| JP FC | Mouryou Senki Madara | 1990 | Turn-Based | Konami | Dark and challenging! Autonomous combat! Anime-based! |
| JP FC | Musashi no Bōken | 1990 | Turn-Based | Quest | Standard DQ clone, but corn can be an enemy so that's pretty funny |
| TurboGrafx-16 | Dragon's Curse | 1990 | Action-Platform | Westone Bit Entertainment | (AKA Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap) See SMS, but fratures a save system rather than passwords |
| TurboGrafx-16 | Double Dungeons | 1990 | Dungeon Crawler | NCS | Co-op first-person dungeon crawl |
| JP FC | Bloody Warriors: Shan-Go no Gyakushuu | 1990 | Turn-Based | Micronics/Toei Animation | Even translated, the health counter for enemies makes no sense. Pretty short too. |
| GB+GBC | The Final Fantasy Legend | 1990 | Turn-Based | Square | Actually the first game in the SaGa series, has many different playable races and monsters |
| JP FC | Ninja Ra Hoi! | 1990 | Turn-Based | ASCII | A parody game of sorts that takes place in feudal Japan |
| JP FC | Ganbare Goemon Gaiden: Kieta Ougon Kiseru | 1990 | Turn-Based | Konami | Humorous turn-based game set in medieval Japan |
| NES | Dungeon Magic: Sword of the Elements | 1990 | Dungeon Crawler | Natsume | 1st-person dunegon crawl, very sparse on story |
| NES | Destiny of an Emperor | 1990 | Turn-Based | Capcom | Romance of the Three Kingdoms-themed, auto-battle system |
| JP FC | Jajamaru Gekimaden: Maboroshi no Kinmajou | 1990 | Action | Jaleco | Very close to the first Zelda game, but with yoyos for weapons! |
| NES | Final Fantasy | 1990 | Turn-Based | Square | What hasn't been said about this game? It's not the final game in the series, nor is it the final iteration of this game |
| JP FC | Mashin Eiyuuden Wataru Gaiden | 1990 | Action | Westone | Very Zelda II vibes, based off the anime of the same name |
| JP FC | Last Armageddon | 1990 | Turn-Based | Brain Grey/Advance Communications Company | A post-apocalyptic attempt at subverting the traditional fantasy themes of the time- playing as a cast of highly detailed monsters |
| Genesis | Phantasy Star II | 1990 | Turn-Based | Sega | The Sci-fi JRPG, text-based adventures featuring characters from the game also exist |
| NES | Little Ninja Brothers | 1990 | Action | Culture Brain | A tad racially insensitive, first game in the Super Chinese series to have RPG elements |
| NES | River City Ransom | 1990 | Action | Technos Japan | BARF! Beating up rival street gangs to rescue a girl and using dropped cash to buy stat upgrades |
| Genesis | Super Hydlide | 1990 | Action | T&E Soft | Remake of Hydlide 3, with a morality, encumbrance, hunger, and day/night system. IT'S NOT ALL THAT GOOD. |
| NES | Dragon Warrior II | 1990 | Turn-Based | Chunsoft | Rescuing the kingdom, now with a party! |
| NES | Crystalis | 1990 | Action | SNK | Top-down ARPG, fairly grindy for the time |
| JP FC | Captain Tsubasa Vol. II: Super Striker | 1990 | Sports | Tecmo | More in-depth plot, more visible players on screen, but otherwise similar gameplay/leveling |
| Turbografx-CD | Ys Book I & II | 1990 | Action | Falcom | Another way to experience the glory of Adol? Ys, please! |
| JP FC | Final Fantasy III | 1990 | Turn-Based | Square | First Final Fantasy to feature the job-change system |
| JP GB+GBC | Ayakashi no Shiro | 1990 | Dungeon Crawler | Seta | First-person dungeon crawler, nothing to write home about |
| JP PC Engine | Gai Flame | 1990 | Strategy | Masaya | Sci-fi turn-based strategy said to be an inspiration for the Langrisser series with giant robots! |
| JP FC | Doraemon: Giga Zombie no Gyakushuu | 1990 | Turn-Based | Epoch | Featuring playable Doraemon! |
| JP FC | Digital Devil Monogatari: Megami Tensei II | 1990 | Dungeon Crawler | Atlus | Considered to be the origin of the series' heavy-handed order vs chaos theme, good old-fashioned demon negotiation and recruitment |
| JP FC | Ys II | 1990 | Action | Falcom | Adds magic to Adol's repertoire |
| JP FC | Kawa no Nushi Tsuri | 1990 | Fishing | Yuu Yuu | It's a fishing JRPG! |
| JP GB+GBC | Kininkou Maroku Oni | 1990 | Turn-Based | Winkysoft | First game in a long untranslated series, very grindy |
| JP FC | Deep Dungeon IV: Kuro no Youjutsushi | 1990 | Dungeon Crawler | Humming Bird Soft | 1st-person dunegon crawl |
| JP FC | STED: Iseki Wakusei no Yabou | 1990 | Turn-Based | ADK | Very Phantasy Star-like |
| GB+GBC | Gargoyle's Quest | 1990 | Action-Platform | Capcom | A Ghosts 'n Goblins gaiden, featuring random battles and ability progression via story progression |
| JP FC | Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryu to Hikari no Tsurugi | 1990 | Strategy | Intelligent Systems/Nintendo | Origins of boy-king Marth, an SRPG featuring permadeath of units |
| JP PC Engine | Hisou Kaihei X-SERD | 1990 | Strategy | Masaya | A mech-based SRPG with separate XP bars for attack and evasion |
| JP FC | Grand Master | 1991 | Action | Soft Machine | Features multiple branching paths, ARPG gameplay, and anime cutscenes between stages |
| SNES | ActRaiser | 1991 | Action | Quintet | A strange mashup of city-building simulator and 2D platformer, where population functions as XP and you must protect your people |
| JP Mega Drive | Battle Golfer Yui | 1991 | Sports | Santos | Tee off against other battle golfers, raise your level to make more trick shots, and stop a mad scientist from destroying the world! With golf! |
| JP FC | Fushigi no Umi no Nadia | 1991 | Strategy | Advance Communication Company | SRPG based on the anime of the same name, plays vastly different to the Mega Drive version |
| JP FC | Juvei Quest | 1991 | Turn-Based | Birthday | Plot divided into chapters, protagonist can recruit helpers to make adventuring easier |
| JP FC | Hyaku no Sekai no Monogatari: The Tales on a Watery Wilderness | 1991 | Board Game | ASK | A multiplayer board game JRPG? On my Famicom? Lots of randomness involved |
| Turbografx-CD | Ys III: Wanderers From Ys | 1991 | Action | Falcom/Alfa System | It's sidescrolling Ys- that's all there is to it |
| JP FC | Karakuri Kengou Den Musashi Lord: Karakuri Jin Hashiru! | 1991 | Action | Kose | ARPG based on the robot anime |
| JP FC | SD Keiji Blader | 1991 | Turn-Based | NMK | DQ clone set in the far distant future |
| SNES | Final Fantasy II | 1991 | Turn-Based | Square | Actually Final Fantasy IV, Introduced the Active Time Battle system and removed the ability to customize party members |
| JP GB+GBC | Cave Noire | 1991 | Dungeon Crawler | Konami | Roguelike - higher level quests start you off with better stats |
| JP Game Gear | Eternal Legend | 1991 | Turn-Based | Japan Art Media | One of the first Game Gear JRPGs, plays very standard |
| JP FC | Ys III: Wanderers From Ys | 1991 | Action | Falcom | Changes the battles to be side-scrolling rather than top-down and allows Adol to swing his sword/jump |
| JP FC | Tenchi o Kurau II: Shokatsu Koumei Den | 1991 | Turn-Based | Capcom | Plays just like the first, just never localized |
| JP GB+GBC | Little Master: Raikuban no Densetsu | 1991 | Strategy | Zener Works | SRPG with some elements of unit fusion |
| JP FC | Shadow Brain | 1991 | Dungeon Crawler | Scitron & Art | Futuristic 1st-person dungeon crawler |
| SNES | Drakkhen | 1991 | Action | Kemco/Infogrames | Sparsely populated, customizable characters that attack using AI, and lots of water to hilariously drown in |
| JP Mega Drive | Bahamut Senki | 1991 | Simulation | Sega | A fantasy war simulator with 8 different armies to choose from; units can rank up and become stronger, combat is both turn-based and real-time |
| JP FC | Radia Senki: Reiemeihen | 1991 | Action | Tecmo | 4 AI characters + 1 controllable = fun auto tactics |
| JP FC | Otaku no Seiza: Adventure in the Otaku Galaxy | 1991 | Turn-Based | Advance Communication Company | Unbalanced and cheeky |
| JP FC | Niji no Silkroad | 1991 | Turn-Based | Advance Communication Company | Increase your rank as a trader by going out and procuring goods (which you can also buy to raise your stats) |
| JP GB+GBC | Super Robot Taisen | 1991 | Strategy | Winkysoft | Origin of the long-running SRPG series |
| JP Mega Drive | Rent-A-Hero | 1991 | Fighting | Sega | Do errands for the local populace to upgrade your super suit! Fighting game-like battles, very tongue-in-cheek |
| JP FC | Metal Max | 1991 | Turn-Based | Crea-Tech/Data East | Mad Max: the JRPG! Featuring vehicle combat! |
| JP FC | Lagrange Point | 1991 | Turn-Based | Konami | Banger soundtrack, sci-fi themed |
| JP Mega Drive | Rent a Hero | 1991 | Action | Sega | Perform various tasks for townsfolk as a superhero-for-hire; no XP but the cash from your jobs can be used to upgrade your armor and weapons, used in fighting game-esque combat |
| JP FC | Dai-2-Ji Super Robot Taisen | 1991 | Turn-Based | Winkysoft | Features original design robots that would become the cornerstone of the Original Generation series |
| SNES | Lagoon | 1991 | Action | Kemco | Dollar-store Ys |
| NES | Tombs and Treasure | 1991 | Dungeon Crawler | Falcom | 1st-person dungeon crawl with some point-and-click elements |
| Game Gear | Dragon Crystal | 1991 | Dungeon Crawler | Sega | Kinda like a demake of Fatal Labyrinth |
| Master System | Dragon Crystal (PAL/JP only) | 1991 | Dungeon Crawler | Sega | Similar to Fatal Labyrinth, gain levels by fighting monsters (but no XP) |
| TurboGrafx-16 | Cadash | 1991 | Action | Taito | More playable characters than the GEN version, multiplayer available |
| GB+GBC | The Sword of Hope | 1991 | Turn-Based | Kemco | First-person RPG, good luck seeing it on the tiny screen! |
| SNES | Ys III: Wanderers From Ys | 1991 | Action | Falcom/Advance Communication | Similar to the FC version, but with cleaner graphics and arguably worse hit detection |
| Genesis | Fatal Labyrinth | 1991 | Dungeon Crawler | Sega | Semi-roguelike ARPG, levels are shown as "ranks," items found can either greatly help or hinder you |
| NES | Faria: A World of Mystery and Danger! | 1991 | Dungeon Crawler | Game Arts | A top-down dungeon crawler with some cruel elements like invisible monsters |
| Genesis | Master of Monsters | 1991 | Strategy | SystemSoft | SRPG with different monster types and hex-based grid movement |
| Genesis | Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom | 1991 | Turn-Based | Sega | Went for a more traditional fantasy slant as opposed to the sci-fi seen in the rest of the series |
| GB+GBC | Final Fantasy Legend II | 1991 | Turn-Based | Square | The second SaGa game, solid character development |
| Genesis | Shining in the Darkness | 1991 | Dungeon Crawler | Climax/Sonic Software Planning | First-person dungeon crawl, first game released in the Shining series (but not first chronologically in story) |
| Genesis | Sword of Vermilion | 1991 | Action | Sega | Overworld traversal in first and third-person, combat is done ARPG-style |
| NES | Uncharted Waters | 1991 | Simulation | Koei | Do you like micromanagement? Capitalism? Minimal fantasy? This may be for you! |
| JP FC | Dragon Ball Z II: Gekishin Freeza!! | 1991 | Card-Based | D&D Corp/Tose | Card-based combat |
| JP FC | Downtown Special: Kunio-kun no Jidaigeki Dayo Zen'in Shuugou! | 1991 | Action | Technos Japan | Kunio and the bois act out a period play the only way they know how, stats now increase upon defeating certain amounts of enemies |
| JP FC | Dark Lord | 1991 | Turn-Based | Data East | Mix of overhead and turn-based combat |
| JP FC | Chaos World | 1991 | Strategy | Natsume | Neat auto-battle system |
| GB+GBC | Final Fantasy Adventure | 1991 | Action | Square | Actually the first game in the Mana series, plays rather like Zelda with more RPG elements |
| Genesis | Warsong | 1991 | Strategy | NCS | AKA Langrisser I |
| Genesis | Ys III | 1991 | Action | Telenet/Falcom | Plays like the other releases, but with arguably better music and game balance |
| JP SFC | Heracles no Eikou III: Kamigami no Chinmoku | 1992 | Turn-Based | Data East | Standard turn-based combat like the rest of the series, but also has a day/night cycle for NPCs to follow |
| JP SFC | Hero Senki: Project Olympus | 1992 | Turn-Based | Winkysoft | A bit of Gundam, a bit of Kamen Rider, a bit of Ultraman, a bit of traditional JRPG! |
| JP SFC | Kouryuu Densetsu Villgust: Kieta Shoujo | 1992 | Turn-Based | Winkysoft | Based on an anime of the same name, ridiculous stat levels before Disgaea made it cool |
| JP GB+GBC | Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru | 1992 | Action | Intelligent Systems | Sort of like Link's Awakening, but with frogs and more stats! |
| SNES | Final Fantasy Mystic Quest | 1992 | Turn-Based | Square | Baby Final Fantasy! |
| JP GB+GBC | Heracles no Eikou: Ugokidashita Kamigami - The Snap-Story | 1992 | Turn-Based | SAS Sakata/Data East | Series spinoff, can be assisted in combat by borrowing gods from Olympus |
| JP SFC | Dragon Quest V: Tenkuu no Hanayome | 1992 | Turn-Based | Chunsoft | Monster capture and marriage/children ahoy! |
| JP SFC | Cyber Knight | 1992 | Strategy | Advance Communication Company | SRPG/turn-based hybrid combat, also: SPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACE exploration |
| JP SFC | Dragon Ball Z: Super Saiya Densetsu | 1992 | Card-Based | D&D Corp/Tose | Combo of two of the FC DBZ games, still with card-based battles |
| JP Mega Drive | Tougi-Ou: King Colossus | 1992 | Action | Sega | Another Ys wannabe |
| JP SFC | Romancing Saga | 1992 | Turn-Based | Square | A very sandboxy JRPG; multiple playable characters, non-linear in fashion |
| JP SFC | Captain Tsubasa III: Koutei no Chousen | 1992 | Sports | Tecmo | Continues the alternate universe plot of the second game, otherwise an incremental/generational improvement over its predecessor |
| JP SFC | Shin Megami Tensei | 1992 | Dungeon Crawler | Atlus | 1st-person dungeon crawl with demon recruitment/fusion, only localized on mobile |
| JP SFC | Shodai Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-kun | 1992 | Action | Technos Japan | More or less River City Ransom 2, but you gain actual XP instead of using cash to buy stat upgrades (for better or worse) |
| NES | Dragon Warrior III | 1992 | Turn-Based | Chunsoft | Introduces a class system to the series, far less linear than its predecessors |
| JP Mega Drive | Vixen 357 | 1992 | Strategy | NCS | Mechy SRPG with permadeath, an official localization was planned in 2019 but abandoned |
| NES | Ghost Lion | 1992 | Turn-Based | Kemco | Amazing cover art, unique summon-based battle system |
| NES | Tecmo Cup Soccer Game | 1992 | Sports | Tecmo | A heavily Americanized (and harder) version of the first Captain Tsubasa video game, where leveling/stat increases happen as players participate in soccer games |
| JP PC Engine | The Tower of Druaga | 1992 | Dungeon Crawler | Namco | Plays a lot like the classic arcade dungeon crawler, but stats can be increased between floors or after finding items |
| JP PC Engine | Lady Sword: Ryakudatsu Sareta 10 Nin no Otome | 1992 | Dungeon Crawler | Hacker International | First-person dungeon crawler with no visible XP and monsters that attack in your sleep |
| SNES | Arcana | 1992 | Dungeon Crawler | HAL Laboratory | Card-focused 1st-person dungeon crawl |
| JP Game Gear | Phantasy Star Gaiden | 1992 | Turn-Based | Japan System Supply | Spinoff story set between Phantasy Star I and II, similar gameplay |
| NES | Dragon Warrior IV | 1992 | Turn-Based | Chunsoft | Breaks up the story into chapters with different protagonists that come together in the end |
| SNES | Soul Blazer | 1992 | Action | Quintet | Part of the legendary Quintet trilogy, an ARPG with some town-reconstruction elements |
| Genesis | Cadash | 1992 | Action | Taito | Side-scrolling ARPG with multiplayer potential |
| JP FC | Double Moon Densetsu | 1992 | Turn-Based | Amusement/Dennou Kenkyusho/ORG | Multiple endings, multiple classes to choose from, pulls some nasty punches on the player |
| JP FC | Fire Emblem Gaiden | 1992 | Strategy | Intelligent Systems | Introduced elements like a navigable overworld that were then unused for a long time |
| JP FC | Esper Dream 2: Aratanaru Tatakai | 1992 | Action | Konami | Cute pastel sprite work and ARPG gameplay |
| JP FC | Dream Master | 1992 | Turn-Based | Birthday | Not Little Nemo! More puzzle-based than most games of the era, cool concept |
| Turbografx-CD | Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes | 1992 | Turn-Based | Falcom | Detailed game for the time, bridges the gap between the Dragon Slayer and LoH series |
| JP FC | Dragon Ball Z III: Ressen Jinzou Ningen | 1992 | Card-Based | D&D Corp/Tose | More card-based combat |
| Game Gear | Crystal Warriors | 1992 | Strategy | Sega | Pretty standard SRPG for the time |
| JP FC | Columbus: Ougon no Yoake | 1992 | Turn-Based | Tomy | Naval combat and quasi-historical themes! Sketch af! |
| Game Gear | Defenders of Oasis | 1992 | Turn-Based | Sega | Turn-based JRPG with a Thousand and One Nights theme |
| Genesis | Wonder Boy in Monster World | 1992 | Action-Platform | Westone Bit Entertainment | No forms to change into, but gives you a familiar and the ability to actually learn spells along with multiple towns to visit, the core gameplay remains the same |
| GB+GBC | Ninja Taro | 1992 | Action | NMK | Collect items to raise your stats in an ARPG with painfully slow walking speed |
| Genesis | Uncharted Waters | 1992 | Simulation | Koei | Historical JRPG |
| Turbografx-CD | Cosmic Fantasy 2 | 1992 | Turn-Based | Laser Soft | Standard JRPG, major selling point for the TGCD, enemies only use basic attacks |
| SNES | Xardion | 1992 | Action-Platform | Jorudan | A mech-based action-platformer with each robot having its own set of XP to gain and exploration elements, made by members of Gainax among other big names |
| Genesis | Traysia | 1992 | Strategy | Telenet | Fairly standard, grid-based combat |
| Genesis | Exile | 1992 | Action | Telenet | Top-down when exploring, sidescrolling ARPG in dungeons - featuring real-world locations and censored themes! |
| JP FC | Ganbare Goemon Gaiden 2: Tenka no Zaihou | 1992 | Turn-Based | Konami | Changes the battle perspective to show party members on-screen, has lots of side activities |
| JP FC | Just Breed | 1992 | Strategy | Random House | A very detailed SRPG for the time |
| JP SFC | Final Fantasy V | 1992 | Turn-Based | Square | So many jobs- |
| GB+GBC | Knight Quest | 1992 | Turn-Based | Lenar | It's not gonna wow you, that's for sure |
| Turbografx-CD | Exile | 1992 | Action | Telenet Japan | Different publisher than the Genesis version, leaves some more sensitive topics intact |
| JP FC | Silva Saga | 1992 | Turn-Based | Seta | Nice graphics for the time |
| Game Gear | Ax Battler: A Legend of Golden Axe | 1992 | Action | Aspect/Sega | Side-scrolling ARPG; no leveling but magic pots can be used to upgrade skills |
| JP SFC | Ancient Magic: Bazoo! Mahou Sekai | 1993 | Turn-Based | Hot-B | Generic turn-based affair with male/female protagonists with an emphasis on magic |
| JP SFC | Romancing Saga 2 | 1993 | Turn-Based | Square | No complete English translation on this console, sandobxy multi-generation spanning story |
| SNES | Inindo: Way of the Ninja | 1993 | Strategy | Koei | Part of the Nobunaga's Ambition series; recruiting party members is crucial |
| JP SFC | Ryuuki Heidan: Danzarb | 1993 | Turn-Based | Pandora Box | Epic sci-fi story marred by lackluster graphical presentation |
| JP SFC | Ranma 1/2: Akanekodan Teki Hihou | 1993 | Turn-Based | Atelier Double | Based on the anime/manga, otherwise pretty standard |
| JP SFC | Aretha | 1993 | Turn-Based | Japan Art Media | A sequel to the Game Boy trilogy of the same name, neat multidirectional turn-based combat |
| Turbografx-CD | Dungeon Explorer II | 1993 | Dungeon Crawler | Hudson Soft | Top-down ARPG with multiplayer and a wide variety of classes |
| JP SFC | Xak: The Art of Visual Stage | 1993 | Action | Micro Cabin/Tokai Engineering | Ys' cousin, but the story only covers the first half of the first game on MSX |
| JP SFC | Alcahest | 1993 | Action | HAL Laboratory | ARPG featuring item-based stat growth and a password system rather than traditional saves |
| JP SFC | Silva Saga II: The Legend of Light and Darkness | 1993 | Turn-Based | Seta | Hire mercenaries to help in combat! |
| GB+GBC | Ninja Boy II | 1993 | Action | Culture Brain | RPG with beat-em-up elements similar to Super Ninja Boy |
| JP SFC | Super Chinese World 2 | 1993 | Action | Culture Brain | Super Ninja Boy sequel, has ARPG battles instead of its predecessor's turn-based combat |
| JP SFC | Neugier: Umi to Kaze no Koudou | 1993 | Action | Wolf Team | An almost-localized ARPG with attacks that can level up, a rather short game overall |
| JP SFC | Dai-3-Ji Super Robot Taisen | 1993 | Strategy | Winkysoft | First in the series to have a branching storyline |
| JP SFC | Torneko no Daibouken: Fushigi no Dungeon | 1993 | Dungeon Crawler | Chunsoft | First game in the Mystery Dungeon series, with a Dragon Quest coat of paint |
| JP SFC | Ys IV: Mask of the Sun | 1993 | Action | Tonkin House | Non-canonical to the Ys series after the release of Memories of Celceta |
| Genesis | Landstalker: The Treasures of King Nole | 1993 | Action | Climax Entertainment | Isometric and very Zelda-like, gathering items increases both life and strength |
| JP SFC | Jutei Senki | 1993 | Strategy | TamTam | SRPG with circle-limited movement and neat cutaway battle animations, high difficulty |
| SNES | The 7th Saga | 1993 | Turn-Based | Produce | 7 different playable characters, way harder in the US than Japan |
| JP FC | Nakayoshi to Issho | 1993 | Turn-Based | Yutaka | Precious simplistic RPG ft. Kodansha characters (inc. Sailor Moon!) that may give you diabetes |
| SNES | Lufia & the Fortress of Doom | 1993 | Turn-Based | Neverland | Standard turn-based combat, but targeting dead enemies will lead to a wasted turn |
| SNES | Paladin's Quest | 1993 | Turn-Based | Copya System | Utopian-themed turn-based game where casting magic costs HP instead of MP |
| SNES | E.V.O.: Search For Eden | 1993 | Action | Almanic | Evolution: the game! |
| JP Game Gear | Madou Monogatari I: Mitsu no Madouryoku | 1993 | Dungeon Crawler | Compile | Arle doing Arle stuff - just first-person dungeon crawling with the same unorthodox display of stats |
| JP GB+GBC | God Medicine: Fantasy Sekai no Tanjou | 1993 | Turn-Based | KCEN | It's a standard JRPG that makes fun of standard JRPGs! |
| SNES | Secret of Mana | 1993 | Action | Square | Actually the second Mana game, up to 3-player co-op |
| JP FC | Ushio to Tora: Shin'en no Daiyou | 1993 | Turn-Based | Tom Create/Pixel | Based on a manga of a similar name, turn-based combat with super-dramatic cutaways; top-down in exploration, first-person in houses and dungeons |
| JP FC | RPG Jinsei Game | 1993 | Simulation | Takara | Make the correct life choices to increase your stats and achieve your career dreams! |
| Turbografx-CD | Exile: Wicked Phenomenon | 1993 | Action | Telenet Japan | Badass cover art, less religious than others in the series, allows switching characters during side-scrolling sections |
| JP GB+GBC | Megami Tensei Gaiden: Last Bible II | 1993 | Turn-Based | Multimedia Intelligence Transfer | Pretty much just like the first, but now you can give your monsters accessories |
| GB+GBC | Great Greed | 1993 | Turn-Based | Namco | Everything is named after food, otherwise a slightly weird environmentally-themed JRPG |
| JP PC Engine | Ys IV: The Dawn of Ys (CD) | 1993 | Action | Hudson Soft | Technically different from the Ys IV on SFC/other consoles |
| Genesis | Sorcerer's Kingdom | 1993 | Strategy | NCS | SRPG where each character's individual move phase leads to the entire enemy's movephase, stat leveling is FFII-like |
| JP SFC | Jojo no Kimyou na Bouken | 1993 | Turn-Based | Winkysoft | RPG adaptation of Part 3, quite abridged; a very short game overall, point-and-click elements |
| Genesis | Shining Force | 1993 | Strategy | Climax/Sonic Software Planning | Epic SRPG with unit promotion |
| JP SFC | Dragon Quest I + II | 1993 | Turn-Based | Chunsoft | Combined, debatably definitive version of DQ I and II |
| JP FC | Dragon Ball Z: Kyoushuu! Saiya Jin | 1993 | Card-Based | D&D Corp/Tose | CARDS |
| Sega CD | Lunar: The Silver Star | 1993 | Turn-Based | Game Arts/Studio Alex | Anime cutscenes, charming characters, and a high encounter rate |
| JP FC | Kouryuu Densetsu Villgust Gaiden | 1993 | Action | Plex | It's got a catgirl. Strange battle system! Side-story to the SNES game |
| GB+GBC | Final Fantasy Legend III | 1993 | Turn-Based | Square | Third SaGa game, time travel shenanigans |
| SNES | Super Ninja Boy | 1993 | Action | Culture Brain | Can be played multiplayer, combat is done in side-scrolling ARPG format, sequel to Little Ninja Brothers |
| Turbografx-CD | The Dynastic Hero (TurboDuo) | 1994 | Action-Platform | Westone/Hudson Soft | Mostly the same as Wonder Boy in Monster World, but with differing sprites, town names, enemy names, music, and an opening movie |
| JP SFC | Majin Tensei | 1994 | Strategy | Atlus | SRPG SMT spinoff with (naturally) demon recruitment and fusion |
| JP SFC | Power of the Hired | 1994 | Strategy | Masaya | SRPG where the party can summon monsters to help in battle; monster selection determines the party's available spells |
| JP SFC | Heracles no Eikou IV: Kamigami Kara no Okurimono | 1994 | Turn-Based | Data East | A multitude of different avatars to play as, each with its own attributes and perspectives on storyline events |
| JP SFC | Magna Braban: Henreki no Yuusha | 1994 | Turn-Based | Lenar | Gambits and auto-combat long before FFXII was even a thing |
| JP SFC | Live A Live | 1994 | Turn-Based | Square | 7 different scenarios in different time periods, shared action bar amongst party in combat |
| JP SFC | Hiouden: Mamonotachi to no Chikai | 1994 | Strategy | Wolf Team | Point-and-click style SRPG, made by Team Wolf of Tales of Phantasia fame |
| SNES | Illusion of Gaia | 1994 | Action | Quintet | Part of the Quintet trilogy, ARPG with non-traditional stat increases |
| JP SFC | Shin Megami Tensei if… | 1994 | Turn-Based | Atlus | Like regular SMT, but in a centralized high school setting. This is Persona's daddy! |
| Sega CD | Revengers of Vengeance | 1994 | Fighting | Micronet | Features a story mode where XP is gained by playing the actual fighting game and minigames in a top-down fashion |
| SNES | Final Fantasy VI (on cart as III) | 1994 | Turn-Based | Square | Features a more tech-based story than previous entries and a train to suplex |
| SNES | Robotrek | 1994 | Turn-Based | Quintet/Ancient | Customize your robo-buddy party! |
| SNES | Dragon View | 1994 | Action | Kemco | Sequel to Drakkhen, interesting pseudo-3D overworld system |
| SNES | Demon's Crest | 1994 | Action-Platform | Capcom | A sequel to Gargoyle's Quest, with mild RPG elements (similar abilty progression), but with equippable crests to change abilities and reach otherwise inaccessible areas |
| SNES | Breath of Fire | 1994 | Turn-Based | Capcom | Capcom's take on the traditional JRPG with a lot of dragons |
| SNES | Brain Lord | 1994 | Action | Produce | ARPG featuring dungeon puzzles and little monsters that follow you |
| Sega CD | Vay | 1994 | Turn-Based | Hertz/SIMS | Standard Working Designs localization, turn-based gameplay, and difficulty spikes galore |
| Sega CD | Dark Wizard | 1994 | Strategy | H.I.C. | SRPG with night/day, alignment systems |
| JP SFC | Shin Megami Tensei II | 1994 | Dungeon Crawler | Atlus | Similar to but easier than the first game |
| SNES | The Twisted Tales of Spike McFang | 1994 | Action | Red Company Corporation | Super cutesy ARPG |
| SNES | Uncharted Waters: New Horizons | 1994 | Simulation | Koei | 6 different protagonists with different careers to balance the books with in a mercantile JRPG |
| JP SFC | Yume Meikyuu: Kigurumi Daibouken | 1994 | Turn-Based | Axes Art Amuse | First-person dungeon crawl; kill the enemies and take their costumes! |
| JP SFC | Wonder Project J: Kikai no Shounen Pino | 1994 | Simulation | Almanic | Raise your robo-boy to follow commands, improve his stats, and rescue his creator (Think Pac-Man 2) |
| JP SFC | Tenshi no Uta: Shiroki Tsubasa no Inori | 1994 | Turn-Based | Telenet Japan | Not only can you negotiate with monsters, you get special experience points for doing so! |
| JP SFC | Super Robot Taisen EX | 1994 | Strategy | Winkysoft | SRPG, branching storyline, uses the SRW3 engine |
| JP SFC | Slayers | 1994 | Turn-Based | BEC | Based on the anime of the same name, plays typically for the era |
| JP SFC | Galaxy Robo | 1994 | Strategy | Copya Systems | SRPG with mechs |
| 3DO | Guardian War | 1994 | Strategy | Micro Cabin | SRPG combat with hilarious rudimentary 3D models |
| JP SFC | Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo | 1994 | Strategy | Intelligent Systems | Divided into 2 "books": Book 1 is an abridged remake of FE1, Book 2 is a direct sequel to FE1 |
| JP Game Gear | Moldorian: Hikari to Yami no Sister | 1994 | Turn-Based | Sega | Really good artwork, a turn-based battle system that gives you only seconds to input commands |
| Game Gear | Shining Force: The Sword of Hajya | 1994 | Strategy | Sonic Software Planning | Technically Shining Force Gaiden II- just play Shining Force CD instead |
| Genesis | New Horizons | 1994 | Simulation | Koei | AKA Uncharted Waters: New Horizons; hope you like boats! Better sound on SNES than this version |
| JP SFC | Cyber Knight II: Chikyuu Teikoku no Yabou | 1994 | Strategy | Atelier Double/Group SNE | Similar gameplay but massive graphical leap over the first |
| Genesis | Shining Force II | 1994 | Strategy | Sonic Software Planning | Similar to the first, with hidden characters and potentially branching promotion |
| JP PSX | King's Field | 1994 | Action | FromSoftware | The actual King's Field I - still in first-person |
| JP SFC | Daikaijuu Monogatari | 1994 | Turn-Based | Birthday/Hudson Soft | Hidden characters and adorable sprites! |
| JP Game Gear | Madou Monogatari II: Arle 16-Sai | 1994 | Dungeon Crawler | Compile | More Arle doing Arle stuff, but she's 16 now! |
| JP Game Gear | Madou Monogatari III: Kyuukyoku Joou-sama | 1994 | Dungeon Crawler | Compile | Did you know that these games have Puyos in them? And that Arle features in the Puyo Puyo series? |
| JP Game Gear | Mahou Kishi Rayearth | 1994 | Turn-Based | CKYDT/Sega | A different game than the Saturn and SFC ones - but also turn-based |
| JP SFC | Aretha II - Ariel no Fushigi na Tabi | 1994 | Turn-Based | Japan Art Media | Pretty similar to the first |
| JP Game Gear | Megami Tensei Gaiden: Last Bible | 1994 | Monster Collecting | Multimedia Intelligence Transfer | Monster collecting with a bit of kiddie MegaTen flair |
| JP Mega Drive | Langrisser II | 1994 | Strategy | NCS | SRPG that plays very similarly to its predecessor, albeit with some class rebalancing |
| JP SFC | FEDA: The Emblem of Justice | 1994 | Strategy | Max Entertainment | SRPG developed by some of the Shining Force team, features a morality-based system |
| JP Mega Drive | Monster World IV | 1994 | Action-Platform | Westone | A far different protagonist from the rest of the series and toned-down RPG elements (purchasing equipment is still possible), but enhanced platforming |
| JP SFC | Dual Orb II | 1994 | Turn-Based | I'Max | Ultra-high encounter rate, a difficult game without grind dedication |
| SNES | Breath of Fire II | 1995 | Turn-Based | Capcom | Direct sequel to BoF I |
| SNES | Terranigma (PAL/JP only) | 1995 | Action | Quintet | Strangely never localized, last in the Quintet ARPG trilogy; spells can only be cast via one-time use items |
| Genesis | Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium | 1995 | Turn-Based | Sega | If you liked the other games in the series, you'll love this one! |
| Saturn | Virtual Hydlide | 1995 | Action | T&E Soft | Remake of the first Hydlide, with the best framerate known to man |
| Genesis | Light Crusader | 1995 | Action | Treasure | Yet another isometric Zelda-like with understandably bad jumping, items that upgrade stats, and elemental combos to customize magic |
| Sega CD | Lunar: Eternal Blue | 1995 | Turn-Based | Game Arts/Studio Alex | Just as charming as the first game, but with a baffling save system (utilizing magic XP as a requirement) |
| JP SFC | Ys V: Ushinawareta Suna no Miyako Kefin | 1995 | Action | Falcom | Only game in the series to have never been localized (hopefully this will change?) |
| JP SFC | Tengai Makyou Zero | 1995 | Turn-Based | Red Company Corporation | Utilized special technology to allow for a real-time clock, more dialogue |
| JP SFC | Tenchi Muyo!: Game Hen | 1995 | Turn-Based | TamTam | Isometric turn and grid-based combat, based off the anime! |
| JP SFC | Tales of Phantasia | 1995 | Action | Wolf Team | Mind-bogglingly pretty, a technological marvel for the time |
| JP SFC | Tactics Ogre | 1995 | Strategy | Quest | Epic storyline, lots of important choices to make - even at the very beginning of the game! |
| JP SFC | Super Chinese World 3 - Chou Jigen Daisakusen | 1995 | Action | Culture Brain | Two different battle modes to choose from: ARPG or turn-based, each with their own storylines |
| Saturn | Mystaria: The Realms of Lore | 1995 | Strategy | Micro Cabin | SRPG rereleased as Blazing Heroes in NA for the same console, non-linear party recruitment |
| Sega CD | Dungeon Explorer | 1995 | Dungeon Crawler | Hudson Soft/Westone | Top-down ARPG with mediocre level design and multiplayer, very similar to Gauntlet |
| JP Game Gear | Madou Monogatari A: Doki Doki Vacation | 1995 | Dungeon Crawler | Compile | Arle stops the bad man from cutting down the forest to build an amusement park! In first-person! |
| SNES | Secret of the Stars | 1995 | Turn-Based | Tecmo | Super slow and super mundane |
| Sega CD | Shining Force CD | 1995 | Strategy | Sonic Software Planning | Remake of Shining Force Gaiden I/II for the JP Game Gear, requires a backup RAM cart to play all scenarios |
| SNES | Chrono Trigger | 1995 | Turn-Based | Square | A shining example of the genre as a whole, a time-travel story done right |
| SNES | Secret of Evermore | 1995 | Action | Square Soft | An ARPG featuring a boy and his dog traveling through different eras; never released in Japan |
| JP Mega Drive | Surging Aura | 1995 | Turn-Based | Japan Media Programming | Each action in combat takes time to do - and can be interrupted! It's also really pretty too |
| SNES | Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen | 1995 | Strategy | Quest | Epic overarching story with RTS elements |
| JP Game Gear | Megami Tensei Gaiden: Last Bible Special | 1995 | Turn-Based | SIMS/Atlus | Biblical-themed first-person dungeon crawl, with gameplay otherwise similar to the other Last Bibles |
| SNES | Brandish | 1995 | Action | Falcom/Koei | Top-down dungeon crawl, the only entry in the series to be localized |
| JP Game Gear | Royal Stone | 1995 | Strategy | Sega | Sequel to Crystal Warriors - this is a standard but pretty SRPG all about revenge |
| JP Game Gear | SD Gundam: Winner's History | 1995 | Turn-Based | ITL | Turn-based SRPG in unit placement, but real-time battles between individual units- with Gundams! |
| JP Game Gear | Shining Force Gaiden: Final Conflict | 1995 | Turn-Based | Sonic Software Planning | Typical Shining Force gameplay, takes place after SFCD but before SFII, links SFI and II together |
| SNES | Earthbound | 1995 | Turn-Based | Ape/HAL Laboratory | AKA Mother 2, a more modern-themed game with some surprisingly heavy themes |
| JP GB+GBC | Another Bible | 1995 | Strategy | Dice | Cute little SRPG, spinoff of the Last Bible series |
| JP GB+GBC | Mahou Kishi Rayearth | 1995 | Turn-Based | Pandora Box | Another Magic Knight Rayearth-themed Dragon Quest clone, but this one features separate scenarios for each heroine |
| JP SFC | Shin Seikoku: La Wares | 1995 | Turn-Based | J-Force | Based off a Japanese TTRPG, featuring mech combat |
| Genesis | Beyond Oasis | 1995 | Action | Ancient | Top-down ARPG, level/rank is based on the number of hearts you collect |
| JP SFC | Last Bible III | 1995 | Turn-Based | Multimedia Intelligence Transfer | Sequel to the Game Boy games, featuring monster recruitment and customization |
| JP SFC | Dokapon Gaiden - Honoo no Audition | 1995 | Board Game | Earthly Soft | Leans more heavily into comedy than previous games in the series, with greater board variety |
| JP SFC | Princess Minerva | 1995 | Turn-Based | Atelier Double/Riverhillsoft | GIRL POWER ANIME-BASED ROAD TRIP! |
| JP SFC | Crystal Beans: From Dungeon Explorer | 1995 | Action | Birthday/Hudson Soft | Straightforward ARPG gameplay, hidden playable characters, leveling stats through gems |
| JP SFC | Nekketsu Tairiku Burning Heroes | 1995 | Turn-Based | J-Force | 8 scenarios to beat for the true ending, characters other than the protagonist are AI in battle |
| JP SFC | Holy Umbrella: Dondera no Mubou!! | 1995 | Action-Platform | Earthly Soft | More of a sidescrolling platformer, but does have some stat increases via items, very cheeky tone |
| JP SFC | Mystic Ark | 1995 | Turn-Based | Produce | A cousin to The 7th Saga, super grindy |
| JP SFC | Metal Max Returns | 1995 | Turn-Based | Crea-Tech | Remake of Metal Max, naturally much prettier but more difficult |
| JP SFC | Majin Tensei II: Spiral Nemesis | 1995 | Strategy | Atlus | More or less the same as the first, but with an isometric battle view as opposed to top-down |
| JP SFC | Dragon Quest VI: Maboroshi no Daichi | 1995 | Turn-Based | Heartbeat | Third game in the Zenithian trilogy, return of the class system |
| JP SFC | Kidou Senshi Gundam: Cross Dimension 0079 | 1995 | Strategy | Bandai | SRPG based on OG Mobile Suit Gundam, utilizes button combos to use attacks |
| JP SFC | Mahou Kishi Rayearth | 1995 | Turn-Based | Pandora Box | Plays vastly differently than the Saturn version! Beginner-level JRPG, follows the OG story closely |
| JP SFC | Der Langrisser | 1995 | Strategy | NCS | Remake of Langrisser II, with branching storylines |
| JP SFC | Kyuuyaku Megami Tensei | 1995 | Turn-Based | Atlus/Opera House | Enhanced remake of Megami Tensei 1 and 2 |
| JP SFC | Laplace no Ma | 1995 | Survival | Humming Bird Soft | Lovecraftian spooky JRPG |
| JP SFC | Lodoss Tou Senki | 1995 | Strategy | Thinking Rabbit | Plot-wise is more of a side story to the main novels, tactical combat engine |
| JP SFC | Chou-Mahou Tairiku Wozz | 1995 | Turn-Based | Red Company Corporation | 8 playable characters, branching storylines, invention systems- this game truly tries to do it all! |
| JP SFC | Emerald Dragon | 1995 | Turn-Based | Alfa System | Breath of Fire's cousin with a unique battle system |
| JP SFC | Brandish 2: The Planet Buster | 1995 | Dungeon Crawler | Falcom | Similar top-down dungeon crawling as the first |
| JP SFC | Seiken Densetsu 3 | 1995 | Action | Square | The character you choose at the start determines your storyline, otherwise plays like SoM |
| JP SFC | Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon: Another Story | 1995 | Turn-Based | Angel | Adorable digitized voices, Senshi combo attacks, what's not to love? |
| JP SFC | Fushigi no Dungeon 2: Fuurai no Shiren | 1995 | Dungeon Crawler | Chunsoft | Follow-up to Torneko no Daibouken, a roguelike before they were cool |
| JP SFC | Shiki Eiyuuden | 1995 | Turn-Based | Outrigger Koubou/Be-On Works | A brutally hard turn-based historical JRPG set in the Warring States period of China; puzzles and quizzes found throughout |
| JP SFC | Front Mission | 1995 | Strategy | G-Craft | Mech-focused SRPG with a ton of units and customizability |
| JP SFC | Romancing Saga 3 | 1995 | Turn-Based | Square | No complete English translation on this console, sandboxy, gorgeous spritework, but difficult |
| Saturn | Dragon Force | 1996 | Strategy | J-Force/Sega | An RTS JRPG with 8 different factions to play as |
| PSX | Tobal No. 1 | 1996 | Dungeon Crawler | DreamFactory | A fighting game with an additional quest mode with roguelike dungeon crawling |
| JP SFC | Kuusou Kagaku Sekai Gulliver Boy | 1996 | Action | Amble | Very short ARPG with ungodly levels of hair spikiness on the protagonist |
| Saturn | Guardian Heroes | 1996 | Action | Treasure | Side-scrolling beat-em-up gameplay, stats distribute at the end of each stage |
| JP SFC | Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu | 1996 | Strategy | Intelligent Systems | Introduced the marriage/children mechanic that would be seen in later FE entries |
| PSX | Tecmo's Deception: Invitation to Darkness | 1996 | Strategy | Tecmo | Make deals with the devil and use traps to kill your enemies! |
| 3DO | Lucienne's Quest | 1996 | Turn-Based | Micro Cabin | A short, lighthearted play- it's not like the 3DO had much else going for it… |
| PSX | Suikoden | 1996 | Turn-Based | Konami | Amazing NTSC cover art, loads of different playable characters, and a highly political story |
| JP GB+GBC | Pocket Monsters: Green Version | 1996 | Monster Collecting | Game Freak | If you've played Red/Blue, do you really need this one? |
| JP PC Engine | Madou Monogatari I: Honoo no Sotsuenji | 1996 | Dungeon Crawler | Compile | Cute af first-person dungeon crawl; unconventional experience counter, adds voice acting, new monsters and cutscenes/events to the original |
| JP SFC | Dragon Quest III | 1996 | Turn-Based | Heartbeat | Arguably the definitive version of the game |
| JP SFC | G.O.D.: Mezameyo to Yobu Koe ga Kikoe | 1996 | Turn-Based | Infinity | If Earthbound had a child with Phantasy Star IV's battle system, this would be it |
| JP SFC | Hourai Gakuen no Bouken!: Tenkousei Scramble | 1996 | Turn-Based | Dynamite | High school: the JRPG! Join clubs to gain abilities! |
| Saturn | The Legend of Oasis | 1996 | Action | Ancient | Sequel to Beyond Oasis (GEN), similar top-down ARPG gameplay |
| PSX | Revelations: Persona | 1996 | Turn-Based | Atlus | A questionably localized game/spinoff of the SMT series; Mark danced crazy! |
| JP SFC | Front Mission: Gun Hazard | 1996 | Action | Omiya Soft | Side-scrolling ARPG with incredible graphics, separate universe from mainline series |
| JP Mega Drive | Madou Monogatari I | 1996 | Monster Collecting | Compile | ADORABLE AF, monster capturing mechanic, non-traditional stats/xp gain |
| PSX | Beyond the Beyond | 1996 | Turn-Based | Camelot | 1st turn-based JRPG to be localized, also the lamest |
| PSX | King's Field | 1996 | Dungeon Crawler | FromSoftware | 1st-person dungeon crawler, FromSoftware's second game (this is actually King's Field II) |
| PSX | King's Field II | 1996 | Dungeon Crawler | FromSoftware | Actually King's Field III, a good look into where Dark Souls eventually came from |
| JP SFC | Energy Breaker | 1996 | Strategy | Neverland | SRPG with town exploration and an action point-based economy for combat |
| JP SFC | Bahamut Lagoon | 1996 | Strategy | Square | Square's oft-forgotten SRPG child, divine spritework |
| JP SFC | Lennus II: Fuuin no Shito | 1996 | Turn-Based | Fill-In Cafe/Copya Systems | Superior sequel to Paladin's Quest, more risque themes, loads of recruitable characters |
| JP SFC | Arabian Nights: Sabaku no Seirei-o | 1996 | Turn-Based | Pandora Box | Apparently rushed toward the end of development |
| SNES | Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars | 1996 | Timed Turn-Based | Square | Fun little turn-based game with a cute artstyle and rhythmic button pressing to maximize damage |
| JP SFC | Star Ocean | 1996 | Action | Tri-Ace | Look at that spritework! |
| JP Saturn | Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together | 1996 | Strategy | Quest | See PSX, with improved music, more visible combat area, and some voice acting |
| JP Saturn | Sakura Taisen | 1996 | Strategy | Overworks | First in the long-running SPRG series, where managing your troupe of girls gives them better stats! |
| JP SFC | Super Robot Taisen Gaiden: Masou Kishin - The Lord of Elemental | 1996 | Strategy | Winkysoft | SRPG, focuses on one of the original characters in the series, directional damage |
| JP SFC | Rudra no Hihou | 1996 | Turn-Based | Square | Create your own spells! Ultra-pretty sprites! |
| JP Saturn | Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen | 1996 | Strategy | Riverhillsoft/Quest | See PSX, but with five additional scenarios unique to this version |
| JP Saturn | Linkle Liver Story | 1996 | Action | NexTech | Cute ARPG, combine elemental seeds to strengthen your weapon |
| JP SFC | Treasure Conflix | 1996 | Action | Squaresoft | A Satellaview-only game with soft RPG elements (upgrading your airship's parts to use in dogfights) where you hunt for treasure and sell it at auction |
| JP SFC | Treasure Hunter G | 1996 | Strategy | Sting | Another forgotten Square-published game, action point-based SRPG |
| GB+GBC | The Sword of Hope II | 1996 | Turn-Based | Kemco | It's slow and repetitive, much like the first. Then again, it is Kemco… |
| JP PSX | PoPoLoCrois Monogatari | 1996 | Turn-Based | Sugar & Rockets | Based off an anime adaptation of a manga with super cute characters and semi-SRPG grid based combat |
| JP SFC | Chaos Seed: Fuusui Kairouki | 1996 | Action | Neverland | Lots of resource management! Multiple endings! |
| Saturn | Dark Savior | 1996 | Action | Climax | Sequel to Landstalker (GEN), an ARPG with fighting game-like combat and isometric platforming |
| JP Game Gear | Lunar: Sanposuru Gakuen | 1996 | Turn-Based | Game Arts/Studio Alex | The actual prequel to The Silver Star, sadly never localized - very girl-power friendly |
| JP SFC | Monstania | 1996 | Strategy | Amccus/Bits Laboratory | SRPG featuring puzzles, a party size of two, and a progress-based leveling system |
| JP PSX | Ganbare Goemon: Uchuu Kaizoku Akogingu | 1996 | Action | Konami | More Goemon ARPG action, XP serves to level weapons |
| SNES | Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals | 1996 | Turn-Based | Neverland | Prequel to and much more Zelda-like than the first |
| JP SFC | Madou Monogatari: Hanamaru Daiyouchi Enji | 1996 | Turn-Based | Compile | Extremely unconventional attack and leveling system, but cookies are currency and it's cute! |
| JP SFC | Dark Half | 1996 | Turn-Based | West One | Item-based leveling system; also, spoiler alert (not really): You play the antagonist! |
| PSX | Wild Arms | 1997 | Turn-Based | Media.Vision | Amazing theme song, standard turn-based combat, tool-focused dungeon exploration |
| JP Saturn | Vandal Hearts | 1997 | Strategy | KCET | A spiffed up version of the PSX game, with new maps/spells/music/items |
| PSX | Vandal Hearts | 1997 | Strategy | KCET | Standard SRPG gameplay with non-set classes |
| PS4 | Final Fantasy VII (DL only) | 1997 | Turn-Based | Square | See PSX, but with some QoL changes |
| PSX | Tail of the Sun | 1997 | Simulation | Artdink | Be caveman. Go hunting. Build tower of mammoth bone. More of a life-sim really |
| PSX | Castlevania: Symphony of the Night | 1997 | Action-Platform | Konami | THE Metroidvania |
| Saturn | Shining the Holy Ark | 1997 | Dungeon Crawler | Camelot | 1st-person dungeon crawl, not unlike its predecessor Shining in the Darkness |
| JP PSX | Chocobo no Fushigi na Dungeon | 1997 | Dungeon Crawler | Square | Chocobo's first roguelike experience with some town-building elements; spells are leveled with repeated use |
| JP PSX | Community Pom | 1997 | Action | Fill in Cafe | The cutest Zelda clone ever, with XP and little fuzzy buddies to raise to help you |
| PSX | Monster Rancher | 1997 | Monster Collecting | Tecmo | Use CDs to unlock monsters that you train and fight! |
| PSX | Final Fantasy VII | 1997 | Turn-Based | Square | Took the FF series into 3D and made a huge mark on the genre as a whole |
| Saturn | Albert Odyssey: Legend of Eldean | 1997 | Turn-Based | SunSoft | Cute sprites, plays differently than the SFC versions- this one is more of a gaiden |
| JP SFC | Bushi Seiryuuden: Futari no Yuusha | 1997 | Turn-Based | Game Freak | Zelda-like exploration; combat is 2D platformer-like, but still turn-based (enemies only act when you do); pretty spritework |
| JP PSX | Asuncia: Matsue no Jubaku | 1997 | Strategy | E.O. Imagination | Randomly generated maps with a score-based objective, sort of an SRPG? |
| JP SFC | Dark Law: Meaning of Death | 1997 | Turn-Based | Sakata SAS | Super duper hard! Also featuring rudimentary 3D! |
| JP GB+GBC | Medarot Kabuto/Kuwagata Version | 1997 | Fighting | Natsume | First games in the Medarot/bot series, with the standard building and fighting robots |
| JP PSX | Front Mission 2 | 1997 | Strategy | Square | More mechs, more drama! |
| PSX | Ogre Battle: Limited Edition | 1997 | Strategy | Quest | Enhanced port of Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen (SNES) |
| JP Saturn | Grandia | 1997 | Turn-Based | Game Arts | See PSX |
| Saturn | Panzer Dragoon Saga | 1998 | Turn-Based | Team Andromeda | Turn-based combat focused on circling enemies and exposing weakpoints, short in length |
| Saturn | Shining Force III | 1998 | Strategy | Camelot | Technically only Scenario 1 of the full Shining Force III story |
| GB+GBC | Legend of the River King | 1998 | Fishing | Victor Interactive Software | Made for Game Boy, then remade for GBC- actually the third in the River King series |
| Saturn | Magic Knight Rayearth | 1998 | Action | Sega | ARPG based on the anime, plays differently than the SFC version, very low print run in the US |
| GB+GBC | Pokemon Red/Blue | 1998 | Monster Collecting | Game Freak | Called Red/Green versions in Japan, definitely the origin of the popularity of monster-collecting video games |
| GB+GBC | Power Quest | 1998 | Fighting | Japan System Supply | Model robot combat in a fighting game format, parts are upgradeable to increase stats |
| PSX | Dragonseeds | 1998 | Action | Jaleco | Who needs plot when you're combining dragon DNA? |
| PSX | Xenogears | 1998 | Turn-Based | Square | Almost unlocalized due to heavy religious/philosophical themes, action point-based combat |
| JP PSX | Brave Prove | 1998 | Action | Data West | Generic ARPG, but anything translated is a plus |
| PSX | Brigandine: The Legend of Forsena | 1998 | Strategy | Hearty Robin | SRPG with upkeep and semi-RTS elements |
| PSX | Breath of Fire III | 1998 | Turn-Based | Capcom | More Ryu, but with more dragon forms! Intoduces the Master System and Faerie Town features |
| PSX | Blaze and Blade: Eternal Quest (PAL/JP only) | 1998 | Action | T&E Soft | Multiplayer ARPG- better to find IRL friends than to let the horrible AI act as party members |
| PSX | Azure Dreams | 1998 | Dungeon Crawler | Konami | Roguelike with town building, romancing, and familiar collecting |
| PSX | Alundra | 1998 | Action | Matrix Software | Spiritual successor to Landstalker (GEN), ARPG featuring dreamwalking and platforming |
| JP PSX | Bomberman Wars | 1998 | Strategy | Metro Corporation | SRPG with Bomberman flair, different types of units have different bomb-placing abilities (which can be increased) |
| JP PSX | Ginga Ojousama Densetsu Yuna: Final Edition | 1998 | Strategy | Will/Red Company | An enhanced port of the third Yuna game, features magical girls in tacitcal combat, with visual novel segments in-between (not unlike Sakura Wars) |
| PSX | Final Fantasy Tactics | 1998 | Strategy | Square | Often imitated, never duplicated |
| N64 | Quest 64 | 1998 | Action | Imagineer | Final Fantasy II-like leveling system, a very baby JRPG |
| N64 | Flying Dragon | 1998 | Fighting | Culture Brain | Contains a mode with character progression and the ability to level your equipment (via fisticuffs of course) to increase your stats |
| JP PSX | Tales of Phantasia | 1998 | Action | Namco | Arguably the best way to play the game, despite lack of official translation |
| JP Saturn | Dragon Force II: Kamisarishi Daichi Ni | 1998 | Strategy | Sega | Pretty similar to the first |
| JP SFC | Super Famicom Wars | 1998 | Strategy | Intelligent Systems | Technically a digital-only title (released via Satellaview), units can gather XP in combat that does not carry between maps |
| JP Saturn | Valhollian | 1998 | Strategy | Datt Japan | SRPG with 3D scenes to show attacking, combination attacks are possible and can lead to bonding conversations |
| PSX | Elemental Gearbolt | 1998 | Arcade | Alfa System | The only light-gun shooter/RPG hybrid you'll find! |
| PSX | Brave Fencer Musashi | 1998 | Action | Square | ARPG with day/night cycle, elemental sword attacks |
| PSX | Kagero: Deception II | 1998 | Strategy | Tecmo | String together traps to make your own Rube Goldberg of death! |
| PSX | Master Of Monsters: Disciples of Gaia | 1998 | Strategy | SystemSoft | Slow-paced SRPG, remake of Master of Monsters (GEN), critically panned |
| PSX | SaGa Frontier | 1998 | Turn-Based | Square | 7 scenarios with complicated leveling mechanics, woefully left unfinished |
| PSX | Parasite Eve | 1998 | Action/Horror | Square | Horror JRPG based on a novel, positioning-based combat system |
| PSX | Kartia: The Word of Fate | 1998 | Strategy | Atlus | SRPG initially localized as a Blockbuster Video rental exclusive, uses cards to manipulate battle |
| PSX | The Granstream Saga | 1998 | Action | Shade | ARPG, Successor to the Quintet trilogy, unsettling faceless 3D models |
| PSX | Tales of Destiny | 1998 | Action | Wolf Team | First localized Tales title with a similar 2D real-time combat system to its predecessor |
| PSX | Tactics Ogre | 1998 | Strategy | Quest | SRPG with an alignment system and turn-based gameplay (in contrast to Ogre Battle) |
| Neo Geo Pocket | Dark Arms: Beast Buster | 1999 | Action | Noise Factory/SNK | An ARPG sequel to an arcade game where the character doesn't gain levels, but weapons do by collecting monster souls; the weapons can evolve as well |
| PSX | Star Ocean: The Second Story | 1999 | Action | Tri-Ace | First localized Star Ocean game with two different scenarios |
| N64 | Hybrid Heaven | 1999 | Action | Konami | Battles are reminiscent of Parasite Eve |
| N64 | Harvest Moon 64 | 1999 | Simulation | Victor Interactive Software | Inherit a farm, level up your tools, and manage time wisely! |
| PSX | Suikoden II | 1999 | Turn-Based | Konami | Sweeping political epic- |
| JP Wonderswan | Chocobo no Fushigi na Dungeon | 1999 | Dungeon Crawler | Square | See JP PSX, but without color |
| GB+GBC | Revelations: The Demon Slayer/Megami Tensei Gaiden: Last Bible | 1999 | Monster Collecting | Multimedia Intelligence Transfer | Megami Tensei for kids, more medieval-themed than its mother series |
| JP PSX | Racing Lagoon | 1999 | Sports | Squaresoft | THE street racing/JRPG hybrid, stylish and jazzy |
| JP PSX | Medarot R | 1999 | Fighting | Natsume | It's a Medabots game! Destroy the enemy's parts to make them useless! |
| GB+GBC | Pokemon Yellow | 1999 | Monster Collecting | Game Freak | More of the same, with bonus Pikachu following you |
| GB+GBC | Mario Golf | 1999 | Sports | Camelot | Conquer the golf circuit and level up your attributes as or against Mario |
| PSX | Thousand Arms | 1999 | Turn-Based | RED Entertainment/Atlus | JRPG with heavy dating sim elements |
| Dreamcast | Time Stalkers | 1999 | Dungeon Crawler | Climax | Your level goes back down to 1 after beating a boss. Enough said. |
| Dreamcast | Evolution: The World of Sacred Device | 1999 | Dungeon Crawler | Sting | Standard JRPG with dunegon-crawling |
| Dreamcast | Elemental Gimmick Gear | 1999 | Action | Birthday | ARPG with pretty visuals and some mech combat |
| JP PSX | Persona 2: Innocent Sin | 1999 | Turn-Based | Atlus | The missing half of Persona 2 in the Americas |
| JP PSX | Escaform | 1999 | Strategy | Emotion/Bandai Visual | Puts a spin on SRPG combat by giving the option to convert unspent action points (used to move/attack) into a sort of health shield, features a wide variety of toilets in a post-apocalyptic setting |
| JP PSX | Langrisser IV | 1999 | Strategy | NCS | Mostly similar to the others, features an uneven turn system; remake of the Saturn version |
| PSX | Chocobo's Dungeon 2 | 1999 | Dungeon Crawler | Square | Mystery Dungeon, but with 100% more Kweh |
| PSX | Guardian's Crusade | 1999 | Turn-Based | Tamsoft | Another candidate for baby's first JRPG |
| JP GB+GBC | Sylvania Families: Otogi no Kuni no Pendant | 1999 | Simulation | Epoch | More of a life-sim featuring overly cutesy characters based on a series of animal figurines |
| PSX | Grandia | 1999 | Turn-Based | Game Arts | Traditional JRPG with an emphasis on attack interruption in combat |
| PSX | Final Fantasy VIII | 1999 | Turn-Based | Square | Best card game, not-best stat/leveling system |
| PSX | Final Fantasy Anthology | 1999 | Turn-Based | Tose/Square | Contains Final Fantasy V (first localized appearance) and Final Fantasy VI |
| PSX | Legend of Legaia | 1999 | Turn-Based | Prokion/Contrail | Turn-based JRPG with a battle system focusing on combos and directional striking |
| PSX | Ehrgeiz: God Bless the Ring | 1999 | Action | DreamFactory | It's mostly a fighting game with some FFVII characters, but it also has an ARPG quest mode! |
| PSX | Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete | 1999 | Turn-Based | Game Arts | Arguably the most charming cast of characters you'll ever meet, good OST, standard combat |
| PSX | Shadow Tower | 1999 | Action | FromSoftware | Plays similarly to King's Field, but killing particular enemies determines stat growth |
| JP N64 | Custom Robo | 1999 | Fighting | Noise Inc. | First game in the robot customizing (hah) and fighting series; upgrades to robots are bought rather than earned |
| PSX | Vandal Hearts II | 1999 | Strategy | KCET | SRPG with non-set classes and turns in which the player and enemy move simultaneously |
| PSX | Monster Rancher 2 | 1999 | Monster Collecting | Tecmo | Use CDs to unlock more monsters that you train and fight! |
| PSX | Monster Seed | 1999 | Strategy | NK System | Monster-raising and battling SRPG, where the monsters have a limited lifespan |
| PS4 | Final Fantasy VIII Remastered (DL only) | 1999 | Turn-Based | Square | See PSX, but with some QoL changes |
| JP PSX | Baroque | 1999 | Dungeon Crawler | Sting | A port of the original Saturn version, with tank controls and a first-person perspective to explore macabre dungeons in roguelike fashion |
| JP PSX | Choro Q Wonderful! | 1999 | Racing | E-game | A Car-PG in which you upgrade your stats (parts) via exploration and quests |
| PSX | Jade Cocoon: Story of the Tamamayu | 1999 | Turn-Based | Genki | It's like Persona, but all the demons are bugs! |
| JP SFC | Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 | 1999 | Strategy | Intelligent Systems | Takes place during the middle of FE4, initially distributed as a Nintendo Power ROM cartridge |
