10 Best JRPG Remakes of All Time

[@TheGamingShelf]

🌴Pre-order your copy of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth TODAY 👉 gsght.com/c/uobtti

[@traytonvanderecken3311]

Trials Of Mana and Star Ocean Second Story R are my favorite Action Jrpgs ever.

[@paulhiggins6433]

One of my favorites is the DS remake of Final Fantasy 4. They made it 3D, added voice acting to certain scenes, gave more depth to the characters by allowing the play to see their thoughts when the main menu was open, added maps, restored the abilities that were cut from the original US release and even added new ones like extra post game content and a new game plus feature. They still didn't change the horrid drop rates, but the game was a massive improvement in almost every way. Yeah, the characters all looked a little blocky, but it was a DS game. It still looked fantastic at the time.

[@Gerd0]

Shadows of Valentia is one of my all time favorite games. Compared to Gaiden, it's somehow extremely faithful, yet completely different. I've only somewhat recently gone back to finally play the original for comparison, and I was surprised to see how much of the DNA of what I liked about SoV's gameplay was still there, yet (even ignoring the obvious slowness of it being a NES game) it feels very gross to play in comparison. Basically every addition to SoV in the gameplay department is a welcome one. Faye makes the early game for Alm's side feel so much smoother with the way numbers add up for feeding kills to weaker units. Clerics actually getting experience for healing railroads you to the more fun stuff they can do way faster. Combat Arts necessitated increasing the number of weapons available, which both adds more resource management to work with and fixes the issues of Gaiden having this feeling that almost all of your units are probably terrible and take too long to kill stuff. Hit rates slightly increased across the board makes it so you no longer feel like you have to plan moves around the possibility that you'll have half of your team miss in a turn (the number of times where I found myself screaming "Why even bother attacking?!" because I missed so many times in a row is absurd). And yeah, the turnwheel is a really nice addition. It's really a case study in how much a little bit of balance and improved game feel can make a difference. Shadows of Valentia is amazing. Gaiden is borderline unplayable in ways that make it feel untested.

[@SyniStar616]

8:49 "Can you imagine Final Fantasy IV or VI in an HD 2D art style?" Yes, I can, because that's what Square did with the Final Fantasy IV: Complete Collection on PSP back in 2011.

[@unlucky_thir13en]

Just to note on the HeartGold and SoulSilver inclusions: the original Gold and Silver had the Kanto region as well. I imagine you knew that, but the phrasing of "added Kanto region" sounded a little misleading, so just wanted to clarify 😉 I agree though - best Pokémon games, and great list!

[@TrueProphecy22]

I loved Lunar: Silver Star Harmony. It was a real gem on PSP.

[@louvella-sama]

Same

[@utopua4all]

I remember reading many people didn't like Harmony. I wasn't a very big fan of Lunar Silver Star Story to be honest (even though working designs did a lot to the PS1 version it still felt outdated to me when I played it in 1998) but I thought Harmony fixed many of my complaints with the PS1 version. I'm cool as long as Wild Arms: Alter code F isn't on this list tho - man I hated that remake and the 1997 original was WAY better.

[@jpDragna]

@@utopua4all Heh I was one of those people. I think because Lunar Silver Star Story Complete (and Eternal Blue Complete) were just such a beautiful gift from Game Arts and Working Designs that any change at all felt like a betrayal. I had the full collectors editions of both with cloth map, leatherette booklet, necklace from eternal blue, soundtracks...it was just such an amazing little love song to JRPGs as a whole. Then to get into Harmony and realize they'd redone the voice acting, that the first animated scene you get with Ramus doesn't match your memory of a thing that itself was already a remake caused a bit of a stupid level of visceral reaction. I'm very sure that the PSP version fixed a lot of the issues with the PSX version, but I never noticed them playing it as a kid. I just remembered the characters and those voices, so I could never bring myself to finish that version.

[@Hollobaby1231]

i’m about 25 hours into second story R right now and i love it! it reminds me of a real time fighting octopath and the story is sick 💯

[@Scuzoid_Melee]

Great video. I couldn't even think of 10 jrpg remakes when I saw then title, especially when you remove one of my favorite remakes that you tried and didn't like too much, Tactics Ogre. Then as I keep watching, "Oh yeah, that one IS a remake, isn't it." like 4 times.

[@sylvioIII]

They not just remake Trials of Mana but also added free DLC with huge dungeon, new classes and new end game boss!

[@JaidynReiman]

I don't recall it having DLC, I just thought Anise was an extra postgame boss built into the game itself.

[@sylvioIII]

​@@JaidynReiman I personally count it as little dlc becouse it wasnt in vanilla game.

[@gotaplanstan]

It's sad they removed multiplayer from the game though 😭

[@nickwick35]

Xenoblade 1 is perfection. All the quality of life improvements, the outstanding visuals, the combat and not to mention that unbelievable story with cliffhanger endings for each chapter making you want to see what happens next all culminates into one outstanding package.

[@argylega]

I haven't played everything on the list, including Trials (it's in my backlog...) but Xenoblade 1 was already my all-time favorite JRPG even BEFORE they perfected it with the Switch remake. It's now flawless IMO, and I can't imagine anything topping it for me.

[@femtrooper]

Awesome list! So many great remasters and remakes out there and I LOVE it. I'd rather play the remakes than the originals honestly.

[@thomasgellhaus306]

I was surprised to NOT see Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening on the list, but I guess it isn't considered a JRPG, but rather an action-adventure game. Good list, though !

[@cactusman07pim]

Romancing Saga: Minstrel Song is the best JRPG remake in my opinion. It got a translation, fixed numerous game play issues, has a great upgraded soundtrack and I liked the new 3d graphics.

[@TheTateful]

The correction was also incorrect. Lunar was originally on Sega CD, not Saturn.

[@TheGamingShelf]

🤣 I can’t win

[@TheTateful]

@@TheGamingShelf it happens. I completely mixed up two Tactics Ogre games in a conversation yesterday.

[@SecretSeashell]

"If Square Enix can get their act together." Bahamut Lagoon HD-2D has yet to be announced and released, so I think we have a ways to go before they announce anything more on Dragon Quest III HD-2D.

[@TheBigBruvv]

Awesome video as always Taylor some great picks here,!personally so happy to see Lunar Silver Star Harmony in this such a beautifully done remaster! 🔥👏🏾

[@TheGamingShelf]

Couldn't agree more!

[@andrewsaint6306]

I feel like Ys: The Oath in Felghana deserved to be on this list. For the longest time I considered that the gold standard for a remake.

[@GrayWolf323]

it’s crazy to me that Silver Star has gotten multiple ports but Eternal Blue isn’t available on anything past the PS1 😕

[@bradencampbell464]

Star ocean 2 was a personal favourite of mine when i was younger. FF7 was great, but SO2 just clicked with me more, and i thought nothing would beat FF7. Happy tp see a remake.

[@brinmat]

I appreciate that you value *shorter* gaming experiences. Not that I don't mind a good long game, but yes, I'm older now, have a job, etc. If a remake can trim 10 or 20 hours of fluff, I'm all for that. One thing I love about the FFPR games they're all much faster to get through than the originals. (And yes, I'll even use the boosts - if I've played a game 4 or 5 times already, I'm replaying for the story, not for the old school grinding experience.

[@fleischi62]

Number 1 and 2 are also my favourite JRPG remakes of all time

[@wonder6835]

i agree with xenoblade being really high. it removes all the junk and also the remade music is incredible.

[@baddragonite]

Fun fact: at the time and for many years the Pokewalker was (quite literally) THE most accurate pedometer ever made

[@Toobst8ker]

Hey, can you put a list, written into the description when you write these videos? It's kind of hard jumping around after watching the video trying to get the titles....

[@Priomful]

I would no thave guessed that no.1. Also, Visions of Mana looks so pretty!

[@melbu6311]

I hope one day every youtuber will understand to add TIME STAMPS!

[@alterego5550]

Lunar Silver Star was epic. That game didn't leave my Psp omw to work on the bus when I was a teen. Sound track was amazing and the story always grabbed your attention 🫡

[@JJG1666]

Trials of Mana is my latest platinum trophy. Great remake and just an amazing game overall. Definitely way better than the Secret of Mana Remake.

[@felman87]

For Lunar, the first game got remade a lot. Odd considering how obscure it is. So, there was the original, which I love. Then there was a remake of the first game on the PS1/Saturn. That was the version that so many of the future versions would use as a blue print. Then we have the GBA version and then the PSP remake.Yeah, 3 remakes which are all kind of unique in their own ways. What I love about the original is also kind of why they probably changed things. Originally, Alex had no magical powers, just like Ramus. It was fine at the beginning, meeting Nash and seeing how easily even his paltry thunder magic made quick work of enemies was fantastic. But once you got to Meribia's Sewers, you realized how limiting it was. The boss there was impossible to hit with melee and the fling ranged weapon only did 1 dmg. Nall suggests you go ask Nash for help. So you go to the Black Market and there's a guy there with Nash who can unlock latent magical powers inside people. Ramus didn't have any but Alex did have fire magic inside him. So, you get Flame. A basic fire spell and unlock more as you level up. But those super tough enemies in Meribia are now easily dispatched. This system really showed why Vane and its magic users were of the upper echelon of society and why they kind of dominated. Only exceptionally skilled fighters like Kyle and Mel could even compare.

[@cj_skywalker]

Glad to see that I'm not the only one who praises Trials of Mana, aka Seiken Densetsu 3. This game fell under my nose because it wasn't localized, and even though I did try out the Mana Collection, I wasn't as invested in the game. The 3D remake really makes it feel like a Kingdom Hearts title.

[@oblivioustouch9012]

I am so happy to see Lunar on this list. It’s my all time favorite video game ever. Fantastic list already.

[@ibeatpudding]

Great list! I love this new era of great remakes.

[@Bowflex2480]

awesome list Taylor. i have to play trials of mana before visions comes out , but i agree it looks gorgeous and it deserves to be number one.

[@kyledabearsfan]

Honestly I love the old FF games because of the lack of direction. Modern games are too hand holdy for my liking usually. Those old games give you one line of dialog uears and say "go for it". I love that.

[@mjdf122]

He’s back and so are more JRPGs

[@JRJuggernaut1]

I honestly like Fire Emblem Shadows of Valencia more than most. Some say it’s a bad game with a good story but personally I love the game. Part of it comes from how much more enjoyable I found it compared to Fates the year prior, despite the former having a better gameplay system. Yeah, I would not say it has the best gameplay in the franchise by a long shot, but I still found so much enjoyment at the end of the day and it’s pretty accessible too!

[@miichika]

I want to say that I agree with the Star Ocean remake, however a big flaw with it is an issue with SO systems. The ability systems that you level up (production skils, etc) completely break the game and make it super trivial. The updated graphics are beautiful but man old star ocean is so unbalanced.

[@shoked99]

Thanks for highlighting some great remakes. Lots of good stuff to play.

[@10k-Noodles]

Star Ocean 2is on my top 5.

[@calvinmatthews1527]

I noticed that most of these entries are from Square Enix. I'm not faulting that, no I'm praising it. Because Square Enix is THE gaming for superb RPG remakes!

[@madkaiser4887]

Really good and surprising but welcome placements, especially with seeing XC1 so high (even if I recalled in an older video you found it disappointing) and obviously FF7R (despite your high praise, being a little lower for obvious reasons). But yeah do agree on Star Ocean 2, Live A Live and ofc Trials of Mana

[@JRJuggernaut1]

Omg Trials of Mana, so much fun and a blast to play through multiple times, cannot recommend it enough!

[@poyopotpie]

I’m surprised by your number 1, in a good way. I often share very different JRPG views than you. I feel like everyone that played that game enjoyed it, but it was more famous for the few flaws it had.

[@stevem4783]

Star Ocean 2 remake is the right way to re-do an old game. Update the graphics, but don't change the art style of the game. Give quality of life updates, but don't change the core mechanics. If you choose to update the artwork and music, give people the option to still opt for the classic style if they want. I didn't love what they did to some of the menu skills like crafting, but hardly a dealbreaker. Just a great experience getting to play through a modernized version of that game again. The Secret of Mana remake was an example of how to do it wrong. They changed the entire art style, added needless dialogue, the secondary character AI is somehow worse than it was 30 years ago, they somehow made the combat even more tedious than the original game (I don't understand how someone thought making over half your attacks miss was a good mechanical change,) and didn't update or fix ANY of the annoying things from the original game that could've made casual playthroughs so much better. I'd rather play the original cart. Don't get me started on FF7R. Wonderful graphics, terrible everywhere else. All people wanted was an update of the old game, not massive story and character changes, fetch quests, and needless filler.

[@valleyofthedawlz]

I totally agree with the HD-2D for the FF pixel remasters especially for the price they are charging.

[@jpDragna]

I totally agree with the FFVII remake placement. The things it got right were everything I wanted the remake to be and more. Nothing my wildest dreams came up with were even close to the Midgar I was given. I slightly disagreed with where you had issues with the design though (i especially didn't hate the lamp quest because the maze-like nature wasn't too bad, and getting glimpses of all the slums below the rafters was absolutely breathtaking). The entire side quest system was just trash, though. It felt like a clear delineation between a team that was making a lovingly crafted remake of a game they knew very well, and wanted to bring to both modern audiences as well as fulfill the nostalgic dreams of some older nerds, and a different team that was told to make some content to pad out a game that's taking a very long time to make and needs to be split....but still needs to justify it's price tag in terms of game-play hours. Even the NPCs you interact with for those side quests just feel like they're part of a completely different world and game. Their tone, design, detail, everything just feels so out of place for what the rest of the game world was brought up to look like that it was depressing to play through any chapter that was basically just like, oh hey if you wanna level a bit and get some gear you're going to have to do really repetitive tasks for people whose stories mean literally nothing to the overarching narrative. A near perfect game that just needed to aim ever so slightly lower so that maybe I'll get to finish the whole remake before I die...maybe.

[@S_Hyde]

I'm glad some "minor" channels are being supported, but looking at all the ads and the extravagant events to market Like A Dragon makes new game plus being DLC exclusive stink even more.

[@bananaman2]

I'm really surprised you didn't mention Hojo's lab while talking about the parts that dragged down FF7R. Going through that whole sequence for a second time on hard mode was almost enough to make me drop it entirely, and I soured on the whole experience after forcing myself to platinum it. It was a regrettable mistake.

[@paulhiggins6433]

The pacing of FF7R was definitely spotty. All the forced moments where you have to slow to a walk or even stop, plus all the spots like Hojo's lab and what not just made the game much longer than it really needed to be. It's clear they were just padding the game to try and reach their goal of a 40 hour long game. I'm currently doing my first run through on hard mode, but I'm doing it in chunks because of the pacing. It's hard to sit through sometimes.

[@nimaiiikun]

more 8 and 16 bit remakes should follow the Trials of Mana's remake style or Live a Live, instead of making 3 separate games spread out over 10 years like FF7 did.

[@petrstastny2090]

Thanks you didnt forget SO2 Remake.. its best JRPG on the list.. remaster of SO1 (not in list) is great too.

[@itsalolmor]

I never played HeartGold/SoulSilver (do want to, but don't know how nowadays...), but FireRed is one of my favorite games ever!

[@qur1578]

Xenoblade Chronicles is probably my favorite remake, if you could classify it as one, but Star Ocean The Second Story R was so masterfully done i have to give it top position.

[@DaakkuuYRS]

Xenoblade DE was my system seller for the switch. I already had very high expectations for it (as I wanted to play the wii version, but couldn't find copy) and it somehow still managed to surpass them. The story, the great characters, argueably the best love story in gaming (IMO at least), the combat, the open world which is fun for once and not a chore (unlike most games in the genre)- everything is perfect.

[@rodelcorton8815]

The release date for trials of mana was also spot on i was looking for a game to tide the pandemic and since im not so much of an animal crossing guy trials of mana was my choice and i was really surprised by it that time that i eventually finished evry hero at least once before i put it down

[@kurniawannur6178]

Thank you for putting Trials of Mana on number 1 😊

[@Tvdiet]

13:26 personally will never agree with that statement, The point of a Remake is to help fix issues the original games had, yet the biggest issues weren’t touched like the Horrible level curve and the bad distribution of Johto Pokémon In my opinion that tells me HGSS Failed as a remake and I will never understand why people are so fond of it (Still enjoyed this video though)

[@sabrinahanson2301]

I agree that is why I dont like heart gold soul silver that much.

[@shadowmane55]

It's funny, FF7 remake definitely drags. But the reasons it drags for me are different from yours. The lamp switching and sewer sections were two of my favourite parts of the game because it actually LET YOU PLAY. I know.. insane concept for a video game. While the cutscenes were wonderfully done and I would struggle to remove any of the story driven ones, I feel like they could have been handled better, presented more in clusters rather than CONSTANTLY stopping you from actually playing the game. FF7 remake was at its best when the game let you enjoy its awesome combat and actually gave u free reigns to explore. The problem with the game is that it CONSTANTLY took control from the player to give you inane cutscenes/dialogue where the characters are spelling out the objective or giving descriptive exposition about the area you're in when it should just let you fucking play and naturally experience/figure things out. It also murders the game's pacing by constantly removing clouds ability to run unnecessarily.

[@ghost-in-the-ciel]

i did play og final fantasy 1, so i guess it wasn't unplayable

[@YukiTSnowyOwl]

I wanna see Secret Of Evermore remade.

[@rmgb-tv]

I just finished Super Mario RPG on the Switch and I agree entirely on the annoying platforming sections. Those ones in Bowser's Castle were so annoying. Luckily you can do the quizzes and battle gauntlets instead. I adored Trials of Mana last year - it set me off on a big action RPG frenzy which also included YS 8 and 9. I'm planning a video soon you might find interesting - Sakura Wars 1996 vs 2019. I just need to finish the last 4 chapters of the English translation on my Saturn.

[@TotalLevelYT]

Great list, some i need to check out! I'm finally getting around to Xenoblade 1 on the Switch lots of fun so far. I have FF7 Remake at the top for me, but I know that'll change when Rebirth is out lol

[@nightvampire1]

I agree with Trials of Mana. I have yet to play Final Fantasy pixel remasters and am really looking forward to Rebirth.

[@vanishing_girl]

so excited for Paper Mario, big time agree about the platforming in Super Mario RPG; it was still a great game but not the best to me. I'm shocked you thought the dungeons in Star Ocean 2R were so bad lol, I only played on Galaxy but I breezed through all of them lol (except Maze of Tribulations but it was appropriately difficult to me idk).

[@hist150project5]

Uh, the Final Fantasy games are not cryptic on where to go. Most of the times they told you where to go or it was a straight linear path. On the few times where it wasn't clear where to go there are only like five areas to explore at most before you figure it out.

[@monkeydluffy5054]

That fire emblem game is definitely one I can agree after playing it

[@DrGamingPlays]

Great list, and a few of these are on my to play pile. Not sure when I will get to them since I promised myself to get into the Ryza Trilogy and Xenoblade games... and they're what is coming out next month.... help... I need a Tardis so I can pop back and catch up!

[@TotallyTubularJonathan]

Dang man how on earth did you score like a dragon as your sponsor

[@uppernimbus]

So glad to see Xenoblade on this list! Fantastic video, Taylor 🎉

[@CD-vb9fi]

Wait... I know I just saw Danny Trejo... as a Yakuza in Hawaii? Okay... that got my attention! Not the kind of mash-up I think anyone would put together... inerstin!

[@r_ash_uno7508]

I believe there was a 3d remake of final fantasy 4 in ds. Though it would be cool if they got a hd 2d remake.

[@JesseEubanks]

Star ocean 2 R dungeons the worst dungeons you’ve ever played? I don’t know what you’re getting at here because there not nearly that bad, like I’m genuinely curious what you didn’t like about them. Like there just normal dungeons yet you can easily avoid every enemy you come across, then Nede adds some variety.

[@joshbittner]

Why not redo the voice over for the Lunar section since it was caught in post before upload? This sort of thing takes me out of a video and it’s not like a 2023 Linus Tech Tips content churn schedule to be on such hard deadlines… :-/

[@williamk8981]

will "Xenogears" get remake or remastered ?

[@Soldano999]

Not a Single Ys game on this list ? The Ys III remake alone might be the best remake ever created because it's the only one that actually is much better than the original and not just updated visually. The same cannot be said of final fantasy remakes. None of them actually make the base game better. In some cases they make it worse...

[@DannyWadeson]

omg amen on the Star Ocean dungeons - BAFFLINGLY bad.

[@ben_sisko2149]

I think we can stop considering FFVII Re(make/birth) as remakes, now that we've all played the first game. It clearly is a sequel. Not a terrible game, but it's not a remake.

[@Faustustopheles]

excellent list

[@asolvey]

You forgot Wild Arms Alter Code: F.

[@georgepersaud3483]

Just saying but Kanto was in the OG Gold and Silver that wasn't a remake addition

[@georgepersaud3483]

Same with Xenoblade Chronicles' different clothing options that was in the original game

[@TheSteelers4190]

IT'S NOT A SEQUEL!!!!!

[@Lamasis2]

I don't think FF7R is a remake.

[@chefar]

Trials of Mana remake was way too easy to be even considered "decent"

[@Vulpas]

That black dude in the Yakuza commercial made me cancel my preorder.

[@mcbill7352]

No way. what do you think of ffvii then

[@DeltathRiylaan]

Silver Star Harmony isn't even any good. Silver Star Story/SSSC is a much better remake. And the Sega Saturn game wasn't the original. It was originally a Sega CD game. The Star Ocean Second Story doesn't have HD-2D visuals. HD-2D is a specific series made by Square-Enix and this wasn't made as part of that series or with that style.

[@DKTV84]

To have Pokemon over FF7, Mario rpg and Star ocean is a thumbs down for me.

[@TheGamingShelf]

Okay

[@albanmahoudeau1779]

DRAGON QUEST III.

[@FranzBinder20]

chapter marks please

[@guruthosamarthruin4459]

I never played the Lunar remake, but I listened to the soundtrack, and I think they butchered it. It hardly even sounds like the same music, a lot of the time.

[@uncleogrimacy]

#0 Chrono Trigger!

[@TheGamingShelf]

It never got remade.

[@uncleogrimacy]

@@TheGamingShelf That's what I meant there though, as something that would probably pretty instantly hit the top of a list (assuming decent quality of course) Shut up and take my money Square Enix!

[@sting7789]

Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition.

[@Valentin-jx4rp]

NieR Replicant ?

[@TheGamingShelf]

Boring and slow 😪

[@realduox]

don't be lazy, timestamps

[@TheGamingShelf]

Don't be lazy, watch the whole video.

[@realduox]

never watch another video, got it.@@TheGamingShelf

[@christiandorr1546]

Trials of Basic in #1? We all got our own uniquel taste, I suppose...

[@martincamilocanceladoruiz3099]

You put Trials fo Mana but not Chrono Trigger?

[@TheGamingShelf]

When has that ever been remade?

[@martincamilocanceladoruiz3099]

@@TheGamingShelf Oh i should read better next time, sry 😅

[@moiblesssx]

I’m sorry but I cant even finish the video. An ad in between every game is just ridiculous. I want to keep watching but not at the cost of continual interruptions.

[@millenniumwatcher]

Trials of Mana?? Ya, no…this list didn’t do it for me

[@TheGamingShelf]

What would you put at #1?

[@millenniumwatcher]

@@TheGamingShelf FF7 Remake

[@owlyus]

The FF7R Wall Market theme music is soooo much worse than the original

[@TheGamingShelf]

I totally disagree but I respect your opinion 🙂

[@owlyus]

@@TheGamingShelf I just love me some reggae

[@ReversedJrpgs]

lol everything you hated about FF7R I loved, and everything you loved I hated 😂