Now is the Time to Play Older JRPGs

[@EriesAston]

I usually find it difficult to go back to older games, but JRPGs are kind of the exception, most of them still hold up decades later

[@IntentionalBrandon]

So many of them hold up well. I love it.

[@Zontar82]

some are better than what we have now

[@skycloud4802]

I actually think most older games hold up, not just JRPGS. Some of the wonkier 3D games on PS1 have probably aged the worst, but even then, going through Tomb Raider 1 recently was an absolute blast.

[@lpfan4491]

@@skycloud4802 I think it depends on the game. Some games feel like they could come out today, while others make one question how they got popular in the first place. Nothing against Retrogames(Except most NES games, I don't think many NES games are that good, lol), the same phenomenon sadly also applies to new games. I guess it is just the nature of media that not everything can be a winner.

[@ssjbargainsale]

@@lpfan4491 I was gonna say, a lot of games nowadays make me question how they got popular. "Mid" would be a good description. It doesnt apply only to games. Movies, shows, books. And I'm with you. Anything before the SNES is not great. Mind-blowing for the time, maybe. But good? Not so much

[@Venoix]

I'm a huge fan of the classics - especially the PS1 and PS2 era, because of the stylistic 3D pre-rendered backgrounds that a number of them decided to take. It's great to see so many people able to go back to them now, and experience them looking fresh with the remasters. Hope they continue to keep coming.

[@IntentionalBrandon]

Pre-rendered backgrounds were usually pretty impressive, weren’t they? Incredible for creating atmosphere. I always thought they were so cool as a kid. And I still do!

[@discosgirafaspodcast3043]

Recently finished FFIX and what an adventure! Such a gem, and I was hooked by the story from the beginning to the end!

[@IntentionalBrandon]

Yesss, IX was so good!

[@Harpple.]

oooh nice, IX's story is really good.

[@Munto-Z]

Old consoles are VERY underrated! I've been playing GBA games almost exclusively for years, yet I feel like I barely scratched the surface of what the GBA has to offer! Thank you for making this video; more people need to learn how to appreciate games regardless of how old they are.

[@Jack-nj9pi]

Look for the fan translated ones as well because there are some gemmmmms like that tomato rpg that plays like the mario and luigi sagas

[@IntentionalBrandon]

I still remember vividly how excited I was when the GBA was about to come out and when I first got mine. The graphics were great, and Golden Sun sealed it for me as one of my favorite platforms of all time. I love that we’re seeing some of the GBA games come back in collections like we recently got with Castlevania too. So good!

[@Munto-Z]

@@Jack-nj9pi ohh, this sounds amazing! I will definitely check it out. Do you have any other recommendations?

[@Munto-Z]

@@IntentionalBrandon I've heard many great things about Golden Sun, but I haven't played it yet. I will play it soon and I'm sure it will make me love the GBA even more. 😊

[@onkelhiphop]

I just got a GPA for my birthday I never played it before and I’m 46 and I absolutely love it😊

[@Dragonime]

I actually just started getting into classic JRPGs a few weeks ago. Recently beat Chrono Trigger. Absolute gem of a game.

[@MackenziePerrault]

I'm not giving up on modern gaming, but there's more than enough retro titles to last my lifetime. I'm currently playing through the entire Dragon Quest franchise for the first time and I'm obsessed. Just about to start the 5th entry.

[@IntentionalBrandon]

I’m trying not to play only older games, but a lot of the ones that jump out at me are pretty old now. I mix it up here and there. Variety is good!

[@Nozorin]

After metaphor and DQ3 remake, I’m thinking either xenosaga 1 or skies of arcadia. I’ve just been holding out hope for a skies of arcadia remaster since the GameCube version has worse audio but more content. Gahh.

[@Moonlite_17]

Skies of Arcadia needs a remake!

[@PJ-sv4iw]

Star Ocean got a US/English PSP release called First Departure --hence where the R for Switch/PS5--Remake came from. It's based on the PSP version.

[@Alpenmilch]

This is exactly what I've been doing for the past 2 years, I take a break for any new RPG that I find it worth but most games I played the past years have been old RPGs, I have put together a list of 1900+ English translated (either official or fan made) and use a marble race to determine the next series I play through.

[@IntentionalBrandon]

1900?! That is some dedication. Does the marble race system often lead to playing games you enjoy? This is the first I’ve heard of this approach.

[@Munto-Z]

I love the idea of racing marbles to decide. Deciding what to play next is hard.

[@GuyManley]

I finished the Paper Mario 1000 year door swtich version. The fans were right, Nintendo never topped that one.

[@IntentionalBrandon]

The Switch is a beast. Glad a rerelease gave you the opportunity to experience it!

[@nishquikpops]

This yeah has been amazing for me as I've been marathoning ps1 JRPGs! This year i did FF7, FF9, and Xenogears, and Chrono Cross and Star Ocean 2 are next!

[@IntentionalBrandon]

What a lineup! You are in for a treat with Chrono Cross and Star Ocean 2. I don’t know what platform/version you’ll go with, but if you get CC on Steam Deck, just be prepared to do a little tweaking. I had to, and it seems like it’s not super uncommon. Once I did that, it was great!

[@Buktech]

I beat Xenogears in 2023 for the first time and beat it 3 times total since then. It has become my favorite game of all time. Sure CD2 hasn't aged well but man, the story and the music just hits every single box for me. I even listen to the soundtrack on a daily basis.

[@theshadowman8801]

I just finished trails in the sky 1 and 2 this year, now I get to play it all over again 😭.

[@IntentionalBrandon]

Haha I haven’t played the whole Trails series even once yet, so I have a tough decision ahead of me too 😂

[@bobfox4437]

Brother you've got a great patter, subscribed. :)

[@desocietas]

Ah, Golden Sun... It's one of my first purchased games ever, and I still have the originals! But it's so handy to be able to pull out the Switch and just play Golden Sun easily there, and it plays just like the original! I like that it also gives some filter options so you can adjust the graphics to your liking. Elated that more people will be able to enjoy both games easily! Looking forward to playing Lunar and Suikoden for the first time as well.

[@IntentionalBrandon]

I knew you had good taste! 😆 Lunar 1 and 2 are so good. If you give them a shot, you gotta share your thoughts with me!

[@joeyisabsb1]

I do something that many might not like but it helps me get through a lot of JRPGs in a short amount of time. I emulate and use cheats so that I can breeze through and enjoy the story. The other option is to put the game on the easiest difficulty if you dont want to emulate and if difficulty is an option.

[@IntentionalBrandon]

I am still trying to get over whatever internal block I have that’s keeping me from lowering the difficulty level. I’m usually playing for the world, characters, and story first and foremost, so it doesn’t make a lot of sense in some cases that I would be so resistant to the idea. Maybe one day!

[@lpfan4491]

While I am one of the people who thinks that story is important, sometimes just as much or even more for longterm enjoyment compared to gameplay(Heck, I am still playing Xenoblade and that does not win many gameplay-related praises from me), I am still kinda playing games to get the whole experience of actually playing the game. If I just cheat my way through, then I may as well just watch cutscenes online, it essencially defeats the personal investment for me.

[@strayship]

On the topic of re-releases, my first exposure to the Lunar series was Lunar Legend on the GBA-talk about a game (Lunar: The Silver Star) that has been re-released an absurd number of times! Of course, I’m not complaining-Lunar is the platonic ideal of JRPGs, and I’m glad that a new generation gets to be exposed to it.

[@IntentionalBrandon]

The first Lunar got so many rereleases! I started with 2, and that’s the one that stuck with me the most, so I was always screaming “Where is the Lunar 2 rerelease?!” 😂

[@xelthos2051]

I have the blue and red moon with the dragon flying in front of it from the first viper manor cutscene tattooed on my arm.

[@ranga6969]

Your channel is awesome! Please keep making videos :)

[@IntentionalBrandon]

Thank you! 😭 I’m having a great time making these videos and getting to interact with so many people with similar interests.

[@Hugodra]

Great video sir and excellent content….new sub …keep it up

[@IntentionalBrandon]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@fondofpeace]

Bro, I’ve played many final fantasy games, and I love the franchise, but recently played ff1…Bruh! That game is freaking awesome. It’s easy to see how that franchise took off.

[@jabur81]

I love FF1! I’m playing through the Pixel Remasters right now, I’m up to FFIV, and I already started another playthrough of FF1 lol. Although my favorite version of FF1 is probably Origins on PS1, probably because that was the first version I played

[@IntentionalBrandon]

One of these days, I’m gonna play all the early FFs! The Pixel Remaster package looks so good.

[@onkelhiphop]

I never been into jrpg of course I’ve been playing Final Fantasy seven who hasn’t😂 normally I only play horror games but as I’m getting older I’m getting more and more interested I just bought a miyoo mini and I’m going to build it dedicated to jrpg And the first game I’m going to play is going to be legend of zelda for snes😊 Great video keep it up🤘😎

[@kingmouseofficial6488]

Miyoo mini for the win

[@chozochiefxiii3298]

This is why im kind of jealous of jrpg fans. All of their hidden gems and old classics are getting modern re releases and remakes. If literally any other genre could get this same treatment.

[@IntentionalBrandon]

While we see a lot of rereleases across the industry, it does feel like it is especially common in the JRPG genre. I’d love to see more Japanese action games get rereleases too. Quite a few gems there that are fading into obscurity.

[@PinoyPhill]

Though it may lack in official releases, openemu for macos is an amazing emulator capable of running pretty much any console up until the gamecube era, excluding ps2 and xbox

[@IntentionalBrandon]

I remain hopeful that MacOS will become a serious option for gaming. I used it for a long time and really enjoyed it.

[@Jack-nj9pi]

Please give the legend of mana game a chance. Since you can play the ps1 or remaster version you have 2 options to test it out. Fully agree with your final sentiment

[@IntentionalBrandon]

This is yet another I’ve wanted to try for a long time!

[@MrSerpico145]

Playing through Legend of Dragoon for the first time currently, and itching for more ps1 classics even though I have Metaphor on the backburner (just too talky for me atm).

[@IntentionalBrandon]

That era just hits differently. Might be nostalgia talking, but even the boot up sound for the PS gets me.

[@I_Am_The_Social_Reject]

I'm playing that game now. But I had it 20 years ago. One of my favorites. Still holds up. Still suck at most additions

[@Grandia-bb5co]

skies of arcadia

[@tico481]

Pre-ordered a Retroid Pocket 5 specifically for JRPGS

[@lordrussell666]

didn't know they remade the first game you showed, It's too bad it is in Japan

[@IntentionalBrandon]

It's scheduled to come out for Switch in 2025!

[@araujo_nj]

Im into jrpgs nowadays, currently playing Grandia PS1 on my modded Vita😅

[@IntentionalBrandon]

PS games on the Vita. That’s an excellent experience right there. 😎

[@felixthecatx887]

Xenogears IMO is in most need of a remaster or remake.

[@Disconnis]

I don't want any modern-day studios TOUCHING Xenogears...

[@IntentionalBrandon]

Excellent choice! The aesthetic is top tier, so I would hope they’d keep that intact.

[@MaI2Me]

@@Disconnisfor me it would be Chrono Trigger. I honestly hope they leave this game alone. Maybe a proper port at maximum.

[@Jack-nj9pi]

​@@MaI2Me i only trust that game being remade by the dragon quest team. Playing that in dq11 graphics would be amazing.

[@Bubblegum-tg5bg]

I’ve played paper Mario 64, earthbound, Chrono trigger and FF 5 for the first time this year. Honestly a game’s age doesn’t bother me I just love jrpg. Next on my to do list is to beat an SMT game I’ve got four in my collection so I’ve got no excuse.

[@IntentionalBrandon]

Yesss, SMT! That’ll be a nice change of pace, I imagine. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it, whichever you end up playing.

[@Bubblegum-tg5bg]

@ I think I’ll start with Digital Devil Saga 2. It was the first SMT I’ve got and played, and I was so close to finishing it got to the final dungeon/level and everything.

[@IntentionalBrandon]

I loooved DDS 1/2! I found it to be a pretty easy entry point into the SMT universe.

[@Bubblegum-tg5bg]

@@IntentionalBrandon I’ll be a lot better at building characters and understanding the combat. I’ve finished 3 personas so I don’t think the game will give me much issues this time.

[@HellGatyr]

romancing saga 2 is good aproach with lower price and more advertisment, it will help other JRPG to follow or gain interest too it is sad that people more accepting live service games now

[@IntentionalBrandon]

I’ve been hearing good things about that one!

[@PringleTheOne]

Chrono cross and golden sun really do hit. You gotta finish tactics man, the story is amazing and the gameplay is mad easy to break, trust! Just gotta play the psp version.

[@IntentionalBrandon]

Tactics… Basically my white whale at this point 😂

[@Knights_12]

I'm playing The legend of heroes: trails in the sky right now. I'm having fun

[@IntentionalBrandon]

Awesome! Once I finally tried it, I couldn’t believe I had waited so long after hearing how good it is for years.

[@Mr_Flopp-c8j]

I've finished 2 months ago, the game aged amazingly well and the remake was announced while i was still playing the first chapter

[@joshuabullard7003]

I don't want you to shut up. What are some jrpgs you want remastered or remade? I would love a remastered Brave Fencer Musashi

[@IntentionalBrandon]

The first that comes to mind is the Breath of Fire series, namely 4 because I didn’t finish it! 😂 The art style and aesthetic is just so good. I’d be perfectly satisfied with a simpler remaster with quality of life changes, like speed adjustments and more save options.

[@joshuabullard7003]

@@IntentionalBrandon I'm playing through 3 for the first time right now. Really enjoying it.

[@IntentionalBrandon]

I always hear such good things about it!

[@braydenb1581]

I prefer going back to older games..budgets are too big now. Too many moans and gasps. It wrecks the experience imo always hearing thrm make sound. People dont do that... anime can be like that too. Silence is useful.

[@IntentionalBrandon]

Feels a little cartoony maybe?

[@jaedynjoseph7520]

Lost Oddessy remake!

[@PJ-sv4iw]

2:31 Nintendo ninjas have perked their ears...

[@agroah7236]

can i still download ps1 ps2 games on ps3 store? :S

[@IntentionalBrandon]

If you’ve purchased them, I think you should be able to. I haven’t used a PS3 in years, so I’m not sure about new purchases. Sony’s plans to close certain digital stores have left me a little confused on the current state of things.

[@Zarathustra-rj4yz]

Thank heavens for aeongenesis

[@hourglass7010]

Any place to play atelier Iris eternal mana besides ps1?

[@IntentionalBrandon]

Unfortunately, I think this one might be stuck on PS2 😔

[@Patrick-bn5rp]

Surprised that you didn't mention emulation on PC. Or even emulation on Xbox via dev mode. Piracy + emulation is king when it comes to old games that didn't get rereleases.

[@IntentionalBrandon]

I can explain! I lack the personal experience and knowledge to talk about it 😳

[@Patrick-bn5rp]

@IntentionalBrandon Lol, well check out duckstation for PS1 games, PCSX2 for PS2 games, PPSSPP for PSP games, RPCS3 for PS3 games, and Retroarch for everything below that. There's also dolphin for Wii and GameCube. For your ROMs and bios files, we have the internet archive for that. There ya go. I just gave you the information needed to unlock the full potential of your steam deck. Which... Actually, look into Emudeck. That's a little application that will streamline the installation process for the other emulators for you.

[@51N5]

We can play them all on Steam Deck and PC, via emulation and the fact that they're all now coming to Steam. A lot of the remasters or English localised versions have censorship and DEI, so sometimes playing the old version is better and having the freedom to mod it out on PC/Deck is easier.

[@IntentionalBrandon]

What a world we live in! I hear about the censorship issue from time to time, but I think most of what I play is largely free from it (or there’s not enough for it to be noticeable).

[@hannahdeards9652]

Oh no, people of different races, genders and sexualities in my foreign japanese games, which have always featured lots of different types of people because their worlds are HUGE and diverse! What is the world coming to???

[@MooeysAura]

Nah PC has LITERALLY everything. Emulation is a thing.

[@ErgoDog]

Most of us don’t pirate games

[@MooeysAura]

@@ErgoDog why not? I see no issue if it’s for older media, especially games that will never receive remasters or anything similar. Emulation may be piracy, but it’s also preservation of media.

[@I_Am_The_Social_Reject]

​@@ErgoDogmost people emulate

[@tenbones545]

@@ErgoDogmost of us emulate

[@lpfan4491]

@@ErgoDog Incorrect. Some games are literally only kept alive because of it.

[@Gakki_Aniki]

If only jrpgs were cheaper on pc...

[@JoLiKMC]

Wait. _Chrono Cross_ is a _classic_ game? Wait! _Chrono Cross_ is _a good game?!_ ( I really like _Chrono Cross,_ but just because I like it doesn't mean I know it's "good" or "classic". Plus, it ain't exactly _Chrono Trigger…)_

[@IntentionalBrandon]

Hahah I’ve always heard people say such good things about it!

[@guruthosamarthruin4459]

#1 reason: Corporations keep doubling and tripling down on making their new games worse and worse.

[@matex2207]

Just use emulators, got so game games I cannot possibly finish in a life time. AAA gaming what?

[@xdepredatex]

not a mention of emulation!? interesting move