13 Best Super Nintendo Role Playing Games - SNESdrunk

[0:00] (intro)
[0:45] 13) Illusion of Gaia
[1:24] 12) Soul Blazer
[2:15] 11) Secret of Mana
[3:14] 10) Breath of Fire II
[3:57] 9) Live-A-Live
[4:48] 8) Terranigma
[5:41] 7) Seiken Densetsu 3 (Trials of Mana)
[6:41] 6) Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals
[7:48] 5) Front Mission Gun Hazard
[8:59] 4) Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
[9:59] 3) EarthBound
[11:06] 2) Final Fantasy VI
[12:15] 1) Chrono Trigger
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[@SNESdrunk]

After over 1300 comments, I thought I'd pin a "Frequent Comments" post up here. 1, "zelda is an RPG and ur stupid lol, u have illusion of gaia on here but not zelders??" Yes, in the most uselessly pedantic and strict definition of "role playing game," Link to the Past is an RPG. You're playing as a role, and that role is Link. However, under this definition, absolutely any game can be a role playing game. Even stuff like Bill Laimbeer's Combat Basketball. So, when it comes to video games, the context changes of how "role playing game" is used. You need to make the character grow, not just by items (like in LttP) but by getting stronger and learning new abilities, usually through experience points. Will in Illusion of Gaia and even Albert in Front Mission Gun Hazard utilize this. Their characters grow through combat. That's what make those games role playing games. Link is a static character. The only way Link gets stronger in LttP is by collecting a shitload of items, most of which are used to solve puzzles. (Or, in other words, what you do in a typical action-adventure game.) 2, "Chrono Trigger is better on DS and by your own rules, should not be on this video." I put 30something hours into the DS version, and the extra content is not worth exploring, and it's definitely not essential. I even prefer the original SNES translation. It's still best experienced on Super Nintendo. 3, "Where is [Bahamut Lagoon, Fire Emblem 4, Secret of Evermore, Dragon Quest, etc?]" Elsewhere.

[@chrisf.9595]

I'm not gonna complain about no Fire Emblem 4, but I AM gonna complain about no Fire Emblem 5, the actual masterpiece

[@16-bithermit]

It seems crazy to me that people don't like to think of Zelda as an RPG, when it was clearly designed to be one. Nintendo may have handled character progression in a non-traditional and streamlined manner, but that doesn't change the fact that Link permanently gains access to new abilities, more HP, and attack damage, making him stronger. Experience points aren't essential to RPGs, Brogue for example doesn't feature them, and many RPGs that do often link them to other gameplay elements besides combat, such as puzzles.

[@luciferfaust]

I agree the DS extra content isn't necessary, but I really do love the new translation.

[@Cetra29]

Zelda is an RPG and an adventure. You seem to be one of those who think stats and exp mean RPG. And to quote you, everything can be an RPG then. Even Soccer games.

[@QuintessentialQs]

I AM a bit surprised the Mother 3 doesn't make this list, as it's as strong as it's predecessors mechanically and visually, but also possibly more ambitious from a narrative perspective.

[@xCrossBite]

For me, this was a 14 minute reminder of how good Squaresoft was in the 90s.

[@IamGhede]

I loved Squaresoft. SquareEnix... not so much.

[@derlich09]

YOU'RE GODDAMN RIGHT!

[@TheMan21892]

RIGHT!? Squaresoft was LEGENDARY!!! but sadly, it's all in the past now....

[@genetv007]

Blame final fantasy the movie.

[@samuricexful]

A part of my childhood died with SquareSoft.

[@savigy1301]

Chrono Trigger is a damn masterpiece. One of those things you wish you could experience for the first time again.

[@jc.1191]

I've had the cartridge for over twenty years with maybe 20 minutes of gameplay. Hope you're right.

[@l33tsaux321]

God damn right I wish i could experience that again

[@alphaforce6998]

I played it first on an emulator because I didn't even know about it in the 90s, but then I had to get the cart and play it on the actual SNES. Still have it.

[@thegreatandmightyseff7214]

I had many good memories of that game, since i played it at the same time as a bunch of my friends

[@shaunearsom7420]

The best summer of my life was spent at the Millennial Fair... Who knew I'd bump into a REAL princess! wait... that was a VIDEO GAME?!

[@jessemercurio4849]

FFVI and Chrono Trigger are still my 2 all time favorite games ever. Even though I have played through and completed them dozens upon dozens of times, they never get old.

[@lyriscologistr.o.l.5763]

Fyi: the mobile versions both have additional stuff like new dungeons, espers, boss's, etc.

[@itskmillz]

It's so weird because I LOVED chrono trigger as a kid, it was one of my all time favorite games and sadly my file got ruined when I was nearly finished because I saved it in a spot where my character was stuck (bug/glitched?) and I never bothered to start a new one. Now 2 full decades later I just revisited this one and I find it just kind of meh now. Idk why I am nitpicking it so hard but I guess my expectations for games has changed over the years

[@corpse00xx0]

Chrono trigger wasn't just one of the best RPG games it was one of the best games to exist in general

[@antoniojohn8584]

Amen, best ever

[@darrenhenderson7076]

Agree and u have a ton of endings perfect game they don't make them like that no More

[@gshep83]

I really wish they made it for switch

[@DM-qd7gw]

@@gshep83 I wish they just put it on all systems for download

[@TylerNessss]

Without any doubt.

[@TheShoe1990]

I remember getting introduced to Chrono Trigger in middle school by a friend who showed me the PSX port. Flash-forward to 2019, I now do a completion run of CT probably once a year (I tracked down an original SNES cart & play it on original hardware). CT is the game that all game studios should REQUIRE their employees to play. It's nearly perfect in every catagory: art/graphics, story, gameplay, music, "fun factor", etc. Anyways, have a wonderful Thanksgiving, SNESDrunk, & thank you for yet another quality video. You rock

[@matthewdunaway7622]

Pretty much every Square game from 1990 to 2002

[@SonofTiamat]

I was obsessed with CT back in 96. I'd play it every weekend from the beginning, over and over. Gradually, I found every secret in the game. It was my addiction

[@Roboshi2007]

Have you played the definitive edition on ds?

[@TheShoe1990]

@@Roboshi2007 Yes & it's the best version, for sure... but the SNES version is nostalgic.

[@Garet2k]

Sadly, it's way too easy. I wish there was a hack where enemies scale with your level in NG+

[@nateblack8669]

Saban suplexing the haunted train will never get old 😂

[@nateblack8669]

Just realized that I spelled Sabin* wrong and that it's been too long since I've played FF6. I'll have to fix that.

[@Xitrial]

@@nateblack8669 Play Brave New World mod, just to change things a bit, I recently finished a playthrough of it. It notably changes the battle system so it feels almost like a different game, so fun times

[@LightningKool83]

Definitely, I play ffbe app and in Facebook people post pics of Sabin suplexing the haunted train ^^

[@darst16]

Phoenix Down that bish xD

[@darst16]

@@Xitrial thanks for letting me know I didn't hear about that

[@gmumper]

Lufia 2 was one of the greatest games ever made. So much depth...

[@LoDoFilmUnlimitedMedia]

Shadowrun was my favorite back in the day.

[@mortimerreed]

On the genesis for me.

[@eh9922]

Yess and ilusion of gaia.

[@whistlebritchez]

Yeah, preferred on Genesis though.

[@jjcoola998]

Yo my brother got this one and I was a bit young to fully get into it but I'd watch him play through the whole thing, upon playing it again I was blown away with what they were able to do with a SNES cartridge for that game

[@orchNEStra]

Loved Shadowrun too, SNES version was a JRPG version of Shadowrun, and the Genesis version tried to translate the pen and paper game into video game. I didn't care for the Genesis version though, unfortunately.

[@jcam.hart8]

The SNES is the greatest gaming console of all time.

[@jjc4924]

Definitely.

[@lastchance3272]

No arguements here 👍

[@xyzmaster86]

Truth

[@sean.durham999]

Hard to argue with that.

[@derek-64]

yer darn tootin!

[@83jbbentley]

The golden age of RPGs...it’ll never be like that again.

[@Jack_80]

ps1 was my favorite rpg console, snes a close 2nd. they've continued to go downhill after that.

[@Jack_80]

@Owen Marble persona 5 is one of my favorites but i doubt ff7 remake will even come close to it and i don't get all the hype for it. from what i've seen it looks like an average action game and they are breaking it into at least 3 parts, probably more, just to milk that hype as much as possible. since most people are seemingly brainwashed by the hype behind it, it could be terrible but would still be praised as goty by many.

[@SmaMan]

@Owen Marble I doubt FF7 Remake will ever get released, at least not fully. March seems way too ambitious, and even then, it's only likely to be Episode 1. Personally, I'm going to wait to pick up the complete edition on PS6.

[@jonathanherrera4900]

Switch wants to talk to you actually... Nintendo ds says "hello"

[@stevesteve0521]

Gba had better rpgs in my opinion whether they were just ports of games that were already out or their own games.

[@Moon-nk3co]

Earthbound is an experience the first time. And I still love it to this day.

[@nonamesleft136]

Anybody who hasn't tried this game needs to stop whatever they're doing, pop it in their SNES and experience the wonder of Earthbound. In my top 10 games of all time

[@rebelrouzer5318]

Just finished it today! Was amazing and I'm so glad I took the time to play it. Wish I had it as a kid back when it came out.

[@johnnythewalrus]

Earthbound is my favorite rpg ever. Played it back in the 90s when it was released and still have my Earthbound cartridge. I dust it off and replay it about once a year.

[@marcuscornwall4879]

Final Fantasy 2(4) will always have a special place in my heart. It was one of the first I beat and I really love the story as a boy.

[@calvinvaughns9336]

Agreed. FF4. Dragon Warrior 4 (NES) and Phantasy Star 2 (Genesis) are the three RPG’s that made me begin to love RPG’s.

[@guilhermefloresfeitosaguer4543]

@@calvinvaughns9336 I couldn't get into PS2. PS4, on the other hand...

[@brodestalixtocaun6262]

@@guilhermefloresfeitosaguer4543 , EMULATE, =).

[@guilhermefloresfeitosaguer4543]

@@brodestalixtocaun6262 what the fuck does that mean, lmao. I didn't even touch not being able to get a game. And besides, I have insanely limited options to emulate, and I don't like them.

[@legendcrump2375]

@@guilhermefloresfeitosaguer4543 it's so ez I have all the.games through. Emulation

[@sauce777]

I will still be able to remember Kefka's laugh when im 90 years old.

[@tim72184]

I'm going to assemble a soundtrack for my caretakers to play when I've lost my mind. I figure some Chrono Trigger or FF should snap me right back.

[@timwhitford6556]

@@tim72184 I mean, Ozzie's laugh is just a modified Kefka laugh, so you'd be right alright to end up with either.

[@Avenus112]

WOOOP wup wup wup wup wup wup....

[@picallo1]

@@Avenus112 Exactly lol!

[@Shubham-hk6yf]

You will not live for 90 years

[@vashjf07]

I'm so happy that you included Lufia 2 on the list. That game holds a special place in my heart as it was the first game I bought with my own money back when I was in elementary school. I wouldn't spend all of my pocket money for lunch just to save for this game, and when I finally had the whole $30 in cents and dollars, I remember going to the electronic store with my parents with a pouch bulging with coins, I was a bit embarrassed because the cashier had to count it all out...it was worth it though, such a good game, and that boss theme song, hearing it again gave me the goosebumps!! This was also during a time when we didn't have the luxury of online reviews, sure there were gaming mags but I couldn't find any that reviewed Lufia 2, I bought it simply because the screenshots on the back looked good, boy did I strike it lucky!

[@planescaped]

First game to make me legit cry. Child me was not ready for such a tragic ending...

[@seandavis6392]

@@planescaped same here. I'd definitely include Lufia 2 in my top 5. I loved the characters, the puzzles, and the monsters you get to raise and evolve. But that ending was crushing.

[@Unasham3d]

Lufia 2 was one of those games that was really cheap for sale at Blockbuster when I got it. It still has the Blockbuster sticker on it, but man did I love that game. That and Breath of Fire 2 are series that I wish could have kept going on longer than they did. I have been playing WoW since the original alpha, and I think I have more time spent between BoF 2 and Lufia 2 than I do in almost 20 years as a hardcore raider in WoW. That's how great those games were.

[@robbzilla8956]

Same. Just bought it because it looked good. Some of the puzzles made me a little nuts, and there weren't gaming sites to help out back then. I just told myself the Jewel Sonar must be bugged. 😆 Eventually the answers were available though. One that had me stumped was, "when the date changes in the back, something will happen". So simple.

[@thanatos8618]

I couldn't find it to buy here in Brazil, but at least I used to rent it a lot. For me it's the traditional RPG game I like the most from SNES, although I know the superiority of Chrono Trigger. I REALLY love the graphics of this game and its puzzles. Ieven played it more in the Emulator era, way more than CT. I don't know why but I was always lazy to play CT. But don't get me wrong... I LOVE CT.

[@kinghill82]

That Magus theme song is right up there with The Imperial March as far as character theme songs in my opinion.

[@bemasaberwyn55]

As boss as that fight theme is, I always loved the main theme for Lavos

[@antoniojohn8584]

Damn right!!!! Bad ass magus theme song. Cant beat it man

[@jaredstrebe5234]

The black wind howls!

[@lordgogo2686]

@@jaredstrebe5234 just my thought !

[@Loner098]

It's a good thing they let you listen to it a second time when you have Magus in the party during the Queen Zeal fight.

[@jetl0cke951]

I always appreciate seeing Lufia 2 on lists like these! It's absolutely my favorite RPG of that era.

[@patbrown911]

Terranigma isn´t only my favorite snes RPG, but also one of the 5 best I´ve ever played in my life, and I´ve played a lot of RPGs.

[@joelchrono]

I am currently playing it right now! But I feel like I still have a long way to go ! It's great !

[@Renson103]

I completely agree with you. I played Terranigma for the first time this year after watching SNES Drunk and fell in love. Few games have sat with me so much since. I've constantly found myself revisiting the soundtrack and just thinking about the story. I actually wrote an article on it (along with Soul Blazer & Illusion of Gaia) for Goomba Stomp: goombastomp.com/terranigma-the-best-action-rpg-on-the-snes/ There are few games like Terranigma.

[@jjc4924]

As an big RPG fan; I really want to play this game. I hope they'll remake it & bring it to outside Japan like there doing with Seiken Densetsu 3 ( now called Trials of Mana ).

[@ThoroughlyBaked]

@@jjc4924 When he says "play any way you can" he's giving you a hint without coming right out and saying it. 5 minutes and 2 downloads later, you could be playing today. Totally recommend it as well. This is my fav SNES game.

[@austinismadcrunk]

I played it two and a half years ago and it still pops up in my mind. It's so good.

[@RandallHidalgoS21allas96]

At the beginning I didn´t like rpg's, but then I played Chrono Trigger. That game is the reason why I love rpg's.

[@williamschneider9309]

Yes sir. I was the same way

[@michaelsong5555]

Exactly same for me. FF6 was my first RPG, but I kinda gave up somewhere in the beginning. Then I played CT, and oh man. Then I got back to FF6, and it was great.

[@picallo1]

This game was the best RPG hands down. If the multiple endings wasnt enough each character was awesome!!! In FF you always have one or two characters you just dont like. In Chrono trigger they're all bad-ass. I never liked Ayla at first, but after I used her she's the best Melee character in the game. Her STR and spd are at max WAY before everyone else.

[@michaelsong5555]

@@picallo1 Ayla is great in a team against single-target bosses. Esp early/mid in the game. Her rock throw + combo = dead boss.

[@picallo1]

@@michaelsong5555 Even against multiple targets her Dual Tech with Crono, Called Falcon toss I think is still deadly. I level her up immediately when I get her now.

[@johnnyestrada6993]

I freakin love Mario RPG. I spent countless hours on that game, it still holds up to this day.

[@fizzbrew]

No doubt

[@justdev8965]

How many RPGs have you played?

[@ryohio4706]

I'm about to play it (emulated) for the very first time after I finish Chrono Trigger (again) lol

[@kitamik6080]

One game I love that I never see on any list is the hidden gem The Secret of Evermore. It plays kinda like Secret of Mana and is really fun and goofy.

[@brentc.5234]

I agree

[@z0mb1e564]

Yeah, I feel like Secret of Mana had a more classic feel so it gets more attention but the mechanics of Evermore were better. Also loved the Cecil cameo.

[@bennyrentschler4212]

Also Secret of Evermore also built from the foundation that Secret of Mana provided. It was a really good game.

[@Expatriate1977]

Final fantasy 6 was amazing! Dark and haunting with such great music as well as great story.

[@MrEli768]

It definitely had a great story, but sadly even squenix admits they tried to do too much story with each character, which honestly, the game could and should have been bigger than it was, but, well, cartridge size and all...

[@therogueveteran8646]

Yep. Better than 7

[@wildgrem]

@@therogueveteran8646 They're too close to say that definitively. Without 6 there would be no 7 that's for sure. I would have loved to see a 6 remake, definitely a title that deserves one.

[@therogueveteran8646]

@@wildgrem I agree.

[@utarian7]

Too many random battles. Thank fuck I played it on an emulator so I could fast forward.

[@pablodaniel-retrogamer716]

Crono Trigger forever.

[@cinnamonnoir2487]

Absolutely. Time has no meaning to Chrono Trigger fans. Even at the end of existence there's still Spekkio.

[@lobonegro1567]

An overrated game with a character that looks like Goku... No Thanks!

[@sthxdnn1]

LOBO NEGRO might have something to do with Toriyama working on it.

[@paulinhof4209]

Take the time egg.

[@RobinLSL]

And yet you can't spell it.

[@Styner09]

Ff6 and Chrono trigger are absolutely the top two RPGs of the SNES era.

[@drowningin]

Idk man, I've always loved 4 more than 6. And 9 more than 7. 4 & 9 are the 2 FFs I've played more than any others. Despite playing every port of FF4 the game a total over 20 times. I've never played the after years. Idk if I'll like it and ruin my favorite 2d FF story

[@xavierlegoy935]

And secret of mana

[@dclugay9274]

Seiken Densetsu 3 was a really fun play, if you went in unprepared or underleveled, the bosses made you aware of it 😂

[@Mephil]

Playing the Quintet trilogy awards you a PhD in existentialism.

[@kenh3757]

@El Carlos its faster if you bypass the expansion element,(did not even know about on 1st play) makes it a casual 7-10 day playthrough, and the ending will expose your soul.

[@schwindsichtigaderechte5293]

Got it!

[@Mephil]

J J xenogears is the best rpg ever made, maybe rivaled by FFT and tactics ogre

[@jojonta2119]

@@Mephil Xenogears has the best RPG _story_ ever made. As a game it's alright but it has issues. I think it would've worked a lot better as an anime due to the absolute scope of it's lore.

[@Mephil]

@@jojonta2119 Disagree, gameplay wise it was awesome. Battle system was a blast and way ahead of its time. The second disk was what people have problems with (I honestly don't) and the reason why they have problems with it is because its like an anime and not a game. So why would the game have been better as an anime, if the part of the game that was like one is arguably the worst part of it??

[@grambottle033]

Thank you for including a train suplex clip at 11:21. Have a great rest of your day too!

[@Smilley85]

When I saw the train, I knew exactly what was coming.

[@xCrossBite]

But Sabin... you can't suplex a train!!!!!

[@sylvaincrombet1739]

Thanks to you, I'm playing Terranigma these days and I'm loving it.

[@ZEX606]

Yeah game is real good I beat it about ten years ago great game

[@billdoor3140]

Most underrated snes game. I thought the ending was sad tho 😔

[@Exiled_Rouge]

Secret of Mana is one of my top 5 favorite games of all time. I played that game so much that I still have dreams about it 28 years later.

[@thomasvanriper2895]

Let's get high and chill in the crystal snow forest.

[@YoItsGigi]

Did you play their updated version? I wish they made a part 2..

[@Dorelaxen]

It always gets overlooked, but I always loved Robotrek. The quirky music, excellent battle system, and just overall weirdness really made it something.

[@AStandsForFrench]

It's a fun game but it's also pretty busted and not well balanced in a lot of ways, like I'd recommend it but it doesn't have a place on a list like this.

[@koopakape]

Yeah I agree, but I think it falls in with a bunch of other 'very charming RPGs worth a look if you love the genre but not quite top for the whole system' along with Breath of Fire 1, Lufia 1, , Secret of Evermore, etc. Definitely a memorable and good game though.

[@dassadec]

When stacked against the likes of FF4-6, Chrono Trigger, BoF1/2, Lufia1/2, Star Ocean, Tales of Phantasia, Dragon Quest 5/6, and the various Action RPGs or Strategy RPG s like Illusion of Gaia or Fire emblem...... I'd be hard pressed to call Robotrek a top 25 even with how much I enjoy it

[@DaMoniable]

I was thinking about that too, though i can see why its not on this list. Its definitely one of those guilty pleasures i feel like. Not that good, but really fun and worth a play. Same with BrainLord.

[@avengingme]

Robotrek is a world treasure. Even everything it does wrong is entertaining. It's always held a special place in my heart.

[@Kylora2112]

Earthbound is definitely the most RPG RPG story..."Your bus got delayed on your way home from grocery shopping, now you must slay God."

[@Philocyb1n]

*most modern rpg rpg story lmao. You have cents and dollars in that game, no gil or gold coins lmao

[@ClergetMusic]

Earthbound has captured my heart for more than a decade now.

[@autobotstarscream765]

Spoilers: Not God for once, rather a godlike alien mutant who went Tetsuo under the mental pressure of the tyrannical civilization he was meant to rule.

[@youcancallmefunk4745]

It is by far the most overrated game on the system

[@medotaku9360]

Woah, spoilers, bruh!

[@Yoursoul101]

Final Fantasy 6 is like when you have ALL the right people. It felt like they had the right developers and MOST IMPORTANTLY the right corporate managers. People who were not interfering with the creative team. It was an amazing project. Never had an equal in my opinion.

[@j0nnyism]

I loved Lufia 2 I just couldn’t stop once I started. Excellent puzzles

[@Mark-xs4gi]

Don't forget Secret of Evermore. This game had awesome gameplay and the greatest atmosphere!

[@armandoacosta9828]

& the movie quotes

[@peterplaysbass]

Loved that game - top 10 SNES game for me personally. Maybe top 5.

[@nowonmetube]

He didn't like it unfortunately 🤦‍♂️

[@nowonmetube]

@@peterplaysbass to me, I thought about it really hard, it's even top one. I asked my younger brother who didn't play it that much and told me Secret of Evermore as well, which surprised the heck out of me. He's a fighting game guy so I thought he's say Street Fighter 2 or something. LOL

[@Rippinkitten18]

I thought that was one of the worst Squaresoft rpgs ever made,

[@B1G_MO3]

Chrono Trigger, The first time I played it I was so depressed in my room. After I finished it, I felt way better about myself. That game molded a part of my personality on so many levels.

[@trollingisasport]

Same. It was also a send off for the 16bit era of sorts

[@JazGalaxy]

@@trollingisasport Super Mario RPG was the sendoff for the SNES, in my opinion. I had begun to become disinterested in gaming and then SMRPG came out and LOOKED like something from another generation as well as being incredibly fun to play. That was my last hurrah with the SNES before I got a PS1.

[@JazGalaxy]

I was depressed when my family moved from the north to the south and the game that I wound up playing to get me through it was Hook. I literally played the game every day from beginning to end after school for about 2 weeks.

[@Mikey-zj8bn]

I remember when I first played Chrono back in the 90s there was a real and snowstorm like no school for a week played the hell out of it while liesening to the black album

[@trollingisasport]

@@JazGalaxy yeah I think for a lot of people it was but I just didn't play it

[@olemanshavadoo7893]

The story in Lufia 2 is pretty well fleshed out. The characters have personality and interpersonal dynamics.

[@ClarkPotter]

Great list! I'm 40 and the highlight of my childhood was renting each of these games and trying to beat them within one weekend with my friend, staying up all night on Friday and Saturday and trying to complete them by 6pm when they had to be returned to the rental store. I think your list is extremely accurate and regret not appreciating Earthbound and Chrono Trigger as much as I should have at the time. My issue with FF6 was that you'd level up your guys but then they'd leave indefinitely so you'd never know if you were going to have them again or if you did, if they'd come back stronger and all your time with them previously was wasted. Otherwise a very top RPG for the console and deserving of a top slot. I think my favorite game, that combined the best elements of all the aforementioned, never existed.

[@aurilio5633]

Then create your own brother! If your favorite game doesnt exist, make it yourself and show the world! hahahaha

[@koreyjeffers6963]

The music in terranigma makes me feel so nostalgic. It just has this immersive hazy quality that pulls me in completely

[@Tonberry2k]

FF6 is my favorite game of all time, but there’s no denying Chrono Trigger is one of the greatest games of all time, period.

[@jjc4924]

Much respect.

[@JazGalaxy]

I got back and forth on this in my mind a lot. To me, FF6 is "better" than Chrono Trigger. But to me Crono Trigger is the more iconic game, and therefore better. I feel like Crono Tigger is the most edited down JRPG of all time and that's part of why it's the best, ever. Every member of the cast feels necessary. Every item feels necessary. Every location, boss and story element feels necessary. Nothing in Chrono Trigger feels repeated, unimportant, or uninteresting. It's just VERY streamlined and absolutely the game you should hand someone to say "this is a JRPG" or "This is the Super Nintendo." It's an iconic game.

[@poisonouslead85]

@@JazGalaxy “Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” -Antoine de Saint-Exupery

[@Tonberry2k]

JazGalaxy I can agree with this. FF6 is a wonderful game, but Chrono Trigger is a perfect game, imo.

[@weaponX9933]

Both great games. I played both without nostalgia in the last 5 yrs. FF6 is one of my favourite games of all time. Just epic

[@jameswatts2003]

Omg, I heard the illusion of Gaia music at the start and immediately became a kid again. What an amazing memory, sitting in my basement completely lost in this incredible story line...... my brother bitching at me because he wants to play street fighter. 🙄 good times.

[@stephencook7337]

I can’t believe you were going to omit Secret of Mana from this list. The soundtrack alone should have guaranteed its place.

[@HighFalutinTootin]

Using the gauntlet weapon in Secret of Mana let's you perform Street Fighter 2 moves even a hadoken

[@joseluki]

Happy to see that Lufia 2 gets some love. Everything in this game is so epic. Surprised Tales of Phantasia is not there.

[@zander3100]

don't be. Tales of Phantasia is a fun experiment, but the game itself is far from stellar. There's two points to that: 1. The PSX remake is way more polished, and. 2. The first Star Ocean actually improved everything ToP had to offer, making it worth playing for the franchise, but not for the quality of the game itself.

[@dietrichschneider1077]

Star Ocean is number one.

[@Furantzu]

@@zander3100 theres so much wrong with your opinion, but youre entitled to it so Ill just let you be

[@dontneedtoknow5836]

Tales of phantasia offered to much to the experience. The puzzles and story line alone should have gotten mentioned. The battle system was quite unique to anything that I had seen from that time. The food system was a very hot topic especially in lengthy dungeons because of the amount of tp you had to negate, for farming purposes it was almost useless because going back to rest every few minutes was not a big deal. Some of the bosses where nerve racking at best especially without the proper equipment. Even though your inventory was severely limited. Still one of my favorite games even when you account for 64 bit games and MMOs.

[@jmac24]

Lufia 2 is a fantastic game! My older cousin owned it and gave it to me because I enjoyed playing it so much. Still have it too!

[@darthniloc6099]

For me Super Mario RPG is my favorite 16bit rpg, I would love a remake for the Switch.

[@Frejborg]

Surprised he didn't mention how good Super Mario RPGs graphics are.

[@austinhealey2148]

I'm not really into Super Mario games but I loved Super Mario RPG! It's a really fun game!

[@ricbradley5323]

Best game

[@RyanS32]

Illusion of Gaia was great because it taught me about actual things like Angkor Wat and the Nazca Lines.

[@andrebaxter4023]

Ahh, Secret of Mana, the very first jrpg that I ever played. It's been my favorite genre since then. I also loved Chrono Trigger and Super Mario RPG.

[@YoItsGigi]

Best there ever was! I'm playing the remake now with my kiddos and they love it just as much

[@NerdyChad]

​@@YoItsGigi You are a very cool mama.

[@joj3735]

I am pretty new to the retro gaming scene. I completed Metroid and I've completed Super Metroid twice, and I was looking for something new. Something my dad, who grew up playing the NES and Genesis, never got into. RPGs. I heard Chrono Trigger's music a long long time ago on KZbin, but I decided to try it out a few months ago. I played a tiny bit of it, not expecting to get anywhere really, but it blew my mind. I haven't ever played anything as fun or as intriguing as Chrono Trigger. Fast forward two months, and I have 2 out of 13 endings completed, and I have to say I've never been happier. After I complete all the endings, I'm glad you gave me inspiration for what to play next!

[@christophermurray9192]

Hautaka as someone who loves this game more than anything in life, your words brings genuine warmth to my heart. Chrono Trigger is the best game ever made, and in my opinion the greatest work of art to ever exist. I literally have beaten that game HUNDREDS of times. I have the original for SNES, the psX port, the DS “remake”, on my Wii from the Nintendo Store, and on my iPhone. I play it mostly on my phone and SNES. Oh and I have it on my emulator on both my laptop and PC. The music, characters and story are unmatched by any game out there. It’s just simply incredible. Play Chrono Cross for PS1 and then play the fan mod Chrono Trigger: Flames of Eternity

[@joj3735]

@@christophermurray9192 Thank you! I'm hesitant on Chrono Cross because as far as I am aware it doesn't feel anything like Trigger, but I might as well give it a shot. Also I'm not sure where to find Flames of Eternity anymore. It sounds intriguing and I hope it didn't get shut down like many fan mods.

[@christophermurray9192]

Hautaka I got mine on Etsy! People have made them as a SNES cart that actually works too!

[@christophermurray9192]

Hautaka Chrono Cross doesn’t feel like Trigger until the end of disc 1 but even then it’s still nothing compared to its predecessor. Cross would have been better off as a stand alone game but if you play the DS remake or iPhone port there is a new last boss and it’s the same as the final boss from cross, bringing everything full circle. I highly recommend playing everything. Play Breath of Fire, all of them. Play Grandia 2, you can get it for Dreamcast. There’s also a laggy shitty PS2 port. I believe there’s also a collection that recently came out for PC or is soon. Final Fantasy 7. Just play it if you haven’t already. Legend of Legaia. Both of them are great RPGs with a unique combat system that’s a lot of fun. Those are some of my favorites.

[@Jack_80]

cross is a really good game but the combat system is so boring compared to trigger. i was expecting a similar combat style with more depth but it was much more simple and bland to me.

[@DivineMoogle]

Secret of Mana is my all time favorite game, right next to FFVI

[@kevlarvest7375]

3 player co-op RPG can't be beat.

[@Ponakalaranjit456]

11:07 The Best Final fantasy Ever!

[@johnnybaum7957]

Bahamut Lagoon, Romancing Saga, Secrets of Evermore and Ogre Battle all deserved to be in the list.

[@helgaformo2054]

aside from secret of evermore they were all released on ps1

[@johnnybaum7957]

@@helgaformo2054 Bahamut Lagoon was never released on PS.

[@helgaformo2054]

@@johnnybaum7957 pretty sure japan had a port for it. let me check

[@helgaformo2054]

@@johnnybaum7957 nope, youre right. it was however ported to the wii in 2009

[@helgaformo2054]

@@johnnybaum7957 they also forgot super famicom wars, the fire emblem series, front mission (not gun hazard), energy breaker, emerald dragon, treasure of rudras, treasure hunter g and langrisser. different strokes for different folks i guess.

[@octavioorellana2928]

Been following the channel for about a year and this is my first comment (though I always leave a like). Thanks for every video. I love the snes and play it even more than I play with my PS4. Keep up with the amazing work!!

[@SNESdrunk]

Thank you for watching

[@imalwayslast3170]

Lufia 2 is probably my 2nd favorite RPG of all time. The Ancient Cave was so rewarding. The comedy from Dekar was always something to be waiting on. Tia's story line really pulled at the heart strings. I hate to say it but I just couldn't get into FFVI but I might revisit it. FFIV is my all time favorite, but that may be that it was one of the very few games I had the luxury of owning as a youngster besides Mario Kart and Killer Instinct. Mom relied heavily on the 99 cent Tuesdays at the rental place, and let's face it, if you were around during rental times as a kid when it was at its height, you likely got disappointed when they didn't have the game in stock you were looking for. I would convince my mom to let me keep Lufia 2 until the following Tuesday and pay off the debt by doing a lot of housework since the store only had one copy. Now i sit here with some odd 380 games installed on my Xbox and still love going back and playing the classics. Edit: I really enjoyed the video by the way.

[@KalosPVP]

Lufia 2 was definitely one of my favorites.

[@mrbleak9873]

Chrono Trigger is a masterpiece. I remember the sense of panic in battles I wasn’t prepared for. Dying and being SO frustrated but determined to squash it. I’m 37 and Chrono Trigger is my #1 pick as well. Man I love that game.

[@DannyMartini]

Lufia 2 and Breath of Fire 2 were my jam growing up. Such amazing games! :D

[@yungjroc5193]

thats crazy cause theyre my top 2 from this list lol

[@Akinohotarubi]

That SNNNnnnnNNNNes Drunk had a Kraid's Lair vibe to it.

[@DiarrheaIsFun]

I love you.

[@abstractdaddy1384]

Omg you're right.

[@maxelized]

Great perspectives! For me FF6 gets the best game design of all time and Chrono Trigger gets best artistic direction of all time. Now I'm off to finally play Terranigma..

[@Pro_Gamer_U_S]

It makes me so happy you put Gaia on here. This is my favorite game of all time , and just to see it on your list made me very happy. Love all your content man.

[@M_Dutch97]

Terranigma will always be my favorite SNES RPG! Yes, I love it more than Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI.

[@carlosrenzovigosolano3083]

exactly me2

[@StarTropicsKing]

Breath of Fire II is SO underrated! I absolutely loved it on almost all accounts. The GBA version is better but cannot rival the feel of playing it on the SNES.

[@Cthulhoop]

Breath of Fire 1 and 2 were both great.

[@sephangelo4603]

Gotta emulate on my phone so I can play it around work hours some time.

[@veevendetta3448]

Man the whole Fake God with a Fake Church thing was brilliant. Gnosticism rules and the story ended on such a deep note.

[@TVans-vs3gn]

@@veevendetta3448 Now that sounds really interesting.

[@davethepoetbuck7400]

Secret of Evermore was a good one as well.

[@brianbernstein3826]

at the end the villain says "Evermore shall be nevermore forevermore!"

[@Logadd]

That was probably my favorite one over any of these.

[@davestar4718]

I came here to write this.

[@LokiWolfe1985]

Secret of Evermore gets an honourable mention. Mastering the timing of my attacks while switching between the main character and his dog made me go and play Secret of Mana again just to make some team attack switching strategies work there, too. Oh and Chrono Trigger really is the best⚡⚔🔥

[@digitalworms]

Secret of evermore just don't get enough love :(

[@PokeLaneYT]

Secrets of Evermore was such a great game!

[@craigy420]

Secret of Evermore for the win

[@toughbutsweet1]

Secret of Evermore is my all-time favorite because of the music.

[@dickbison]

Some well deserved love for Live-A-Live. That game is such a great ride.

[@rafaelbessa3993]

I missed Tales of Phantasia on the list. Definetely is in my top 10 of snes rpgs

[@cazamilfs8945]

I missed you doing you up the..

[@ReaperCore15]

Not a fan of this one... waaaay too much random encounters. Like non stop.

[@SeaSerpentLevi]

great game. better experienced on PS1 tough.

[@strawhat8070]

Tales of phantasia was better than 50% of the games on this list. It was easily one of the best rpgs on the snes for me.

[@fatcoconut]

i was shocked how late i found out about it and how fun it was. had to play it with a ROM on my family pc, It would not go pass a certain area and I had to download other ones and they crashed too. never finished it. :(

[@travismorse5050]

Great list! I have so many memories from playing almost all of these games. SNES was one of my favorite consoles because of these titles.

[@AegisAegus]

A fair, well-thought out list. I was so happy to see the love for Super Mario RPG, and as for the top two I think it could go either way. Your reasoning for each felt sound. Thanks for this video!

[@chrisglass4350]

Man they sure as hell don't make em like this anymore. Thanks for the trip down memory lane

[@losveratos]

If octopath was somehow made back on the snes exactly as it is today, it would be difficult to not see it being in the top 5 on this list with an outside chance at number 2/3 for a lot of people depending on personal preference. It just came out now instead of then. All that being said... it shows that they do certainly still make em like they used to, just not so mainstream usually.

[@badgermcwaffles4834]

I was like "omg which game can beat ff6." and then i saw chrono trigger. I literally have a chrono trigger mouse pad and a statue of marle hugging chrono on death peak in front of me. My favorite game of all time ever!

[@gustavosalmeron2013]

Marle and Crono. This game has the balls, makes people cry. I fucking love IT

[@picallo1]

When you recover Crono on Death peak my 16 year old self was in ALL the feels. And how BADASS is Magus!?!?! Favorite anti-hero of ALL TIME.

[@bryant475]

That's awesome! I have the original CT poster that came with the game, on my wall :)

[@GTSN38]

Chrono trigger was okay, but FF 6 is way better

[@rimjobledouche5201]

They made a statue??

[@UstashaMe84]

Mario RPG was such a good game! They pulled it off masterfully. No big surprise that Chrono Trigger took the number 1 spot. That game is legendary, it cannot be denied. Also glad to see Illusion of Gaia on the list, had a lot of fun with that one back in the day! Thanks for the amazing content we always!

[@jimewelsh]

This is the best list I've ever seen! I haven't played some of the games, but your top games and the way you describe my top 3; earthbound, Chrono trigger, breath of fire II, tells me we have similar tastes! Great vid, thanks for taking me down memory lane! If only we could get ports on switch for all of these.

[@chrisbeach423]

I love terranigma!! My favorite game of all time!

[@liveconcertshortvideos5712]

Mine too :)

[@socksquad]

I played Lufia 2 ancient cave so much i was dreaming of blue treasure boxes.

[@jonathanberry8656]

Really wish they would port it to iPhone without changing anything except maybe let you get back earlier characters like dekar to use later on in the game, and put it on Nintendo switch since now they got snes on there.

[@ladykorine]

Dang Dragon Quest got the shaft. So happy to see Illusion of Gaia making the cut!

[@MrSEL-de6go]

Terranigma is so great! The story, the felling you get through so time of playing is so amazing,.

[@franciscor390]

A masterful list truly, this will go down as one of KZbin history go to videos when consulting for the best jrpg's, ever made. The captured footage here is gorgeous, such important moments in all games.

[@vksasdgaming9472]

To me generally: Chrono Trigger Action RPG: Terranigma

[@Ericwkgnil]

Which came out first??

[@tommi3761]

Eric Mendoza Chrono Trigger, in the same year

[@xatreyux6613]

Thank you,. Takes me way back I'll never forget all the hour of beautiful gameplay, be it on a win98 znes emu or on the console ,this video brings back beautiful memories 👑

[@jdmagus]

Chrono trigger hands down is one of the most fun games to play. The music with the story arc are perfect. Completely changed characteristic walk and at any random time you can walk into an enemy type rpg

[@Jeffmetal42]

The SNES was a goldmine for amazing JRPGs. So lucky to have lived through that era. FF6 and Chrono Trigger still remain my favorite games of all time. Sooooooo good. Was always torn between which I liked more so I decided a long time ago both are number 1 to me. Great list.

[@phillystevesteak6982]

Exactly how I feel, could never choose.

[@matsujonen]

I loved how deep ffvi was. But loved the replayability of chrono trigger. I remember when I bought that game. I got all thirteen endings that same week.

[@Jeffmetal42]

@@matsujonen I'd have to agree 100% with you on that. CT still stands as my most replayed game ever. I did the same as you with the endings, maybe not AS quickly tho and have replayed it at least 1 or 2 times a year since it released.

[@crowzur6055]

Terranigma is still my favorite, it's story really got to me. I haven't played a few of these games, like Lufia 2 or Gun Hazard yet, so maybe they'll become favourites

[@HPKazan]

Thank you for this list. Huge nostalgia hit. I realize I missed on a lot of good Rpg games back then and that reminds me to fix my damn laptop so I can go back to emulate those gems.

[@serkansen0190]

Thx for the time stamps in the discription. Love your channel! Greetings from Germany!

[@grt002]

This was great! Thanks for sharing. Chrono Trigger, FF6, and Super Mario RPG are all some of my favorites. I need to check out the Front Mission, Lufia, and Mana series games.

[@legendcrump2375]

You need to.check.out the Mana series for sure

[@brunoandre13]

hi from Brazil man, I just love your channel, I turned on my old snes this year because I started watch you and my life changed. Thank you so much

[@S0u1_Protokol]

Thank you for taking me back to the 90's where I was a 7 year old playing chrono trigger on my grandma's tv in the living room. Amazing list!!!

[@lifetreelocal9092]

Your top 3 are some of my all time favorites!

[@uncleflansy5621]

'No, Link to the past is not an RPG' Instant like.

[@CrackaLackaHacka]

Zelda an action rpg which is a type of rpg. Nothing else to be said.

[@uncleflansy5621]

@@CrackaLackaHacka Read SNES drunk's pinned comment. It's not an RPG.

[@joshua7426]

Except it is an rpg and is def more of an rpg than several on the list. Zelda is an A-rpg

[@uncleflansy5621]

@@joshua7426 Zelda is an action game. That's it. No RPG elements. It's as much an RPG as Call of Duty is.

[@evalangley3985]

It is an action based adventure RPG. If Terranigma, Soublazer and Illusion of Gaia is in his list, then Link to the past is fitting what this ass hole is categorizing as RPGs.

[@boxerblake1]

SoM is the top on my list. I'm currently playing its sequel, which is pretty awesome itself.

[@Darkray16]

FF6 is a top 3 RPG. It's story is like a full on opera-level story. Character mechanics are all completely unique and different. One requires street fighter motions, another absorbs magic, and another charges by waiting before unleashing increasingly powerful sword attacks, another turns every item in your inventory into a throwing object. It's the pinnacle of RPG.

[@zsoltkele-azigazi]

Chrono Trigger is something that I still replay from time to time since my childhood, what a magnificent, perfect game.

[@traviscrotts1606]

I bought the SNES classic just to play Earthbound again.

[@TJ20232]

Clever guy

[@mattisixx1699]

The whole reason I got into retropie modding was to play that game. Never played it as a kid but became my second favorite game of all time, 2nd only to kingdom hearts 2

[@jaysonscott187]

Here, take my Casey bat.

[@koreyjeffers6963]

Dude, terranigma is a gosh darn masterpiece. When you can't talk to the animals anymore I cried. The way it integrates real world inventions and people into the game and it's non grind heavy mechanics were perfect to me.

[@PixelPhoenix]

The ending is soooo good. Ark dreaming he's a bird and going to see Elle, and then the Crystal theme plays...it's so hard not to cry there. And the ice caves with the goat is just heart wrenching.

[@systemshocker2557]

I agree. Its setting is quite unique and its story is easily in the top 3 of japanese rpgs.

[@ShadowArtist]

@@PixelPhoenix dream =reincarnation, traveling free as a spirit flying across time seeing the progress of Earth and civilization...

[@PixelPhoenix]

@@ShadowArtist It goes either way because it's all interpreted.

[@Retro90sgamer]

This was a great list of games! Nice video and great choices!

[@PetterNe]

To this day, Terranigma’s ending remains as my favorite one ever.

[@billdoor3140]

It's sad!! I'd I remember correctly you go back into a 1000 year sleep!

[@skylark9896]

It makes me sad that a lot of younger gamers don't realize just how fantastic this era of gaming was for it's time. 1990 thru 1999 (SNES/SEGA/PS1/N64) was like a greatest hits decade for gaming.

[@chrisrj9871]

Also portable gaming, the holdovers from NES, and the earliest Dreamcast games.

[@absentehhh8263]

The 90s was best decade 🙌

[@ArcaneAzmadi]

I genuinely feel bad for young gamers these days. This is the worst generation of gaming- there are no innovations left to be wowed by, and the industry has started to rot. I feel privileged to have grown up as a 90s gamer, even if I did have to put up with living in Australia and being treated like a 3rd-class gamer as a result (I think only *four* the games on this list were ever even released in our territory, although we did get Terrangima at least).

[@trowa9960]

I’m happy you included breath of fire 2. One of my all time favourites despite the translation flaws.

[@jonp1952]

I wish they could make more Breath of Fire games as good as the older ones. Breath of Fire 3 was my absolute favorite(it's for PSX so obviously it wouldn't be on this list). The newer ones they've released just were not as good. 4 was okay, but Dragon Quarter just.....*shudder*

[@_DCecil]

Breath of fire series is one of the best RPG series of all time. 3 is my favorite as well

[@abcrazy9]

Super Mario RPG "Bowser steals the show" ... my boy Geno's gonna need to have a word with you. lol Great video.

[@Jimmyisabot]

Very happy with your top 5! Thank you for the hard work :)

[@GunsouAfro]

"No, Link to the Past is not an RPG" THANK YOU! Have no idea why people keep thinking games like that are RPG's at all. Love the content on the channel as well, keep up the awesome work!

[@iamlucidess]

If that was ever called an RPG then actual RPG's would have a whole different term to describe an entirely different genre, setting, and theme. How the hell could link to the past be described in an RPG in any way..

[@GunsouAfro]

@@iamlucidess I've met so many people that say its and RPG because you "take on the role of link". So my response is to call everything else an RPG because you take on the roll of sonic, mario, megaman, donkey kong, etc. It is absolutely a stretch to call link to the past an RPG, because it is exactly what SNES DRUNK called it.

[@brudel001]

Well probably because its a top down thingie where you go around, solve puzzles, talk to characters in town etc. But yeah, I get it and don't also enjoy those rpg's where everything is set in certain places and you can't alter your experience any way.

[@GunsouAfro]

@@brudel001 top down games that require you to solve puzzles doesn't make a game an rpg though. You don't have anything that alters stats, or gain experience from battle.

[@sugarklay9159]

Great list! My top three has the same games just in a different order. 1. Earthbound (Favorite game period) 2. FFVI 3. Chrono Trigger

[@QuintessentialQs]

Have you played Mother 3? Because I think it surpasses Earthbound (Mother 2) in just about every aspect.

[@q17maganonpedesupreme95]

This is the holy trinity of classic RPGs. Ordering them is an insane practice as they all execute on multiple fronts in unique and successful ways generating endless argument. However, whenever lists like these come up these 3 seem to always occupy at least 2 of the top 3 spots.

[@alventuradelacruz522]

@@QuintessentialQs I love mother 3 but I enjoyed Earthbound more, maybe because I learned better about myself playing the game(it's weird) , with mother 3 the story is more sad ,with Earthbound it's full of hope, and the other thing is the sense of adventure it's stronger in Earthbound , in mother 3 what I like more it's how porky "mental issues" are portrayed and the sad story of Lucas

[@a_doggo]

surprised by Front Mission Gun Hazard, never even heard of that one

[@chowe5379]

Me neither. Got it after watching this and I am really enjoying it. Cutscenes, action, rpg elements, good story, gritty futuristic setting.

[@brodestalixtocaun6262]

dID SOMEBODY FIND A TRASLATED VERSION? XD?