31 Must-Play PS1 JRPGs | The Ultimate List of PlayStation One JRPGs

The original PlayStation was a prime console for JRPGs, offering a diverse selection of classic titles such as Square's renowned Final Fantasy series. From tactical RPGs to immersive story-driven turn-based games, the console had something for every JRPG enthusiast. Check out our list of must-play titles for a diverse range of gameplay experiences, including familiar favorites and hidden gems. Perfect for both long-time fans and newcomers to the genre.
LISTED IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER
0:00 Introduction
1:09 Star Ocean: The Second Story
1:51 Chrono Cross
2:39 Final Fantasy Tactics
3:15 Valkyrie Profile
3:51 Xenogears
4:45 Front Mission 3
5:33 Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete
6:13 Wild Arms
6:57 Brave Fencer Musashi
7:31 Legend of Legaia
8:33 Threads of Fate
9:18 Legend of Dragoon
9:50 Breath of Fire 3
10:34 Parasite Eve
11:10 Dragon Valor
11:42 Grandia
12:30 Vagrant Story
12:59 Alundra
13:26 Arc the Lad Collection
13:58 Vandal Hearts
14:24 Legend of Mana
14:48 Dragon Quest 7
15:11 Breath of Fire 4
14:44 Tales of Destiny 2
16:13 Final Fantasy 8
16:51 Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
17:26 Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
17:58 Final Fantasy 9
18:32 MY TOP 3
19:01 Final Fantasy 7
19:47 Chrono Trigger
20:46 Suikoden 2
Note
This list is just base on our personal opinions, yours might be different, and that's okay! Everyone has their own taste and we should respect each other's opinions.
=====
📧 For business inquiries, promotions or collaborations
Send me a message at: [e-mail]
DISCLAIMER
Hey there! If you're the owner of the song or video clips in our video, or if you're a company that owns the game and don't want us to use them, just drop us a line at [e-mail]. We'll remove it ASAP as soon as we confirm that you're the rightful owner.
✔ Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

[@chrismckenzie2736]

So awesome to see Legend of Legaia get some love as a must play Ps1 rpg. Loved this game growing up and still play it today

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

It's so good. I still remember wanting to hoard some Soru Bread

[@Luxology77]

I subscribe to this channel because Legend of Legaia is on the list.

[@brunoserra1531]

Playing Xenogears as a teen in '98 was a mind and soul shattering experience.

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

🤯🤯

[@noble61483]

Had square soft let the developers finish disc 2 properly I think xenogears would have gone down as the best jrpg on the console... period!

[@brunoserra1531]

@@noble61483 Agreed ! To me it is but obsession tends to make one biased.

[@bort_hill]

I played it when i was 15 a few years after its release and holy fuck was my mind blown

[@Robodob0]

My top 3, which still holds true today, are FF7, Chrono Trigger and Vagrant Story at the top. Vagrant Story badly needs a remaster, but recent emulator settings allow it to be played in higher polygon resolution and in widescreen, and i love it. If it gets a visual overhaul and a 60 fps combo system, i could die sfter i finish that.

[@noble61483]

As a person who beat all but 4 of the games on this list... I approve good list and I agree with your review of each game 👍

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Thank you!

[@andrebaxter4023]

Have you played Lunar 2: Eternal Blue? Silver Star Story is amazing, but in my opinion Eternal Blue took it up a notch. It adds to the overall lore as well since they tie together.

[@Desmund808]

I own the working designs set… it’s probably my favorite jrpg!!!!

[@ye-ym5jo]

Ive played all of them My top 5 - FFT - Front mission 3 - Brave fencer musashi - Castlevania SOTN (cant find any metroidvania as enjoyable as this one til now) - Digimon World 1 (out of the list)

[@TheFreakRocker]

Great video! keep em coming!

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Thanks for watching! ☺

[@DediMerdeka]

well written! i can see your channel will grow, keep going!

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Thank you so much!

[@frankiel5127]

FINALLY somebody acknowledges Breath of Fire III. 🙌🙌🙌💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

🔥🔥

[@Ragingspoon]

Going through a lot of these at the moment as I never got to play even half back in the day. At end of Grandia atm but have also finished FFT, Xenogears, Vagrant Story, Parasite Eve and Chrono Trigger over the last few months and am also quite far in Chrono Cross and Valkyrie Profile. So far FFVII is still my favourite and I play it usually once or twice a year. I do want to play Suikoden 1 and 2 soon however as well as Legend of Legaia and Wild Arms. Been quite disappointed with many recent JRPGs (from PS3 ear forward). Feels like you really have to dig deep to find a good one nowadays but back in late SNES and PS1 era they were far more prolific.

[@wedding2710]

3DS and Switch are both great platforms for JRPGs, particularly Atlus JRPGs. I would say that the genre has had a renaissance in the last half decade and is now close to its SNES/PS1 era of glory, and Atlus occupies the leading role that Squaresoft once did

[@Mrpuddington]

my guy Chrono trigger was for the snes

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Yes, but it eas also released for PS1 as well. I played it first there too 😁

[@graalcloud]

@@blastfromthepastgaming The load times make the PS1 completely unplayable

[@Enharmony1625]

Vagrant Story is a masterpiece! Some gameplay elements have aged a bit, and the UI needs an overhaul. Square really needs to do this game justice and do a proper remake/remaster!

[@amumm459]

nice list!

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ThEOnExxME]

You only have 16 subs, and 200 views yet this was recommended to me - and I plan to watch it.

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Thanks for watching 🙂

[@CYI3ERPUNK]

solid af list , some of the greatest games ever made on this list

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Thank you! Glad you agree! 🙌

[@nopphananpk5851]

All game in your list are EPIC. They bring back good memories ☺️

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Glad you like them! morr videos coming soon!

[@wansenz5923]

where Harvest Moon

[@jjkehrley]

I've got to say, many of my favorites made the list, and I've now subscribed to your channel 😀 The only thing I'd work on if I were you is your pronunciations!

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Thanks for the sub! working on it 💯

[@NKB_POE]

Suikoden II and FF8 have special place in my hearts.

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

100% Can relate. When I hear just a few seconds of music from those games. Nostalgia of happy times pour in.

[@rodneyhorsley8601]

Oh lord Threads of Fate, here I thought I was the only who played that since I ask everyone about it and no one has heard of it. Legend of Dragoon is STILL my favorite RPG of all time.

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

That game caught me by surprise back then tbh. It should be talked about more

[@tsukihawke]

You had me at Star Ocean Second Story...one of my all time favourites.

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Still the best Star Ocean game for sure 💯

[@PrivatePeachy]

Good list. Only game I am missing is monster seed. Wouldn't be number one but it would definitely be on the list for me.

[@Yukon_83]

Sayuki journey to the west is missing RPG that game was my favorite ❤❤❤ also for ps1

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Unfortunately I haven't played that one back then 😬😔 I hope I'll have some time to play it. It looks good

[@jacchoa]

Wow video, i played 19 games on your list! very nostalgic when i watched your video. My favorite game genre since PS1 is JRPG.. I still have all the PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4 and now PS5 consoles as my PS collection.. and now im 36.. i still prefer the old JRPG style compare to Western RPGs. BTW, are you using voice AI? cause its very familar. If yes, can you share what software/App you use? heheh

[@StarlightRevamp]

You sir, just earned your 726th subscriber. Thanks for the nostalgia!

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Welcome aboard! new video coming up in a day or two 😊

[@Namorat]

Great list overall. Plus Suikoden is my favourite game regardless of genre.

[@udaaz]

Very nice 👍

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@melonusk6120]

subbed, pls make more ps 1 jrpg hit and hidden gems !

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Added to the list 😊

[@songomis8326]

Good ranking

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Maxim.Nazarenko]

I really hope to see Final Fantasy Tactics and Valkyrie Profile remasters soon.

[@zacharyessey5904]

Wild Arms, Grandia and Gensou Suikoden II!!!

[@stevenjacobs6838]

My man! Was about to get offended when suikoden 2 wasn't mentioned before ff7 n ct but then bang! Was like aww shii suikoden 2 is the real jrpg goat.

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

👌👌

[@d18p]

1:16 OMFG please someone tell me what's the title of this awesome BGM, please!

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Stab the Sword of Justice - Star Ocean the Second Story OST

[@d18p]

@@blastfromthepastgaming Thank you, the fact that this music is created from the time I wasn't even born yet Is awesome. I haven't heard this kind of BMG before, this is uber cool. Thank you!

[@xelthos2051]

Star Ocean 2, Legend of Legaia 1, Grandia 1, FF7. And Mario rpg 7 stars are tied for my all time favorite games. Actually replaying Legaia right now since it's been about 2 years since I played it. Love obscure stuff getting more light. Legaia, Musashi, Threads of Fate, all amazing. Parasite Eve 1 is also such a unique and masterful game. *haven't watched the full video yet before commenting. But Chrono Trigger on the ps1 is probably the worst way to play that masterpiece, so hoping you're just gonna mention the DS or SNES version, lol. DS port is the best version for sure.

[@carn1voro451]

VAlkyrie profile and xenogears. i need a HD remaster from the octopaths motor

[@Tzadeck]

If I had to pick just three, Final Fantasy 7, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Xenogears.

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Great picks! 💯

[@junitsu00]

There might be 5 games on this list I didn't complete back in those days. With only 2 or 3 I hadn't heard of.

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

You had an awesome childhood then 😁

[@theotonkla8932]

Final Fantasy Tactics, It still to play today.. 🤗

[@xrodrockx2100]

I tried to make my own ps1 jRPG top 3 but looks like i've played only survival horrors on that console in my childhood... Besides, i've played most of games in this list but i droped for some reasons (Valkyrie profile i dropped becouse my fav hero left my party, Xenogears was too hard for me, Chrono Trigger was too boring for me). But anyway i'll give this games another chance now, when i'm grow older. And, btw, my list: 3*. Castlevania: SOTN (I don't think of it as an jRPG thought) 3. Vacant place for some game, i will include later 2. Final Fantasy 7 (i tried it only because i love Crisis Core on PSP, but it's really awesome) 1. Front Mission 3 (It's masterpiece, seriously)

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Thanks for sharing 😁

[@Kain5th]

im happy to say that i have every single one of these rpgs. yippee

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Legend 💯

[@ReviewStation1]

Glad this got recommended to me, nice video keep it up!

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Thanks, will do!

[@RedTygon]

Honestly I am really annoyed Jade Cocoon isn't in this list. Oh well.

[@Wiseman108]

Let's see, you left out: Suikoden 1, Guardian's Crusade, The Granstream Saga, Shadow Madness, Tales of Destiny, Tales of Eternia, Persona 1, Lunar 2, Koudelka, SaGa Frontier 1 & 2, Wild Arms 2, Breath of Fire 4, Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure, Digimon World 1, 2 & 3, Thousand Arms, Jade Cocoon, and Alundra 2. Also tons of Japanese Only JRPGs, but I won't bother listing those. Honestly I wouldn't really call this the "ultimate" list, but it's alright.

[@OtakuDeju]

Actually, they did include Tales of Eternia and Breath of Fire IV.

[@Wiseman108]

@@OtakuDeju Oh, I must have overlooked them.

[@OtakuDeju]

@WizeXcalibur here in the US Tales of Eternia was labeled as Tales of Destiny 2 even though it was the third Tales of game in the series.

[@Wiseman108]

@@OtakuDeju Yeah, which made things confusing cause there is an actually Tales of Destiny 2 that is a direct sequel of the original. xD

[@Maxim.Nazarenko]

Played everything, except for (I didn't had these games): Valkyrie Profile Threads of Fate Arc the Lad Collection Vandal Hearts Tales of Destiny 2

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

All great titles and worth the time to play 🙂

[@keithv1024]

some of the pronunciations were hilarious

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

😅✌️🤷

[@faustinuskaryadi6610]

I actually prefer Lunar 2 Eternal Blue Complete instead Lunar Silver Star Story.

[@crazylittlebigthings]

Xenogears for is the best!

[@RavenousMecha]

please make more videos like this

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

We will! 💯

[@briandaniel7514]

crono trigger was a super Nintendo game technically although it was rereleased with Final Fantasy 4 on the PS1 called Final Fantasy Chronicles... Suikoden 1 was also an epic RPG on the PS1 along side its sequel and is arguably just as good in some respects. also if you're gonna include Final Fantasy Chronicles then Final Fantasy Anthology (which had both Final Fantasy 5 and 6) should also be on this list due to the fact that many Fans of the series argue that Final Fantasy 6 is the best in the series... Just a thought

[@johnnada6855]

There are MORE in japan!, the japanese got more rpgs that never came to america., without a doubt the ps1 is one of the best rpgs console ever., in my opinion the best are the ps1., super famicom, psp and ps2., hope they keep on translating those japanese rpgs cause there are LOTS of them., there are also lots of great rpgs on the mega CD and the PC Engine CD in japan.,

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Yeah, it sucks that we never got to play some of those games that didn't got a translation. I wish I know how to read Japanese 🥲

[@AzureIV]

I played Front Mission 4 first, then went back and played the others.

[@bayumahendra1797]

After seeing ff7 in the 3rd place i already know that suikoden2 will take the 1st place

[@ItsNep]

ah yes my favorite playstation jrpg chrono trigger.

[@tchitchouan]

what about Brightis ?

[@sharebear421]

Top 30 ps2 jrpgs next?

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Already have it ☺️ kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioSzZZWpjLWgorM

[@Bravidunno]

What about Jade Cocoon?

[@florianpappitsch8788]

the time when chrono trigger hit the playstation list ;)

[@JohnSmith-zw8vp]

You forgot the Tales Of... games!

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

It's included 🙂

[@JohnSmith-zw8vp]

@@blastfromthepastgaming Oh I see it now! You just made a typo on the time stamp...I just love that adorable purple hair chick and how she says "You bet!"

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

@@JohnSmith-zw8vp Yep, sorry for the wrong timestamp haha! I'll get it fixed.! Thanks for the heads up 😁

[@Maxim.Nazarenko]

The Legend of Dragoon is coming to PlayStation Plus.

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Yes, it's a really exciting news 😁

[@MrRaidenITA]

i want all these games on ps4😔

[@charlieb308]

Grandia

[@Antiprogressivepraxis]

Now that's what I call a slash!!!

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

🔥🔥🔥

[@ernestinafull]

Name of game 0:16?

[@boblablaw4857]

if brave fencer musashi counts, what about megaman legends?

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

It totally does! I love those games. I know I've missed quite a lot on the list. My bad, this was my first video on the channel and I forgot a lot of other great games to include. I'll include Megaman legends in my upcoming videos.

[@boblablaw4857]

@@blastfromthepastgaming No worries! Good vid and everyone will always have an opinion haha. I just think it is a bit of a hidden gem. Especially since it is basically a trilogy, all of which are good. Real sad we never got another.

[@jairoaldus6085]

Save the best for last.

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

💯

[@beniplays25]

am i the only one who thinks this guy is on crack for saying symphony of the night is a jrpg? aside from that great video

[@beniplays25]

@@yonjiru4919 you know this is a stretch, no one thinks of this game as an jrpg

[@bkev93]

I enjoyed this video but that’s ai voicing right? It’s distracting

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Thanks for watching! sorry for the voice.. as much I wanted to do it on my own. I can't speak English clearly and the words will not be understood

[@bkev93]

@@blastfromthepastgaming oh, that makes a lot of sense! thanks for being honest and upfront. Your presentation otherwise is fantastic, you give every game just enough time to explain what you like and dislike and make a case for them.

[@jumboparas2020]

Are you a filipino? Suikoden 2 is really something... It deserves remake..

[@jimmicrackhead12]

you forgot final fantasy imho

[@PAINNN666]

Suikoden 2? Nah. CT is one of best game in any genre.

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Suikoden 2, Chrono Trigger and FF7 are on a three-way tie as my favorites 😁

[@gabrielsapple3995]

Darn. . . am i weird for having played all this titles?

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Welcome to the club! lol 😅

[@zodzecht]

Is the robot voice really necessary 🤣

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

At the moment I created it, it was, I was not ready to narrate in English at the time since I cannot speak it very well. It was my first ever video, I'm happily surpised it got some attention though, so I'm now learning to do the narration myself for videos in the future to improve 😁

[@zodzecht]

@@blastfromthepastgaming ah I understand, I love the videos regardless 😁

[@helloidharbl6753]

Crono Trigger on PS1 has massive slowdown. Avoid.

[@anonamatron]

Are you a computer? I think this is a human narrating but you're doing your best impression of a computer voice?

[@schizophreniegenie]

i'd love to watch, but this AI voice makes it unbearable. :/ you should find a more natural sounding one if you can't or don't want to read the script yourself. from what i heard, the script sounds good

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

I'll try to find one or practice. Sorry, I cant speak English too well and I don't think listeners will understand what I'm saying 😔✌

[@danielarmstrong5772]

999

[@schizophreniegenie]

@@blastfromthepastgaming yeah i heard that from the phrasing of your script. no need to be sorry. there exist ai voice tools which can mimic specific people's voices and speech pattern. I'm sure you'll find a solution, especially cause the YT algorithm seems to have taken a liking in your channel. ;) keep up the great work

[@48hourrecordsteam45]

RPG’s suck now .! This was the pinnacle of rpg’s The ender with Grandia 2 & skies of Arcadia.

[@robertlowe6367]

Did you use an AI voice for this? Sounds super weird.

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Yes, at the time of the upload. In our current videos though, we narrate them ourselves.

[@kintsuki99]

"Playstation JRPG" and puts Chrono in the tumblenail... Do I even have to say that Chrono Trigger is a Super nintendo title and not a Playstation title? It seems I have to since it is in this video....

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Chrono Trigger is released on PS1 as well through Final Fantasy Chronicles. So yeah 😅

[@hautan4731]

No tales series? are you kidding me? 🙄

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Look closely

[@Dxalbalde]

You missed Alundra 2! :C Musashi, Threads of fate, alundra 2, Chrono trigger and ff7 the best games I've ever played in JRPGs

[@AnimeForeLife]

JRPG doesn't mean RPG made in Japan. You even called FFT by what it's genre actually was, a "Tactical RPG." What would call Final Fantasy 7 or Chrono Cross besides JRPG?

[@prodjoshkta]

It might not specifically mean it was made in Japan but most people know what you mean by it. Japanese STYLE RPG

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

Yeah it doesn't have to be made in Japan. I define if a game is a JRPG's for it's style. Regardless of the origin of the developers. Hard to explain it, but when I see a game and how it is played. I already have a checklist in my mind that says to me if it's JRPG or not without the need to know any other background info about the game. Not saying I'm right though. It's just the way I think I guess.

[@NovvyoUSeemE]

sadness to say that Suikoden 2's player reviews in Asia are just a very mediocre game without too many surprises

[@whentheworldwasatwar8717]

Where's Lunar Eternal Blue Complete???? Why is it so overlooked? It's the best out of the two, yet I barely see it mentioned.

[@blastfromthepastgaming]

That's on me ✋ Sorry, I wasn't able to consider it since I didn't get to play it.

[@joed5150]

Chrono Trigger was first and foremost a SNES game. It just git a port to Ps1in the late 90's so this doesn't belong on this list really