Dragon Warrior II is still fun.
#23. – Zelda II: The Adventures of Link
What? A Zelda game on the list? No, I’m not one of those types of people. I know Zelda is firmly rooted in the action adventure genre. The Adventures of Link however has just enough elements of classic RPGs that it should be considered a role playing game. Zelda II was a major change up from the original. The world map still has the same overhead view but with enemy encounters that whisk you away to a separate screen. Here you fight foes from a side view in what looks kind of like a platformer. Dungeons and towns use the same perspective as well. The RPG elements are readily apparent as Link gains experience points and levels. It’s the only game in the series to use these role playing mechanics. The game is fun, but perhaps a bit too challenging. Some of the later dungeons and bosses are crazy difficult.
#22. – Niji No Silkroad
Here’s another Japan-only title. I can understand why it wasn’t localized considering Niji no Silkroad was released in 1991. The game has you play as a merchant that learns of their royal lineage, and must retake the throne. Story is not the high point here, but it does get extra points for at least being unique. Exploration and battles are all standard RPG fare. Niji no Silkroad is very traditional when it comes to the basics. What sets this one apart however is the focus on economics. You make money mostly by buying and selling goods. It’s an interesting twist for sure. There’s also a mild Arabian theme to it which is a nice change of place from the typical medieval backdrop. Niji no Silkroad is a neat little RPG.
#21. – STED: Iseki Wakusei no Yabou
Remember Phantasy Star on the Sega Master System? Well this is basically the NES alternative. STED is a science fiction based Japanese role playing game. Battles take place from a first person perspective and use modern armaments like guns and lasers. Even the dungeons are first person mazes. Unfortunately this one isn’t quite as interesting as Phantasy Star. While it has an interesting premise, and decent battle engine it feels like such a clone that comparisons are inescapable. The graphics aren’t nearly as good, nor is the story. Even the soundtrack is really lacking compared to Phantasy Star. If you want a science fiction RPG this one is fine, but if you’re looking for a proper answer to Sega’s big RPG then this isn’t that.
#20. – Silva Saga
I admit that I didn’t originally have high hopes for this one. It looked like a pretty basic Dragon Quest clone. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but my impression was that it lacked any kind of hook. I was wrong. Silva Saga corrects the main problem that most have with RPGs of this era. The pacing. Silva Saga moves along much faster. After playing Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest it feels like you’re running. While the game is focused around one central character you can hire two mercenaries to join your crew and round out the party. The battle system is nice and simple but a lot of fun. Exploration is also pretty neat as well. Silva Saga is great, and thanks to a decent fan translation English speakers can play it too.
#19. – Fire Emblem
Strategy RPGs were in their infancy during the 8-bit era. Fire Emblem was one of the first modern style ones, but Nintendo left it in Japan. Most gamers first heard of the series when Nintendo included a few of its characters in Super Smash Bros Melee. The first Fire Emblem has been remade, but honestly I think I prefer the 8-bit release despite its archaic interface. This is a pretty traditional strategy RPG. You view the action from an overhead map as you take turns with the enemy moving characters via a grid based movement system. When you attack a foe the action is carried out on a separate screen depicting the action from a side-view. It’s a really fun game, but it is not without its issues. The attack animations are slow and take a long time to complete. Furthermore this one is super difficult.
#18. – Double Moon Densetsu
Yes. This is another Dragon Quest clone. Hey if a formula works why not milk it? Double Moon Densetsu is yet another Japan-only release which is a shame. As far copycats go this one is pretty darn decent. Not only are the graphics better but the interface has some good quality of life features to it as well. What sets this one apart from the rest is the group of characters that join you on the quest. There are a lot of them, and they bring a lot of variety into the mix. A minor twist is that if the protagonist perishes in battle then it’s an instant game over. This changes battle strategies but only a little. Double Moon Densetsu is a perfect choice for those hungry for more Dragon Quest.
#17. – Dragon Warrior
Why settle for clones when you can go right to the source material? Dragon Warrior (or Dragon Quest in Japan) was the first major Japanese role playing game. It was a hit even in the West, but this might be due to the fact that it was given out to Nintendo Power subscribers. The game has you take the role of the lone descendant of a legendary hero in the land of Alefgard. The evil Dragon Master has laid siege to the world, and it’s your job to take him down. Because this is one of the first RPGs it’s pretty basic in premise. You have just one character, face a lone enemy in every battle, and have a limited number of spells at your disposal. Because of these limitations grinding is absolutely required, but I honestly had a fun time with it.
#16. – Ganbare Goemon Gaiden
This game combines two of my favorite things; the Ganbare Goemon series and RPGs. The game has all of the humor of the franchise it’s based upon, but with all the traditional trappings of role playing games from the era. Honestly, what’s not to like? Unfortunately Konami apparently didn’t think anyone outside of Japan would like it, and so that’s where it stayed. Ganbare Goemon Gaiden is a pretty traditional RPG, but is much different than every other game released in the franchise up to this point. You explore towns, dungeons, and a world map from an overhead perspective. Battles take place from a first person view as you take turns exchanging blows. Ganbare Goemon Gaiden is awesome, and perfectly represents the quirkiness of the Konami of old.
#15. – Legend of Ghost Lion
As far as terrible NES covers go this one ranks among the best of them. I mean would you even be able to guess this one is an RPG? Regardless Legend of Ghost Lion is one of the few Western releases in Japanese role playing games. The game has you take the role of a young female protagonist who sets out to find her missing parents. As far as gimmicks and twists go Ghost Lion has a pretty good one. Maria (the protagonist) doesn’t engage in direct combat. Instead she summons spirits she has recruited to do the fighting for her. This is kind of reminiscent of Pokemon, but several years before it. Legend of Ghost Lion is definitely one of the best NES RPGs of all time.
#14. – Crystalis
There’s kind of a fine line between action RPG and action adventure games. Crystalis, despite sharing elements of both, is clearly a role playing game at heart. This top down action RPG is incredibly interesting and unique from all of the others. The setting for one thing harkens to classic anime films like Laputa Castle in the Sky and Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. Crystalis takes place in a post apocalyptic world where swords and sorcery have taken over with technology taking a back seat. The world is super interesting to explore and the combat mechanics are really cool. Even the dungeon designs are on-point. On top of that the game has so many locations that are unique and permanently ingrained in my memory. Crystalis is amazing. Plain and simple.
#13. – Lagrange Point
The world can always use more sci-fi RPGs. Phantasy Star got me hooked on futuristic 8-bit role playing games. This one has a few advancements that set it above the rest. First of all most travel on the world map is done via vehicles. You can’t simply walk most places. Secondly is the method of character growth. You have to purchase enhancements for your characters to make them stronger. It sounds like it might be a drawback but Lagrange Point handles this really well. What’s really interesting about this game is the fact that Konami included a special chip in it. This is to expand the audio capabilities of the NES. The soundtrack is far above and beyond anything else you’ll hear on 8-bit consoles. I love the soundtrack, and really like the game.
#12. – Fire Emblem Gaiden
Fire Emblem was good, but Gaiden is even better. It’s largely the same in concept. Fire Emblem Gaiden is a turn based overhead view strategy RPG. What’s cool is the fact that despite being a side story it takes place in the same world as the original, but involves different characters and subplots. The big new change here is the fact that this one introduces a traversable world map to the series. This makes it feel more like a modern strategy RPG, but many of the same complaints are still in place. Battles are still too slow, and the animations are drawn out too much. Regardless if you’re looking for an 8-bit Fire Emblem game then this is the best one.
#11. – Final Fantasy
The first Final Fantasy is such a landmark title there’s no way it wouldn’t make this list. I still remember sitting in front of a TV, without the internet for tips, and stumbling my way through the entire quest with no help. I love that you can customize your party right from the onset. Despite being one of the original Japanese style RPGs there are a lot of options to choose from, and you can drastically change how the game is played by experimenting. I have tried, and failed, because the original Final Fantasy is extremely difficult. Gameplay is incredibly unforgiving with tons of status effects, long dungeons, and an infuriating encounter rate. Because of these speed bumps the game is extremely rewarding. You really have to put effort and planning into how you play.
#10. – Esper Dream 2
Esper Dream is a Famicom Disk System exclusive. This action RPG was fantastic with great gameplay and really interesting settings. For some reason Konami decided to release the sequel on the plain jane Famicom. Esper Dream 2 is an action RPG but with some traditional genre trappings. For one thing enemy encounters occur on a separate screen. You move on only after defeating all foes in question. The dungeon designs are seriously on point and are extremely fun to explore. The fantasy backdrop is really special here. You explore worlds divided into different books. Esper Dream 2 is superior to the original in just about every way. It’s easily one of the best NES RPGs of all time. It also doesn’t hurt that the graphics and soundtrack are amazing too.
#9. – Ganbare Goemon Gaiden 2
When most of the developer community had moved on to the SNES or Sega Genesis Konami was still putting out some absolute bangers on the original Famicom. Here they continued on with the gaiden concept for Ganbare Goemon, and released another one of the best NES RPGs of all time. This is a direct continuation from the last game. It’s a turn based RPG in the vein of Dragon Quest, but with that classic Ganbare Goemon sense of humor. The graphics have been greatly improved, the soundtrack is amazing, and the battle system is quite good too. If you’re a fan of the franchise then this is a great pick.
#8. – Musashi no Bouken
Musashi no Bouken is another Japan-only release that I would have loved back in the day. Heck, I even love it today. This game is a pretty straightforward Dragon Quest clone but with really good dungeon designs, and a charming sense of humor. Honestly though I love this one for the sheer simplicity. A lot of Dragon Quest clones tried to change the formula too much with useless content. Musashi no Bouken just sticks to what works with no extra fluff. It’s sense of humor is also on point and perfectly balanced. The game is a lot of fun because it doesn’t try to re-invent the wheel, but also has a lot of personality.
#7. – Little Ninja Brothers
Culture Brain has to be the most underappreciated 8-bit developer of all time. They created some of the most inventive and unique games of the 8-bit era. Little Ninja Brothers is one of these such titles. It’s an action RPG with random encounters that are very different from in your typical Dragon Quest or Final Fantasy. These sequences are action based where you punch and kick foes. Think Double Dragon, but better. The game does still have some traditional battles though. Boss encounters are standard Japanese RPG fare with turn based combat. Little Ninja Brothers gets extra points from me because the entire quest can be completed in multiplayer, and it’s entirely simultaneous co-op. That was practically unheard of at the time of release. Little Ninja Brothers is not only one of the greatest RPGs on the NES, but also one of the best multiplayer games for the platform.
#6. – Metal Max
What we have here is probably the most ambitious 8-bit RPG ever released. Metal Max sets itself apart from its contemporaries with its open world approach. You can go anywhere and do anything from the get-go. Here you play as a monster hunter who collects bounties on enemies in the world. It’s refreshing from the typical ‘save the world’ plotline. The battle system is fairly traditional turn based fare with random encounters. What’s unique about it however is that your characters can ride either in tanks or fight on-foot. It’s pretty neat, and the upgrade mechanics for these are also really cool. The only thing really holding it back is the interface. It’s overly ambitious for the platform and therefore very clunky. Regardless Metal Max is definitely worth playing, and thanks to a neat translation patch this is totally possible for us English speakers.
#5. – Mother
For those that don’t know this is actually the first game in a trilogy. The second was released on the Super Nintendo as Earthbound in North America, and the third came out on the Game Boy Advance in Japan-only. The first Mother was actually intended for a Western release but got pulled at the last minute. The translated version was leaked online. Thankfully Nintendo HAS finally re-released this title on its download services but here it’s called Earthbound Zero. Confusing enough yet? The game is one strange duck. It takes place in the mid 20th century in the USA, and stars a young boy armed with a baseball bat who battles against strange enemies like lamps and dogs. It’s quirky, that’s for sure. The game itself is incredibly charming and memorable.
#4. – Final Fantasy III
After the wrong turns Squaresoft took with Final Fantasy II they finally righted the course with this next installment. Part 3 returns the game to more in-line with what made the original so special. Instead of choosing your characters at the start you’re given generic little guys that can be expanded with the job system. This gives them unique abilities, stats, and access to specific equipment. It basically changes the entire way these characters are used in battle. This mechanic is incredibly complex by 8-bit standards. You’ll need to master it too because Final Fantasy III is incredibly difficult and unforgiving. Who can forget that final dungeon with several bosses and no healing or save points? It’s a fantastic game and easily one of the best NES RPGs of all time.
#3. – Sweet Home
Sweet Home is best considered the spiritual beginning of Resident Evil. It has several survival horror trappings with limited inventory space, tense item management, a few jump scares, and it’s also pretty difficult. All of this is wrapped up in the guise of a traditional RPG, and the result is incredible. There’s a unique atmosphere here that’s unmatched by any other game. You explore a dilapidated mansion (complete with door opening animations) as you guide several characters through against hordes of monsters. There are no towns, shops, or world map. The Mamiya Mansion is it. Unfortunately this one was only available in Japan, and never came out on anything besides the Famicom. It has thankfully been fan translated for everyone to enjoy.
#2. – Dragon Warrior IV
The fourth Dragon Quest game is easily one of the best. Clunky interface and all. This was the first time the series wasn’t about a hero named Loto or his ancestors. It takes place in a brand new world, and has no returning characters. The best part of Dragon Quest IV is the characters. These are some of the most memorable guys in the entire franchise. The game is divided into chapters wherein you play as different parties in separate parts of the world. They all come together in the end to defeat the great evil plaguing the land named Necrosaro. It’s lacking the job system, and even day/night transitions, but in every other way it feels like a competent step forward for the franchise. It also helps that the music is incredible.
#1. – Dragon Warrior III
For me it’s a tough fight between part three and four in the Dragon Quest series. In the end I couldn’t deny that this is the superior game. I would even say it’s one of the best RPGs of all time. The story at first seems unrelated to the previous two entries, but then you find out it’s actually a prequel where you’re playing as the hero frequently referenced in the prior installments. The game is simply incredible. Not only did Enix design a completely enthralling world to explore but they also recreated Alefgard and dated it in some seriously smart ways. The battle system as always is fast and mechanically deep. This is a game that doesn’t require grinding. Instead it rewards thoughtful strategy. It also features the best implementation of the classic DQ job system. If you must play one NES RPG let this be it.
