Top 10 NES RPGs

[@sealboy1211]

I got a soft spot for the first dragon warrior. It was the one time my mom was a gamer, and she had a notebook full of clues and dialogs from the npcs and such, she literally worked through that game with zero knowledge and basically handed me my first ever strategy guide so I could actually finish the damn thing. I of course joined forces with the bad guy at the end. Ahhh 8 year old me, thanks mom!

[@CronosVids]

I don’t get why we often complain that old rpgs are grind heavy. I get that the story of an rpg needs to be engaging, but if the battles aren’t fun it’s no good either. Whenever I play an rpg I hope the battle system is cool and fun. That way even a grind is fun, since I probably won’t avoid battles. And let’s be honest, rpgs are battle heavy. But that’s what we love. This was a great change of pace, the nes is overlooked a lot of times. It’s actually getting retro by now and younger generations won’t enjoy it as much as we did. I’ve been looking into gameboy rpgs, since I was looking for a more bite sized adventure, but that was a rabbit hole of it’s own.

[@pixelbrolee]

Dude. Honestly, an RPG can be the best story I've ever seen, but if the combat isn't engaging, I'm out. I 100% agree with you there. The NES is a little slept on when it comes to RPGs!

[@greenmachine5487]

That's why I love Legend of Legaia on the PS1. The battle system is fun. I enjoy grinding in that game.

[@gwgux]

For the life of me, I could never get into any Dragon Quest game I tried. For Dragon Warrior 1-4 on the NES, I just couldn't finish any of them. Each time, I would try and be like "OK, now THIS is the time that I FINALLY get through one of them and finally understand what all they hype is for!"...and then I don't make it very far and go play something else (usually a Final Fantasy game). I have nothing against that series and I have nothing but respect for what it's done over the years for the RPG genre of games (we wouldn't have so many great games if it wasn't for that series). However, for some reason, getting into one of those games has been really hard. That aside, my favorite RPG on the NES was Final Fantasy 3. Luckily it's been fan translated, and it's pretty much feels like it could've been an SNES RPG. Most NES RPGs are very difficult to get into without the nostalgia goggles, but I never had that issue with Final Fantasy 3. NES RPGs get overlooked for a reason (they ARE hard to get into compared to a space shooter or platformer), but there are some diamonds in the coal pile.

[@pixelbrolee]

Absolutely agree with you! I love dragon warrior, but it's with hard nostalgia goggles. If it was released today in that state, it'd be chastised as a generic lump. I've never really played ANY iteration of FF3. Maybe I should get on that?! Thanks for taking the time to share your experience! It's really appreciated!

[@ophidianmind333]

This is a nice showcase of great RPGs on the NES and it's always nice to see Sweet Home get some love because it's one of my favorite games. Here are a few recommendations for those who like the games in this video: Digital Devil Story Megami Tensei I & II, Faxanadu, The Magic of Scheherazade, and Getsu Fuuma Den.

[@pixelbrolee]

Oh snap! thanks for taking the time to recommend some of these! I played MoS and Fax, but I haven't played those others :O

[@billmartovich9009]

Dragon Warrior 3 was absolutely the best, in my opinion. It beats out RPGs that are far more modern, Wil a fulfilling story and sense of progression, not just level grinding, along with *thousands* of possible party composition just dust everything else. The list is solid. Everyone gets their own opinion and I'm not saying mine is correct and your opinion is wrong. All these games are fantastic and far better than many other games that didn't make the list. I also appreciate that not all the games were US releases or the the 10 Top Rates IGN RPGs or anything and you put a lot of effort in. I really enjoy your videos and i always look forward to seeing your new videos come out.

[@pixelbrolee]

Thank you so much for the encouragement and sharing your point! I can't wait for the remake of 3! It seems like an absolutely excellent RPG. I'm sure there are plenty of japanese RPGs for the NES I've never even HEARD of, but I added those I've played and am familiar with! It certainly was a list crafted with intention and love

[@voltron77]

I’m playing it right now and it has gambling in it!!!

[@NewJerusalemLark]

Now here is a topic I have no opinion on. All I had on the NES as a kid was Mario, Excite Bike and an unmarked cartridge that never worked.

[@pixelbrolee]

Oh snap. I wonder what that last cartridge was :O Despite really having the most time with snes and ps1, I absolutely looooove the NES. There's a simple charm to it. Games started getting, in general, too "big," and I've felt that ever since. Thanks for watching and commenting anyway, man!!!

[@NewJerusalemLark]

@@pixelbrolee My NES and games were hand me downs. I was born in 90, so I more or less missed the NES era. I seem to recall that I was told that the unmarked game was a TMNT game, but my memories of that time is unreliable 😅 I quickly moved onto N64 and didn't get into the SNES untill my late teens (Chrono Trigger for life!).

[@pixelbrolee]

Respectable! Gah. That's a great era for games, dude. Really, there's not been too many dark ages in gaming since the NES? Maybe the brown war game era lol

[@DadDude]

Great video! I tend to forget how many RPGs were on the NES. You are a wealth of knowledge and passion, sir.

[@pixelbrolee]

You are a fine fella, @daddude. Thank you so much for taking time to watch and comment on the video

[@DadDude]

@@pixelbrolee Aww man, been missing the streams. Hope to catch ya soon.

[@Spare_Ombres]

Hey! Great list, yep there is ton of fun on the NES! I must say other games I like a lot is Magic of Scheherazade and Destiny of an Emperor

[@pixelbrolee]

Dude- specifically magic of shzchehcezhehzehhzade. It took me a while to figure out what the title said on the NES cart haha. It really is a great game, though! I agree! I've seen destiny, but I've never played it at all!

[@DragoonMS]

3:32 Not as bad as the US or UK box art for Megaman 1-3. 😏😏😏 7:22 It's a good game, but I wouldn't put it that high up a Best Of list...or even put it on the list to begin with. 8:50 Only at number four? That's a bit low despite the flaws that the original had. Though I think that a fairer explanation is that the sequels were Japan exclusive (and aside from the Virtual Console, the *originals* were never reissued on later hardware). ...ayo hol' up, NO love for Zelda 1!?

[@pixelbrolee]

I actually didn't include Zelda 1 because I think of it more as an action adventure game! What a crazy debate that series is, though. I just looked up the Mega Man 1 UK box art and I LOVE IT! That's so wild looking! I can't help but Love Zelda 2

[@josephbradshaw6985]

Good list. I might kick out the action ones, and put Destiny of an Emperor and one of the Ultimas in there. Or maybe one of those first person dungeon crawls...okay maybe not I hate them! lol.

[@pixelbrolee]

Man I absolutely hate those 1st person dungeon crawlers, too! Even modern ones aren't fun for me :( I tried Etrian Odyssey and everything. I want to like them- I just can't seem to lol I haven't tried Destiny of an Emperor :(!! Shame on meeeee. Deep shame. Thanks for taking time out to watch some other content, too, dude!!! Much appreciated :)

[@josephbradshaw6985]

@@pixelbrolee Lol. They are sooo hard to get into. And confusing. I'm lost immediately. Did you ever check out Uncharted Waters for the NES? It might not be for you, but it's interesting. I don't know if it's an RPG...I'm not sure what it is to be honest.

[@mattschehr163]

I love the NES but I would Recommend Playing dragonstomper on Atari 2600 as that is an rpg but it’s very short

[@pixelbrolee]

I'll check it out!!

[@clairofmemories]

one of my personal favorite jp exclusive rpgs on the nes (or famicom technically) is Lagrange Point, it has a lot of issues but due to the VRC7 mapper chip it uses it has one of the best soundtracks on the system (though it’s kind of cheating LOL), i highly recommend it if you can emulate it!

[@pixelbrolee]

I've seen the game in repro groups because it is a more difficult repro to make. I've heard good things but haven't played it at all! Thanks so much for the recommendation and taking time to comment!

[@clairofmemories]

@@pixelbrolee np! it can be fairly grindy at times (to be fair, which rpg of that era isn’t) but i thoroughly enjoyed what I played of it! aesthetically it’s very similar to phantasy star II on the sega genesis, and part of the reason I played it is because I’m a huge fan of phantasy star (especially IV lol)

[@pixelbrolee]

@@clairofmemories oh my goodness I looooved phantasy star 1! Good to know!!

[@thefool00]

Completely agree on Dragon Warrior as the best RPG on Nes. Somehow, the replay value is there for me even though it's the same every time through.

[@pixelbrolee]

There's just something about the simplicity that's comforting!

[@badmonkeyking]

do you know DArk Wizard on Sega CD it is one of the best so hard to find a place to play, more than one ending, four choices to start from. its amazing game

[@pixelbrolee]

Dude I LOVE the cover art on Dark Wizard! I've never played it, but I passed on it for like 30 bucks CiB soooo many times.,

[@badmonkeyking]

@pixelbrolee it is totally worth your time and one of the best games on the a Sega CD, there are five ending total, secret, upgrades, play styles . The story for the time ,is still wonderful today. Enough to let your imagination to run with it. I hope you get a chance to play it. You can emulate it if you don't have a Sega CD, but it is not an easy Emulation as most Sega cd were, hard ware is hard to find to play legally

[@michaelcullinane3924]

Fantastic video. As always, excellent video clips as transitions. I saw a new video on Chrono Trigger called "Should you play the greatest JRPG" by matthew.E (typed that way, I double checked the casing.) I wrote a book for a comment. I'd love to see your thoughts on his videos if you have spare time. If not, enjoy the weekend and keep up the good work, bro!

[@pixelbrolee]

I went and watched that dude's stuff! He has a super calming voice! That was also a banger of a comment- it was definitely a book! It's great to continue to see folks so interested in sharing their thoughts on these games of so long ago. Thanks Mike :)

[@ОлегКулик-ш9б]

Why no one talking about might and magic or pool of radiance on nes ?

[@pixelbrolee]

Dude! I've not played it! I'll take a look

[@pequalsa]

As the list got towards the end, I figured he must have been only doing RPGs initially released on Famicon and/or NES, not Ports of computer RPGs. Ultima IV would be another great RPG that ported well to NES.

[@ОлегКулик-ш9б]

@@pequalsa i think nes port is good, but sega master system port of ultima 4 is beter. Ultima 3 nes port is also great game

[@pequalsa]

@@ОлегКулик-ш9б I heard that about the Master System port around 5 years ago, so I tried it... maybe I'm just an NES kid at heart and was more into their style of graphics/visuals. I found the master system visually not that appealing and did really much difference in other aspects, so I dropped it. Maybe I didn't give it enough time. Are there actual gameplay mechanics or storyline that make it better, or is it truer to the original ? Ultima III on NES was pretty much my first experience with a turn based/party RPG. My bro and I basically played it together the first time through. We figured out quite a bit on our own, but did have to call the old Nintendo counselor line a few times. By time IV was ported, I was definitely more ready.

[@pixelbrolee]

@@pequalsa I have NEVER played Ultima IV, and what I'm hearing is that is a shame! I heard it's incredibly ahead of its time!

[@voltron77]

I really love dragon Warrior 2, playing the third game right now and it’s great.

[@pixelbrolee]

Dude DW2 is so freaking hard... I'm also playing DQ3 right now and holy smokes... the jump from DW2 to DW3 is CRAZY! DW3 is SOOOO complex comparatively speaking

[@voltron77]

@ Yeah, I’m currently playing dw3 and it’s noticeably easier than the 2nd game and even the 1st game. The class system is also really cool. I’m about to enter the pyramid, you?

[@Pichuscute]

Only real change I'd make is to add Final Fantasy III up near the top. It's basically just a better version of the first game. But I get why it's not here, since it's Japanese-only. There's versions of the Ys games that are JP-only that could be on here too, but no clue if any of them are translated or anything, and then the first 2 Megami Tensei games, too. Famicom really got a lot of cool JRPGs around this time.

[@pixelbrolee]

Yea! Thankfully with all the translations out there, we can play a bunch of these now, but the Famicom definitely had a lot that we didn't get! Thanks so much for watching and taking the time out of your day to watch and comment! It's appreciated!

[@temper1337]

for me the first mother game is head and shoulders above the rest, the way you beat the final boss actually made me tear up a bit.

[@pixelbrolee]

I feel like it comes up quite often for me. That game truly is an experience. I think a lot of it had to do with Shigesato Itoi not being a game designer by trade. It's remarkable! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, temper :)

[@Triblecobbs1992]

How is it you don't have Dragon Warrior iv on this list?

[@pixelbrolee]

I've not played enough of it to put it on here. Pretty great, you think?

[@williamjones4117]

I do love me some Dragon Warrior. But depending on the strictness of the rules, I would have tried to find a way to weasel Metal Max onto the list. I did only play the SNES remake, but I loved it, and I have been meaning to find the NES fan translated version to compare. Not sure why that series never really came state-side. If I was a kid and you told me there was a game that played like Dragon Warrior, but you could find and build tanks, I would have sold a kidney for the money to get it... Actually, I may have just answered my own question...

[@pixelbrolee]

Man- you just opened a whole new wormhole for me. I didn't know Metal Max was on the NES or SNES! I'm only familiar with the newer iterations of it! hahaha. Yeah, dude- an rpg with robots for the NES would have KILLED in the states! Thanks for sharing and clueing me in! I appreciate you!

[@randydrake2283]

Crystalis should be pronounced like crysalis. You don’t need that heavy emphasis in the middle. How is Ultima Quest of the Avatar not on this list?

[@pixelbrolee]

I actually did a video mentioning Ultima Quest of the Avatar the other day. And I have never heard that about Crystalis! Interesting :) thanks for taking time to watch and comment!

[@lucretiakillingsworth]

I love Sweet Home!

[@pixelbrolee]

As you should! It's so freaking good. It would be amazing to see that released on the Switch online store thing under the mature heading they just made!

[@xCarStyles]

YASSSS I needed more content

[@pixelbrolee]

The real trick will be if I can get out 5 more shorts this week and another long form video lol

[@TheRetroPerspective]

So you’re saying Zelda 2 is way better than Twilight Princess basically! 😁

[@pixelbrolee]

Man... yes lol Hot take, I know, but I love Zelda II. Nostalgia does a lot for me, and I do enjoy TP, but ... yes. I think this is my declaration lol

[@TheRetroPerspective]

@@pixelbrolee I believe it, I think Twilight Princess is awful. When you said how Zelda 2 is actually rewarding it reminded me of my main issue with TP: battles mean nothing because rupees max out at 200 and there's nothing interesting to use them on either way.

[@TheTateful]

The absolute braindeath that must be the cause of placing Zelda 2 higher on an "RPG list" that Dragon Quest III is a malady more terrifying than my grandma's 10-year struggle with dementia.

[@pixelbrolee]

It was explained in the video, dude lol I haven't played much of DQIII, which I intend to with the rerelease, but sure!

[@TheTateful]

@@pixelbrolee Here's to hoping they do it justice with the remake. They most likely will, as SqEnix has mostly treated their original games with due respect when remastering/remaking lately, but I also take nothing for granted until it's actually out.

[@voltron77]

I gotta say, dragon quest 1 is a classic and the most important, but it’s not the best, that title would go to earthbound beginnings.

[@pixelbrolee]

I absolutely adore Earthbound Beginnings! I understand your point!

[@dukey03]

For me it’s gotta be Dragon Warrior IV, then Dragon Warrior III, then Sweet Home!

[@pixelbrolee]

Oh snap! DW4! I've never played DW4 at all! I hear it's pretty solid, but it gets overshadowed by 5 by my understanding!

[@dukey03]

@@pixelbrolee Yeah a lot of DQ fans love 3, 4, 5, 8, and 11. But 8 and 5 probably get the most love. DW4 is easily my favorite NES game. It was that game in elementary school that you just waited all day in class to get home and play it some more 😂

[@adamobrien1945]

I think we HAVE to seperate "best" from "most influential". Just because something was first and openned the doors for others, doesn't mean it holds up over time relative to its peers. Dragon Warrior 3 is an overall MUCH better game than DW1. I would encourage you to continue to play through Dragon Warrior 3 and revisit your list.

[@pixelbrolee]

I actually can't wait for the November release of DQ3HD! Maybe that's when I'll revisit!

[@BubbycatViking]

I'd have to agree on Dragon Warrior being the best.

[@pixelbrolee]

It's just like a comfort grind for me. Simple yet effective!

[@neilfmoore]

The "bweh-heh-heh" @5:04, right after mentioning "shekels", is a little unfortunate. I know you didn't mean anything bad by it, but the hand gesture was unfortunate. See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Merchant

[@pixelbrolee]

:O I'll see if I can edit that out!

[@neilfmoore]

@@pixelbrolee Thanks! It's also in the short about DW3/DQ3

[@pixelbrolee]

Thanks! I just made the edit to this video and it's being changed.

[@pixelbrolee]

I got the short edited too. Thanks for alerting me to how this could be insensitive, for real. It's never my intention to offend unless it's by love of video games

[@neilfmoore]

@@pixelbrolee Looks like both the edits managed to go through. Many thanks for your sensitivity!

[@roguerifter9724]

I think Dragon Quest/Warrior I is my least favorite NES RPG and definitely my least favorite game in its franchise. II improves on it a lot while III and IV are both massive improvements over the first. How des an RPG limited to one on one battles with a single character party plus the lack of a class system or a reasonable way to influence or control the stat growth of your character rate the top slot in an NES RPG list?

[@pixelbrolee]

My appreciation of it is the simplicity! It's sort of like Pokemon in that sense, as it's one of if not the largest RPG franchises despite being incredibly simple. There's something to be said for that! Admittedly, it has every fault you shared, though! It's understandable that you'd question it :) thanks for taking the time to comment!

[@MatthewJohnson-n1c]

Dragon warrior 4 is the best game on the nes period.

[@pixelbrolee]

Snap! That good!?

[@MatthewJohnson-n1c]

@pixelbrolee yeah that good. Of course that depends on your taste but when we were babies or kids and that game came out in 1990 that eclipsed everything. Study the dates of the first 4 final fantasy and dragon warrior/quest games and what elements they introduced

[@Nef198]

Lots of nerdiness here lol

[@pixelbrolee]

I can't help myself, man!

[@pharmcat8484]

Why does nobody give Ultima 4 any love?

[@pixelbrolee]

Dude- I have a theory lol. I wonder if it's because Ultima 4 was more appealing to older audiences when it came out and thus folks around my age didn't quite play it and don't have the nostalgia for it? Do you think I'm way off?

[@pharmcat8484]

@ I don’t think so. I’m 40 and I was a fan of most of the games on this list, but I’d still put Ultima 4 in my top 3. And it hit a good amount of love back in the day, just not so much now.

[@Marinanor]

In my opinion, Dragon Warrior 4 is the best NES game ever made. Even better than DW III.

[@pixelbrolee]

That is the first time I've ever heard that opinion! That's amazing! One day I'll sit down and play through it. I'm excited about the remake of III coming out!!!

[@bildo1977]

I would agree…. If it wasn’t for Chapter 5. So many spells that won’t be cast because the AI thinks that it knows better. Barrier, SpeedUp, Increase, BiKill, and Sap are but a few spells that will either never be cast or rarely be cast in boss battles. The Nintendo DS version is a major improvement and upgrade over the NES original.

[@badmonkeyking]

Dragon WArrior was Amazing., the beginning of the question that must be anwsered, and if you anwser the last question of the game wrong spoiler... the world of darkness in red letters

[@pixelbrolee]

:O!!! I loove it!

[@pixelbrolee]

I've actually never tried joining him lol

[@BlackMasterRoshi]

mule slaw

[@pixelbrolee]

Yessir

[@jomei321]

i wish i liked video games

[@pixelbrolee]

Me too! We would have so much in common!

[@josephbradshaw6985]

La Grange Point.

[@pixelbrolee]

I've heard this game is phenomenal! I'd love to see it re-released officially in English!

[@Fallout2Forever]

Going inL Gee, I wonder if half of these are gonna be Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest titles? After I finished: Yeah, nearly half of theme were, and like most of the titles on this list, they were mostly filler. Like with most NES games, the gameplay has aged very poorly in them. Also, your reasons for why you love them are terrible.

[@pixelbrolee]

I went into the first half of this comment wondering where this was going after the first 3 words. After I finished: Yeah. I expected that. Lol thanks for watching!

[@leehamilton7788]

Faxandu

[@pixelbrolee]

Gah! That's a good one, too!