Bahamut Lagoon - The Most Underrated Squaresoft RPG?

[@Xygor]

What was the most memorable part of Bahamut Lagoon to you? Please consider supporting me at www.patreon.com/xygorgaming OR through KZbin membership by clicking the JOIN button above!

[@bearberserker]

The most memorable part for me was how the dragons would change form depending on what you feed them, I always find creatures evolving in video games to be fascinating.

[@HawkBreland]

that thing that happened with Yoyo, like damn, rip Byuu

[@revivalfromruins]

NTR

[@waynez78]

My most memorable part was that feeding your dragons look more like you were abusing them with weapons. ;p

[@AzureIV]

The whole part where your group overthrows the rich merchants and throw a huge party.

[@ButWhyWasTaken]

Rudra is definitely the most underrated Square rpg. Rudra is fairly popular on the internet and al but it had a truly _revolutionary_ magic system that has not been done again in what, 25+ years, and which was incredibly fun to mess around with, especially when you managed to find something good. It might be popular among the online old school rpg community but what it truly deserves is mainstream recognition on the ame level as at least Trials of Mana with a high quality 3 remake on steam and all. And it was not just the magic system, characters, story and graphics were also really good. It's easily one of the best SNES rpgs and one of the best Square rpgs but it's now ancient and a remake / reboot is sorely needed.

[@craftmoon-vas]

This game is so nostalgic for me! I loved the mechanic where you could feed the dragons with items and they would get stronger and often transform into different dragons with different appearances. I remember that playing this as a kid I couldn't read english yet, so I just kept feeding my dragons anything that I could get my hands on. They would transform, each time into a cooler appearance. My last memory about this game was being so frustrated that (small spoiler, I guess) in the last dragon transformation, which I expected to be something really amazing, the dragons just went back to the initial form while keeping the strong stats. lol

[@Jack_______oh]

Even playing as a kid, half the game wasn't translated or was done so poorly. I remember using save states to painstakingly memorize every command and skill that wasn't translated.

[@Kriojenic]

join the club! hahaha happy to see i wasnt the only one who played the game despite not knowing how to read

[@matttyree1002]

I loved this game. It was so mysterious, like it was made of leftover sprites from ff6

[@AL_EVOz]

This game was so cool. I remember playing this and finishing it. The dragons were so unique when you combine items to the dragons.

[@Jack_______oh]

I just replayed this a few months ago, there's a full new translation that improves almost every aspect of the game.

[@MorteTheSkull]

RIP to NEAR, the person who did that translation. It was their dream project for more than a decade, they passed away shortly after it released.

[@volreki]

It's crazy to think I havent ever heard of this game. These mid to late SNES JRPGS were really what got me into gaming, and even though I've long swapped over to PC as my medium I still look at the SNES as one of the greatest consoles for rpgs.

[@g.guildsman7468]

I agree it kinda is crazy, because this game was huge on the internet when it got translated! There are tons of rpgs like this that only Japan got. Emulators are a whole new world!

[@HIMMBelljuvo]

I hate the ending for the romantic subplot. They did Byuu dirty

[@Gunzalo70]

I know what you mean but it did teach me a good lesson as a kid most rpg's didn't do. You dont always get the girl, at least you have the porno mags

[@SpiritStoneWarrior94-yx3gs]

​@Gunzalo70 who still buys porno mags? 😂 they haven't been a common thing since the mid 2000's 😂

[@Gunzalo70]

@@SpiritStoneWarrior94-yx3gs it was funny and great feature in the game. Lol one of the ships crew sold them

[@TheSlenderGent88]

This Game was way ahead of it's time and SUPER DIFFICULT OMG!

[@tennotsukai87]

When I had played this, I was in my younger teen years. Great music and battle system. What was most memorable to me was being able to transform your dragons by caring for them. The Pokemon fad had just begun around that time so seeing an evolution take place in a different game had me fascinated.

[@rebootpc]

In 1999, the first time I saw and heard the opening screen of Bahamut Lagoon I was blown away. I've only played the old translation, but the newer one from Near is supposed to be a much more naturally fluid and accurate translation. Near spent years off and on working on their translation before passing away this year after battling extreme harassment and bullying. RIP Near

[@Xygor]

Wow, I didn't realize that about the translator. Thanks for sharing, even though it is a sad revelation!

[@spritefroggy]

@randomguy8196 You cannot be "bullied" into suicide. Just get off of the internet.

[@Aa-dn1oq]

​@randomguy8196 Yeah that'd be a far more noble notion if anything about the byuu/near situation was true. byuu is still alive and faked his death to kill off his online persona. His 13 page kiwi farms thread (which, mind you, is an exceedingly small thread for someone who's been around as long as byuu) did not cause him to an hero, and, even if it did, saying they "killed" byuu is laughable. You can't blame the actions of a mentally unstable individual on randos on the internet.

[@yetanotherretroreview4476]

Rest in peace Near.

[@MrShanester117]

@randomguy8196 But like he said. You CAN turn off the internet

[@RangoTheMercenary]

I too remember when Squaresoft released Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 in 1996.

[@daveshank1921]

This is the second of these videos Ic watched on this channel and I'm hooked. Keep showing off these awsome hidden gem types . You just earned a sub.

[@Xygor]

Thank you! There are more to come :)

[@WilliamScavengerFish]

Being able to drown opponents (non-flying that is) is a fun. Step 1 - freeze a big enough body of water. Step 2 - lure target onto ice. Step 3 - thaw the ice and wait. Granted, you don't get experience, item drops or money but still it's fun.

[@Xygor]

True, that's a good time!

[@TheRealGara]

I think it was Gamefan that I read about Bahamut Lagoon. The one with the glossy pages that often talked about anime and Japanese exclusives . It really went on about how beautiful the graphics was and it really had me excited for a US release. It never came though. The game stayed in my memories for quite some time. I didn't get to playing it until just a couple years ago. It really is a stunning game in the graphics department. I got pretty bored after doing too many side quests and inadvertently over leveling my team. It really could have used some adaptive difficulty or more limitations in all the micro you can do to massively overpower your dragon's. It really deserved an English release.

[@galloe8933]

The one we really missed was Front Mission. This game is great, but it's certainly not one of my favorites, however, to each their own. Worth playing though.

[@thepopemichael]

I remember playing this after I played Final Fantasy: Tactics and thoroughly enjoying it. The animation and the music are fantastic even to this day.

[@Kaladin07]

Everytime I hear that FF music at the end, my heart sinks. It just reminds me of a simpler time lol

[@rgbcrafts]

The older translation got me stuck for more than once, since it showed some glitches that would render the text unreadable. Hope the latest works smootly cause Bahamut Lagoon is on my list for decades already.

[@NameNotAChannel]

Bahamut Lagoon, Treasure of the Rudras, Front Mission, and Treasure Hunter G, were 4 games imported Japanese games I was able to borrow from a friend, and played through, without translation or walkthroughs. What I recall about Bahamut Lagoon, was how trial-and-error it was, with feeding your dragons to have them change form and get new abilities... but one was like a horrible mistake version of a dragon... had to keep saving/resetting to avoid that... while keeping detailed notes about how feeding what to which dragons did what (with all the items and stuff in Japanese symbols...). Still, I beat all 4, and I might go back with an emulator and see the english translations and actually understand the story and what I was feeding/creating ;)

[@halcyo]

Man, the visuals on this are GORGEOUS. Showing off the real untapped power of the SNES.

[@Xygor]

Yes, I would be surprised if it isn't remastered at some point in the next years.

[@mickbotcast]

@@Xygor hopefully we will get something this year, several SNES era title already got a good remastered but this one definitely needs more recognition!

[@ChairmanMeow1]

idk about MOST underrated but it sure as hell IS underrated. Glad I went back and played this in an emulator. Awesome graphics and the story is actually fairly mature exactly the last stretch.

[@Xygor]

Agreed, this would be the perfect game to remaster in HD-2D1

[@zaydraco]

I remember when it was announced, it was in the same Tokio game show, but it was shadowed by N64 demos. I still have the magazine where it has the screenshots of the game. I remember vividly that I was sad that it was not going to be released in North America, the same as DQ6 and Far East of Eden Zero

[@PointOfLightProds]

I also played that translation in 2002, never finished the game cause my emulator hated my PC, but it’s an amazing game that deserves a remaster.

[@nanoglitch6693]

God bless DeJap, that's the version I played too lol. Totally agree about the soundtrack as well. One of the few game ost's that I went out of my way to find a physical copy of.

[@Patousai]

Almost looks like Golden Sun battle effects! That is AWESOME!

[@AozoraOrigami]

i think you should look into Radia Senki for the famicom. i feel its a head of its time with gameplay like zelda 1 but with party members who act on their own. it's like if Star Ocean was on the famicom/Nes

[@zackschilling4376]

Just looked it up and it looks cool, definitely unique. Too bad you couldnt get a 2nd player to control the other character, or can you?

[@AozoraOrigami]

@@zackschilling4376 to my knowledge you cant, but that wouldve be super cool!!!

[@nimbylive]

I remember the first time I played it being blown away by the graphics and lighting effects. I played the OG translation so I may need to try the new one. The story line battles were, for the most part, not hard, but building your dragons up was the real goal anyway. I also remember that there was a specific upgrade path that let one of your dragons become invincible.

[@Sinn0100]

I would kill to see this get a re-release here in the states for the Series X, PS5, and Switch. I grew up playing...well everything and this was one of the only Square games of the time period that I have not at least played. What can I say, I'm a Gen X'er with a penchant for all things Square especially back then. I remember hearing about this game in 1995'ish and thinking had they released it in 1994 it might have had a shot here. I wound up getting both the Sony PlayStation and Sega Saturn the day the PSX launched on September 9. 1995. Not many games back then would have made me go back to the 16-bit consoles but this one likely would have at least until completion. I also went back to play Crono Trigger and wow was I not disappointed. Too this day I don't know which Square RPG from the 4th generation I like better FFIII or Crono Trigger.

[@dessfred]

I replayed it recently and i was surprised how this game's story is both very silly and very serious at the same time. There's a subversion of the hero/childhood's love story that make some people angry, but i found it wayyy ahead of its time in term of storytelling.

[@kevinstreetgaming]

I found out about this game from HCBailly's Let's Play last year.

[@rpgs6218]

Love these type of videos. Amazing as usual Señor Xygor

[@mickbotcast]

One of the game that bring me to strategy RPG genre, really wish SQ have this remake plan in motion

[@Patousai]

This is the father of advance wars! Respect!

[@go2nrg]

Checking the soundtrack now! Thanks for the recommendation!

[@Xygor]

Probably the best part of the game!

[@ChronoMoogle]

Thracia 776 from 1999 jumped in right at the beginning among the „early Squaresoft RPGs“ like a shitpost and that’s where I skipped the video.

[@AlinktoPersona]

This was a gem of a game.

[@Xygor]

Yes it was! It really needs to be remade.

[@secretofmana-ananimatedtri3820]

Great video! That game is clearly one of the best SNES tactical RPG :D A fun fact I read in an old interview (if I recall correctly): Yoyo's character was reaaaally unpopular to the Japanese audience (mainly male gamers) after release, because of the very particular choice she makes at one point. (anyone who has played this game knows what I'm talking about :p )

[@Xygor]

Thanks for the comments, and yep, it is memorable! Haha

[@secretofmana-ananimatedtri3820]

@@Xygor If I remember correctly, I think it even hurted the sales a little bit, after the word got out about her. Gamers didn't want to have to face that XD

[@osopeluche5953]

Not going to lie, I 100% tried out this game because I was told it had a gay romance in it. Ended up becoming one of my favorite games for the SNES, it's really a hidden gem!

[@thedichenko9761]

I just started emulating this game, and my first foray into tactics RPGs, I have an issue with the translation and characters missing from menus. Im not sure what I'm doing wrong but I'd love a recommendation to play the fan translation you have linked to. Great video. Cheers!

[@mickbotcast]

Those SaGa 2 fan got the nice and beautiful remake, it gives me hope that I won't be old man before I could see a remake of Bahamut Lagoon

[@danielscott70x7]

Definitely one I still wish would get an official localization. Great review!

[@Xygor]

Thanks, and agreed! Would make a great Stream remaster.

[@Demonskunk]

Bahamut was not created for final fantasy. He and Tiamat are borrowed from Babylonian mythology.

[@mickbotcast]

Those SaGa 2 fan got the nice and beautiful remake; this give more hope that I won't be old man before I could see a remake of Bahamut Lagoon

[@nugamer2475]

LOL. I first played this in Japanese and couldn't understand a thing. One thing I did right was feed the dragons with weapons and items so they'll evolve.

[@NeptuneKnives]

Highest quality video here on this game Shocking that others don't get how to not muck up Game already spoiled for me because of others But at least i can rewatch your video

[@Xygor]

Glad you like it!

[@ezrawyvern6795]

I remember hearing about this game on TV Tropes after reading about Final Fantasy X.

[@Shiromochimochi]

This game is very popular in Japan I used to enjoy Bahamut Lagoon with my friends when I was a kid I don't think it was ever released in English-speaking countries, but all the Squaresoft games from that time were very interesting

[@Xygor]

This would make a great HD 2D release!

[@adventureoflinkmk2]

Hey this is the game that byuu aka near translated F in the chat Press F to pay respects

[@179107199999]

why was Fire Emblem shown? I thought that was Intelligent Systems?

[@joek3023]

Love these reviews

[@Xygor]

Thank you!

[@zackschilling4376]

I have this on Super Famicom, which I bought in a 4 pack with Godzilla (the fighting game one), Chrono Trigger, and some Shogi game. It was rather cheaper, like $25 after shipping for all 4. Definitely better than paying over $100 for just Chrono Trigger, even at the time (like 3/4 years ago )

[@PAINNN666]

Fun fact: one of most known programmers within emu-scene name himself byuu. He make bsnes, hagane and help some People translate games.

[@sidriley1380]

Also: Byuu is Near, the person that released the revised Bahamut Lagoon translation in 2020. Unfortunately, they committed suicide shortly after releasing the translation.

[@fushigiman140]

You can make dragon transform into flying T-Rex

[@ValensRenvhaggel]

Man... the nostalgia!

[@deividilavitz6645]

I enjoyed this game, wasn't there a mechanic to merge the dragons or evolve em using items? If yes I sucked at that 😅

[@nuclearbeeberman]

I heard often about the game but after your video it's likely I'm going to play it :)

[@yetanotherretroreview4476]

This and snes front mission...amazing stuff.

[@nezkeys79]

So many games here I've never played from the SNES. Its saddening because some look really good

[@MyGzimi]

I finished the game and is one of my favorite games, so dissapointed that never continued the game like ogre battle, final fantasie, fire embleme and civilisation

[@boir3popt165]

I finiesh it years ago, but back then i didn't fully understood english so I don't remember anything from it. All remember is the animation and the dragons gimmick was nice.

[@LantonSL]

I love this game, was one of my favourite in my childhood

[@maynorzapata8737]

I’ve never played this game. I know it’s asking much, but I wish they released it as a downloadable game for the switch 😅

[@Xygor]

Hopefully so! Them doing that with Live A Live and the Romancing Saga games gives us a lot of hope.

[@hsujonathan5221]

Dragon evolution was the best part. Back then I couldn't understand Japanese, I accidentally turned all 6 dragons into element-less abominations.🤣

[@Xygor]

Yeah, that was a fun aspect!

[@Deckaio]

For me, it was the first game I played with a new game+ function.

[@toolman4745]

To be fair, it's named after Bahamut from D&D which is where Final Fantasy got the name. I've wanted to play this game forever. I tried back in the day but the translation was unfinished. We're talking the early oughties.

[@randir14]

And D&D got it from a medieval Persian text that was describing Behemoth from the Bible.

[@toolman4745]

@@randir14 touche

[@mitchjames9350]

Square made some unknown classics that should be given a HD Remaster/Remake.

[@ukrpgfan4029]

One of my fav JRPGs.....

[@deafomega]

been playing this on my 3DS lately and though I find it novel and an interesting experience, I don't feel like I missed out by not having a NA release. It has some interesting mechanics, and I like the dragon evolution system. But much of the game annoys me. I plan to complete it, but I don't think I would recommend it as a must play for the SFC/SNES. Maybe at least worth a look, if not just to see where Square was going before PSX 🤷‍♂️ like i said, its a mixed vibe. interesting yet somewhat tedious, especially playing a fan translation and having only the internet for reading up on the mechanics you are working with. If Square decided to put this out on VC or a collection of these previously unreleased titles for NA, I think it would be a good inclusion, even if it is mostly for analysis and conversation

[@Xygor]

Do you agree the soundtrack was awesome?

[@VampireBatLord]

Didn't they make an odd "sequel" on the DS for this game as well? Blood of Bahamut i believe? I recall it only had like a few small world connections or some such, but that was like all it had going as a sequel of any form. I remember playing this as my first patched rom that a bud let me play. "dude, you love chrono trigger, you're gonna love the hell out of this!" I sat there stoned out of my mind but SUPER fixated into this game for 3 days solid. (never finished it, but good lord i love this game so much! ^^ lot of fun silly memories with it too from back in '05.)

[@alorenaluiza]

This game is a masterpiece

[@Xygor]

Agreed! It needs a remake.

[@Half-HeartHero]

i heard in development, this was originally called final fantasy tactics

[@MeetMonte]

its not bahumoot....its literally BA-HA-MUT

[@AlexanderLayko]

The word bahamut seems to have the same source as behemoth. No one pronounces behemoth like the guy who made this video. The stress should be on the second syllable. Like how you would say the word Goliath.

[@Super-Amigo]

I'm with @MC90 on this one.

[@GabMacedoo]

I like your videos a lot, but wish you titles were less clickbait…. Is every game the best game ever?

[@planescaped]

Bahamut Lagoon was such a surprise when I found it on emulator back in the day. The game is legit great, and the only time I've seen an RPG subvert the romance triangle expectations by having "the girl" you set out to rescue dump the protagonist and get with an enemy general she developed Stockholm syndrome for. XD The dialog was great, and I had so much fun talking to every character after each mission. I think only Lunar and Suikoden 2 ever had me as excited to talk to NPC's as Bahamut Lagoon.

[@Xygor]

I agree, it truly looks great, and makes a great candidate for a H2-D2 remaster.

[@dollarcostbackpacker1226]

OMG i love tactic games. never heaerd or seen this. thanks for the run through :)

[@davidhill8565]

Bahamut Lagoon never left Japan. It should get a remake in hopes of a Western release. It should get an Octopath style remake for Nintendo Switch and a full 3D remake in Unreal Engine 5 on PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC. The soundtrack should be arranged with a live orchestra.

[@Machiroable]

I don't think they could do it justice without the original's director and writer.

[@cliftonsargent1572]

Nice man! I’ve never heard of this game….. my guy what about a breath of fire 3 game? I swear it would be a game you would like

[@alicegay4286]

I think rpg in the past is great plus with 8 bit music make it nostagia

[@rockmanx6857]

Never played it yet I must have it!!!!!

[@MrBenMcLean]

The DeJap translation of this game was marred by adult sexual references, which may have come from the original game. It is a title that would be fully appropriate for all ages if it was not for this. These references are only in the text however, so it's possible to just strip them out to make this game appropriate for all ages.

[@MrBenMcLean]

The sex stuff is definitely non-essential to the story. But the story's trash with or witbout it.

[@Cybergryphyt]

This is the game that worth remake.

[@kasam0308]

It’s “Bu-hamut” Lagoon. Not “Baja-moot” Lagoon.

[@SpiritStoneWarrior94-yx3gs]

Google the pronunciation and you'll see it most definitely is "Ba-ha-moot"...... not "Bu-HaMuT" 🤓

[@ShockwaveFPSStudios]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@SpiritStoneWarrior94-yx3gsGo play a modern Final Fantasy game, and you’ll hear the characters say “Bu-HaMuT” and not “Ba-ha-moot”.

[@7thangelz]

loved this game

[@Kristalya]

I wish they named this Dragon Lagoon! Bahamut belongs to FF! 😊

[@HYPERMASCULINE]

Derr hidden jemz derr!

[@VatchGaming]

As a kid, I played the japanese version. Never finished it due to I cannot understand japanese and it's hard to do guessing where to go. P.S. I also finished FF7 Japanese version without understanding anything. Just guessing where to go and what to click.

[@liquidmark5081]

Yes! This game was the shiznit!

[@travisbaley7337]

buh-HAH-meht, not BAH-hah-moot Also LOON-uhr, not loon-AHR, from some of your other videos

[@Super-Amigo]

RIGHT?! smh...

[@Xzeros]

How to forget the NTR RPG from Squaresoft?..., no, seriously...

[@HerzogHyperboreisch2]

If anything, It's an accurate portrait of (modern) women: they will forget about you the moment they meet someone who they consider better.

[@justanotheryoutubechannel]

The *WHAT* RPG

[@Spirit_Chaser]

Shut up

[@riplix20]

@@HerzogHyperboreisch2 if this is how you perceive half the population I’m worried for those close to you

[@paultidwell8799]

Give us a North american release!

[@bradhedgehog12]

Hey there

[@Super-Amigo]

Ba-ha-moot Lagoon 🤣

[@jacobmead7427]

ba-ha moot

[@JuanLopez-kk9wi]

Aka NTR the game.

[@eldenrah9959]

I don't think Bahamut Lagoon is Underrated, maybe for those who aren't into turn based games.

[@dementedone]

Buh-hah-mit not ba-ha-moot

[@celathianaaron6057]

👍

[@hanepkalishka9486]

I finished this game without knowing a single word of japanese at the age of fcking 8. I guess that tells how easy this game was.

[@daviddavidson6289]

I remember I hated this game.