
A comprehensive list of console JRPGs available in English
Console | Name | Developer | Lucca's Observations |
---|---|---|---|
Switch | .hack//G.U. Last Recode | CyberConnect2 | See PS4 |
PS4 | .hack//G.U. Last Recode | CyberConnect2 | Combined HD version of the GU trilogy; adds methods to make combat move faster, as well as an additional fourth chapter to conclude the story |
PS2 | .hack//G.U. Vol. 1//Rebirth | CyberConnect2 | The ARPG/false MMO series continues, with a bit of shmup involved |
PS2 | .hack//G.U. Vol. 2//Reminisce | CyberConnect2 | The ARPG/false MMO series continues, with a bit of shmup involved |
PS2 | .hack//G.U. Vol. 3//Redemption | CyberConnect2 | The ARPG/false MMO series continues, with a bit of shmup involved |
JP PSP | .hack//LINK | CyberConnect2 | ARPG, last game chronologically in the series, lots of characters from past series media, often regarded as the worst game |
PS2 | .hack Part 1: Infection | CyberConnect2 | ARPG that tries to mimic early MMO features |
PS2 | .hack Part 2: Mutation | CyberConnect2 | ARPG that tries to mimic early MMO features |
PS2 | .hack Part 3: Outbreak | CyberConnect2 | ARPG that tries to mimic early MMO features |
PS2 | .hack part 4: Quarantine | CyberConnect2 | ARPG that tries to mimic early MMO features |
PS3 | 3D Dot Game Heroes | Silicon Studio | A voxel ARPG meant to emulate titles of the 80s, with sword customization and leveling |
JP DS | 7th Dragon | Imageepoch | Slay some dragons in a traditional turn-based style! |
JP PSP | 7th Dragon 2020 | Imageepoch | Sequel to 7th Dragon, a 3D dungeon crawler set in post-apocalyptic Tokyo, Hatsune Miku herself makes an appearance |
JP PSP | 7th Dragon 2020-II | Imageepoch | Adds a few classes and links to the first game, but otherwise uses a lot of assets and is very similar to its predecessor |
3DS | 7th Dragon III Code: VFD | Sega | The only game in the 3rd-person dungeon crawling series to make it to the west, keeps party customization and turn-based combat intact |
Switch | 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim | Vanillaware | See PS4, but removes some visual effects and adds new weapons |
PS4 | 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim | Vanillaware | A mix of visual novel, RTS, and tower defense gameplay with a Pacific Rim-like flavor; both characters and their mechs can be leveled/upgraded |
Vita | A.W.: Phoenix Festa (delisted) | Aplus/Bandai Namco | Based on the anime adaptation of the Asterisk War light novel series, is more of a 3D anime arena fighter/visual novel hybrid |
Vita | Accel World vs. Sword Art Online: Millennium Twilight (DL only) | Kadokawa | Essentially a sequel to Lost Song but with some crossover characters, time travel shenanigans, and the same boring ARPG gameplay |
PS4 | Accel World vs. Sword Art Online: Millennium Twilight (DL only) | Kadokawa | See Vita |
SNES | ActRaiser | Quintet | A strange mashup of city-building simulator and 2D platformer, where population functions as XP and you must protect your people |
Switch | Actraiser Renaissance (DL only) | Quintet/Square Enix | Adds onto the original city sim/2D platformer in practically every way, with a new tower defense/RTS mode, a new realm to save, and new buildings to construct |
PS4 | Actraiser Renaissance (DL only) | Quintet/Square Enix | See Switch |
PSP | Adorable characters, wholesome setting, turn-based combat with some grid elements, a combined enhanced version of two previously Japan-only PSX games | G-Artists | Adorable characters, wholesome setting, turn-based combat with some grid elements, a combined enhanced version of two previously Japan-only PSX games |
GBA | Advance Guardian Heroes | Treasure | Sequel to Guardian Heroes, with similar beat-em-up gameplay but more platforming and characters |
DS | Advance Wars: Days of Ruin | Intelligent Systems | A more post-apocalyptic setting than pervious entries, individual units can level up in combat (though the effect only lasts for one map) |
DS | Advance Wars: Dual Strike | Intelligent Systems | Incorporates leveling of commanding officers to the army tactics game |
Switch | Adventure Academia: The Fractured Continent (DL only) | Acquire | See PS4 |
PS4 | Adventure Academia: The Fractured Continent (DL only) | Acquire | A Class of Heroes spinoff that tries to marry RTS and turn-based strategy gameplay and succeeds at neither |
3DS | Adventure Bar Story (DL only) | Rideon | Raise your levels as an adventurer (by eating) and as a barkeep (by bartending and gathering materials)! Localization is lacking in the charm depatment |
3DS | Adventure Labyrinth Story (DL only) | Rideon | Not the most impressive roguelike dungeon-crawl, but solid enough |
Vita | Adventures of Mana (DL only) | MCF | 3D remake of Final Fantasy Adventure, the first Mana game; only has a male playable character but allows for easy equipment switching |
PSP | Adventures to Go! | Global A Entertainment | Isometric turn-based dungeon crawler of sorts where you set the parameters for the adventures you go on; gameplay is not very inventive |
Vita | Adventures to Go! (DL only) | Global A Entertainment | See PSP |
PSP | Aedis Eclipse: Generation of Chaos | Idea Factory | Sequel to Generation of Chaos, similar SRPG-adjacent gameplay; movement is done in a board game-like fashion and combat plays out automatically |
Vita | Aedis Eclipse: Generation of Chaos (DL only) | Idea Factory | See PSP |
Vita | Aegis of Earth: Protonovus Assault | Acquire | See PS3 |
PS4 | Aegis of Earth: Protonovus Assault | Acquire | See PS3 |
PS3 | Aegis of Earth: Protonovus Assault | Acquire | Real-time tactical defense, where leveling weaponry and commander units is crucial |
PS4 | A Healer Only Lives Twice (DL only) | Pon Pon Games | A small dungeon crawler where you play as the healer for your AI knight companion, keeping him alive by any means necessary |
Vita | Akiba's Beat | Acquire | Successor to Akiba's Trip, follows a more traditional ARPG separate-battle-area style of gameplay, way less ecchi than the game that came before it |
PS4 | Akiba's Beat | Acquire | See Vita |
PS3 | Akiba's Trip: Undead & Undressed | Acquire | Fanservice-heavy ARPG where removing the clothes of vampires is the only way to defeat them |
Vita | Akiba's Trip: Undead & Undressed | Acquire | See PS3 |
PS4 | Akiba's Trip: Undead & Undressed | Acquire | See PS3 |
Saturn | Albert Odyssey: Legend of Eldean | SunSoft | Cute sprites, plays differently than the SFC versions- this one is more of a gaiden |
JP SFC | Alcahest | HAL Laboratory | ARPG featuring item-based stat growth and a password system rather than traditional saves |
3DS | Alphadia (DL only) | Exe-Create | Tries to do some neat things with magic element types and combinations, but ultimately is just another Kemco game |
Switch | Alphadia Genesis (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Wii U |
PS4 | Alphadia Genesis (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Wii U |
Xbox One | Alphadia Genesis (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Wii U |
Wii U | Alphadia Genesis (DL only) | Exe-Create | Another Kemco stinker, but at least this one has 3D battle graphics? |
PS5 | Alphadia Genesis 2 (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
Switch | Alphadia Genesis 2 (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
PS4 | Alphadia Genesis 2 (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
Xbox Series | Alphadia Genesis 2 (DL only) | Exe-Create | Kemco is at it again, cribbing a battle style somewhat akin to Bravely Default; sprites while exploring and PS2-level graphics during fights |
Xbox One | Alphadia Genesis 2 (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
PSX | Alundra | Matrix Software | Spiritual successor to Landstalker (GEN), ARPG featuring dreamwalking and platforming |
PS3 | Alundra (PSone Classics) | Matrix Software | See PSX |
PSP | Alundra (PSone Classics) | Matrix Software | See PSX |
Vita | Alundra (PSone Classics) | Matrix Software | See PSX |
PSX | Alundra 2: A New Legend Begins | Matrix Software | Standalone sequel, more lighthearted than the first, but similar gameplay |
PS4 | Alvastia Chronicles | Exe-Create | See Vita |
Switch | Alvastia Chronicles (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Vita |
Vita | Alvastia Chronicles (DL only) | Exe-Create | Kemco's sort-of answer to Suikoden, with a large cast of recruitable characters, a lot of which can fight on screen; otherwise predictably bland |
Xbox One | Alvastia Chronicles (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Vita |
Switch | A Magical High School Girl | IlluCalab | A roguelike with magic crafting and casting, but lots of repetition in dungeon and enemy design |
3DS | Ambition of the Slimes (DL only) | Altair Works/Flyhigh Works | An SRPG where you play as slimes and use them to control the good guys |
Switch | Ambition of the Slimes (DL only) | Altair Works/Flyhigh Works | See 3DS |
PS4 | Ambition Record (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
Xbox Series | Ambition Record (DL only) | Exe-Create | Features some equipment-combining systems, but otherwise it's 3D Kemco through and through |
Xbox One | Ambition Record (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
PS5 | Ambition Record (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
Switch | Ambition Record (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
JP SFC | Ancient Magic: Bazoo! Mahou Sekai | Hot-B | Generic turn-based affair with male/female protagonists with an emphasis on magic |
JP GB+GBC | Another Bible | Dice | Cute little SRPG, spinoff of the Last Bible series |
Vita | Antiquia Lost | Exe-Create | A Kemco game starring a princess made of slime (who increases her stats depending on the monsters she fights) and her humdrum companions |
PS4 | Antiquia Lost | Exe-Create | See Vita |
Switch | Antiquia Lost (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Vita |
Xbox One | Antiquia Lost (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Vita |
PSP | Ape Quest | Shift | It's a JRPG with the monkeys from Ape Escape- enough said |
JP SFC | Arabian Nights: Sabaku no Seirei-o | Pandora Box | Apparently rushed toward the end of development |
Switch | Arcade Archives: Valkyrie no Densetsu | Namco | Technically an arcade game, a top-down hack-and-slash with a time limit to each stage and gold to earn to upgrade spells/weapons |
SNES | Arcana | HAL Laboratory | Card-focused 1st-person dungeon crawl |
Switch | Archlion Saga (DL only) | Hit-Point | Same plot you've heard a million times over; in combat all characters have a shared health pool and all attack at once |
Switch | Arc of Alchemist | Compile Heart | See PS4 |
PS4 | Arc of Alchemist (DL only) | Compile Heart | A humdrum ARPG with character progression partially tied to a base-building system |
Wii | Arc Rise Fantasia | Imageepoch | Lazy English voice acting, but a decent turn-based RPG otherwise |
PS3 | Arc the Lad (PSone Classics) | G-Craft/ARC Entertainment | See PSX |
Vita | Arc the Lad (PSone Classics) | G-Craft/ARC Entertainment | See PSX |
PSP | Arc the Lad (PSone Classics) | G-Craft/ARC Entertainment | See PSX |
PS2 | Arc the Lad: End of Darkness | Cattle Call | Radical shift in gameplay to an ARPG, had online multiplayer, widely panned |
PS2 | Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits | Cattle Call | Still tactical, but circular-based movement rather than grids |
PS4 | Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits (DL only) | Cattle Call | See PS2 |
PSX | Arc the Lad Collection | G-Craft/ARC Entertainment | Collected SRPG series, contains Arc the Lad I, II, III, and Arc Arena |
PS3 | Arc the Lad II (PSone Classics) | G-Craft/ARC Entertainment | See PSX |
Vita | Arc the Lad II (PSone Classics) | G-Craft/ARC Entertainment | See PSX |
PSP | Arc the Lad II (PSone Classics) | G-Craft/ARC Entertainment | See PSX |
PS3 | Arc the Lad III (PSone Classics) | G-Craft/ARC Entertainment | See PSX |
Vita | Arc the Lad III (PSone Classics) | G-Craft/ARC Entertainment | See PSX |
PSP | Arc the Lad III (PSone Classics) | G-Craft/ARC Entertainment | See PSX |
JP SFC | Aretha | Japan Art Media | A sequel to the Game Boy trilogy of the same name, neat multidirectional turn-based combat |
JP SFC | Aretha II - Ariel no Fushigi na Tabi | Japan Art Media | Pretty similar to the first |
JP GB+GBC | Arle no Bouken: Mahou no Jewel | Compile | A monster-training game; monster-summoning cards can be enhanced |
PS4 | Armed Emeth (DL only) | Hit-Point | See XS |
Switch | Armed Emeth (DL only) | Hit-Point | See XS |
Xbox One | Armed Emeth (DL only) | Hit-Point | See XS |
Xbox Series | Armed Emeth (DL only) | Hit-Point | Kemco takes a swing at Metal Max; hunting bounties with your mechanical golem partner is the main gameplay loop |
PS3 | Ar nosurge: Ode to an Unborn Star | Gust | Prequel to the Ar Tonelico series with similar songstress protection and mental deep-dive mechanics |
Vita | Ar nosurge Plus: Ode to an Unborn Star | Gust | Contains all DLC, adds 3 more characters to purify, a tutorial, and more costumes |
PS4 | Arslan: The Warriors of Legend | Omega Force | A musou based on the Arslan anime with rapid weapon switching, a variety of playable characters, and equippable skills to break up monotony |
Xbox One | Arslan: The Warriors of Legend | Omega Force | See PS4 |
Switch | Artifact Adventure Gaiden DX | Bluffman Games | Game Boy-like aesthetic with a generally non-linear world; player choices affect game progession in significant fashion |
PS2 | Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia | Gust | Turn-based battles, platforming dungeons, some VN elements- protect the singers! |
PS2 | Ar tonelico II: Melody of Metafalica | Gust | Battle system different from the first, but the premise remains the same |
PS3 | Ar Tonelico Qoga: Knell of Ar Ciel | Gust | Switch in gameplay to real-time battles, songstresses become more powerful after removing clothes (sigh) |
Switch | Asdivine Cross (DL only) | Exe-Create | See 3DS |
Xbox Series | Asdivine Cross (DL only) | Exe-Create | See 3DS |
3DS | Asdivine Cross (DL only) | Exe-Create | If you've played a Kemco RPG before, you've played this one |
Xbox One | Asdivine Cross (DL only) | Exe-Create | See 3DS |
PS4 | Asdivine Cross (DL only) | Exe-Create | See 3DS |
PS4 | Asdivine Dios | Exe-Create | See Vita |
Switch | Asdivine Dios (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Vita |
Xbox One | Asdivine Dios (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Vita |
Vita | Asdivine Dios (DL only) | Exe-Create | Related to Asdivine Hearts, but abandons the gem-based character customization in favor of weapon fusion; the main character is the world's creator deity |
PS4 | Asdivine Hearts | Exe-Create | See Wii U |
Vita | Asdivine Hearts | Exe-Create | See Wii U |
Switch | Asdivine Hearts (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Wii U |
Wii U | Asdivine Hearts (DL only) | Exe-Create | It's Kemco, keep those expectations low |
PS3 | Asdivine Hearts (DL only) | Exe-Create | It's Kemco, so don't expect too much out of it, but it does have a neat character enhancement system |
Xbox One | Asdivine Hearts (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Wii U |
PS4 | Asdivine Hearts II | Exe-Create | See Vita |
Xbox One | Asdivine Hearts II (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Vita |
Switch | Asdivine Hearts II (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Vita |
Vita | Asdivine Hearts II (DL only) | Exe-Create | Direct sequel to Asdivine Hearts featuring the same cast and same tired gameplay constraints |
Xbox One | Asdivine Kamura | Exe-Create | More Kemco playing with the Asdivine series; has some summonable creatures, but you've seen it all before |
PS4 | Asdivine Kamura | Exe-Create | See XBO |
Switch | Asdivine Kamura (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XBO |
Xbox One | Asdivine Menace (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Vita |
PS4 | Asdivine Menace (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Vita |
Vita | Asdivine Menace (DL only) | Exe-Create | Direct sequel to Asdivine Dios; if you played it you've played this one |
Switch | Asdivine Menace (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Vita |
PS5 | Asdivine Saga (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
Switch | Asdivine Saga (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
Xbox One | Asdivine Saga (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
Xbox Series | Asdivine Saga (DL only) | Exe-Create | Another day, another Kemco game- you can give gifts to your female party members to influence your ending- otherwise same ol', same ol' |
PS4 | Asdivine Saga (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
Switch | Astral Chain | PlatinumGames | Hacky/slashy/cyberpunky stand-wieldy combat with some bonus detective work |
JP PSX | Asuncia: Matsue no Jubaku | E.O. Imagination | Randomly generated maps with a score-based objective, sort of an SRPG? |
DS | Atelier Annie: Alchemists of Sera Island | Gust | The first traditional Atelier game to come to the States - lots of crafting and time management as expected |
PS3 | Atelier Ayesha: The Alchemist of Dusk | Gust | First in the Dusk storyline, lots of endings, lots of alchemy |
PS4 | Atelier Ayesha: The Alchemist of Dusk DX (DL only) | Gust | Adds fast travel and sped-up combat to the Plus version of the game |
Switch | Atelier Ayesha: The Alchemist of Dusk DX (DL only) | Gust | See PS4 |
Vita | Atelier Ayesha Plus: The Alchemist of Dusk (DL only) | Gust | Adds all DLC, the ability to swap characters at any time, more costumes, enemies, and a new difficulty mode |
PS3 | Atelier Escha & Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky | Gust | Second in Dusk storyline, each of the two different protagonists has a different playstyle |
PS4 | Atelier Escha & Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky DX (DL only) | Gust | Adds fast travel/combat and formerly preorder-only costumes |
Switch | Atelier Escha & Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky DX (DL only) | Gust | See PS4 |
Vita | Atelier Escha & Logy Plus: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky | Gust | Adds all DLC, superbosses, characters, and expands on the romantic/platonic relationship between the protagonists |
PS4 | Atelier Firis: The Alchemist and the Mysterious Journey | Gust | Second game in the Mysterious storyline; time limit exists for initial alchemy certification exam, alchemy can be done at a portable atelier |
Vita | Atelier Firis: The Alchemist and the Mysterious Journey (DL only) | Gust | See PS4 |
PS4 | Atelier Firis: The Alchemist and the Mysterious Journey DX (DL only) | Gust | See Switch |
Switch | Atelier Firis: The Alchemist and the Mysterious Journey DX (DL only) | Gust | Adds new exploration tools, quests, fast forward, and all previous DLC |
PS2 | Atelier Iris 2: The Azoth of Destiny | Gust | More item synthesis, two switchable protagonists |
PS2 | Atelier iris 3: Grand Phantasm | Gust | Fewer party members, but more customizable as a result |
PS2 | Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana | Gust | First localized Atelier game- you know the drill- turn-based combat and loads of item synthesis |
Switch | Atelier Lulua: The Scion of Arland | Gust | See PS4 |
PS4 | Atelier Lulua: The Scion of Arland | Gust | Sequel to the Arland games; callbacks are present throughout; no time limit; using particular items in alchemy will make the resultant item stronger |
Switch | Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemists and the Mysterious Paintings | Gust | See PS4 |
PS4 | Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemists and the Mysterious Paintings | Gust | Third game in the Mysterious trilogy; combat is turn-based and revolves around pairs of characters cooperating |
PS4 | Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemists and the Mysterious Paintings DX (DL only) | Gust | See Switch |
Switch | Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemists and the Mysterious Paintings DX (DL only) | Gust | Adds a new painting to explore, fast forward, and all previous DLC |
PS3 | Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland | Gust | Third game in Arland storyline, adds complexity to the battle system with turn manipulation |
Switch | Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland DX (DL only) | Gust | See PS4 |
PS4 | Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland DX (DL only) | Gust | Adds fast travel/combat as well as story sequences to the Plus version |
Vita | Atelier Meruru Plus: The Apprentice of Arland (DL only) | Gust | Adds all DLC, a new ending, and a new dressing room feature to change costumes in |
PS3 | Atelier Rorona: The Alchemist of Arland | Gust | First in Arland storyline, time and item management important as always, first 3D Atelier game |
PS4 | Atelier Rorona: The Alchemist of Arland DX (DL only) | Gust | Adds fast travel/combat and a formerly preorder-only costume |
Switch | Atelier Rorona: The Alchemist of Arland DX (DL only) | Gust | See PS4 |
PS3 | Atelier Rorona Plus: The Alchemist of Arland | Gust | Enhanced version of the original with reworked 3D models, new dungeons, and more time to craft |
Vita | Atelier Rorona Plus: The Alchemist of Arland (DL only) | Gust | See PS3 |
PS4 | Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends and the Secret Fairy | Gust | See PS5 |
Switch | Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends and the Secret Fairy | Gust | See PS5 |
PS5 | Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends and the Secret Fairy (DL only) | Gust | A rare direct sequel in the series; refines the gameplay found in its predecessor; lots of research and exploration to do to better your alchemical skills |
PS4 | Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout | Gust | No time limit, drastically changes combat to a more real-time format (with AI party members), heavy character focus |
Switch | Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout | Gust | See PS4 |
PS3 | Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea | Gust | Third in Dusk storyline, no time limit, two different protagonists, and a ton of items regardless |
PS4 | Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea DX (DL only) | Gust | Adds fast travel/combat and formerly preorder-only costumes |
Switch | Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea DX (DL only) | Gust | See PS4 |
Vita | Atelier Shallie Plus: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea | Gust | Adds all DLC, new costumes, superbosses, and brings over characters from other Atelier games to flesh out the story |
PS4 | Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream | Gust | Large maps, the ability to control weather to affect gathering capability, and wholesome crafting abound, with isekai trappings |
Switch | Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream | Gust | See PS4 |
PS4 | Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book | Gust | First game in the Mysterious storyline; reworks the process of alchemy to be somewhat puzzle-based, adds a weather system that can affect combat and item gathering |
Vita | Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book (DL only) | Gust | See PS4 |
PS4 | Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book DX (DL only) | Gust | See Switch |
Switch | Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book DX (DL only) | Gust | Adds new cauldrons, fast forward, and all previous DLC |
PS3 | Atelier Totori: The Adventurer of Arland | Gust | Second in Arland storyline, same as ever otherwise |
PS4 | Atelier Totori: The Adventurer of Arland DX (DL only) | Gust | Adds fast travel/combat and a formerly preorder-only costume |
Switch | Atelier Totori: The Adventurer of Arland DX (DL only) | Gust | See PS4 |
Vita | Atelier Totori Plus: The Adventurer of Arland | Gust | Adds all DLC, new recipes, costumes, and dungeons |
DS | Avalon Code | Matrix Software | Offbeat ARPG focusing on changing the properties of items to solve puzzles |
DS | Away: Shuffle Dungeon | Artoon/Mistwalker | Unique spin on the mystery dungeon rogue-like format: each of the two screens is randomized and will shuffle after a time |
DS | A Witch's Tale | Hit Maker/Nippon Ichi | Bland gameplay with a twisted Halloween aesthetic and public domain characters |
Game Gear | Ax Battler: A Legend of Golden Axe | Aspect/Sega | Side-scrolling ARPG; no leveling but magic pots can be used to upgrade skills |
JP GB+GBC | Ayakashi no Shiro | Seta | First-person dungeon crawler, nothing to write home about |
GB+GBC | Azure Dreams | KCEN | More dungeons, less town-building and dating than the PSX version |
PSX | Azure Dreams | Konami | Roguelike with town building, romancing, and familiar collecting |
Switch | Azur Lane: Crosswave | Felistella/Idea Factory | See PS4 |
PS4 | Azur Lane: Crosswave | Felistella/Idea Factory | Third person 3D combat featuring personifications of battleships that you can marry because of course you can; mission-based structure and individual leveling systems abound |
PS5 | Babylon's Fall | PlatinumGames | Not even Platinum's oft-lauded combat gameplay can save this drab dumpster fire of a games-as-a-live-service model... attempt |
PS4 | Babylon's Fall | PlatinumGames | See PS5 |
JP SFC | Bahamut Lagoon | Square | Square's oft-forgotten SRPG child, divine spritework |
JP Mega Drive | Bahamut Senki | 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 PSX | Baroque | Sting | A port of the original Saturn version, with tank controls and a first-person perspective to explore macabre dungeons in roguelike fashion |
Wii | Baroque | Sting | Third-person randomized dungeon crawler, eating flesh and hearts restores health and vitality! |
PS2 | Baroque | Sting | Morbid, dark rogue-like, with a 3rd-person 3D perspective as opposed to the original |
GameCube | Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean | Tri-Crescendo | A curious take on card-based combat, poor quality voice acting |
GameCube | Baten Kaitos Origins | Tri-Crescendo/Monolith Soft | Similar card combat, but now all characters draw from the same deck |
JP Mega Drive | Battle Golfer Yui | 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! |
PSX | Battle Hunter | Success | SRPG of sorts with card-based movement and attack |
PS3 | Battle Hunter (PSone Classics) | Success | See PSX |
PSP | Battle Hunter (PSone Classics) | Success | See PSX |
Vita | Battle Hunter (PSone Classics) | Success | See PSX |
PS3 | Battle Princess of Arcadias (DL only) | Apollosoft | Side-scrolling beat-em up with a cutesy art style; both army conflicts and siege battles appear in addition |
Switch | Beastie Bay DX (DL only) | Kairosoft | An island conquering/development sim with beastly allies to recruit and train |
PS4 | Beastie Bay DX (DL only) | Kairosoft | See Switch |
PS4 | Berserk and the Band of the Hawk | Omega Force | A Berserk musou; story mode is almost entirely limited to Guts as a playable character, follows the manga from the Golden Age to the Hawk of the Millennium Empire arcs |
PS2 | Beta Bloc (PAL/JP only) | Tamsoft | Arkanoid/RPG hybrid, if that can be believed |
PSP | Beta Bloc (PAL/JP only) | Tamsoft | See PS2 |
Genesis | Beyond Oasis | Ancient | Top-down ARPG, level/rank is based on the number of hearts you collect |
PSX | Beyond the Beyond | Camelot | 1st turn-based JRPG to be localized, also the lamest |
Switch | Biomotor Unitron (DL only) | Aicom | A mech-building JRPG initially released for the Neo Geo Pocket Color with an unfortunate lack of depth |
JP SFC | Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon: Another Story | Angel | Adorable digitized voices, Senshi combo attacks, what's not to love? |
PSP | Black Rock Shooter: The Game (DL only) | Imageepoch | ARPG with a ton of shooting (duh) and a mission-based structure |
Vita | Black Rock Shooter: The Game (DL only) | Imageepoch | See PSP |
Xbox One | Blacksmith of the Sand Kingdom (DL only) | Rideon | See Switch |
PS5 | Blacksmith of the Sand Kingdom (DL only) | Rideon | See Switch |
Xbox Series | Blacksmith of the Sand Kingdom (DL only) | Rideon | See Switch |
Switch | Blacksmith of the Sand Kingdom (DL only) | Rideon | A departure from Kemco's norm, where you run your blacksmithy half the time (including crafting equipment for your party) and fight monsters in a grid-like turn-based format the other half |
PS4 | Blacksmith of the Sand Kingdom (DL only) | Rideon | See Switch |
PSP | Blade Dancer: Lineage of Light | Hit Maker | Run-of-the-mill turn-based JRPG, equipment management is important, you use the moon's energy to allow you to use powerful combat abilities |
Vita | Blade Dancer: Lineage of Light (DL only) | Hit Maker | See PSP |
PS4 | Bladestorm: Nightmare | Omega Force | See XBO |
Xbox One | Bladestorm: Nightmare | Omega Force | Adds a new story mode with heavy fantasy elements (goblins, dragons, etc); also adds support skills for generic troops |
PS3 | Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War | Omega Force | A RTS/musou with a rock-paper-scissors-like element to squad types (which can each be leveled), takes place in an alt-historical version of France/England |
Xbox 360 | Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War | Omega Force | See PS3 |
PSX | Blaze and Blade: Eternal Quest (PAL/JP only) | T&E Soft | Multiplayer ARPG- better to find IRL friends than to let the horrible AI act as party members |
Vita | Blazing Souls (DL only) | Idea Factory | AKA Blazing Souls: Accelate, see PSP |
PSP | Blazing Souls: Accelate | Idea Factory | SPRG; a port of a JP-only PS2 game set after the true ending of Spectral Souls II, a non-linear storyline |
PS4 | Bleach: Brave Souls | KLab | Bleach goes gacha, with both solo-and co-op play in a 3D ARPG format |
DS | Bleach: The 3rd Phantom | Tom Create | An SRPG with relationship-building elements, spinoff story written by Tite Kubo himself |
PS4 | Bloodborne | FromSoftware | Victorian Gothic-flavored Dark Souls; similarly punishing ARPG gameplay with similar soul/blood collection to level stat mechanics |
JP DS | Blood of Bahamut | Think & Feel | Giant monster-slaying ARPG with mission-based structure |
Xbox One | Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night | ArtPlay | Iga doing what Iga does (arguably) best: Metroidvanias; it's not Castlevania, but it's about as close as you'll get these days |
PS4 | Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night | ArtPlay | See XBO |
Switch | Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night | ArtPlay | See XBO |
JP FC | Bloody Warriors: Shan-Go no Gyakushuu | Micronics/Toei Animation | Even translated, the health counter for enemies makes no sense. Pretty short too. |
Xbox 360 | Blue Dragon | Mistwalker/Artoon | Elementary JRPG with a killer boss theme and a job system |
DS | Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow | Tri-Crescendo | ARPG with a customizable protagonist, Shu and the gang are AI-controlled party members |
DS | Blue Dragon Plus | Brownie Brown/feelplus | RTSRPG sequel to Blue Dragon, adorable spritework |
PS4 | Blue Reflection | Gust | Part slice-of-life, part magical girl game; leveling is done by allocating growth points into various stats; turn-based combat |
PS4 | Blue Reflection: Second Light | Gust | A combo-heavy real-time battle system, cooking, crafting, and building bonds with an all-magical girl party |
Switch | Blue Reflection: Second Light | Gust | See PS4 |
GBA | Boktai 2: Solar Boy Django | KCEJ | They done did it again, but now the sunlight also works as a form of currency! |
GBA | Boktai: The Sun Is In Your Hand | KCEJ | That crazy Kojima made an ARPG where you have to use actual UV rays to power your weapons! |
GBA | Bomberman Tournament | Amble | A Bomberman ARPG where you level Pokemon-like creatures that give you abilities |
JP PSX | Bomberman Wars | Metro Corporation | SRPG with Bomberman flair, different types of units have different bomb-placing abilities (which can be increased) |
PS4 | Bonds of the Skies | Hit-Point | See 3DS |
Switch | Bonds of the Skies | Hit-Point | See 3DS |
Vita | Bonds of the Skies (DL only) | Hit-Point | See 3DS |
Xbox One | Bonds of the Skies (DL only) | Hit-Point | See 3DS |
3DS | Bonds of the Skies (DL only) | Hit-Point | Another Kemco RPG, albeit a really, really easy one |
SNES | Brain Lord | Produce | ARPG featuring dungeon puzzles and little monsters that follow you |
SNES | Brandish | Falcom/Koei | Top-down dungeon crawl, the only entry in the series to be localized |
JP SFC | Brandish 2: The Planet Buster | Falcom | Similar top-down dungeon crawling as the first |
Vita | Brandish: The Dark Revenant (DL only) | Falcom | See PSP |
PSP | Brandish: The Dark Revenant (DL only) | Falcom | 3D remake of the original Brandish with an extra storyline from the villain's perspective, punishing but fair gameplay |
3DS | Brave Dungeon (DL only) | Inside System | Top-down dungeon crawler, featuring a class system and item crafting, along with turn-based battles; very sparse story |
Switch | Brave Dungeon + Dark Witch Story: COMBAT | Inside System | A remastered version of the 3DS dungeon crawler and a card battling game with lots of auto battle (cards can have their stats increased) |
PSX | Brave Fencer Musashi | Square | ARPG with day/night cycle, elemental sword attacks |
3DS | Bravely Default | Silicon Studio | Very old-school Final Fantasy-flavored; a job system and turn-based combat that utilizes an action point-like system to take multiple actions in a turn or build up future actions |
Switch | Bravely Default II | Claytechworks | Not a sequel to either of the previous Bravely games; robust and fashionable job system, turn-manipulating combat, and lots of grass to cut! |
3DS | Bravely Second: End Layer | Silicon Studio | Despite the name confusion, this game is a direct sequel to Bravely Default; combat is largely similar but adds chaining battles to gain more XP |
JP PSX | Brave Prove | Data West | Generic ARPG, but anything translated is a plus |
PSP | Brave Story: New Traveler | Game Republic | Based on a novel/manga, standard turn-based gameplay, semi-obnoxious onomatopoeia effects during combat |
SNES | Breath of Fire | Capcom | Capcom's take on the traditional JRPG with a lot of dragons |
GBA | Breath of Fire | Capcom | It's Ryu, but on a tinier screen! |
Switch | Breath of Fire (NSO) | Capcom | See SNES |
Wii U | Breath of Fire (VC) | Capcom | See SNES |
PS2 | Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter | Capcom | Heavily criticized for requiring multiple playthroughs |
GBA | Breath of Fire II | Capcom | More polished than the SNES version, but gives up graphically in the process |
SNES | Breath of Fire II | Capcom | Direct sequel to BoF I |
Switch | Breath of Fire II (NSO) | Capcom | See SNES |
Wii U | Breath of Fire II (VC) | Capcom | See SNES |
PSX | Breath of Fire III | Capcom | More Ryu, but with more dragon forms! Intoduces the Master System and Faerie Town features |
Vita | Breath of Fire III (DL only) | Capcom | See PSP |
PSP | Breath of Fire III (DL only) | Capcom | Slightly enhanced port of the original, with improved music and some minor tweaks to graphics and gameplay |
PSX | Breath of Fire IV | Capcom | Even more Ryu, pretty sprites, and a new combo system |
PS3 | Breath of Fire IV (PSone Classics) | Capcom | See PSX |
Vita | Breath of Fire IV (PSone Classics) | Capcom | See PSX |
PSP | Breath of Fire IV (PSone Classics) | Capcom | See PSX |
JP PSX | Brigandine: Grand Edition | Hearty Robin | An enhanced, expanded version of Brigandine: The Legend of Forsena |
PSX | Brigandine: The Legend of Forsena | Hearty Robin | SRPG with upkeep and semi-RTS elements |
PS4 | Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia | Matrix Software | See Switch |
Switch | Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia | Matrix Software | SRPG with multiple warring factions to choose from, combat is done in hex grids; managing the overall battle map is important |
Switch | Burger Bistro Story (DL only) | Kairosoft | Another management sim with staff that can level up, but this one has burgies |
JP SFC | Bushi Seiryuuden: Futari no Yuusha | Game Freak | Zelda-like exploration; combat is 2D platformer-like, but still turn-based (enemies only act when you do); pretty spritework |
Genesis | Cadash | Taito | Side-scrolling ARPG with multiplayer potential |
TurboGrafx-16 | Cadash | Taito | More playable characters than the GEN version, multiplayer available |
PS4 | Caravan Stories (DL only) | Aiming Inc. | Formerly a JP-only mobile MMORPG with gacha hero recruitment mechanics and heavy emphasis on auto-combat |
GBA | Car Battler Joe | Ancient | Exactly as the title implies - you level up your car in demolition derby-style matches |
GBA | Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow | KCET | Metroidvania with the addition of collecting enemy souls to augment abilities |
Wii U | Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (VC) | KCET | See GBA |
GBA | Castlevania: Circle of the Moon | KCEK | Metroidvania with a dual card system to customize abilities |
PS2 | Castlevania: Curse of Darkness | Konami | Hacky-slashy-spooky, uses items to increase stats |
Xbox | Castlevania: Curse of Darkness | Konami | 3D ARPG - level Hector's stats with items and his familiars with good ol' XP |
DS | Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow | Konami | Metroidvania direct sequel to Aria of Sorrow with a more anime design aesthetic, requires the stylus to draw symbols |
Xbox 360 | Castlevania: Harmony of Despair (DL only) | Konami | Large-scale Metroidvania crossover with an emphasis on online co-op, stats based on gear and skill grinding |
PS3 | Castlevania: Harmony of Despair (DL only) | Konami | Massive crossover metroidvania with local multiplayer and character growth based on equipment |
Xbox One | Castlevania: Harmony of Despair (DL only) | Konami | See PS3 |
GBA | Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance | KCET | Metroidvania with room decorating and traveling between dimensions to progress |
DS | Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia | Konami | Last of the DS Metroidvanias, featuring a glyph combination system to customize movement and combat abilities |
DS | Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin | Konami | Metroidvania with highly varied level design and two switchable playable protagonists - CHARLOTTEJONATHANCHARLOTTE |
PSX | Castlevania: Symphony of the Night | Konami | THE Metroidvania |
Xbox 360 | Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (DL only) | Konami | Mostly the same as the PSX version, but removes FMV cutscenes |
PS3 | Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PSone Classics) | Konami | See PSX |
PSP | Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles | Konami | Contains a remade version of Rondo of Blood and an unlockable version of Symphony of the Night with dialogue translation closer to the original Japanese |
Vita | Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles (DL only) | Konami | See PSP |
PS4 | Castlevania Advance Collection (DL only) | Konami | See XS |
Xbox Series | Castlevania Advance Collection (DL only) | Konami | Contains Circle of the Moon, Harmony of Dissonance, Aria of Sorrow, and Dracula X all with modern QoL features |
Switch | Castlevania Advance Collection (DL only) | Konami | See XS |
Xbox One | Castlevania Advance Collection (DL only) | Konami | See XS |
NES | Castlevania II: Simon's Quest | Konami | Surprise! Contains a day/night system and XP/leveling |
Wii U | Castlevania II: Simon's Quest (VC) | Konami | See NES |
3DS | Castlevania II: Simon's Quest (VC) | Konami | See NES |
PS4 | Castlevania Requiem: Symphony of the Night & Rondo of Blood (DL only) | Konami | An upscaled version of The Dracula X Chronicles, including all improvements present |
JP GB+GBC | Cave Noire | Konami | Roguelike - higher level quests start you off with better stats |
3DS | Cave Story (DL only) | Studio Pixel/Nicalis | See DS |
DS | Cave Story (DSiWare) | Studio Pixel/Nicalis | A platforming-heavy metroidvania created by a one-man development team; taking damage loses XP for weapons |
3DS | Cave Story 3D | Studio Pixel/Nicalis | Renders the original game with 3D graphics, throws in crossover content/references, adds a dynamic camera and additional level |
Vita | Chaos Rings (delisted, DL only) | Media.Vision | Turn-based combat is done in two-person parties where they can attack separately or together (and take potential damage likewise) |
JP SFC | Chaos Seed: Fuusui Kairouki | Neverland | Lots of resource management! Multiple endings! |
PS2 | Chaos Wars | Idea Factory | SRPG with the best English voice acting known to man |
JP FC | Chaos World | Natsume | Neat auto-battle system |
JP FC | Chester Field: Ankoku Shin e no Chousen | Vic Tokai | Light on text, hilarious walking animation, very platformy |
DS | Children of Mana | Nex Entertainment | Beautiful graphics, but otherwise a repetitive randomized dungeon-crawling ARPG |
PSX | Chocobo's Dungeon 2 | Square | Mystery Dungeon, but with 100% more Kweh |
PS4 | Chocobo's Mystery Dungeon Every Buddy! (DL only) | Rocket Studio Inc./Square Enix | Enhanced version of FF Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon, adds recruitable buddies, new jobs for the titular chocobo, and some features from the JP-only DS port of the game |
Switch | Chocobo's Mystery Dungeon Every Buddy! (DL only) | Rocket Studio Inc./Square Enix | See PS4 |
JP Wonderswan | Chocobo no Fushigi na Dungeon | Square | See JP PSX, but without color |
JP PSX | Chocobo no Fushigi na Dungeon | Square | Chocobo's first roguelike experience with some town-building elements; spells are leveled with repeated use |
JP SFC | Chou-Mahou Tairiku Wozz | Red Company Corporation | 8 playable characters, branching storylines, invention systems- this game truly tries to do it all! |
Switch | Chroma Quaternion (DL only) | Exe-Create | Kemco approaches decent quality; regular turn-based gameplay, kingdoms themed after the four seasons... and surfing gorillas as an enemy encounter?!? |
Xbox One | Chroma Quaternion (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Switch |
PS5 | Chroma Quaternion (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Switch |
Xbox Series | Chroma Quaternion (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Switch |
PS4 | Chroma Quaternion (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Switch |
PSX | Chrono Cross | Square | Masterful soundtrack, confusingly related to Chrono Trigger |
PS3 | Chrono Cross (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
Vita | Chrono Cross (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
PSP | Chrono Cross (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
Switch | Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition | D4 Enterprise/Square Enix | See PS4 |
PS4 | Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition (DL only) | D4 Enterprise/Square Enix | A remaster of the dimension-hopper with QoL features, also contains the first localized appearance of Radical Dreamers |
Xbox One | Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition (DL only) | D4 Enterprise/Square Enix | See PS4 |
DS | Chrono Trigger | Square Enix/Tose | If you must play a version of this game (and you must), this one is a good choice- it has extra cut content! |
SNES | Chrono Trigger | Square | A shining example of the genre as a whole, a time-travel story done right |
PS3 | Chrono Trigger (PSone Classics) | Tose/Square | See PSX |
PSP | Chrono Trigger (PSone Classics) | Tose/Square | See PSX |
Vita | Chrono Trigger (PSone Classics) | Tose/Square | See PSX |
Switch | Chronus Arc | Hit-Point | See 3DS |
PS4 | Chronus Arc | Hit-Point | See 3DS |
Vita | Chronus Arc | Hit-Point | See 3DS |
Xbox One | Chronus Arc (DL only) | Hit-Point | See 3DS |
3DS | Chronus Arc (DL only) | Hit-Point | More Kemco fare, this one encourages insane amouns of grinding with random difficulty spikes |
GBA | CIMA: The Enemy | Neverland | ARPG of sorts- can level up weapons and armor while controlling Lemmings-like civilians |
Vita | Cladun: This is an RPG (DL only) | System Prisma/Nippon Ichi | See PSP |
PSP | Cladun: This is an RPG (DL only) | System Prisma/Nippon Ichi | A top-down randomized dungeon crawler that also acts as a desconstruction of sorts by allowing the player to make their character and the boss |
PS4 | ClaDun Returns: This is Sengoku! | Nippon Ichi | See Vita |
Vita | ClaDun Returns: This is Sengoku! (DL only) | Nippon Ichi | Retro-styled dungeon crawling like its predecessors, with lots of classes to choose from and many randomized elements |
PSP | ClaDun x2 (DL only) | System Prisma/Nippon Ichi | More dungeon-crawling/RPG Maker hybrid goodness! |
Vita | Cladun x2 (DL only) | System Prisma/Nippon Ichi | See PSP |
PSP | Class of Heroes | Zerodiv | First-person dungeon-crawler with highly customizable party members, and balancing compatibility between members is important |
PSP | Class of Heroes 2 | Zerodiv | Plays similarly to the first, but adds more character classes |
Vita | Class of Heroes 2 (DL only) | Zerodiv | See PSP |
PS3 | Class of Heroes 2G | Zerodiv | Enhanced version of the PSP first-person dungeon crawler with more skills/party members/dungeons |
3DS | Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. | Intelligent Systems | A steampunky, comic book-styled game with gameplay similar to Valkyria Chronicles (SRPG with third-person shooting perspective/attacking), lots of public domain characters |
3DS | Code of Princess | Studio Saizensen | Side-scrolling beat-em-up with XP and leveling, fairly similar to Guardian Heroes, has a story mode as well as additional bonus scenarios |
Switch | Code of Princess EX | Studio Saisenzen | Overall improvement from the original; adds more playable characters, story co-op mode, a streamlined skill system, and other QoL changes |
Xbox One | Code Vein | Bandai Namco | See PS4 |
PS4 | Code Vein | Bandai Namco | Think Dark Souls, but more anime and with post-apocalyptic vampires |
Switch | Collection of Mana | M2/Square | Brings together the original versions of the first three Mana games along with UI QoL additions; first appearance of a localized Trials of Mana |
Switch | Collection of SaGa: Final Fantasy Legend (DL only) | M2/Square | A collection of the original versions of the first three SaGa games along with UI/QoL additions/improvements |
PS2 | Colosseum: Road to Freedom | Goshow | A gladiator simulator is a bit of a strange choice to make an ARPG about, but here we are- |
JP FC | Columbus: Ougon no Yoake | Tomy | Naval combat and quasi-historical themes! Sketch af! |
JP PSX | Community Pom | Fill in Cafe | The cutest Zelda clone ever, with XP and little fuzzy buddies to raise to help you |
3DS | Conception II: Children of the Seven Stars | Spike Chunsoft | Third-person dungeon crawling and some heavy dating sim elements, including "classmating" with fellow students to have "children" with strong powers |
Vita | Conception II: Children of the Seven Stars | Spike Chunsoft | See 3DS |
PS4 | Conception Plus: Maidens of the Twelve Stars | Spike Chunsoft | A remake of the first Conception game; increasing your bond with different women to produce "children" who will become your allies in battle |
DS | Contact | Grasshopper Manufacture | A fourth-wall breaking ARPG with a costume-based skill system and stats gained in real-time by taking specific actions |
Turbografx-CD | Cosmic Fantasy 2 | Laser Soft | Standard JRPG, major selling point for the TGCD, enemies only use basic attacks |
JP FC | Cosmo Police Galivan | Nihon Bussan | Platformer ARPG - Metroidvania before metroidvanias were a thing |
Switch | Cresteaju (DL only) | Shou/PLiCy | A remastered JP-only indie PC game that shows its age |
Vita | Criminal Girls 2: Party Favors | Nippon Ichi | Same skeezy gameplay loop with new characters |
Vita | Criminal Girls: Invite Only | Imageepoch | Turn-based combat where each girl will only accept commands if she is "motivated" enough through minigames, which is exactly as thinly-veiled perverse as it sounds |
Xbox | Crimson Sea | Koei | Musou-like with a sci-fi theme, some shooting elements, party members, weapon XP |
PS2 | Crimson Sea 2 | Koei | Sci-fi musou-like with weapon/magic XP, multiplayer, and a non-linear mission structure |
PS3 | Crimson Sea 2 (PS2 Classics) | Koei | See PS2 |
3DS | Crimson Shroud (DL only) | Nex Entertainment | Heavily D&D-inspired, down to the dice rolling! Characters do not level, but can upgrade skills and equipment |
PS2 | Crimson Tears | Dream Factory | 3D beat-em-up/randomized dungeon crawler hybrid |
PS4 | Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Reunion | Square Enix/Tose | See PS5 |
Switch | Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Reunion | Square Enix/Tose | See PS5 |
PS5 | Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Reunion | Square Enix/Tose | Adds many QoL features and alters the visuals/voices to be more in line with FFVII Remake |
Xbox Series | Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Reunion | Square Enix/Tose | See PS5 |
Xbox One | Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Reunion | Square Enix/Tose | See PS5 |
PSP | Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII | Square Enix | ARPG featuring not-Cloud in a prequel to FFVII, slot machines can affect the tide of battle, mission-based structure |
Switch | Croixleur Sigma | Souvenir Circ | See PS4 |
PS4 | Croixleur Sigma | Souvenir Circ | Arcadey, hacky-slashy ARPG where you descend dungeon floors, have a limited amount of time to kill all the enemies, and level up in-between |
PS3 | Cross Edge | Compile Heart | Crossover RPG with characters from Darkstalkers and Disgaea among others, combo-based gameplay, loads of technical issues |
JP SFC | Crystal Beans: From Dungeon Explorer | Birthday/Hudson Soft | Straightforward ARPG gameplay, hidden playable characters, leveling stats through gems |
PS3 | Crystal Defenders | Square Enix | Final Fantasy-themed tower defense, cute spritework, unit management and leveling is important |
Xbox 360 | Crystal Defenders | Square Enix | A Final Fantasy-themed tower defense game where leveling units is crucial to survival |
PSP | Crystal Defenders (DL only) | Square Enix | Final Fantasy tower defense game set in Ivalice using classes from FFTA2. strategy involves leveling units |
NES | Crystalis | SNK | Top-down ARPG, fairly grindy for the time |
GB+GBC | Crystalis | Nintendo | A remake of the original, with greater difficulty and story changes |
Switch | Crystalis (NSO) | SNK | See NES |
Xbox One | Crystal Ortha (DL only) | Hit-Point | See Switch |
Switch | Crystal Ortha (DL only) | Hit-Point | Kemco returns yet again; there are no items in-game and only 5 skills can be equipped per character; perks help in balancing the very frequent combat |
PS4 | Crystal Ortha (DL only) | Hit-Point | See Switch |
Game Gear | Crystal Warriors | Sega | Pretty standard SRPG for the time |
3DS | Crystal Warriors (VC) | Sega | See GG |
Switch | Crystar | Gemdrops | See PS4, but with all DLC included |
PS4 | Crystar | Gemdrops | An ARPG about escaping from purgatory using the power of crying to purify souls and obtain equipment |
3DS | Crystareino (DL only) | Hit-Point | A bit better than your average Kemco game- lots of recruitable characters and a job sytem in this one |
GameCube | Cubivore: Survival of the Fittest | Saru Brunei/Intelligent Systems | A game about raising cubes like animals and making them fight and mutate |
3DS | Culdcept Revolt | Omiya Soft | It's like Monopoly, if instead of houses you could leave behind monsters that you level up; also has player ranks/levels |
JP N64 | Custom Robo | Noise Inc. | First game in the robot customizing (hah) and fighting series; upgrades to robots are bought rather than earned |
DS | Custom Robo Arena | Noise Inc. | Go to school, build your robot, and battle using it in arena-styled ARPG combat! |
PS4 | Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online | Compile Heart/Idea Factory/Tamsoft | Another ARPG starring the Neptune crew, made to mimic an MMO; same problems of reused assets apply; humor is still as tongue-in-cheek as ever |
JP SFC | Cyber Knight | Advance Communication Company | SRPG/turn-based hybrid combat, also: SPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACE exploration |
JP SFC | Cyber Knight II: Chikyuu Teikoku no Yabou | Atelier Double/Group SNE | Similar gameplay but massive graphical leap over the first |
Dreamcast | D2 | Warp | More of a survival horror adventure game, with random battles (in which you aim and fire) and XP to gain to increase your small pool of stats, kind of a slog in pacing |
JP FC | Dai-2-Ji Super Robot Taisen | Winkysoft | Features original design robots that would become the cornerstone of the Original Generation series |
JP SFC | Dai-3-Ji Super Robot Taisen | Winkysoft | First in the series to have a branching storyline |
JP SFC | Daikaijuu Monogatari | Birthday/Hudson Soft | Hidden characters and adorable sprites! |
PS4 | Damascus Dear: Operation Tokyo HD Edition | Aplus | See Vita, but prettier |
Vita | Damascus Gear: Operation Osaka | Aplus | Doesn't change much from the first game, but does add pilot skill points which can further enhance statistics |
PS4 | Damascus Gear: Operation Osaka HD Edition | Aplus | See Vita, but prettier |
Switch | Damascus Gear: Operation Osaka HD Edition (DL only) | Aplus | See Vita, but prettier |
Vita | Damascus Gear: Operation Tokyo | Aplus | An isometric dungeon crawler of sorts where you pilot a mech to complete missions, which give you parts to upgrade your stats with |
Switch | Damascus Gear: Operation Tokyo HD Edition (DL only) | Aplus | See Vita, but prettier |
Switch | Dandy Dungeon: Legend of Brave Yamada (DL only) | Onion Games | Very fourth wall-breaking; completing roguelike dungeons via pathing elements not only improves that character, but the person that made him |
PS4 | Danganronpa 1.2 Reload | Spike Chunsoft | Contains both Danganronpa 1 and 2 with improved graphics |
Vita | Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair | Spike Chunsoft | Mostly a visual novel/murder mystery/courtroom sim, but also features XP to give you levels and skill points to equip abilities to use in trials |
Switch | Danganronpa Decadence | Spike Chunsoft | Featues Danganronpa 1/2/v3 as well as Danganronpa S: Ultimate Summer Camp - a board game/turn-based RPG hybrid with characters from all 3 main games |
Vita | Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony | Spike Chunsoft | New school, new classmates to watch murder each other, easy XP to gain to increase equippable trial skills, and a bonus dungeon-crawler mingame |
PS4 | Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony | Spike Chunsoft | See Vita |
Neo Geo Pocket | Dark Arms: Beast Buster | 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 |
PS2 | Dark Cloud | Level-5 | ARPG with roguelike elements and town building; no traditional XP (though weapons do level) |
PS4 | Dark Cloud (DL only) | Level-5 | See PS2 |
PS2 | Dark Cloud 2 | Level-5 | Similar to the first but with less playable characters, more involved town-building |
PS4 | Dark Cloud 2 (DL only) | Level-5 | See PS2 |
JP SFC | Dark Half | West One | Item-based leveling system; also, spoiler alert (not really): You play the antagonist! |
JP SFC | Dark Law: Meaning of Death | Sakata SAS | Super duper hard! Also featuring rudimentary 3D! |
JP FC | Dark Lord | Data East | Mix of overhead and turn-based combat |
PS4 | Dark Rose Valkyrie | Compile Heart | Turn-based combat with turn manipulation features; some visual novel elements including sniffing out a traitor amongst your ranks |
Saturn | Dark Savior | Climax | Sequel to Landstalker (GEN), an ARPG with fighting game-like combat and isometric platforming |
PS3 | Dark Souls | FromSoftware | Prepare to die! A lot! Super-challenging ARPG combat and dungeon delving, successor to Demon's Souls |
Xbox 360 | Dark Souls | FromSoftware | Spiritual successor to Demon's Souls, where multitudes learned to die and die again |
Switch | Dark Souls: Remastered | FromSoftware | See XBO |
Xbox One | Dark Souls: Remastered | FromSoftware/QLOC | Includes all DLC and some QoL improvements, but otherwise largely unchanged (besides visually) |
PS4 | Dark Souls: Remastered | FromSoftware/QLOC | See XBO |
PS3 | Dark Souls II | FromSoftware | More Dark Souls = more death |
Xbox 360 | Dark Souls II | FromSoftware | Set in the same universe as the first game, with similarly punishing 3rd-person ARPG gameplay |
PS3 | Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin | FromSoftware | Enhanced/remastered version of Dark Souls II with better AI |
Xbox One | Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin | FromSoftware | See PS3 |
PS4 | Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin | FromSoftware | See PS3 |
Xbox 360 | Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin | FromSoftware | The definitive edition of Dark Souls II |
Xbox One | Dark Souls III | FromSoftware | More ways to die and keep dying; combat is overall more fluid than previous games, an MP-like system is introduced |
PS4 | Dark Souls III | FromSoftware | See XBO |
Sega CD | Dark Wizard | H.I.C. | SRPG with night/day, alignment systems |
PS2 | Dawn of Mana | Square Enix | Does away with many conventions of the series, large focus on item throwing, level gains are reset between areas |
Switch | Dead or School (DL only) | Studio Nanafushi | See PS4 |
PS4 | Dead or School (DL only) | Studio Nanafushi | Sidescrolling horror ARPG/Metroidvania; lots of jank in the programming; a bit fanservicey in design |
Xbox 360 | Dead Rising | Capcom | Smashing hordes of zombies in a chaotic mall with a leveling system, unforgiving game timer, survivors to rescue, and pictures to take |
Xbox Series | Dead Rising (DL only) | Capcom | See PS4 |
PS4 | Dead Rising (DL only) | Capcom | See 360, but with more save slots and graphical upgrades |
Xbox One | Dead Rising (DL only) | Capcom | See PS4 |
Wii | Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop | Tose/Capcom | Replaces the game-spanning countdown clock with timed missions, no free-roaming the mall between missions, and over-the-shoulder gunplay |
PS4 | Death end re;Quest | Compile Heart | Many VN elements; a semi-horror JRPG about getting trapped in a VRMMO; some genre-switching elements while exploring, positioning is crucial to combat |
Switch | Death end re;Quest | Compile Heart | See PS4 |
Switch | Death end re;Quest 2 | Compile Heart/Idea Factory | See PS4 |
PS4 | Death end re;Quest 2 | Compile Heart/Idea Factory | Knocking enemies around in battle returns; VN elements and dark themes are still present, less "virtual" features than the first game |
PS4 | Death Stranding | Kojima Productions | The Adventures of Norman Reedus and the Funky Fetus, with "likes" serving as XP to increase your Porter Grade/stats |
PS5 | Death Stranding Director's Cut | Kojima Productions | Adds some Metal Gear Solid-esque story missions, as well as features like buildable racetracks and a buddy bot to help you carry things |
PSX | Deception III: Dark Delusion | Tecmo | Dark story with trap creation |
Vita | Deception IV: Blood Ties | Koei Tecmo | See PS3 |
PS3 | Deception IV: Blood Ties | Koei Tecmo | More traps to be set in increasingly complex manners |
PS4 | Deception IV: The Nightmare Princess | Koei Tecmo | See PS3 |
PS3 | Deception IV: The Nightmare Princess (DL only) | Koei Tecmo | Enhanced version of the original game with an additional playable character and storyline |
Vita | Deception IV: The Nightmare Princess (DL only) | Koei Tecmo | See PS3 |
JP FC | Deep Dungeon III: Yuushi e no Tabi | Humming Bird Soft | 1st-person dunegon crawl |
JP FC | Deep Dungeon IV: Kuro no Youjutsushi | Humming Bird Soft | 1st-person dunegon crawl |
DS | Deep Labyrinth | Interactive Brains | A first-person dungeon crawler ARPG with heavy use of the stylus for attacking and drawing runes for spellcasting |
Game Gear | Defenders of Oasis | Sega | Turn-based JRPG with a Thousand and One Nights theme |
3DS | Defenders of Oasis (VC) | Sega | See GG |
GBA | DemiKids: Light/Dark | Multimedia Intelligence Transfer | Pokemon-like demon collecting and fusion, but each version has a separate plot/protagonist! |
PS5 | Demon's Souls | FromSoftware/Bluepoint | Revitalizes the original Souls game, adding some handy item management QoL features; just as difficult as the original |
PS3 | Demon's Souls | FromSoftware | Punishing ARPG gameplay, loads of dying, learning, and dying again - collective actions online shift the difficulty of the game as a whole |
Vita | Demon Gaze | Kadokawa/Experience | A first-person dungeon crawler with a fairly large amount of fan service and the ability to recruit demons in order to grind enough money to pay your innkeeper the rent due |
PS4 | Demon Gaze Extra (DL only) | Kadokawa/Experience | A coat of visual polish, adds story content and significant ease-of-use QoLs, including autopilot when traversing dungeons |
Switch | Demon Gaze Extra (DL only) | Kadokawa/Experience | See PS4 |
Vita | Demon Gaze II | Kadokawa/Experience | Still first-person dungeoneering, but takes away the ability to create party members; still a bit fanservicey |
PS4 | Demon Gaze II | Kadokawa/Experience | See Vita |
PS4 | Demoniaca: Everlasting Night (DL only) | AKI/Eastasiasoft | See XS |
Switch | Demoniaca: Everlasting Night (DL only) | AKI/Eastasiasoft | See XS |
Xbox Series | Demoniaca: Everlasting Night (DL only) | AKI/Eastasiasoft | A metroidvania that wears its mature themes on its sleeves (to an occasionally lewd degree) |
PS5 | Demoniaca: Everlasting Night (DL only) | AKI/Eastasiasoft | See XS |
Xbox One | Demoniaca: Everlasting Night (DL only) | AKI/Eastasiasoft | See XS |
JP SFC | Der Langrisser | NCS | Remake of Langrisser II, with branching storylines |
PS4 | Destiny Connect: Tick-Tock Travelers | Nippon Ichi | Short turn-based affair focused on time travel; difficulty level is overall low |
Switch | Destiny Connect: Tick-Tock Travelers | Nippon Ichi | See PS4 |
NES | Destiny of an Emperor | Capcom | Romance of the Three Kingdoms-themed, auto-battle system |
JP Wonderswan | Dicing Knight. | Platine Dispositif | A roguelike with hectic gameplay, dice literally fly out of enemies when you attack them to determine damage done |
JP PSP | Digimon Adventure | Prope | Tells the story of the first anime series through 3-on-3 Digimon battles, also features a relationship system |
JP Wonderswan | Digimon Adventure 02: D1 Tamers | SIMS/Bandai | Direct sequel to Tag Tamers, mostly the same, but utilizes the Wonderswan Color's palette |
JP Wonderswan | Digimon Adventure 02: Tag Tamers | SIMS/Bandai | Turn-based digital monster collecting, fighting, and fusing gameplay, elaborates on a very important plot point in the anime |
PS4 | Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth | Media.Vision | See Vita |
Vita | Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth | Media.Vision | Turn-based Digimon collectathon with a story somewhat reminisent of .hack |
Vita | Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth - Hacker's Memory | Media.Vision | Continues the story from the first game with more Digimon to collect (with similar gameplay) |
PS4 | Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth - Hacker's Memory | Media.Vision | See Vita |
Switch | Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition | Media.Vision | Combined versions of Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth and Hacker's Memory; gives extra Digimon, balancing, and evolution trees to the first game |
Xbox One | Digimon Survive | Hyde | Actually exists after much delay! Heavier on visual-novel like gameplay, with darker themes and multiple endings as a result of player choice |
PS4 | Digimon Survive | Hyde | See XBO |
Switch | Digimon Survive | Hyde | See XBO |
PSX | Digimon World | Flying Tiger Development | Monster-collecting and raising game |
PSX | Digimon World 2 | BEC | More emphasis on dungeon crawling and monster battling than the first |
PSX | Digimon World 3 | BEC/Boom Corp | More of the same |
PS2 | Digimon World 4 | BEC | Digimon-themed ARPG with a clunky camera and a lack of balance |
Xbox | Digimon World 4 | BEC | An unexpected departure from the series format |
GameCube | Digimon World 4 | BEC | Much maligned for adopting an ARPG format - why would you give Agumon a sword? |
PS4 | Digimon World: Next Order | B.B. Studio | More straightforward monster-raising (on a time limit) than the Cyber Sleuth games, combat is largely controlled by AI |
DS | Digimon World Championship | Epics | All the perils of raising monsters without any of the storyline or ability to control them in combat (which happens via AI)! |
PS2 | Digimon World Data Squad | BEC | Turn-based battles and an emphasis on raising your Digimon appropriately |
DS | Digimon World Dawn/Dusk | BEC | Sequels to Digimon World DS, play similarly, exclusive Digimon to each version (as is tradition) |
DS | Digimon World DS | BEC | Technically the first game in the Digimon Story series rather than a Digimon World game, very Pokemon-esque in gameplay |
JP PSP | Digimon World Re: Digitize | Tri-Crescendo | Plays like the first Digimon World game, but also has an overarching storyline to follow |
JP FC | Digital Devil Monogatari: Megami Tensei II | Atlus | Considered to be the origin of the series' heavy-handed order vs chaos theme, good old-fashioned demon negotiation and recruitment |
JP FC | Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei | Atlus | The series had to start somewhere… |
DS | Dinosaur King | Climax Entertainment | It's Pokemon, but with dinosaurs instead! Combat is literally in a rock-paper-scissors format |
PS2 | Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII | Square Enix | An ARPG starring Midgar's favorite brooding gun-toting mutant |
PS4 | Disgaea 1: Complete | Nippon Ichi | Spiffs up the graphics and brings over features from previous iterations; adjusts some classes to be more in line with their counterparts from later games |
Switch | Disgaea 1: Complete | Nippon Ichi | See PS4 |
PS2 | Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories | Nippon Ichi | More SRPG demon shenanigans! |
PS3 | Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories (PS2 Classic) | Nippon Ichi | See PS2 |
PSP | Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days | Nippon Ichi | Adds characters from Disgaea 3, a story mode focusing on Axel, and other QoL changes brought over from Disgaea 3 |
Vita | Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days (DL only) | Nippon Ichi | See PSP |
Vita | Disgaea 3: Absence of Detention | Nippon Ichi | Adds all DLC, new scenarios/characters, makes tweaks to skills/classes, adds new types of magic |
PS3 | Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice | Nippon Ichi | SRPG shenanigans in the netherworld, with weapon proficiencies, monsters changing into weapons, and stacks of Geo blocks |
PS4 | Disgaea 4 Complete+ | Nippon Ichi | Makes the sprites prettier and adds some QoL changes including adjusting the speed of skills |
Switch | Disgaea 4 Complete + | Nippon Ichi | See PS4 |
Vita | Disgaea 4: A Promise Revisited | Nippon Ichi | Adds all DLC, a new level of spells to cast, brings over some QoL features from Disgaea D2, adds new characters and a new scenario |
PS3 | Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten | Nippon Ichi | Stacks on stacks on stacks of characters, a customizable hub town, and more leveling madness |
Switch | Disgaea 5 Complete | Nippon Ichi | Contains the base game and all DLC |
PS4 | Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance | Nippon Ichi | New protagonist, more Netherworld SRPG adventures; characters can now equip subclasses and form squads to augment their stats |
PS5 | Disgaea 6 Complete | Nippon Ichi | See Switch, but with a much better framerate and all DLC included |
PS4 | Disgaea 6 Complete | Nippon Ichi | See PS5 |
Switch | Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny | Nippon Ichi | The numbers for leveling and damage get even more ridiculous (if that can be believed), change from sprites to 3D models, same approach to humor |
PSP | Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness | Nippon Ichi | Cuts out a few songs from the original, but adds a mode focusing on Etna, some bosses from Disgaea 2, and dual language support |
Vita | Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness (DL only) | Nippon Ichi | See PSP |
PS2 | Disgaea: Hour of Darkness | Nippon Ichi | SRPG with ridiculous party stats, party lifting, and Prinnies! |
PS3 | Disgaea: Hour of Darkness (PS2 Classic) | Nippon Ichi | See PS2 |
PS3 | Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness | Nippon Ichi | Actual sequel to Hour of Darkness, adds rideable monsters and an affinity system |
DS | Disgaea DS | Nippon Ichi | Port of the PSP version of the classic SRPG with a few additional characters |
PSP | Dissidia 012 [duodecim] Final Fantasy | Square Enix | Adds more characters and expands the story mode to be party-based, also retells the story from the first game within |
Vita | Dissidia 012 [duodecim] Final Fantasy (DL only) | Square Enix | See PSP |
PS4 | Dissidia: Final Fantasy NT | Team Ninja | Changes the battle format to 3v3; leveling up characters is possible but only does things like improve the AI control and unlock HP-based attacks |
PSP | Dissidia Final Fantasy | Square Enix | A 3D Final Fantasy fighting game with unconventional mechanics, representatives from most main games in the series, and a story mode with character leveling |
Vita | Dissidia Final Fantasy (DL only) | Square Enix | See PSP |
GBA | Dokapon: Monster Hunter | Tycoon/Asmik Ace Entertainment | Battle system is literally rock-paper-scissors, also contains monster collecting elements |
JP SFC | Dokapon Gaiden - Honoo no Audition | Earthly Soft | Leans more heavily into comedy than previous games in the series, with greater board variety |
DS | Dokapon Journey | Suzak | Hybrid JRPG/board game, super duper cute! |
PS2 | Dokapon Kingdom | Sting | Board game/JRPG hybrid, extremely cute |
Wii | Dokapon Kingdom | Sting | No gameplay changes as compared to PS2, but better graphics and easier multiplayer |
JP FC | Doraemon: Giga Zombie no Gyakushuu | Epoch | Featuring playable Doraemon! |
Switch | Doraemon: Story of Seasons (DL only) | Brownies/Marvelous | See PS4 |
PS4 | Doraemon: Story of Seasons (DL only) | Brownies/Marvelous | As the title states, a Story of Seasons game with appearances by Doraemon and his friends where upgrading tools is crucial to farm life |
Switch | Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom (DL/Asia English) | Marvelous | Grow crops and use gadgets with Doraemon and pals- good vibes abound |
PS5 | Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom (DL/Asia English) | Marvelous | See Switch |
Switch | Double Dragon & Kunio-kun Retro Brawler Bundle | Technos Japan/Million/Arc System Works | A compilation with many previously unlocalized titles of the latter series |
PS4 | Double Dragon & Kunio-kun Retro Brawler Bundle (DL only) | Technos Japan/Million/Arc System Works | See Switch |
TurboGrafx-16 | Double Dungeons | NCS | Co-op first-person dungeon crawl |
Wii U | Double Dungeons (VC) | NCS | See TG16 |
JP FC | Double Moon Densetsu | Amusement/Dennou Kenkyusho/ORG | Multiple endings, multiple classes to choose from, pulls some nasty punches on the player |
JP FC | Downtown Special: Kunio-kun no Jidaigeki Dayo Zen'in Shuugou! | 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 |
PS3 | Dragon's Crown | Vanillaware | Highly overexaggerated character design and a solid side-scrolling beat-em-up with character leveling and progression |
Vita | Dragon's Crown | Vanillaware | See PS3 |
PS4 | Dragon's Crown Pro | Vanillaware | Adds an orchestral soundtrack and narrator content that was previously DLC, otherwise see PS3 |
TurboGrafx-16 | Dragon's Curse | Westone Bit Entertainment | (AKA Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap) See SMS, but fratures a save system rather than passwords |
Xbox 360 | Dragon's Dogma | Capcom | Western-styled ARPG with monster grappling, a customizable avatar, and additional customizable helper |
PS3 | Dragon's Dogma | Capcom | Open-world ARPG with some grappling elements and lots of customizability |
PS4 | Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen | Capcom | See 360 |
Xbox One | Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen | Capcom | See PS3 |
Xbox 360 | Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen | Capcom | An enhanced and expanded version of the original, with a new dungeon and lots of player feedback incorporated |
Switch | Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen | Capcom | See 360 |
PS3 | Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen | Capcom | Spoiler alert: All roads lead to Gran Soren! Enhanced/remastered version of the original with additional content |
JP FC | Dragon Ball: Dai Maou Fukkatsu | D&D Corp/Tose | Plays kinda like a card-based board game |
3DS | Dragon Ball: Fusions | Ganbarion | Create an avatar and engage in turn-based combat that does a decent job at mimicking the actual action of the series, as well as fuse characters (as the title implies) |
PS4 | Dragon Ball: Xenoverse | Dimps | See PS3 |
PS3 | Dragon Ball: Xenoverse | Dimps | Make your own DB character and fight using them in story mode (because what else do you do in that universe?) |
Xbox 360 | Dragon Ball: Xenoverse | Dimps | A 3D fighter based in the Dragon Ball universe with RPG elements such as leveling and a story mode… starring you! |
Xbox One | Dragon Ball: Xenoverse | Dimps | See PS3 |
PS4 | Dragon Ball: Xenoverse 2 | Dimps | See XBO |
Xbox One | Dragon Ball: Xenoverse 2 | Dimps | Lots of time-travel tomfoolery with your own custom Dragon Ball character; plays otherwise like a 3D arena fighter |
Switch | Dragon Ball: Xenoverse 2 | Dimps | See XBO |
DS | Dragon Ball Z: Attack of the Saiyans | Monolith Soft | An actual traditional turn-based Dragon Ball Z JRPG? I never thought I would see the day! |
PS2 | Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 | Dimps | More of a 3D fighter with the Z crew, but there is also a story mode where the main characters can train and level |
PS3 | Dragon Ball Z: Budokai HD Collection | Dimps | HD remasters of both Budokai (itself more of a fighting game alone) and Budokai 3 (fighter with mild/moderate RPG elements) |
Xbox 360 | Dragon Ball Z: Budokai HD Collection | Dimps | See PS3 |
PS2 | Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 | Spike | Uses a different game engine and camera style than the Budokai series, but has a similar story mode with additional "what-if" scenarios |
Wii | Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 | Spike | See PS2, but with motion controls optional |
Wii | Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 | Spike | See PS2, but with motion controls optional |
PS2 | Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 | Spike | An absolute ton of playable characters, but a bit of meat taken out of the story mode, as well as diminishing the RPG elements |
DS | Dragon Ball Z: Harukanaru Densetsu | BEC | Taking it all the way back to card-based combat, encounters take a long time but you gain experience between them |
Xbox One | Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot | CyberConnect2 | An ARPG retelling of (yet again) the major DBZ sagas with later ones available as DLC, contains fishing |
PS4 | Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot | CyberConnect2 | See XBO |
Switch | Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot + A New Power Awakens Set | CyberConnect2 | See XBO, with an additional DLC-only storyline revolving around DB Super content |
JP FC | Dragon Ball Z: Kyoushuu! Saiya Jin | D&D Corp/Tose | CARDS |
GB+GBC | Dragon Ball Z: Legendary Super Warriors | Flight-Plan | Saiyan-Buu sagas featured, card-based combat, blah blah blah |
JP SFC | Dragon Ball Z: Super Saiya Densetsu | D&D Corp/Tose | Combo of two of the FC DBZ games, still with card-based battles |
JP FC | Dragon Ball Z II: Gekishin Freeza!! | D&D Corp/Tose | Card-based combat |
JP FC | Dragon Ball Z III: Ressen Jinzou Ningen | D&D Corp/Tose | More card-based combat |
Game Gear | Dragon Crystal | Sega | Kinda like a demake of Fatal Labyrinth |
Master System | Dragon Crystal (PAL/JP only) | Sega | Similar to Fatal Labyrinth, gain levels by fighting monsters (but no XP) |
3DS | Dragon Crystal (VC) | Sega | See GG |
PSP | Dragoneer's Aria | Hit Maker | Turn-based battle system, magic is improved through repeated use, each party member has a unique field skill, elemental combos are encouraged in combat |
Vita | Dragoneer's Aria (DL only) | Hit Maker | See PSP |
Xbox One | DragonFangZ: The Rose & Dungeon of Time | Toydea | A poorly-translated roguelike that encourages less careful behavior in dungeons |
Switch | DragonFangZ: The Rose & Dungeon of Time (DL only) | Toydea | See XBO |
PS4 | DragonFangZ: The Rose & Dungeon of Time (DL only) | Toydea | See XBO |
Saturn | Dragon Force | J-Force/Sega | An RTS JRPG with 8 different factions to play as |
JP Saturn | Dragon Force II: Kamisarishi Daichi Ni | Sega | Pretty similar to the first |
PS4 | Dragon Lapis | Exe-Create | See 3DS |
Switch | Dragon Lapis (DL only) | Exe-Create | See 3DS |
Xbox One | Dragon Lapis (DL only) | Exe-Create | See 3DS |
3DS | Dragon Lapis (DL only) | Exe-Create | Same Kemco gameplay and tropes, with an intentionally downgraded art style (for some reason) |
Switch | Dragon Marked For Death | Inti Creates | See PS4 |
PS4 | Dragon Marked For Death (DL only) | Inti Creates | A sidescrolling ARPG with a quest-based structure and an emphasis on (non-local) co-op play |
Xbox Series | Dragon Prana (DL only) | Exe-Create | What is there to say about a Kemco game that hasn't already been said? Combat involves grids and graphics skew closer to 8-bit style |
PS5 | Dragon Prana (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
PS4 | Dragon Prana (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
Xbox One | Dragon Prana (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
Switch | Dragon Prana (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
Switch | Dragon Quest (DL only) | Armor Project/Matrix Software/Square Enix | Port of the relocalized mobile version, with redrawn character/monster sprites |
Switch | Dragon Quest Builders | Square Enix | See Vita |
PS4 | Dragon Quest Builders | Square Enix | See Vita |
Vita | Dragon Quest Builders (DL only) | Square Enix | A sort-of mashup between Minecraft and Dragon Quest, where you have to increase each town's base level to rebuild the destroyed world by crafting the necessary items |
PS4 | Dragon Quest Builders 2 | Omega Force/Square Enix | Restore the world of Dragon Quest 2 by completing requests for villagers and questing for materials, leveling both your character and village along the way |
Switch | Dragon Quest Builders 2 | Omega Force/Square Enix | See PS4 |
Xbox One | Dragon Quest Builders 2 | Omega Force/Square Enix | See PS4 |
Xbox Series | Dragon Quest Builders 2 | Omega Force/Square Enix | See PS4 |
DS | Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime | Tose | Part Zelda-like adventure starring a slime (with increasable health), part tank warfare as only Dragon Quest can provide (the stats of the tank itself can also be upgraded) |
PS4 | Dragon Quest Heroes: The World Tree's Woe and the Blight Below | Omega Force | A Dragon Quest-themed musou, with many playable characters from throughout the series' history |
PS4 | Dragon Quest Heroes II | Omega Force | Adds more traditional JRPG elements such as overworld traversal and questing to break up the gameplay, but is otherwise similar to the first |
JP SFC | Dragon Quest I + II | Chunsoft | Combined, debatably definitive version of DQ I and II |
Switch | Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of the Legendary Line (DL only) | Armor Project/Matrix Software/Square Enix | Port of the relocalized mobile version, with redrawn character/monster sprites |
JP SFC | Dragon Quest III | Heartbeat | Arguably the definitive version of the game |
Switch | Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation (DL only) | Armor Project/Matrix Software/Square Enix | Port of the relocalized mobile version, with redrawn character/monster sprites |
DS | Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen | ArtePiazza | Classic JRPG gameplay broken up into chapters following specific protagonists, has one more chapter than the NES version |
DS | Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies | Level-5 | Intended to be a multiplayer JRPG, all party members are customizable |
JP GBA | Dragon Quest Monsters: Caravan Heart | Tose | Stars a young Prince Keifer from DQVII, where you recruit humans and monsters for your growing caravan |
DS | Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker | Tose | More Dragon Quest-themed monster collection and synthesis! Also features a DQ VIII- like skill system |
DS | Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 | Tose | Not a direct sequel to Joker, adds monsters of varying sizes but otherwise plays the same |
JP 3DS | Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 3 | Square Enix | More monsters to scout, synthesize, and ride around the various worlds; turn-based combat with in-depth skill trees. |
JP 3DS | Dragon Quest Monsters: Terry's Wonderland 3D | Square Enix | A remake of Dragon Warrior Monsters, with more monsters to train/breed, a larger party size, and a 3D world to explore |
Wii | Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors | Genius Sonority/Eighting | An on-rails hack-and-slash RPG utilizing the Wii's motion controls |
Switch | Dragon Quest Treasures | Square Enix | A prequel of sorts to DQXI where treasure hunting with your merry monster band is the name of the game |
DS | Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride | ArtePiazza | First release of DQV in North America, featuring monster taming and a multi-generational story |
JP PS2 | Dragon Quest V: Tenkuu no Hanayome | ArtePiazza/Matrix Software | A 3D remake of the Super Famicom classic with an increased party size |
JP SFC | Dragon Quest V: Tenkuu no Hanayome | Chunsoft | Monster capture and marriage/children ahoy! |
JP SFC | Dragon Quest VI: Maboroshi no Daichi | Heartbeat | Third game in the Zenithian trilogy, return of the class system |
DS | Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation | ArtePiazza | First appearance of DQVI in the west, same turn-based gameplay, plot revolving around two separate worlds |
3DS | Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past | ArtePiazza | A whole new translation (for better or worse), changed encounter types from random to field enemies, and tweaked the class progression slightly |
PS2 | Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King | Level-5 | Can you really say no to more slimes? In a fully 3D environment? |
3DS | Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King | Square Enix | Adds new characters, story elements, and balance changes, but removes the orchestrated soundtrack and is not as visually appealing |
PS4 | Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age | Armor Project/Square Enix | No random encounters, a free-form camera in combat, and tons of traditional but loveable style; considered by some to be the best in the series |
PS4 | Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition | Armor Project/Square Enix | See Switch |
Xbox One | Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition | Armor Project/Square Enix | See Switch |
Switch | Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition | Armor Project/Square Enix | Lots of QoL changes including adding the symphonic score, extra quests/party chat, and more; can be played in either 2D or 3D modes |
JP FC | Dragon Scroll: Yomigaerishi Maryuu | Konami | *Epilepsy Warning* Otherwise a solid ARPG |
PSX | Dragonseeds | Jaleco | Who needs plot when you're combining dragon DNA? |
PS4 | Dragon Sinker | Exe-Create | See 3DS |
Vita | Dragon Sinker | Exe-Create | See 3DS |
3DS | Dragon Sinker (DL only) | Exe-Create | Another 8-bit Kemco jam, this one tries to do interesting things with forming squads of party members but is otherwise cookie-cutter |
Xbox One | Dragon Sinker (DL only) | Exe-Create | See 3DS |
Switch | Dragon Sinker (DL only) | Exe-Create | See 3DS |
Turbografx-CD | Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes | Falcom | Detailed game for the time, bridges the gap between the Dragon Slayer and LoH series |
Switch | Dragon Star Varnir | Compile Heart | See PS4 |
PS4 | Dragon Star Varnir | Compile Heart | Turn-based combat that takes vertical positioning into consideration as well as the standard two-dimensional grid, some dark themes, some fanservice (typical IF/Compile) |
PSX | Dragon Valor | Namco | Remake and sequel to Dragon Buster (FC), arcade-like 2.5D ARPG |
SNES | Dragon View | Kemco | Sequel to Drakkhen, interesting pseudo-3D overworld system |
NES | Dragon Warrior | Chunsoft | Solo questing to save the kingdom! |
GB+GBC | Dragon Warrior I & II | Tose | Keeps the same QoL changes brought by the SFC version, albeit with some naturally downgraded graphics |
NES | Dragon Warrior II | Chunsoft | Rescuing the kingdom, now with a party! |
GB+GBC | Dragon Warrior III | Tose | Maintains the QoL changes of the SFC version, adds an extra bonus dungeon, downgrades graphics a bit |
NES | Dragon Warrior III | Chunsoft | Introduces a class system to the series, far less linear than its predecessors |
NES | Dragon Warrior IV | Chunsoft | Breaks up the story into chapters with different protagonists that come together in the end |
GB+GBC | Dragon Warrior Monsters | Tose | Sort of Dragon Quest's answer to Pokemon, but with fusion as well |
GB+GBC | Dragon Warrior Monsters 2: Cobi's Journey/Tara's Adventure | Tose | Leans harder into the Pokemon slant with 2 different versions |
PSX | Dragon Warrior VII | Heart Beat | Looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong Dragon Quest game |
PS2 | Drakengard | Cavia | Musou-like RPG with some heavy/dark themes, direct predecessor to the Nier series |
PS2 | Drakengard 2 | Cavia | Still guarding and using dragons to fight masses of enemies |
PS3 | Drakengard 3 | Access | Hack-and-slash gameplay marred heavily by technical issues, very stylish nonetheless |
SNES | Drakkhen | Kemco/Infogrames | Sparsely populated, customizable characters that attack using AI, and lots of water to hilariously drown in |
3DS | Drancia Saga (DL only) | Urara-Works/Skipmore | An auto-side-scrolling game where your character can't stop moving but must nonetheless level up and save the day! |
PS4 | Dream House Days DX (DL only) | Kairosoft | See Switch |
Switch | Dream House Days DX (DL only) | Kairosoft | An apartment manager sim where you level up your furniture, tenants, and their potential careers; capitalism at its most end-stage form |
JP FC | Dream Master | Birthday | Not Little Nemo! More puzzle-based than most games of the era, cool concept |
DS | Drone Tactics | Success | A robo-bug-based SRPG, skews in a simplistic/childlike direction, especially story-wise |
PS2 | Dual Hearts | Matrix Software | Platforming-heavy ARPG - XP goes towards weapons instead of stats |
JP SFC | Dual Orb II | I'Max | Ultra-high encounter rate, a difficult game without grind dedication |
Xbox Series | Dungeon and Gravestone (DL only) | Wonderland Kazakiri Inc. | See Switch |
PS4 | Dungeon and Gravestone (DL only) | Wonderland Kazakiri Inc. | See Switch |
Switch | Dungeon and Gravestone (DL only) | Wonderland Kazakiri Inc. | Voxel-styled roguelike, experience is lost upon death but stat upgrades are permanent, lacks tutorials |
Xbox One | Dungeon and Gravestone (DL only) | Wonderland Kazakiri Inc. | See Switch |
Switch | Dungeon Encounters (DL only) | Square Enix | See PS4 |
PS4 | Dungeon Encounters (DL only) | Square Enix | Strips down dungeon delving to its most barebones- mapping out a 99 floor complex tile by tile, streamlines the ATB system |
TurboGrafx-16 | Dungeon Explorer | Atlus | Co-op top-down dungeon crawl, think Gauntlet |
Sega CD | Dungeon Explorer | Hudson Soft/Westone | Top-down ARPG with mediocre level design and multiplayer, very similar to Gauntlet |
PSP | Dungeon Explorer (DL only) | Atlus | See TG16 |
Vita | Dungeon Explorer (DL only) | Atlus | See TG16 |
PS3 | Dungeon Explorer (DL only) | Atlus | See TG16 |
Wii U | Dungeon Explorer (VC) | Atlus | See TG16 |
PSP | Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts | Hudson Soft | Isometric ARPG dungeon-crawler with a job system, some levels of the dungeons have strict requirements on the party |
DS | Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts | Hudson Soft | Isometric ARPG dungeon crawler, has a materia-like system of weapon/armor augmentation |
Turbografx-CD | Dungeon Explorer II | Hudson Soft | Top-down ARPG with multiplayer and a wide variety of classes |
Vita | Dungeon Explorer PSP (DL only) | Hudson Soft | AKA Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts, see PSP |
NES | Dungeon Magic: Sword of the Elements | Natsume | 1st-person dunegon crawl, very sparse on story |
PSP | Dungeon Maker: Hunting Ground | Global A Entertainment | Spend the days digging a dungeon to protect your town, then eliminating the monsters you trapped! Stat growth comes in the form of meals made from defeated foes |
Vita | Dungeon Maker: Hunting Ground (DL only) | Global A Entertainment | See PSP |
PSP | Dungeon Maker II: The Hidden War | Global A Entertainment | Plays similarly to the first, with an additional monster-raising system and more fine-tuning of dungeon-building elements |
Vita | Dungeon Travelers 2: The Royal Library & the Monster Seal | Aquaplus | First-person dungeon crawler with many classes and subclasses to choose from; playing this game probably puts you on an FBI watch list, because it is lewd |
Switch | Dungeon Village (DL only) | Kairosoft | A simple village management sim where you send out townspeople to obtain money and items as well as defend the town (and hopefully level up doing so) |
Switch | Dungeon Village 2 (DL only) | Kairosoft | Very similar to the first game, but adds some layes of complexity to the town management-sim |
PS2 | Dynasty Tactics | Koei | Romance of the Three Kingdoms-themed SRPG |
PS2 | Dynasty Tactics 2 | Koei | More of the above |
PS3 | Dynasty Tactics 2 (PS2 Classic) | Koei | See PS2 |
Vita | Dynasty Warriors: Godseekers (DL only) | Omega Force | SRPG Three Kingdoms-style, with characters based on their appearance in Dynasty Warriors 8 |
PS4 | Dynasty Warriors: Godseekers (DL only) | Omega Force | See Vita |
PS3 | Dynasty Warriors: Gundam | Koei | Hacky-slashy-mechy ARPG musou fun with the ability to change the outcomes of certain pilots' predetermined fates |
Xbox 360 | Dynasty Warriors: Gundam | Koei | Epic large-scale musou battles with a Gundam twist |
PS3 | Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2 | Koei | Removes Japanese voices but adds some aerial combat, combos, and quick time events |
Xbox 360 | Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2 | Koei | More gigantic mobile suits to face off against in ARPG combat |
PS2 | Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2 | Omega Force | Mobile suit musou madness |
Xbox 360 | Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3 | Koei | More mechs, more features, more pilots, more musou! |
PS3 | Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3 | Koei | Adds a larger amount of mission variety to the previous games in addition to a more cel-shaded art style |
PS3 | Dynasty Warriors: Gundam Reborn (DL only) | Omega Force | Reverts back to the artstyle of previous games, brings back space battles, includes more Gundam series than any previous game |
SNES | E.V.O.: Search For Eden | Almanic | Evolution: the game! |
JP PS3 | E.X. Troopers | Capcom/HexaDrive | A manga-styled Lost Planet spinoff, with materials to gather and trecherous terrain to traverse |
JP 3DS | E.X. Troopers | Capcom | See JP PS3, with some bonus AR features |
SNES | Earthbound | Ape/HAL Laboratory | AKA Mother 2, a more modern-themed game with some surprisingly heavy themes |
Wii U | Earthbound (VC) | Ape/HAL Laboratory | See SNES |
Wii U | Earthbound Beginnings (VC) | Ape/Nintendo | See FC |
JP Wii | Earth Seeker | Crafts & Meister/Kadokawa | Post-apocalyptic ARPG with a mission-based structure and small minions that follow you around (can also connect to a DSiWare game for bonus items!) |
Switch | Egglia Rebirth (DL only) | Brownies Inc. | A formerly mobile game (minus microtransactions) that wears its Legend of Mana influence on its sleeve, with board-game like gameplay |
PSX | Ehrgeiz: God Bless the Ring | DreamFactory | It's mostly a fighting game with some FFVII characters, but it also has an ARPG quest mode! |
Xbox Series | Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising (DL only) | Rabbit & Bear Studios/NatsumeAtari | See PS5 |
PS4 | Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising (DL only) | Rabbit & Bear Studios/NatsumeAtari | See PS5 |
Xbox One | Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising (DL only) | Rabbit & Bear Studios/NatsumeAtari | See PS5 |
Switch | Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising (DL only) | Rabbit & Bear Studios/NatsumeAtari | See PS5 |
PS5 | Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising (DL only) | Rabbit & Bear Studios/NatsumeAtari | A side story side-scrolling Metroidvania-lite with additional town-upgrading elements and fun characters |
JP PSP | Eiyuu Densetsu: Ao no Kiseki | Falcom | Second half of the "Crossbell arc," leads into Trails of Cold Steel II, turn-based combat like other Trails games |
PS3 | Eiyuu Senki: The World Conquest (DL only) | Tenco/5pb. | An SRPG with an alternative historical slant - major world leaders are all portrayed as women; stats are built by completing sidequests and upgrading troops |
PS5 | Elden Ring | FromSoftware | O you don't have the right to ignore the impact of this open-world Soulslike (with creative input from George R. R. Martin) |
Xbox One | Elden Ring | FromSoftware | See PS5 |
PS4 | Elden Ring | FromSoftware | See PS5 |
Xbox Series | Elden Ring | FromSoftware | See PS5 |
PSX | Elemental Gearbolt | Alfa System | The only light-gun shooter/RPG hybrid you'll find! |
Dreamcast | Elemental Gimmick Gear | Birthday | ARPG with pretty visuals and some mech combat |
PS4 | Elemental Knights R (DL only) | Winlight | See Switch |
Switch | Elemental Knights R (DL only) | Winlight | A port of a mobile MMORPG with stiff character animations and an absolutely horrendous localization- and it's not even free-to-play! |
Vita | Elminage: Original (DL only) | Starfish SD | See PSP |
PSP | Elminage: Original (DL only) | Starfish SD | Basically the Japanese answer to Wizardry - first-person dungeon delving and party customization |
3DS | Elminage Original (DL only) | Starfish-SD | Has some balance changes from the PSP version but is otherwise the same |
JP FC | Elysion | NEC Interchannel | A bit bland of an ARPG, but it has multiple playable characters, so that's neat |
JP SFC | Emerald Dragon | Alfa System | Breath of Fire's cousin with a unique battle system |
Vita | Emil's Task (delisted) | Inukage Games | A sluggish, poorly translated ARPG with some roguelike elements and a main character that can only attack by spellcasting |
PS3 | Enchanted Arms | FromSoftware | Mediocre, sci-fi-themed, turn-based, adds Sixaxis controls to enhance attacks in this version |
Xbox 360 | Enchanted Arms | FromSoftware | Fairly mediocre turn-based JRPG with some grid-based tactical elements to combat |
PS4 | Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights (DL only) | Live Wire/Adglobe | See Switch |
Xbox Series | Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights (DL only) | Live Wire/Adglobe | See Switch |
Switch | Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights (DL only) | Live Wire/Adglobe | A heavily atmospheric Metroidvania utilizing spirits to aid in attack and traversal |
Xbox One | Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights (DL only) | Live Wire/Adglobe | See Switch |
PSP | End of Serenity (DL only) | Kemco | It's Kemco. That's all that needs to be said. |
Vita | End of Serenity (DL only) | Kemco | See PSP |
JP SFC | Energy Breaker | Neverland | SRPG with town exploration and an action point-based economy for combat |
PS2 | Ephemeral Fantasia | KCEJ | Rhythm mini-games are not enough to save this garbage time-looping game |
JP FC | Esper Dream 2: Aratanaru Tatakai | Konami | Cute pastel sprite work and ARPG gameplay |
PSX | Eternal Eyes | TamTam | SRPG with a monster-collecting theme |
PS5 | Eternal Kingdom Battle Peak (DL only) | Asobimo | See PS4 |
PS4 | Eternal Kingdom Battle Peak (DL only) | Asobimo | The character designer is Yoshitaka Amano... and then it all goes downhill from there (it was designed for mobile first and it shows) |
JP Game Gear | Eternal Legend | Japan Art Media | One of the first Game Gear JRPGs, plays very standard |
PS2 | Eternal Poison | Flight-Plan | Gothic-themed SRPG with demon capturing mechanics |
PS2 | Eternal Quest (PAL/JP only) | Tamsoft | This randomly-generated roguelike was created as a budget title… and it shows |
PS2 | Eternal Ring | FromSoftware | Another first-person FromSoft dungeon crawl, but this one has customizable magic rings |
PS4 | Eternal Ring (DL only) | FromSoftware | See PS2 |
PS3 | Eternal Sonata | Tri-Crescendo | Adds a lot to the 360 version - more story, more playable characters, more dungeons; combat is fun but tactical |
Xbox 360 | Eternal Sonata | Tri-Crescendo | Visually charming, a story loosely based on music/the composer Chopin, and combat limited by time |
3DS | Etrian Mystery Dungeon | Spike Chunsoft | The customization and classes of Etrian Odyssey fused with the roguelike mechanics of Mystery Dungeon! You can take a whole party into the labyrinths with you |
DS | Etrian Odyssey | Atlus/Lancarse | Classic-styled first-person dungeon crawler with punishing difficulty, requires dungeon mapping via the stylus |
3DS | Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold: The Fafnir Knight | Atlus | A reimagining of the second game, adds more classes and a story mode along with balance and QoL changes |
DS | Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard | Atlus/Lancarse | Very similar to the first game, just as blisteringly hard, more mapping symbols available for use |
DS | Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City | Atlus | Plays like the two before it; adds 12 new classes, subclassing, weapon forging, and seafaring |
3DS | Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan | Atlus | More of the dungeon delving you'd expect, now with an additional overworld in the sky (and more dangerous enemies there to boot) |
3DS | Etrian Odyssey Nexus | Atlus | A love letter to the series, taking elements from EOI-IV; goes back to the subclassing system, a very very large number of maps to traverse |
3DS | Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl | Atlus | A reimagining of the first game, adds a story mode and a few other QoL changes |
3DS | Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth | Atlus | Adds a variety of races to character creation, and features a branching skill tree for character progression/class mastery, removes overworld exploration |
Switch | Everdark Tower (DL only) | Hit-Point | In the same series as Archlion Saga, with the same combat system to boot; characters are more cookie-cutter than its predecessor |
PS2 | Evergrace | FromSoftware | ARPG with 2 separate protagonists, character parameters are increased via equipment rather than leveling |
3DS | Ever Oasis | Grezzo | An ARPG with lots of town-building elements; you gather items to help build up the oasis and make it better while you level up in the meantime |
Dreamcast | Evolution 2: Far Off Promise | Sting | More of the same, but some random maps |
Neo Geo Pocket | Evolution: Eternal Dungeons (PAL/JP only) | Sting | A port of Evolution with a major natural graphical change, an altered translation, and more limited exploration |
Dreamcast | Evolution: The World of Sacred Device | Sting | Standard JRPG with dunegon-crawling |
GameCube | Evolution Worlds | Sting | Ports of Evolution 1 and 2, but the former is heavily trimmed down |
3DS | Excave (DL only) | Mechanic Arms | A top-down dungeon crawler with stats determined by equipment; inventory is extremely limited and the interface is clunky; bland overall |
3DS | Excave II: Wizard of the Underworld (DL only) | Mechanic Arms | Does nothing to make itself stand out from the first game other than an interface change |
3DS | Excave III: Tower of Destiny (DL only) | Mechanic Arms | Extremely similar to its predecessors |
Turbografx-CD | Exile | Telenet Japan | Different publisher than the Genesis version, leaves some more sensitive topics intact |
Genesis | Exile | Telenet | Top-down when exploring, sidescrolling ARPG in dungeons - featuring real-world locations and censored themes! |
Turbografx-CD | Exile: Wicked Phenomenon | Telenet Japan | Badass cover art, less religious than others in the series, allows switching characters during side-scrolling sections |
PS4 | Exist Archive: The Other Side of the Sky | Tri-Ace/Spike Chunsoft | See Vita |
Vita | Exist Archive: The Other Side of the Sky | Tri-Ace/Spike Chunsoft | Plays a lot like Valkyrie Profile (comes from the same studio), has multiple endings depending on in-game choices |
Vita | Fairune (DL only) | Flyhigh Works | See 3DS |
3DS | Fairune (DL only) | Urara-Works/Skipmore | A simplistic top-down puzzle-solving dungeon crawler like Zelda; character gains XP by slaying enemies of similar level |
3DS | Fairune 2 (DL only) | Skipmore | Plays like the first, but is about 4 times as big |
Switch | Fairune Collection | Urara-Works/Skipmore/Esquadra | Contains Fairune and Fairune 2 (with QoL improvements) as well as Fairune Origin (a very short early version of the first game) and Fairune Blast (a shmup) |
Switch | Fairy Elements (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
PS5 | Fairy Elements (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
Xbox One | Fairy Elements (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
Xbox Series | Fairy Elements (DL only) | Exe-Create | Kemco plays with visible aggro radii to trigger combat and plentiful (albeit restrictive) character customization, doesn't reinvent any wheels |
PS4 | Fairy Elements (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
PS3 | Fairy Fencer F | Compile Heart | Not the most impressive technically, but a solid turn-based positional battle system and a decent cast of characters |
Switch | Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force | Compile Heart/Idea Factory | See PS4 |
PS4 | Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force | Compile Heart/Idea Factory | Adds two branching story paths, allows for a larger party size in combat, and gives more difficulty options to choose from |
PS4 | Fairy Tail | Gust | A standard turn-based quest-heavy affair based off of the anime |
Switch | Fairy Tail | Gust | See PS4 |
JP FC | Famicom Jump: Eiyuu Retsuden | Tose | Get isekai'd into a world where heroes and villains from the Jump magazine series converge, XP gain is represented by "effort" |
Vita | Fantasy Hero: Unsigned Legacy (DL only) | Arc System Works | A tropey ARPG with 4 separate protagonists and a mission-based structure, stat points are allocated after completing missions |
Switch | Fantasy Hero: Unsigned Legacy (DL only) | Arc System Works | See Vita |
3DS | Fantasy Life | Brownie Brown/Level-5 | Pick a profession in a fantasy world and increase your ranks in order to help save the world! |
NES | Faria: A World of Mystery and Danger! | Game Arts | A top-down dungeon crawler with some cruel elements like invisible monsters |
Neo Geo Pocket | Faselei! (PAL/JP only) | Sacnoth | Tactical mecha combat, where even turning costs a predetermined amount of command points |
Genesis | Fatal Labyrinth | Sega | Semi-roguelike ARPG, levels are shown as "ranks," items found can either greatly help or hinder you |
Vita | Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star | Marvelous | A Fate-skinned musou; serves as a sort of sequel to Fate/Extra |
PS4 | Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star | Marvelous | See Vita |
PS4 | Fate/Extella Link | Marvelous | See Vita |
Vita | Fate/Extella Link (DL only) | Marvelous | Direct sequel to Fate/Extella; plays mostly the same but does streamline features to make grinding smoother and characters more customizable |
PSP | Fate/Extra | Type-Moon/Imageepoch | Third-person dungeon crawl, a parallel universe story to Fate/stay night, combat consists of rock-paper-scissors-type commands paired off |
Vita | Fate/Extra (DL only) | Type-Moon/Imageepoch | See PSP |
PS3 | Favorite Dear: Enkan no Monogatari (PSone Classics) | NEC Interchannel | Available in NA Playstation Store, but untranslated - a dating sim/JRPG hybrid with lots of angels |
PSP | Favorite Dear: Enkan no Monogatari (PSone Classics) | NEC Interchannel | See PS3 |
Vita | Favorite Dear: Enkan no Monogatari (PSone Classics) | NEC Interchannel | See PS3 |
PSP | Favorite Dear: Jyunpaku no Yogensha (PSone Classics) | NEC Interchannel | See PS3 |
PS3 | Favorite Dear: Jyunpaku no Yogensha (PSone Classics) | NEC Interchannel | Available in NA Playstation Store, but untranslated - more dating sim/JRPG gameplay where you send out other heroes to do the work for you |
Vita | Favorite Dear: Jyunpaku no Yogensha (PSone Classics) | NEC Interchannel | See PS3 |
NES | Faxanadu | Hudson Soft | Plays more like a standard Castlevania |
JP SFC | FEDA: The Emblem of Justice | Max Entertainment | SRPG developed by some of the Shining Force team, features a morality-based system |
PS4 | Fernz Gate | Exe-Create | See Vita |
Vita | Fernz Gate | Exe-Create | Tries to employ some neat party assist strategies in battle, but otherwise is Kemco through and through |
Xbox One | Fernz Gate (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Vita |
Switch | Fernz Gate (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Vita |
PSP | Final Fantasy | Tose/Square Enix | Uses bonus dungeon and translation from Dawn of Souls (GBA), has updated 2D graphics, FMVs and soundtrack, arguably the definitive version of the game |
NES | Final Fantasy | 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 |
DS | Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light | Matrix Software/Square Enix | A return to classic form for the series with a job-like system; the predecessor to Bravely Default |
GB+GBC | Final Fantasy Adventure | Square | Actually the first game in the Mana series, plays rather like Zelda with more RPG elements |
PSX | Final Fantasy Anthology | Tose/Square | Contains Final Fantasy V (first localized appearance) and Final Fantasy VI |
PSX | Final Fantasy Chronicles | Tose/Square | Contains inferior versions of Final Fantasy IV and Chrono Trigger |
GameCube | Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles | Square Enix | Multiplayer ARPG- no traditional leveling, using items instead |
DS | Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time | Square Enix | Isometric ARPG dungeon crawl with character creation, can link to other DS or Wii copies of the game for multiplayer |
Wii | Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time | Square Enix | ARPG with a customizable avatar character and the ability to cross-play with the DS version |
Wii | Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a Darklord (WiiWare) | Square Enix | A cute tower defense/light RPG, clearing stages gives you experience used to power up minions |
Wii | Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King (WiiWare) | Square Enix | A cute town-building simulator/RPG with the Final Fantasy trappings |
DS | Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates | Square Enix | The multiplayer ARPG returns with changes to the playable classes and visible equipment |
Wii | Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers | Square Enix | ARPG; there is no party system, equipment and thorough exploration are the only ways to upgrade stats |
Switch | Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered (DL only) | Square Enix | See PS4 |
PS4 | Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered (DL only) | Square Enix | Adds new dungeons, equipment, skins, and online cross-platform play (but strangely no local or cross-region) |
3DS | Final Fantasy Explorers | Racjin | It's Monster Hunter, but with a Final Fantasy skin (down to Explorer Level replacing Hunter Rank); choosing correct equipment and skill leveling are key to staying strong |
Wii | Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon | h.a.n.d. Inc. | Another Mystery Dungeon game starring Chocobo, this time with the addition of jobs (and subsequently adorable outfits) |
GBA | Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls | Square Enix/Tose | Adds dungeons and tweaks the translation of the originals |
JP FC | Final Fantasy II | Square | Leveling is done via utilizing skills rather than experience- a drastic and much-maligned design choice |
PSP | Final Fantasy II | Tose/Square Enix | See above |
SNES | Final Fantasy II | Square | Actually Final Fantasy IV, Introduced the Active Time Battle system and removed the ability to customize party members |
JP FC | Final Fantasy III | Square | First Final Fantasy to feature the job-change system |
DS | Final Fantasy III | Matrix Software/Square Enix | First appearance of the job-heavy game in the west |
Vita | Final Fantasy III (DL only) | Matrix Software/Square Enix | See PSP |
PSP | Final Fantasy III (DL only) | Matrix Software/Square Enix | Port of the DS version of the game |
DS | Final Fantasy IV | Matrix Software | A drastic change in graphics from 2D to 3D, added FMV cutscenes, significantly expanded plot from previous versions |
Wii | Final Fantasy IV: The After Years (WiiWare) | Matrix Software | An episodic sequel to Final Fantasy IV that many felt was unnecessary, adds new gameplay systems |
PSP | Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection | Bullets/Square Enix | Contains both FFIV (which skews closer to the original than the DS version) and The After Years (with updated polish), and a bonus interlude game that takes place in-between |
Vita | Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection (DL only) | Bullets/Square Enix | See PSP |
GBA | Final Fantasy IV Advance | Square Enix/Tose | Revised translation and plot polish of the original, as well as graphical improvements |
PSX | Final Fantasy IX | Square | Takes the series back to its fantasy roots, lots of callbacks to older entries |
PS4 | Final Fantasy IX (DL only) | Square | See PSX, but with some QoL changes |
Xbox One | Final Fantasy IX (DL only) | Square | See PSX, but with some QoL changes |
Switch | Final Fantasy IX (DL only) | Square | See PSX, but with some QoL changes |
PS3 | Final Fantasy IX (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
Vita | Final Fantasy IX (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
PSP | Final Fantasy IX (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
GB+GBC | Final Fantasy Legend II | Square | The second SaGa game, solid character development |
GB+GBC | Final Fantasy Legend III | Square | Third SaGa game, time travel shenanigans |
SNES | Final Fantasy Mystic Quest | Square | Baby Final Fantasy! |
PSX | Final Fantasy Origins | Tose/Square | Contains Final Fantasy I and Final Fantasy II (first localized appearance) |
Vita | Final Fantasy Origins (PSone Classics) | Tose/Square | See PSX |
PS3 | Final Fantasy Origins (PSone Classics) | Tose/Square | See PSX |
PSP | Final Fantasy Origins (PSone Classics) | Tose/Square | See PSX |
PSX | Final Fantasy Tactics | Square | Often imitated, never duplicated |
Vita | Final Fantasy Tactics (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
PS3 | Final Fantasy Tactics (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
PSP | Final Fantasy Tactics (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
PSP | Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions | Tose/Square Enix | Enhanced port of the original, changes some character/spell names, a LOT of Shakespearean-type English, MAJOR slowdown with spells, lots of QoL changes |
Vita | Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions (DL only) | Tose/Square Enix | See PSP |
DS | Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift | Square Enix | Class- and clan-based SRPG, similar to its predecessor in lighthearted tone, but far less strict laws in play |
GBA | Final Fantasy Tactics Advance | Square Enix | Far lighter tone than the original FFT, many battles have tricky restrictions due to judges |
Wii U | Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (VC) | Square Enix | See GBA |
JP PSP | Final Fantasy Type-0 | Square Enix | ARPG with mission structure like Crisis Core, some RTS battles on overworld map, a large variety of playable characters |
Xbox One | Final Fantasy Type-0 HD | HexaDrive/Square Enix | See PS4 |
PS4 | Final Fantasy Type-0 HD | HexaDrive/Square Enix | Enhanced port of the previously JP-only Type-0; very few changes made other than getting rid of multiplayer and adding multiple difficulty levels |
JP SFC | Final Fantasy V | Square | So many jobs- |
PSP | Final Fantasy V (PSone Classics) | Tose/Square | See PSX |
Vita | Final Fantasy V (PSone Classics) | Tose/Square | See PSX |
PS3 | Final Fantasy V (PSone Classics) | Tose/Square | See PSX |
GBA | Final Fantasy V Advance | Square Enix/Tose | Updated graphics, new jobs, and a new boss battle compared to the original |
SNES | Final Fantasy VI (on cart as III) | Square | Features a more tech-based story than previous entries and a train to suplex |
PSP | Final Fantasy VI (PSone Classics) | Tose/Square | See PSX |
Vita | Final Fantasy VI (PSone Classics) | Tose/Square | See PSX |
PS3 | Final Fantasy VI (PSone Classics) | Tose/Square | See PSX |
GBA | Final Fantasy VI Advance | Square Enix/Tose | Added bonus dungeons, Espers, and some graphical polish |
PSX | Final Fantasy VII | Square | Took the FF series into 3D and made a huge mark on the genre as a whole |
PS4 | Final Fantasy VII (DL only) | Square | See PSX, but with some QoL changes |
Switch | Final Fantasy VII (DL only) | Square | See PSX, but with some QoL changes |
Xbox One | Final Fantasy VII (DL only) | Square | See PSX, but with some QoL changes |
PS3 | Final Fantasy VII (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
Vita | Final Fantasy VII (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
PSP | Final Fantasy VII (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
PSX | Final Fantasy VIII | Square | Best card game, not-best stat/leveling system |
PS4 | Final Fantasy VIII (DL only) | Square | See PSX, but with some QoL changes |
Xbox One | Final Fantasy VIII (DL only) | Square | See PSX, but with some QoL changes |
PS3 | Final Fantasy VIII (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
Vita | Final Fantasy VIII (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
PSP | Final Fantasy VIII (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
Switch | Final Fantasy VIII Remastered (DL only) | Square | See PSX, but with some QoL changes |
PS4 | Final Fantasy VII Remake | Square Enix | Technically only the first part of FFVII remade as an ARPG, widely expands (and deviates from) the story as originally told |
PS5 | Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade | Square Enix | A graphically spiffed-up version of the first part of the remake with additional story content |
PS2 | Final Fantasy X | Square | First Final Fantasy game to feature voice acting, battle system employs manipulation of turn order |
PS2 | Final Fantasy X-2 | Square | Fast-paced Charlie's Angels with banger vocal songs |
PS3 | Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster | Virtuos/Square Enix | Based on the International versions of both games with extra bosses (X) and monster capture mechanics (X-2), as well as an audio drama |
Vita | Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster | Virtuos/Square Enix | See PS3 |
PS4 | Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster | Virtuos/Square Enix | See PS3 |
Switch | Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster | Virtuos/Square Enix | See PS3 |
Xbox One | Final Fantasy X/X-2: HD Remaster | Virtuos/Square Enix | See PS3 |
PS2 | Final Fantasy XII | Square Enix | Heavy utilization of programming AI tactics in battle, takes place in the same Ivalice as FFT and Vagrant Story |
DS | Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings | Think & Feel/Square Enix | Sequel to FFXII, in RTSRPG form! Strong focus on Esper summoning, US version is more difficult than JP |
Xbox One | Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age | Square Enix | Incorporates the elements from the previously JP-only International Zodiac Job system, which features multiple license boards and QoL changes |
Switch | Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age | Square Enix | See XBO |
PS4 | Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age | Square Enix | See XBO |
PS3 | Final Fantasy XIII | Square Enix | Story too complex for its own good and divisively linear, but fun real-time/turn-based hybrid combat |
Xbox 360 | Final Fantasy XIII | Square Enix | Linear gameplay with a fast-paced turn-based battle system; the worldbuilding seems to do more harm than good |
PS3 | Final Fantasy XIII-2 | Square Enix | Tries to correct linearity issues by getting wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey, with mixed results |
Xbox 360 | Final Fantasy XIII-2 | Square Enix | Adds monster capturing and time travel to an already complicated story, gameplay is still just as fun |
PS4 | Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn | Square Enix | A massively overhauled MMORPG with heaps of story content through expansions and references spanning the whole series (and beyond) |
PS5 | Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker (DL only) | Square Enix | Brings the Hydaelyn/Zodiark story to a conclusion... ON THE MOON |
PS4 | Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker (DL only) | Square Enix | See PS5 |
PS5 | Final Fantasy XIV Online | Square Enix | See PS4 |
Xbox One | Final Fantasy XV | Square Enix | See PS4 |
PS4 | Final Fantasy XV | Square Enix | Just a road trip with you and the boys; ARPG combat and a story that spans multiple types of media, famously left somewhat unfinished |
Switch | Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition HD (DL only) | SummerTimeStudio/Square Enix | See XBO |
PS4 | Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition HD (DL only) | SummerTimeStudio/Square Enix | See XBO |
Xbox One | Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition HD (DL only) | SummerTimeStudio/Square Enix | A condensed version of FFXV's story, with a drastically different artstyle and a shift to a more overhead/isometric perspective |
GBA | Fire Emblem | Intelligent Systems | Technically Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade, the 7th game in the series (but first brought to the west) |
Wii U | Fire Emblem (VC) | Intelligent Systems | See GBA |
JP FC | Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryu to Hikari no Tsurugi | Intelligent Systems/Nintendo | Origins of boy-king Marth, an SRPG featuring permadeath of units |
JP SFC | Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo | Intelligent Systems | Divided into 2 "books": Book 1 is an abridged remake of FE1, Book 2 is a direct sequel to FE1 |
GameCube | Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance | Intelligent Systems | The SRPG you know and love, with racial tensions! And Ike! |
Wii | Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn | Intelligent Systems | Direct sequel to Path of Radiance, multiple factions to control over the course of the game, also hard |
JP SFC | Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu | Intelligent Systems | Introduced the marriage/children mechanic that would be seen in later FE entries |
DS | Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon | Intelligent Systems | Remake of the first Fire Emblem game (and the first time Marth's story was told in the west) adding a lot of QoL features |
Wii U | Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon (VC) | Intelligent Systems | See DS |
Switch | Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light (DL only, delisted) | Intelligent Systems/Nintendo | First localized appearance of the original version of the first Fire Emblem with some modern UI improvements |
JP DS | Fire Emblem: Shin Monshou no Nazo - Hikari to Kage no Eiyuu | Intelligent Systems | Unlocalized updated version of book 2 of Mystery of the Emblem, adds an avatar character, hard as ever |
JP GBA | Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade | Intelligent Systems | AKA FE6 - Roy's our boy, and here's where you play as him! |
GBA | Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones | Intelligent Systems | Actually FE8, set in a separate continuity to the previous games |
Wii U | Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones (VC) | Intelligent Systems | See GBA |
JP SFC | Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 | Intelligent Systems | Takes place during the middle of FE4, initially distributed as a Nintendo Power ROM cartridge |
Switch | Fire Emblem: Three Houses | Intelligent Systems/Koei Tecmo | If Fire Emblem took place at Hogwarts, this would be it; multiple story branches to take depending on which house you side with, very fleshed-out characters |
3DS | Fire Emblem Awakening | Intelligent Systems | Brought the series back from the abyss of death, features a casual mode with no permadeath, support conversations can lead to having children who you can recruit |
3DS | Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia | Intelligent Systems | A remake of Fire Emblem Gaiden, brings back odd mechanics like a fatigue meter that can severely hamper stats if a unit is used too much |
3DS | Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright/Conquest/Revelation | Intelligent Systems | Maligned for its approach, as the story is split into 3 full games each requiring a separate purchase; brings back the child-producing mechanic, very tropey |
JP FC | Fire Emblem Gaiden | Intelligent Systems | Introduced elements like a navigable overworld that were then unused for a long time |
Switch | Fire Emblem Warriors | Omega Force/Team Ninja | See 3DS, but runs smoother/can handle more enemies on screen at once |
3DS | Fire Emblem Warriors (New 3DS only) | Omega Force/Team Ninja | Applies a Fire Emblem coat of paint to the Dynasty Warriors format, still contains support conversations |
Switch | Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes | Omega Force/Intelligent Systems | What if Three Houses, but as more of a musou, with not as much of a time skip, and a different plot/protagonist? Don't forget the tea! |
PSP | First Queen IV (PSone Classics) | Kure Software Koubou | See PS3 |
Vita | First Queen IV (PSone Classics) | Kure Software Koubou | See PS3 |
PS3 | First Queen IV (PSone Classics) | Kure Software Koubou | Available on NA PSN, but left untranslated - a combination of real-time strategy, ARPG, and SRPG elements |
PS2 | Fishing Fantasy: Buzzrod (PAL only) | Starfish | Who would have guessed that fishing would be the key to discovering an ancient civilization? |
Xbox 360 | Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage | Koei | Thousands upon thousands of enemies are already dead - musou/ARPG gameplay |
PS3 | Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage | Koei | The legendary storyline in musou form - where evern destroying fences will give you karma to level up |
Xbox 360 | Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage 2 | Koei | More karma to farm and more generic enemies to slay with fearsome fists |
PS3 | Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage 2 (DL only) | Koei | Largely retreads the same story ground as the first, but does add more content overall; gameplay is more akin to Dynasty Warriors than the first |
Wii U | Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage 2 (DL only) | Koei | See PS3 |
PS4 | Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | An alternate-canon Fist of the North Star that plays an awful lot like Yakuza (developed by the same studio) |
PS3 | Folklore | Game Republic | Capture and control fantasy creatures with ARPG gameplay that also utilizes the Sixaxis motion controller (for good or ill) |
PS2 | Forever Kingdom | FromSoftware | Sequel to Evergrace, similar equipment-focused character growth, ARPG where all characters share damage taken |
DS | Fossil Fighters | RED Entertainment/M2/Artdink/Nintendo | Dig up fossils, combine them, revive them, and pit them against each other in Pokemon-like combat! |
3DS | Fossil Fighters: Frontier | Spike Chunsoft | Adds a buggy for transportation in the open world, changes battles to make them 3 person teams, allows for regional variants in Vivosaurs, other battle tweaks |
DS | Fossil Fighters Champions | RED Entertainment/M2/Artdink/Nintendo | More dinosaur-like creatures to unearth, train, and fight! |
DS | Fossil League: Dino Tournament Championship | MTO | Another dinosaur-themed Pokemon clone, but uses actual dinosaurs rather than made-up creatures |
DS | Foto Showdown (DSi and up only) | Alpha-Unit | Another monster collector/battler where you gain creatures to fight by taking pictures with your DSi/3DS camera |
Wii | Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon | Tri-Crescendo/Namco Bandai | A lonely post-apocalyptic ARPG/slight horror hybrid where you fight off ghosts and discover remnants of civilization |
Xbox One | Frane: Dragon's Odyssey (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Vita |
Switch | Frane: Dragon's Odyssey (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Vita |
PS4 | Frane: Dragons' Odyssey | Exe-Create | See Vita |
Vita | Frane: Dragons' Odyssey (DL only) | Exe-Create | Kemco's stab at an ARPG, which lacks necessary tutorials; typically a second character assists in combat though this is not the case during boss battles |
Vita | Freedom Wars | Dimps/SCEJ | ARPG set in a dystopian far future earth, with the customizable protagonist out to reduce their prison sentence by completing missions; upgrading weapons upgrades stats |
DS | From the Abyss | Sonic Powered | Randomized dungeon crawler ARPG |
JP SFC | Front Mission | G-Craft | Mech-focused SRPG with a ton of units and customizability |
DS | Front Mission | Square Enix | First appearance of the game on western shores, with all the walking tanks you can handle |
Switch | Front Mission 1st: Remake | Square Enix/Forever Entertainment | Called a remake, but more of a remaster of the JP PSX/DS versions |
JP PSX | Front Mission 2 | Square | More mechs, more drama! |
PSX | Front Mission 3 | Square | First localized title in the series, greater focus on learning abilities from mech parts |
PS3 | Front Mission 3 (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
PSP | Front Mission 3 (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
Vita | Front Mission 3 (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
PS2 | Front Mission 4 | Square Enix | Mecha SRPG with more complex mechanics such as a day/night system |
JP PS2 | Front Mission 5: Scars of the War | Square Enix | More tactical Wanzer combat, largely similar to Front Mission 2, with the addition of friendly fire |
JP SFC | Front Mission: Gun Hazard | Omiya Soft | Side-scrolling ARPG with incredible graphics, separate universe from mainline series |
PS4 | Fuga: Melodies of Steel (DL only) | CyberConnect2 | See PS5 |
Xbox Series | Fuga: Melodies of Steel (DL only) | CyberConnect2 | See PS5 |
PS5 | Fuga: Melodies of Steel (DL only) | CyberConnect2 | Part of the Little Tail Bronx series (Solatorobo); a turn-based RPG centering around tank combat (one tank with various controllable/upgradable turrets) and the impact of war |
Xbox One | Fuga: Melodies of Steel (DL only) | CyberConnect2 | See PS5 |
Switch | Fuga: Melodies of Steel (DL only) | CyberConnect2 | See PS5 |
PS2 | Fullmetal Alchemist 2: Curse of the Crimson Elixir | Racjin | Prequel to its predecessor with greatly improved visuals |
PS2 | Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel | Racjin | ARPG based on the manga with an original plot |
JP SFC | Fushigi no Dungeon 2: Fuurai no Shiren | Chunsoft | Follow-up to Torneko no Daibouken, a roguelike before they were cool |
JP N64 | Fushigi no Dungeon: Fuurai no Shiren 2 - Oni Shuurai! Shiren Jou! | Chunsoft | Shiren's second roguelike dungeon-delving adventure, with monster collecting and castle building as major gameplay mechanics |
JP PSP | Fushigi no Dungeon: Fuurai no Shiren 3 Portable | Chunsoft | Mostly the same as the Wii version but with some balance adjustments |
JP FC | Fushigi no Umi no Nadia | Advance Communication Company | SRPG based on the anime of the same name, plays vastly different to the Mega Drive version |
DS | G.G Series: The Last Knight (DSiWare) | Genterprise/Suzak | Bland budget top-down dungeon crawler with repetitive environments and music |
JP SFC | G.O.D.: Mezameyo to Yobu Koe ga Kikoe | Infinity | If Earthbound had a child with Phantasy Star IV's battle system, this would be it |
JP PC Engine | Gai Flame | Masaya | Sci-fi turn-based strategy said to be an inspiration for the Langrisser series with giant robots! |
JP SFC | Galaxy Robo | Copya Systems | SRPG with mechs |
PS4 | Gale of Windoria (DL only) | Hit-Point | See XS |
PS5 | Gale of Windoria (DL only) | Hit-Point | See XS |
Switch | Gale of Windoria (DL only) | Hit-Point | See XS |
Xbox One | Gale of Windoria (DL only) | Hit-Point | See XS |
Xbox Series | Gale of Windoria (DL only) | Hit-Point | Kemco brings Golden Sun-esque elemental powers to dungeon navigate, but you can't use items in combat... like at all |
JP PSX | Ganbare Goemon: Uchuu Kaizoku Akogingu | Konami | More Goemon ARPG action, XP serves to level weapons |
JP FC | Ganbare Goemon Gaiden 2: Tenka no Zaihou | Konami | Changes the battle perspective to show party members on-screen, has lots of side activities |
JP FC | Ganbare Goemon Gaiden: Kieta Ougon Kiseru | Konami | Humorous turn-based game set in medieval Japan |
JP FC | GeGeGe no Kitarou 2: Youkai Gundan no Chousen | Tose | Based off the spooky anime of the same name |
PSP | Generation of Chaos | Idea Factory | Kingdom sim of sorts, with battles decided in army clashes with many soldiers/one commander |
PSP | Generation of Chaos: Pandora's Reflection (DL only) | Sting/Idea Factory | Smaller in battle scale than the previous games, this one is a more one-on-one RTSRPG in terms of unit battling |
Vita | Generation of Chaos: Pandora's Reflection (DL only) | Sting/Idea Factory | See PSP |
PS2 | Genji: Dawn of the Samurai | Game Republic | Musou-like ARPG loosely based on a Japanese epic tale |
PS3 | Genji: Days of the Blade | Game Republic | Origin of the "giant enemy crab" meme, stat progress depnds on weapon leveling |
JP PSP | Genso Suikoden Tsumugareshi Hyakunen no Toki | Konami | A Suikoden side story outside of regular series continuity, with some time travel plot elemnets and a class system |
Switch | GetsuFumaDen: Undying Moon (DL only) | Konami | A 2D roguelite with a heavy uikyo-e aesthetic and slow character progression through material gathering |
NES | Ghost Lion | Kemco | Amazing cover art, unique summon-based battle system |
PS4 | Ghost Sync (DL only) | Exe-Create | See PS5 |
Xbox Series | Ghost Sync (DL only) | Exe-Create | See PS5 |
Xbox One | Ghost Sync (DL only) | Exe-Create | See PS5 |
Switch | Ghost Sync (DL only) | Exe-Create | See PS5 |
PS5 | Ghost Sync (DL only) | Exe-Create | A rare lady-led Kemco game with neat battle mechanics like possessing enemies and a decent skill tree system |
PS5 | Ghostwire: Tokyo | Tango Gameworks | First-person ARPG gameplay (complete with XP and leveling) that is both stylish and supernatural |
PSP | Gladiator Begins | Goshow | Prequel to Colosseum: Road to Freedom (PS2), where you similarly make a come-up as a gladiator in combat and tweak your stats to become even more deadly |
Vita | Gladiator Begins (DL only) | Goshow | See PSP |
DS | Glory of Heracles | Paon/Studio Saizensen | The first Glory of Heracles game to reach the west (and sixth overall), semi-sluggish turn-based combat and overall average |
Switch | Gnosia | Petit Depotto | More of a visual novel/single-player deduction game; leveling stats and learning skills unlocks new story in the short gameplay loop |
PS4 | God Eater 2: Rage Burst | Shift | See Vita |
Vita | God Eater 2: Rage Burst (DL only) | Shift | Direct sequel to Gods Eater Burst with more Aragami to hunt, new weapon styles, and new characters to follow through the apocalypse; equipment skills are still tied to stats |
Switch | God Eater 3 | Marvelous | See PS4 |
PS4 | God Eater 3 | Marvelous | Doesn't change the core gameplay from the previous games, but adds speedier map traversal and new weapon types; stat progression still tied to crafting better gear |
Vita | God Eater Resurrection (DL only) | Shift | Enhanced port of Gods Eater Burst, adds new storyline content, combat QoL improvements |
PS4 | God Eater Resurrection (DL only) | Shift | See Vita |
JP GB+GBC | God Medicine: Fantasy Sekai no Tanjou | KCEN | It's a standard JRPG that makes fun of standard JRPGs! |
PSP | Gods Eater Burst | Shift | A post-apocalyptic monster-hunting ARPG; stat upgrades come through equipment; multiplayer supported |
PS4 | God Wars: Future Past | Kadokawa | See Vita |
Vita | God Wars: Future Past | Kadokawa | SRPG with a heavily mythical Japanese coat of paint, lots of character classes available; characters have jobs as well as sub-jobs |
Switch | God Wars: The Complete Legend | Kadokawa | Contains all content from the original game, including DLC; adds a new character, storylines, endings, and dungeons as well as other QoL changes |
Switch | Goken | Gianty | A simple ARPG with a lush art style, particularly in backgrounds; character growth is customizable |
GBA | Golden Sun | Camelot | Lots of exploration puzzles, character/class customization using creature allocation |
Wii U | Golden Sun (VC) | Camelot | See GBA |
DS | Golden Sun: Dark Dawn | Camelot | Set 30 years after the initial duology, plays similarly, updates the graphics to 3D, battles are almost too easy |
GBA | Golden Sun: The Lost Age | Camelot | Plays similar to the first, but from the villain's perspective |
Wii U | Golden Sun: The Lost Age (VC) | Camelot | See GBA |
Master System | Golvellius: Valley of Doom | Compile | Blends both Zelda I and II gameplay (both overhead and side-view), with items to obtain to increase parameters |
DS | GO Series: Picdun (DSiWare, delisted) | Intense | A first-person dungeon crawl where your path through each floor makes a picture on the map, timing-based combat |
PS2 | Graffiti Kingdom | Taito | Draw-your-own-monster ARPG, sequel to Magic Pengel |
PS4 | Granblue Fantasy: Versus | Arc System Works | Contains an RPG mode that plays like a 2D brawler using the control scheme of the base fighting game; lots of equipment to manage |
PSX | Grandia | Game Arts | Traditional JRPG with an emphasis on attack interruption in combat |
JP Saturn | Grandia | Game Arts | See PSX |
PS3 | Grandia (PSone Classics) | Game Arts | See PSX |
Vita | Grandia (PSone Classics) | Game Arts | See PSX |
PSP | Grandia (PSone Classics) | Game Arts | See PSX |
JP GB+GBC | Grandia: Parallel Trippers | Game Arts | Spinoff of Grandia featuring its characters and an attempt at using the same battle system |
Switch | Grandia HD Collection | Game Arts | Takes Grandia I and II and upgrades visuals; includes Japanese audio for both games; combines Saturn and PSX story elements of the first game |
PS2 | Grandia II | Game Arts | Avoid this version- it has bad framerate issues- but the game itself is amazing |
Dreamcast | Grandia II | Game Arts | It may not wow you, but it's damn good anyway |
PS2 | Grandia III | Game Arts | Same time and distance-based combat as the first two, disproportionate story pacing but solid nonetheless |
PS3 | Grandia III (PS2 Classics) | Game Arts | See PS2 |
PS2 | Grandia Xtreme | Game Arts | The combat you know and love with an increase in dungeon delving, English voice cast is oddly celeb-filled |
PS4 | Grand Kingdom | Monochrome | See Vita |
Vita | Grand Kingdom | Monochrome | Successor to Grand Knights History with some similar mechanics, gameplay is tactical- arranging formations of troops to attack by expending AP is essential |
JP PSP | Grand Knights History | Vanillaware | Absolutely gorgeous Vanillaware-developed turn-based game with multiple factions to represent and customizable characters |
JP FC | Grand Master | Soft Machine | Features multiple branching paths, ARPG gameplay, and anime cutscenes between stages |
Vita | Gravity Rush | SCEJ | ARPG with a focus on manipulating gravity to traverse the open world using the gyroscope; gems are collected to level up character attributes and abilities |
PS4 | Gravity Rush 2 | SIE Japan | More gravity-shifting action-adventure-type excitement; collecting gems levels abilities and raising reuptation by doing quests raises stats |
PS4 | Gravity Rush Remastered | SIE Japan/Bluepoint | Includes all DLC as well as increases the framerate/appearance from the Vita version |
GB+GBC | Great Greed | Namco | Everything is named after food, otherwise a slightly weird environmentally-themed JRPG |
Switch | Greedroid (DL only) | Yuto Aoyama | A voxel-based roguelike where the environment can be manipulated to make dungeon delving easier |
PS2 | GrimGrimoire | Vanillaware | RTSRPG, units level up based on progress in the story |
PS3 | GrimGrimoire (PS2 Classics) | Vanillaware | See PS2 |
3DS | Grinsia (DL only) | Magitec | It's samey, it's repetitive, it's Kemco |
PS2 | Growlanser: Heritage of War | Career Soft | Actually Growlanser V, more of an RTS than previous entries in the series |
PS3 | Growlanser: Heritage of War (PS2 Classics) | Career Soft | See PS2 |
PSP | Growlanser: Wayfarer of Time | Career Soft | Actually Growlanser IV, an SRPG with important life-or-death choices, some dating sim elements, and free-range movement in addition to limit break-type attacks |
Vita | Growlanser: Wayfarer of Time (DL only) | Career Soft | See PSP |
PS2 | Growlanser Generations | Career Soft | Collection of SRPGs Growlanser II and III, last Working Designs release, include auto-battle systems |
PSX | Guardian's Crusade | Tamsoft | Another candidate for baby's first JRPG |
Saturn | Guardian Heroes | Treasure | Side-scrolling beat-em-up gameplay, stats distribute at the end of each stage |
Xbox 360 | Guardian Heroes (DL only) | Treasure | Similar to the original Saturn version, but adds a Remix mode with additional combo options |
3DO | Guardian War | Micro Cabin | SRPG combat with hilarious rudimentary 3D models |
PSP | Gungnir | Sting | Episode IX of the Dept. Heaven series, multiple endings, SRPG combat with a time system where points build up that can be used for attack strengthening or turn manipulation |
Vita | Gungnir (DL only) | Sting | See PSP |
3DS | Gurumin 3D: A Monstrous Adventure (DL only) | Falcom | Almost identical to the original, save for the application of 3D effects and some technical issues like pop-in |
PSP | Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure | Falcom | A cutesy ARPG, fun hats confer stat upgrades and can be leveled in and of themselves |
JP GBA | Hagane no Renkinjutsushi: Meisou no Rinbukyoku | Tom Create | Based on the anime, no real levels to gain, but turn-based combat utilizing alchemy combinations |
JP GBA | Hagane no Renkinjutsushi: Omoide no Sonata | Tom Create | Original story, sequel to Stray Rondo, adds a leveling system but otherwise similar mechanics |
Switch | Hakoniwa Explorer Plus (DL only) | Suxamethonium | An isometric pixel-art ARPG with skeezy humor and enemy design strewn throughout |
PSP | Half-Minute Hero | Opus | You have 30 seconds to save the world! What are you waiting for? A variety of fast-paced and humorous game modes and stories to complete |
Xbox 360 | Half-Minute Hero: Super Mega Neo Climax | Opus | Takes away some gameplay variety from the original PSP game, but adds an option to use an anime artstyle |
Switch | Harvestella | Square Enix/Live Wire | A meatier storyline than the usual farming sim, competent combat and a solid score |
N64 | Harvest Moon 64 | Victor Interactive Software | Inherit a farm, level up your tools, and manage time wisely! |
Wii U | Harvest Moon 64 (VC) | Victor Interactive Software | See N64 |
Wii | Harvest Moon: Animal Parade | Marvelous Entertainment | All the farming you'd expect, but with a bigger variety of animals (many of them rideable)! |
PSX | Harvest Moon: Back to Nature | Victor Interactive Software | Do ALL the farming! |
PS3 | Harvest Moon: Back to Nature (PSone Classics) | Victor Interactive Software | See PSX |
Vita | Harvest Moon: Back to Nature (PSone Classics) | Victor Interactive Software | See PSX |
PSP | Harvest Moon: Back to Nature (PSone Classics) | Victor Interactive Software | See PSX |
PSP | Harvest Moon: Boy & Girl | Marvelous Entertainment | Combines the original version of Back to Nature with the previously JP-only female protagonist version |
GBA | Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town | Marvelous | Level up your tools and grow your farm (and find a nice girl to settle down with) |
PS4 | Harvest Moon: Light of Hope | Tabot | More farm raising, developed by a different studio than Story of Seasons- and it shows; gameplay loop is the same (tool leveling, crop growing) with little innovation |
Switch | Harvest Moon: Light of Hope | Tabot | See PS4 |
GBA | Harvest Moon: More Friends of Mineral Town | Marvelous | Female protagonist version of Friends of Mineral town with a few added QoL changes |
PS4 | Harvest Moon: One World | Natsume | Adds a new portable farm mechanic, but removes the soul of the series |
Switch | Harvest Moon: One World | Natsume | See PS4 |
DS | Harvest Moon: The Tale of Two Towns | Marvelous | You're now both a farmer and ambassador! |
Wii | Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility | Marvelous Entertainment | Level your tools, grow your crops, and restore a nature deity- all in a day's work! |
DS | Harvest Moon DS | Tose | Classic farming gameplay, lots of harvest spirtes to rescue- and crops themselves level up! |
DS | Harvest Moon DS: Cute | Marvelous | An alternative version of Harvest Moon DS that makes some QoL changes and allows you to play as a female protagonist |
DS | Harvest Moon DS: Grand Bazaar | Marvelous | Still farming, but done under the pretense of pure capitalism by selling your goods at a weekly marketplace |
DS | Harvest Moon DS: Island of Happiness | Tose | Same farming, but now on a deserted island! Limited to touchscreen controls |
DS | Harvest Moon DS: Sunshine Islands | Marvelous | Resembles Island of Happiness, but reliance on the touchsreen is removed |
PS4 | Haunted Dungeons: Hyakki Castle (DL only) | Asakusa Studios | First-person dungeon crawling with a yokai theme and an emphasis on splitting the party in order to solve puzzles/flank enemies; combat is more real-time |
Switch | Haunted Dungeons: Hyakki Castle (DL only, delisted) | Asakusa Studios | See PS4 |
JP GB+GBC | Heracles no Eikou: Ugokidashita Kamigami - The Snap-Story | SAS Sakata/Data East | Series spinoff, can be assisted in combat by borrowing gods from Olympus |
JP FC | Heracles no Eikou II: Titan no Metsubo | Data East | Dragon Warrior-styled gameplay with Greek mythological flair |
JP SFC | Heracles no Eikou III: Kamigami no Chinmoku | 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 | Heracles no Eikou IV: Kamigami Kara no Okurimono | Data East | A multitude of different avatars to play as, each with its own attributes and perspectives on storyline events |
DS | Hero's Saga Laevatein Tactics | GungHo | SRPG; combat between individual map units takes place over 3 rounds with a full squad of troops |
DS | Heroes of Mana | Brownie Brown | RTS where better equipment is the key to raising stats; pretty but lacking in substance |
Switch | Heroland | FuRyu | See PS4 |
PS4 | Heroland | FuRyu | As a tour guide in an RPG theme park, help level yourself and your guests up by making suggestions for the AI guests to take |
Switch | Hero Must Die. Again (DL only) | G-Mode | See PS4 |
PS4 | Hero must die. Again (DL only) | G-Mode | A short turn-based game intended for many playthroughs where you start at max power and must deal with your stats decreasing as you inch ever closer to destined death |
JP SFC | Hero Senki: Project Olympus | Winkysoft | A bit of Gundam, a bit of Kamen Rider, a bit of Ultraman, a bit of traditional JRPG! |
PSP | Hexyz Force | Sting | Turn-based battle system, multiple protagonists/storylines, items and equipment cannot be bought; rather, they must be created using points earned in combat |
JP SFC | Hiouden: Mamonotachi to no Chikai | Wolf Team | Point-and-click style SRPG, made by Team Wolf of Tales of Phantasia fame |
JP PC Engine | Hisou Kaihei X-SERD | Masaya | A mech-based SRPG with separate XP bars for attack and evasion |
JP SFC | Holy Umbrella: Dondera no Mubou!! | Earthly Soft | More of a sidescrolling platformer, but does have some stat increases via items, very cheeky tone |
PSX | Hoshigami: Ruining Blue Earth | Max Five | SRPG with interesting battle mechanics but unforgiving difficulty |
DS | Hoshigami: Ruining Blue Earth Remix | Barnhouse Effect | Remake of the PSX SRPG with a new localization and endings |
JP FC | Hoshi wo Miru Hito | Another/Hot-B | Kusoge of legend, incomplete translation but left up here for lulz |
Switch | Hoshi wo Miru Hito (DL only, delisted) | Another/Hot-B | See FC |
JP SFC | Hourai Gakuen no Bouken!: Tenkousei Scramble | Dynamite | High school: the JRPG! Join clubs to gain abilities! |
JP FC | Hyaku no Sekai no Monogatari: The Tales on a Watery Wilderness | ASK | A multiplayer board game JRPG? On my Famicom? Lots of randomness involved |
N64 | Hybrid Heaven | Konami | Battles are reminiscent of Parasite Eve |
NES | Hydlide | T&E Soft | Very grindy, very bad |
JP FC | Hydlide 3: Yami Kara no Houmonsha | T&E Soft | There is no such thing as a good Hydlide game. |
Vita | Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart | Compile Heart/Idea Factory/Sting | SRPG Neptunia spinoff with a bunch of fun status effects, units can pair up to confer special abilities |
PS3 | Hyperdimension Neptunia | Compile Heart | First in a long series of tongue-in-cheek games about the game industry itself; combat is based upon an AP spending system |
PS3 | Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2 | Compile Heart/Idea Factory | Largely the same as the first, has an affection point system as well as item synthesis |
Vita | Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 1 | Compile Heart/Idea Factory/Felistella | Reworks the script and expands the storyline, removes some characters while adding others, borrows elements from later entries to improve QoL |
Vita | Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 2: Sisters Generation | Compile Heart/Idea Factory/Felistella | Reworks script, removes some characters and adds others, now uses 2D images in dialogue scenes, borrows elements from later entries to improve QoL |
Vita | Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 3: V Generation | Compile Heart/Idea Factory/Felistella | Improves the visuals and voice acting, smooths out the combat system, and boasts a quite large cast |
Vita | Hyperdimension Neptunia U: Action Unleashed | Compile Heart/Idea Factory/Tamsoft | Hacky-slashy ARPG with the Nepgirls, has a few clothes-tearing elements |
PS3 | Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory | Compile Heart/Idea Factory | See above, but with more customizable combos in combat |
Wii U | Hyrule Warriors | Omega Force/Team Ninja | Dynasty Warriors, but make it Zelda! Features weapon and character leveling |
Switch | Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity | Omega Force | Another Zelda musou with a large roster to level up; serves as a prequel to Breath of the Wild with lots of references to the series as a whole |
Switch | Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition | Omega Force/Team Ninja | Takes everything from the Wii U and 3DS versions and streamlines it, with some additional costumes to boot |
3DS | Hyrule Warriors Legends (New 3DS only) | Omega Force/Team Ninja | Includes all DLC from the original game as well as adding two new story chapters; also LINKLE |
Switch | I Am Setsuna (DL only) | Tokyo RPG Factory | See PS4 |
PS4 | I Am Setsuna (DL only) | Tokyo RPG Factory | Plays a lot like Chrono Trigger in combat with some additional enhancements, story is linear with some minimal sidequesting post-game |
3DS | Ikachan (DL only) | Studio Pixel/Nicalis | A cute indie ARPG where you play as a squid helping out other sea creatures |
SNES | Illusion of Gaia | Quintet | Part of the Quintet trilogy, ARPG with non-traditional stat increases |
PS4 | Illusion of L'Phalcia | Exe-Create | See Vita |
Vita | Illusion of L'Phalcia (DL only) | Exe-Create | Uses more 3D battle graphics than your standard Kemco game, pretty standard except for a rune outfitting system to affect spellcasting |
Switch | Illusion of L'Phalcia (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Vita |
Xbox One | Illusion of L'Phalcia (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Vita |
3DS | Inazuma Eleven (DL only) | Level-5 | See DS |
DS | Inazuma Eleven (PAL only) | Level-5 | It's a soccer RPG- with hundreds of players to potentially scout and dramatic duels on the field! |
DS | Inazuma Eleven 2: Blizzard/Firestorm (PAL only) | Level-5 | Play soccer to save the world from being destroyed by aliens! |
3DS | Inazuma Eleven 3: Bomb Blast/Lightning Bolt/Team Ogre Attacks! (PAL only) | Level-5 | More soccer RPG goodness! Each version focuses on a different protagonist with different opponents, and the game now allows for chaining special moves |
3DS | Inazuma Eleven GO: Chrono Stones - Thunderflash/Wildfire (PAL only) | Level-5 | Now you must set out to save the game of soccer itself, now able to use your summon spirits as armor |
JP 3DS | Inazuma Eleven GO: Galaxy | Level-5 | |
3DS | Inazuma Eleven GO: Light/Shadow (PAL only) | Level-5 | Set 10 years after IE3, there are now evil soccer overlords and spirits you can summon during matches to enhance special moves |
JP FC | Indra no Hikari | Kemco | Enemies are visible on the overworld, but otherwise appears to be yet another Dragon Warrior clone |
Switch | Inferno Climber: Reborn (DL only) | Arc System Works | See PS4 |
PS4 | Inferno Climber: Reborn (DL only) | Arc System Works | An ARPG/survival sim hybrid of dubious quality with 8 different playable characters |
3DS | Infinite Dunamis (DL only) | Exe-Create | Better writing than your average Kemco game, has a sci-fi setting, tries to spice up the turn-based format with turn manipulation |
Xbox One | Infinite Links (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
Switch | Infinite Links (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
Xbox Series | Infinite Links (DL only) | Exe-Create | Generic protagonists and a skill grid-type upgrade system that ultimately is limited in execution? It's Kemco, alright |
PS5 | Infinite Links (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
PS4 | Infinite Links (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
DS | Infinite Space | PlatinumGames/Nude Maker | Space opera with customizable ships and a branching narrative |
Xbox 360 | Infinite Undiscovery | Tri-Ace | ARPG combat with combo attacks; opening menus doesn't pause the game, too many characters drag the otherwise compelling story down |
SNES | Inindo: Way of the Ninja | Koei | Part of the Nobunaga's Ambition series; recruiting party members is crucial |
PSP | Innocent Life: A Futuristic Harvest Moon | ArtePiazza | Has more of a centralized storyline than other Harvest Moons, no marriage system, more adventuring elements (though farming is still a thing to do) |
PS2 | Innocent Life: A Futuristic Harvest Moon Special Edition | ArtePiazza | Harvest Moon gameplay with more of a focused quest |
PS3 | Innocent Life: A Futuristic Harvest Moon Special Edition (PS2 Classics) | ArtePiazza | See PS2 |
DS | Inuyasha: Secret of the Divine Jewel | Art Co./Frontier Groove | Run-of-the-mill turn-based JRPG with an original story featuring the characters and setting of the anime/manga |
PS2 | Inuyasha: The Secret of the Cursed Mask | Kamui | Based on the anime, laughable graphics, minor dating sim elements - only play if you're a shojo-loving masochist |
Switch | Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Familia Myth Infinite Combate | 5pb./MAGES | See PS4 |
PS4 | Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Familia Myth Infinite Combate | 5pb./MAGES | A short dungeon crawler/VN mix based on the anime; story progression dictates leveling, but skill points can be acquired to augment stats |
DS | Izuna 2: The Unemployed Ninja Returns | Ninja Studio | Plays like the first with similar tone, but adds a tag system for exploring dungeons; lots of grinding is necessary to complete |
DS | Izuna: Legend of the Unemployed Ninja | Ninja Studio | Roguelike dungeon crawler with a quirky protagonist, decent difficulty curve |
PS2 | Jade Cocoon 2 | Genki | More bug-minion raising and fusion, combat is highly dependent on minion placement |
PSX | Jade Cocoon: Story of the Tamamayu | Genki | It's like Persona, but all the demons are bugs! |
JP FC | Jajamaru Ninpou Chou | NMK | Almost came out in the States, but alas… Another DW clone where you can only fight one enemy at a time |
PSP | Jeanne d'Arc | Level-5 | An SRPG loosely based on the story of the famed French heroine; unit facing is important, as is a rock-paper-scissors-type affinity system |
PSP | Jikandia: The Timeless Land | Opus/Idea Factory | Side-scrolling ARPG with a pixel art look, equipping crystals found in dungeons gives stat boots, multiple playable characters and the ability to choose dungeon time limits |
JP SFC | Jojo no Kimyou na Bouken | Winkysoft | RPG adaptation of Part 3, quite abridged; a very short game overall, point-and-click elements |
3DS | Journey to Kreisia (DL only) | Exe-Create | Yet another Kemco game, this one with a modern-day-hero-in-fantasy-times premise; tries to lampshade the genre a bit, weapon skills work similarly to FFIX |
Xbox Series | Judgment | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | See PS5 |
PS4 | Judgment | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | A Yakuza spinoff from a detective's point of view, skill points can be used to increase stats |
PS5 | Judgment | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | See PS4, but with a smoother framerate and gradient changes that may not be preferable to the original |
JP FC | Just Breed | Random House | A very detailed SRPG for the time |
Switch | Justice Chronicles (DL only) | Hit-Point | See 3DS |
Xbox Series | Justice Chronicles (DL only) | Hit-Point | See 3DS |
PS4 | Justice Chronicles (DL only) | Hit-Point | See 3DS |
PS5 | Justice Chronicles (DL only) | Hit-Point | See 3DS |
3DS | Justice Chronicles (DL only) | Hit-Point | Sequel to Mystic Chronicles (PSP/Vita), and actually makes some decent improvements for a Kemco game; summonable monsters and jewels that confer skills are included |
Xbox One | Justice Chronicles (DL only) | Hit-Point | See 3DS |
JP SFC | Jutei Senki | TamTam | SRPG with circle-limited movement and neat cutaway battle animations, high difficulty |
JP FC | Juvei Quest | Birthday | Plot divided into chapters, protagonist can recruit helpers to make adventuring easier |
JP GB+GBC | Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru | Intelligent Systems | Sort of like Link's Awakening, but with frogs and more stats! |
PSX | Kagero: Deception II | Tecmo | String together traps to make your own Rube Goldberg of death! |
JP FC | Kaijuu Monogatari | Birthday | Pretty standard, but also super-hard at the beginning |
PS4 | Kairobotica (DL only) | Kairosoft | Cultivate your planet and send your bot buddies out on missions (and upgrade them after) in this sim/RPG combo |
Switch | Kairobotica (DL only) | Kairosoft | See PS4 |
JP FC | Karakuri Kengou Den Musashi Lord: Karakuri Jin Hashiru! | Kose | ARPG based on the robot anime |
PSX | Kartia: The Word of Fate | Atlus | SRPG initially localized as a Blockbuster Video rental exclusive, uses cards to manipulate battle |
Switch | Katana Kami: A Way of the Samurai Story | Acquire | See PS4 |
PS4 | Katana Kami: A Way of the Samurai Story (DL only) | Acquire | Basically samurai Diablo, with more roguelike elements like levels resetting each time the main dungeon is entered; 3 different factions to juggle and contend with |
JP FC | Kawa no Nushi Tsuri | Yuu Yuu | It's a fishing JRPG! |
JP GBA | Keitai Denjuu Telefang 2: Power | Smilesoft | One version of a Pokemon-like clone that features sharing your phone number with monsters to befriend them |
3DS | Kemonomix+ (DL only, delisted) | Rocket Studio | A simplistic monster-raiser where you find, train, and mix creatures in order to help you escape from the planet you're stranded on |
JP SFC | Kidou Senshi Gundam: Cross Dimension 0079 | Bandai | SRPG based on OG Mobile Suit Gundam, utilizes button combos to use attacks |
JP PSX | King's Field | FromSoftware | The actual King's Field I - still in first-person |
PSX | King's Field | FromSoftware | 1st-person dungeon crawler, FromSoftware's second game (this is actually King's Field II) |
PS2 | King's Field: The Ancient City | FromSoftware | FromSoft coming through again with first-person dungeon action |
PSX | King's Field II | FromSoftware | Actually King's Field III, a good look into where Dark Souls eventually came from |
PS2 | Kingdom Hearts | Square | The OG FF/Disney mashup, before the story started to overcomplicate itself |
3DS | Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance | Square Enix | More ARPG action, more plot confusion; this one brings back the Command Deck from Birth By Sleep and introduces capturable spirits that can influence gameplay |
DS | Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days | h.a.n.d. Inc./Square Enix | Stars Organization XIII, takes place parallel to Chain of Memories; mission-like structure with the same ARPG gameplay |
PSP | Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep | Square Enix | Prequel to the main series, with three playable characters and generally similar ARPG gameplay, albeit with the ability to customize commands available in battle |
JP PSP | Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep Final Mix | Square Enix | Adds new playable episodes and way more story content to the original |
GBA | Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories | Jupiter | The first of many, many side stories- takes place between KH I and II, uses a card battling system |
PS4 | Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory | Square Enix/Indieszero | See Switch |
Switch | Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory | Square Enix/Indieszero | The inevitable Kingdom Hearts rhythm game; characters level their health and attack as they keep the beat to songs throughout the series |
Xbox One | Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory (DL only) | Square Enix/Indieszero | See Switch |
PS4 | Kingdom Hearts: The Story So Far | Square Enix | A collection of all collections of Kingdom Hearts games before KHIII |
PS4 | Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix | Square Enix | See XBO |
Xbox One | Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix (DL only) | Square Enix | Simply put: a combined version of the 1.5 and 2.5 Remix packages (KHI, Re;CoM, 358/2 days movie + KHII, BBS, Coded movie) |
Switch | Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix Cloud Version (DL only) | Square Enix | See XBO |
PS3 | Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix | Square Enix | Contains the previously JP-exclusive Final Mix version of KHI with added story and gameplay changes, Re: Chain of Memories, and a series of cutscenes from 358/2 Days |
PS3 | Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix | Square Enix | Contains the previously JP-exclusive Final Mix version of KHII and BBS with added story and gameplay changes and a series of cutscenes from Re: coded |
PS4 | Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue | Square Enix | See XBO |
Xbox One | Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue (DL only) | Square Enix | Contains a remastered Dream Drop Distance, as well as a short interlude game starring Aqua and a cutscene movie referencing the mobile game |
Switch | Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue Cloud Version (DL only) | Square Enix | See XBO |
PS2 | Kingdom Hearts II | Square Enix | Do you like pressing the triangle button? |
PS4 | Kingdom Hearts III | Square Enix | A conclusion that leaves more questions than satisfying answers, ARPG gameplay is quite flashy, worlds are bigger but arguably blander |
Xbox One | Kingdom Hearts III | Square Enix | See PS4 |
Switch | Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind Cloud Version (DL only) | Square Enix | See PS4, but with added story DLC included |
PS2 | Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories | Square Enix | Still card-based, but with voice acting, new cutscenes, and 3D combat |
DS | Kingdom Hearts Re:coded | h.a.n.d. Inc./Square Enix | Remake of a mobile-only game, has more puzzles involved than a standard KH game |
PSP | Kingdom of Paradise | Climax Entertainment | ARPG with lots of references to Chinese culture, customization of martial arts moves in combat, stat allocation when leveling up is determined by favored battle actions |
JP GB+GBC | Kininkou Maroku Oni | Winkysoft | First game in a long untranslated series, very grindy |
JP GBA | Klonoa Heroes: Densetsu no Star Medal | Namco | Top-down ARPG gameplay, and cute to boot! |
GB+GBC | Knight Quest | Lenar | It's not gonna wow you, that's for sure |
PSP | Knights in the Nightmare | Sting | Very similar to DS version save for resolution and a smoother control scheme |
DS | Knights in the Nightmare | Sting | Fourth episode of the Dept. Heaven game series; SRPG/bullet hell hybrid that should be played to be believed |
PSX | Koudelka | Sacnoth | Horror-themed JRPG, the precursor to the Shadow hearts series |
JP SFC | Kouryuu Densetsu Villgust: Kieta Shoujo | Winkysoft | Based on an anime of the same name, ridiculous stat levels before Disgaea made it cool |
JP FC | Kouryuu Densetsu Villgust Gaiden | Plex | It's got a catgirl. Strange battle system! Side-story to the SNES game |
PS4 | Kowloon High-School Chronicle (DL only) | Toybox/Shout! Design Works | See Switch |
Switch | Kowloon High-School Chronicle (DL only) | Toybox/Shout! Design Works | A remaster of a formerly JP-only PS2 title, with visual novel-styled relationship balancing and first-person puzzle solving/dungeon crawling |
JP SFC | Kuusou Kagaku Sekai Gulliver Boy | Amble | Very short ARPG with ungodly levels of hair spikiness on the protagonist |
JP SFC | Kyuuyaku Megami Tensei | Atlus/Opera House | Enhanced remake of Megami Tensei 1 and 2 |
Switch | Labyrinth Legend (DL only) | Shinobi Games | A third-person dungeon crawl with a sparse narrative but breezy, pick-up-and-play bite sized dungeons |
PS4 | Labyrinth Life (DL only) | Matrix Software | A roguelike dungeon crawler that wears its extremely perverted heart on its sleeve- increasing bust size increases strength |
JP 3DS | Labyrinth no Kanata | Tri-Ace | An almost Ico-like presentation of an isekai dungeon crawler, with rock-paper-scissors-like combat and juggling healing to prevent enemies from doing so |
Switch | Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk | Nippon Ichi | See PS4 |
PS4 | Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk | Nippon Ichi | A first-person dungeon crawler with extremely deep levels of party customization; each dungeon has a unique gimmick; dark tones pervade throughout |
Switch | Labyrinth of the Witch (DL only) | Orange Cube | A Mystery Dungeon-like game that does little to distinguish itself from other games like it; penalties for dying are much softer than tradition dictates |
JP PC Engine | Lady Sword: Ryakudatsu Sareta 10 Nin no Otome | Hacker International | First-person dungeon crawler with no visible XP and monsters that attack in your sleep |
SNES | Lagoon | Kemco | Dollar-store Ys |
JP FC | Lagrange Point | Konami | Banger soundtrack, sci-fi themed |
Genesis | Landstalker: The Treasures of King Nole | Climax Entertainment | Isometric and very Zelda-like, gathering items increases both life and strength |
Switch | Langrisser I & II | Chara-ani/Extreme | See PS4 |
PS4 | Langrisser I & II | Chara-ani/Extreme | Remakes of the first two Langrisser games with some notable story/translation changes from their original versions; SRPG gameplay remains intact |
JP Mega Drive | Langrisser II | NCS | SRPG that plays very similarly to its predecessor, albeit with some class rebalancing |
JP PSX | Langrisser IV | NCS | Mostly similar to the others, features an uneven turn system; remake of the Saturn version |
3DS | Langrisser Re:Incarnation Tensei | extreme Co. | A very sluggish SRPG with three branching storylines to switch from that lacks a lot of the charm its predecessors had, with a lot of unpolished features in its wake |
Switch | Lapis x Labyrinth | Nippon Ichi | See PS4 |
PS4 | Lapis x Labyrinth | Nippon Ichi | A breezy dungeon crawler side-scrolling ARPG with stackable heroes and loads of loot to find; gear matters for stats more than party levels do |
JP SFC | Laplace no Ma | Humming Bird Soft | Lovecraftian spooky JRPG |
PS2 | La Pucelle: Tactics | Nippon Ichi | SRPG that has some crossover with Disgaea; can purify enemies on maps to recruit them |
PS3 | La Pucelle: Tactics (PS2 Classics) | Nippon Ichi | See PS2 |
JP PSP | La Pucelle Ragnarok | Nippon Ichi | Adds characters from the Disgaea series, QoL improvements, and extra bonus episodes |
JP FC | LaSalle Ishii's Childs Quest | Namco | IDOL MANAGER JRPG. ENOUGH SAID. |
JP FC | Last Armageddon | 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 |
JP SFC | Last Bible III | Multimedia Intelligence Transfer | Sequel to the Game Boy games, featuring monster recruitment and customization |
PS3 | Last Rebellion | Hit Maker | Not the best of games - turn-based gameplay with an emphasis on targeting specific body parts of enemies |
3DS | LBX: Little Battlers eXperience | Level-5 | An ARPG with arena-styled combat where you fight your teensy robots and level them up to make them better |
NES | Legacy of the Wizard | Falcom | An early example of a metroidvania with a family element; different family members have different exploration skills |
DS | Legacy of Ys: Books I & II | Dreams/Falcom | Combined enhanced remake of Ys I and II with 3D and potential multiplayer |
PS2 | Legaia 2: Duel Saga | Prokion | Turn-based button combo combat system like its predecessor, adds item combination to the mix |
PS3 | Legasista (DL only) | System Prisma | Top-down ARPG dungeon crawler with a job system, positioning is key in battle, gameplay a bit repetitive |
Xbox Series | Legend of Ixtona (DL only) | WorldWideSoftware | See Switch |
Xbox One | Legend of Ixtona (DL only) | WorldWideSoftware | See Switch |
PS5 | Legend of Ixtona (DL only) | WorldWideSoftware | See Switch |
PS4 | Legend of Ixtona (DL only) | WorldWideSoftware | See Switch |
Switch | Legend of Ixtona (DL only) | WorldWideSoftware | It's a Kemco SRPG, with nicely detailed sprites and gameplay that will by no means astound you |
PSX | Legend of Legaia | Prokion/Contrail | Turn-based JRPG with a battle system focusing on combos and directional striking |
PSX | Legend of Mana | Square | Gorgeously 2D, beautiful soundtrack, disjointed story with an offbeat structure |
Switch | Legend of Mana (DL only) | M2/Square Enix | See PS4 |
PS4 | Legend of Mana (DL only) | M2/Square Enix | Cleans up the graphics, adds rearranged music, otherwise still the same gorgeous journey |
Vita | Legend of Mana (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
PS3 | Legend of Mana (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
PSP | Legend of Mana (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
GB+GBC | Legend of the River King | Victor Interactive Software | Made for Game Boy, then remade for GBC- actually the third in the River King series |
3DS | Legend of the River King (VC) | Victor Interactive Software | See GBC |
GB+GBC | Legend of the River King 2 | Victor Interactive Software | Actually River King 4 - more fishies = more funsies |
3DS | Legend of the River King 2 (VC) | Victor Interactive Software | See GBC |
PS4 | Legend of the Tetrarchs | Hit-Point | See XBO |
Xbox One | Legend of the Tetrarchs (DL only) | Hit-Point | Convoluted Kemco mumbo-jumbo where your health is restored after each battle |
Switch | Legend of the Tetrarchs (DL only) | Hit-Point | See XBO |
3DS | Legna Tactica (DL only) | Hit-Point | It's Kemco, so it won't rewrite the book on SRPGs, but it's there |
JP SFC | Lennus II: Fuuin no Shito | Fill-In Cafe/Copya Systems | Superior sequel to Paladin's Quest, more risque themes, loads of recruitable characters |
PS4 | Let It Die (DL only) | Grasshopper Manufacture | Grasshopper Manufacture's attempt at a Souls-like roguelike, with free-to-play elements and a cumbersome item management system |
Switch | LiEat (DL only) | Miwashiba | Bite-sized affair where you trade secrets and eat lies after defeating them in turn-based combat |
Switch | Liege Dragon (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XBO |
PS4 | Liege Dragon (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XBO |
Xbox One | Liege Dragon (DL only) | Exe-Create | Another drop in the Kemco bucket |
Genesis | Light Crusader | Treasure | Yet another isometric Zelda-like with understandably bad jumping, items that upgrade stats, and elemental combos to customize magic |
Xbox 360 | Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII | Square Enix | Final Fantasy XIII meets Majora's Mask - time management is crucial and stat enhancement is tied to quest completion |
PS3 | Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII | Square Enix | Trims down the party to be only Lightning, time management becomes ultra-important to prevent the apocalypse; completing quests leads to stat growth |
GB+GBC | Lil' Monster | Kid Corp | Another of the many Poke-clones |
JP Saturn | Linkle Liver Story | NexTech | Cute ARPG, combine elemental seeds to strengthen your weapon |
Wii | Little King's Story | Cing/Townfactory | Combination RTSRPG/town builder/management sim; explore and expand your rapidly growing reign as king |
JP GB+GBC | Little Master: Raikuban no Densetsu | Zener Works | SRPG with some elements of unit fusion |
NES | Little Ninja Brothers | Culture Brain | A tad racially insensitive, first game in the Super Chinese series to have RPG elements |
Wii U | Little Ninja Brothers (VC) | Culture Brain | See NES |
PS4 | Little Noah: Scion of Paradise (DL only) | Cygames | See Switch |
Switch | Little Noah: Scion of Paradise (DL only) | Cygames | A cute roguelite with even cuter companions to recruit and customize (and level)! |
PS4 | Little Town Hero | Game Freak | See XBO |
Switch | Little Town Hero | Game Freak | See XBO |
Xbox One | Little Town Hero (DL only) | Game Freak | Plays more like a deckbuilder, the only main RPG element is the skill tree, filled out by points earned in battles that take way too long |
PS4 | Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time (DL only) | Aplus | Beautiful art style akin to the anime, combat is in a 2.5D brawler format; lots and lots of backtracking and tedium for padding game length |
Switch | Live A Live | Square Enix/Historia | Localized for the first time with a new HD2D aesthetic, voice acting, and artwork- the game is otherwise the same |
JP SFC | Live A Live | Square | 7 different scenarios in different time periods, shared action bar amongst party in combat |
JP SFC | Lodoss Tou Senki | Thinking Rabbit | Plot-wise is more of a side story to the main novels, tactical combat engine |
PSP | Lord of Arcana | Access Games | A Monster Hunter clone featuring monsters designed by famous illustrators and some Square Enix cameos |
3DS | Lord of Magna: Maiden Heaven | Marvelous | A tad unfinished, due to the developer going bankrupt midway through production, but a solid overhead free-roaming position-based SRPG nonetheless |
Vita | Lost Dimension | Lancarse | See PS3 |
PS3 | Lost Dimension | Lancarse | RPG/visual novel hybrid with lots of party betrayal, replayability, and a tactical style of combat |
PS5 | Lost Epic (DL only) | Team Earth Wars/oneoreight | A Vanillaware-like side-scrolling ARPG, very grindy, Souls-like combined currency/experience that is lost on death |
PS4 | Lost Epic (DL only) | Team Earth Wars/oneoreight | See PS5 |
DS | Lost in Blue | Konami | Successor to the Survival Kids series with more RPG elements; tools can be upgraded to make your experience easier |
DS | Lost in Blue 2 | Matrix Software | Survive on a deserted island with your partner (and be sure to improve your living conditions as well)! |
DS | Lost in Blue 3 | Matrix Software | More castaways to assist with touchscreen mechanics |
Wii | Lost in Blue: Shipwrecked | Hudson Soft | Whoops, you're trapped on an island and have to do minigames in order to craft tools/hunt to survive |
PS4 | Lost Judgment | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | See PS5 |
PS5 | Lost Judgment | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | A dark detective story follow-up to Judgment, continues the beat-em-up gameplay from its sister Yakuza series, pettable cats, a dog can join you in your crime-solving |
Xbox Series | Lost Judgment | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | See PS5 |
Xbox One | Lost Judgment (DL only) | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | See PS5 |
GameCube | Lost Kingdoms | FromSoftware | Card-based ARPG, another FromSoft jam |
GameCube | Lost Kingdoms II | FromSoftware | Pretty much similar to the first, some tweaks to the cards were made |
DS | LostMagic | Taito | RTSRPG that revolves around drawing various runes to use powerful magic and monster capturing |
Xbox 360 | Lost Odyssey | Mistwalker/Feelplus | A traditional JRPG with incredible writing in side dream sequences; lots of rumination on immortality |
Switch | Lost Sphear | Tokyo RPG Factory | See PS4 |
PS4 | Lost Sphear | Tokyo RPG Factory | Uses a combat system like I Am Setsuna; harkens back to the storytelling style of early-mid 90's JRPGs |
3DO | Lucienne's Quest | Micro Cabin | A short, lighthearted play- it's not like the 3DO had much else going for it… |
SNES | Lufia & the Fortress of Doom | Neverland | Standard turn-based combat, but targeting dead enemies will lead to a wasted turn |
DS | Lufia: Curse of the Sinistrals | Neverland | Remake of Lufia II, with 3D graphics and ARPG gameplay instead of the series' traditional turn-based style |
GB+GBC | Lufia: The Legend Returns | Neverland | Third game in the Lufia series, was almost a PSX game before the original dev went bankrupt |
3DS | Lufia: The Legend Returns (VC) | Neverland | See GBC |
GBA | Lufia: The Ruins of Lore | Atelier Double/Taito | Side story to the main series, has a basic job system, characters can fuse with monsters in battle |
SNES | Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals | Neverland | Prequel to and much more Zelda-like than the first |
DS | Luminous Arc | Imageepoch | SRPG; relationship-building between characters takes place between battles |
DS | Luminous Arc 2 | Imageepoch | Not terribly different from the first, can be quite difficult, endings are determined by pre-battle dialouge choices |
JP DS | Luminous Arc 3: Eyes | Imageepoch | Shenanigans at a magic school with both SRPG gameplay and dating sim elements |
PSX | Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete | Game Arts | If you loved the first one, you'll love this- and how could you not? |
DS | Lunar: Dragon Song | Japan Art Media | Nice sprite work and music is the only thing this game has going for it. Garbage story, garbage characters, garbage game design. |
Sega CD | Lunar: Eternal Blue | Game Arts/Studio Alex | Just as charming as the first game, but with a baffling save system (utilizing magic XP as a requirement) |
JP Game Gear | Lunar: Sanposuru Gakuen | Game Arts/Studio Alex | The actual prequel to The Silver Star, sadly never localized - very girl-power friendly |
PSP | Lunar: Silver Star Harmony | Japan Art Media/Game Arts | Arguably the closest in tone to the intended translation, but with less charm; adds a playable prologue, battles are extremely easy in comparison to other versions |
Vita | Lunar: Silver Star Harmony (DL only) | Japan Art Media/Game Arts | See PSP |
PSX | Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete | Game Arts | Arguably the most charming cast of characters you'll ever meet, good OST, standard combat |
Sega CD | Lunar: The Silver Star | Game Arts/Studio Alex | Anime cutscenes, charming characters, and a high encounter rate |
DS | Lunar Knights | Kojima Productions | ARPG; part of the Boktai series, and can even use the previous game's cartriges as solar sensors to confer extra bonuses |
GBA | Lunar Legend | Japan Art Media | Translation closer to the intended Japanese than the previous versions, but lacks cinematic feel |
3DS | Machine Knight (DL only) | Hit-Point | Even more Kemco, this one features a scientist trying to prevent the apocalypse in cliché fashion; just as traditional turn-based as ever |
PS4 | Made in Abyss: Binary Star Falling Into Darkness | Spike Chunsoft | Dark dungeon-delving based on the anime- the original character survival mode, unlocked after being the anime story, is where the bulk of gameplay lies |
Switch | Made in Abyss: Binary Star Falling Into Darkness | Spike Chunsoft | See PS4 |
JP SFC | Madou Monogatari: Hanamaru Daiyouchi Enji | Compile | Extremely unconventional attack and leveling system, but cookies are currency and it's cute! |
JP Game Gear | Madou Monogatari A: Doki Doki Vacation | Compile | Arle stops the bad man from cutting down the forest to build an amusement park! In first-person! |
JP Mega Drive | Madou Monogatari I | Compile | ADORABLE AF, monster capturing mechanic, non-traditional stats/xp gain |
JP PC Engine | Madou Monogatari I: Honoo no Sotsuenji | Compile | Cute af first-person dungeon crawl; unconventional experience counter, adds voice acting, new monsters and cutscenes/events to the original |
JP Game Gear | Madou Monogatari I: Mitsu no Madouryoku | Compile | Arle doing Arle stuff - just first-person dungeon crawling with the same unorthodox display of stats |
JP Game Gear | Madou Monogatari II: Arle 16-Sai | Compile | More Arle doing Arle stuff, but she's 16 now! |
JP Game Gear | Madou Monogatari III: Kyuukyoku Joou-sama | Compile | Did you know that these games have Puyos in them? And that Arle features in the Puyo Puyo series? |
DS | Magical Starsign | Brownie Brown | Cute turn-based JRPG with food-named characters and a focus on elemental and planetary alignment in combat |
JP GBA | Magical Vacation | Brownie Brown | Turn-based combat, gorgeous sprites; love/heart isn't just an element in Captain Planet anymore! |
DS | Magician's Quest: Mysterious Times | Aquria | If Animal Crossing went to Hogwarts, this would be the adorable result |
Saturn | Magic Knight Rayearth | Sega | ARPG based on the anime, plays differently than the SFC version, very low print run in the US |
PS2 | Magic Pengel: The Quest for Color | Garakuta Studio/Taito | Think Pokemon, but if you as the player drew them instead to bring them to life |
Switch | Magic Scroll Tactics (DL only) | Otori Denshi | An SRPG that utilizes a side-scrolling-horizontal field of battle rather than an isometric grid |
Switch | Maglam Lord | Felistella | A visual novel-ARPG mix, with dating sim elements for the former and a simplified combat system akin to old Tales games for the latter |
PS4 | Maglam Lord (DL only) | Felistella | See Switch |
JP SFC | Magna Braban: Henreki no Yuusha | Lenar | Gambits and auto-combat long before FFXII was even a thing |
PS3 | Magus | Black Tower Studios | You play as John Wizardington and learn spells/level up in a bland, bad ARPG |
JP Game Gear | Mahou Kishi Rayearth | CKYDT/Sega | A different game than the Saturn and SFC ones - but also turn-based |
JP SFC | Mahou Kishi Rayearth | Pandora Box | Plays vastly differently than the Saturn version! Beginner-level JRPG, follows the OG story closely |
JP SFC | Majin Tensei | Atlus | SRPG SMT spinoff with (naturally) demon recruitment and fusion |
JP SFC | Majin Tensei II: Spiral Nemesis | Atlus | More or less the same as the first, but with an isometric battle view as opposed to top-down |
JP FC | Majou Densetsu II: Dimashikyou Gailous | Konami | A sidescrolling ARPG with 2 playable characters, XP gain refills life; life bar can be extended via items |
JP PC Engine | Makai Hakkenden: Shada | Data East | Run-of-the-mill Ys clone |
PS2 | Makai Kingdom: Chronicles of the Sacred Tome | Nippon Ichi | Disgaea-adjacent SRPG with vehicular combat and an assortment of weapon types for each class |
JP Wonderswan | Makai Toushi SaGa | Square | A remake of the first SaGa game (Final Fantasy Legend), upped the graphics and added features like a bestiary and the ability to re-target enemies to not waste attacks once defeated |
PS2 | Mana Khemia 2: Fall of Alchemy | Gust | Direct sequel to Mana Khemia, with a similar character growth system- lots of pre-planning in synthesis encouraged |
PS2 | Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al-Revis | Gust | Go to school, learn some alchemy, and use action points instead of XP to grow your characters! |
PSP | Mana Khemia: Student Alliance | Gust | Mostly the same as the PS2 version, but with added multiplayer battles and more items to synthesize in exchange for longer load times |
PS4 | Marchen Forest (DL only) | PrimaryOrbit | See Switch |
Switch | Marchen Forest (DL only) | PrimaryOrbit | Begins as a cute alchemy adventure; ends up as a third-person, darker-themed (but still cute) dungeon crawler |
PS4 | Marenian Tavern Story: Patty and the Hungry God | Rideon | See XBO |
Xbox One | Marenian Tavern Story: Patty and the Hungry God (DL only) | Rideon | Spiritual successor to the Adventure Bar games, with a similar theme of gathering materials to cook and sell (and eat to gain XP) |
Switch | Marenian Tavern Story: Patty and the Hungry God (DL only) | Rideon | See XBO |
JP PS2 | Marie to Elie no Atelier: Salburg no Renkinjutsushi 1-2 | Gust | Remakes of the first games in the Atelier series, with all the expected alchemy present |
DS | Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story | AlphaDream | More fun with the Mario Bros., as well as exploration of Bowser's innards! |
3DS | Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey | AlphaDream | Reworks special moves, upgrades aesthetics, and adds a new side story based on Bowser Jr.'s doings during the game |
3DS | Mario & Luigi: Dream Team | AlphaDream | Overworld platforming and timing-affected turn-based combat with a heavy emphasis on Green Mario and the crazy things his dreams can do |
3DS | Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam | AlphaDream | Crossover between Mario & Luigi and Paper Mario, thankfully taking game features more from the former than the latter |
DS | Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time | AlphaDream | Related to Superstar Saga by time travel, still turn-based with timing elements; introduces baby Mario and Luigi as playable |
Wii U | Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time (VC) | AlphaDream | See DS |
GBA | Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga | AlphaDream | Comedic RPG with exploration puzzles and a timing-based combat system |
Wii U | Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (VC) | AlphaDream | See GBA |
3DS | Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions | AlphaDream | Improves aesthetics, adds an RTS mode featuring Bowser's minions, features QoL improvements from the original |
GB+GBC | Mario Golf | Camelot | Conquer the golf circuit and level up your attributes as or against Mario |
3DS | Mario Golf (VC) | Camelot | See GBC |
GBA | Mario Golf: Advance Tour | Camelot | Story mode and leveling, now with even more strange human characters to beat Mario's crew in golf! |
GB+GBC | Mario Tennis | Camelot | Grab your racket, go to tennis school, and level up your skills with Mario and company |
3DS | Mario Tennis (VC) | Camelot | See GBC |
GBA | Mario Tennis: Power Tour | Camelot | Another jaunt through tennis school with Mario and friends, with EXP to gain and stats to improve! |
Switch | Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order | Koei Tecmo/Team Ninja | Isometric co-op ARPG featuring the heroes and villains of the Marvel Universe beating each other up ad nauseum; lots of differenct characters to choose from |
Switch | Mary Skelter 2 | Compile Heart/Idea Factory/Zerodiv | A first-person dungeon crawler much like the first; juggling corruption in battle and avoiding regenrating boss enemies is important; also contains the first game |
Vita | Mary Skelter: Nightmares | Compile Heart | First-person dungeon crawler that features classic literary characters in very heavy ecchi ways, affection-raising mechanics, and powerful enemies that can ambush you in combat |
Switch | Mary Skelter Finale | Compile Heart | A multi-party fitrst-person dungeon crawler with dense labyrinths and a bonus mode to let you read through the plot of previous entries |
PS4 | Mary Skelter Finale | Compile Heart | See Switch |
JP FC | Mashin Eiyuuden Wataru Gaiden | Westone | Very Zelda II vibes, based off the anime of the same name |
Genesis | Master of Monsters | SystemSoft | SRPG with different monster types and hex-based grid movement |
PSX | Master Of Monsters: Disciples of Gaia | SystemSoft | Slow-paced SRPG, remake of Master of Monsters (GEN), critically panned |
DS | Master of the Monster Lair | Global A Entertainment | Want to slay monsters? Just dig a whole dungeon for them so you have them all corralled in one place! |
Wii U | Medabots: Metabee/Rokusho (VC) | Natsume | See GBA |
GBA | Medabots AX: Metabee/Rokusho | Natsume | Much more of a fighting game, but you do level your robots to fight them in real-time |
GameCube | Medabots Infinity | Natsume | 3D robutt arena battles! |
JP GB+GBC | Medarot Kabuto/Kuwagata Version | Natsume | First games in the Medarot/bot series, with the standard building and fighting robots |
JP PSX | Medarot R | Natsume | It's a Medabots game! Destroy the enemy's parts to make them useless! |
PS4 | Megadimension Neptunia VII | Compile Heart/Idea Factory | Battle system emphasizes character positioning, goddesses have additional transformations in combat, otherwise same fanservicey Neptune shenanigans |
Switch | Megadimension Neptunia VII | Compile Heart/Idea Factory | See PS4 |
PS4 | Megadimension Neptunia VIIR | Compile Heart/Idea Factory | Retells the story from VII, but adds VR compatibility and interludes, changes the battle system, and removes alternate endings |
GBA | Mega Man Battle Network | Capcom | Tactical real-time combat, learning skills from enemies, and memeable spritework |
Wii U | Mega Man Battle Network (VC) | Capcom | See GBA |
GBA | Mega Man Battle Network 2 | Capcom | More or less the same as the first, but a bit more customizable, and no auto-healing after every battle |
Wii U | Mega Man Battle Network 2 (VC) | Capcom | See GBA |
GBA | Mega Man Battle Network 3: Blue/White | Capcom | More customizable than its predecessors, each version has different chips available |
Wii U | Mega Man Battle Network 3: Blue/White (VC) | Capcom | See GBA |
GBA | Mega Man Battle Network 4: Blue Moon/Red Sun | Capcom | Now emotions must be controlled during battle, and fusion (like traditional MM) is available |
Wii U | Mega Man Battle Network 4: Blue Moon/Red Sun (VC) | Capcom | See GBA |
DS | Mega Man Battle Network 5: Double Team DS | Capcom | Has content from both versions of MMBN 5 as well as additional content |
GBA | Mega Man Battle Network 5: Team Colonel/Team Protoman | Capcom | You've seen it before, but now there are powerful Dark Chips! |
Wii U | Mega Man Battle Network 5: Team Colonel/Team Protoman (VC) | Capcom | See GBA |
GBA | Mega Man Battle Network 6: Cybeast Falzar/Cybeast Gregar | Capcom | Final game in the series, a bit more limitations on chip arrangement, stronger fusions |
Wii U | Mega Man Battle Network 6: Cybeast Falzar/Cybeast Gregar (VC) | Capcom | See GBA |
DS | Mega Man Star Force 2: Zerker X Ninja/Zerker X Saurian | Capcom | See above, but with a few more transformations |
DS | Mega Man Star Force 3: Black Ace/Red Joker | Capcom | See above, with version-specific transformations, more customizable commands, and the ability to become Mega Man at any time |
DS | Mega Man Star Force: Dragon/Leo/Pegasus | Capcom | Separate from but plays in a similar manner to the MMBN series, except with a vertical grid and more limited dodging |
PS2 | Mega Man X: Command Mission | Capcom | It's Mega Man X, but it's also turn-based? Now I've seen everything! |
GameCube | Mega Man X Command Mission | Capcom | Dungeon Crawler |
JP Game Gear | Megami Tensei Gaiden: Last Bible | Multimedia Intelligence Transfer | Monster collecting with a bit of kiddie MegaTen flair |
JP GB+GBC | Megami Tensei Gaiden: Last Bible II | Multimedia Intelligence Transfer | Pretty much just like the first, but now you can give your monsters accessories |
JP Game Gear | Megami Tensei Gaiden: Last Bible Special | SIMS/Atlus | Biblical-themed first-person dungeon crawl, with gameplay otherwise similar to the other Last Bibles |
Vita | MegaTagmension Blanc + Neptune vs. Zombies | Compile Heart/Idea Factory/Tamsoft | ARPG Neptunia zombie-themed spinoff with combat similar to Neptunia U (but with the clothes-removing thankfully gone), has a multiplayer component |
Vita | MeiQ: Labyrinth of Death | Compile Heart | Another day, another Vita first-person dungeon crawl; this one has mages and robots fighting in pairs and encourages decision making on who will be doing the attacking |
PS4 | Mercenaries Blaze: Dawn of the Twin Dragons | Rideon | See Switch |
Switch | Mercenaries Blaze: Dawn of the Twin Dragons (DL only) | Rideon | Standard SRPG gameplay; takes a bit of a ham-handed approach to modern sensitive topics plotwise |
Switch | Mercenaries Rebirth: Call of the Wild Lynx (DL only) | Rideon | A better translation than previous entries, aggro factors into enemy attack choice, but generally more of the same |
PS4 | Mercenaries Rebirth: Call of the Wild Lynx (DL only) | Rideon | See Switch |
3DS | Mercenaries Saga 2: Order of the Silver Eagle (DL only) | Rideon | Sequel to a JP mobile-only SRPG, follows a band of mercenaries (duh) through their trevails in a standard SRPG format |
3DS | Mercenaries Saga 3: Gray Wolves of War (DL only) | Rideon | Quite similar to the game that came before it- a straightforward SRPG |
Switch | Mercenaries Saga: Chronicles | Rideon | A collection of the first 3 Mercenaries Saga games; all are SRPGs where MP is low and is slowly gained per turn; directional facing makes a difference |
PS4 | Mercenaries Wings: The False Phoenix | Rideon | A jump in quality from the previous titles; still an SRPG focusing on a band of mercenaries with a class system; story can take one of two major branches early on |
Switch | Mercenaries Wings: The False Phoenix | Rideon | See PS4 |
Xbox | Metal Dungeon | Panther Software | Customizable characters and a futuristic third-person dungeon crawl, turn-based combat |
PSP | Metal Gear Acid | KCEJ | An SRPG using cards (that can be leveled) to determine actions taken by an alt-canon Solid Snake |
PSP | Metal Gear Acid 2 | Kojima Productions | Much like the first, with a massive change in graphical style and some improvements to card management and acquisition |
Switch | Metallic Child | Studio HG | A semi-roguelike with lots of fast-paced robot action and ability customization; mini-games can help unlock items that further augment stats |
JP FC | Metal Max | Crea-Tech/Data East | Mad Max: the JRPG! Featuring vehicle combat! |
JP DS | Metal Max 2: Reloaded | Crea-Tech | Takes gameplay improvements from later entries and applies them to the second game- with an optional female protagonist and free-roaming |
JP DS | Metal Max 3 | Cattle Call | Return to the wasteland with tanks in tow; non-linear story progression |
JP SFC | Metal Max Returns | Crea-Tech | Remake of Metal Max, naturally much prettier but more difficult |
PS4 | Metal Max Xeno | Kadokawa/Cattle Call/24Frame | One of only two Metal Max games to be localized; has a similar post-apocalyptic premise and lots of exploring the wastes in linear fashion with tanks |
Switch | Metal Max Xeno Reborn | Kadokawa | See PS4 |
PS4 | Metal Max Xeno Reborn | Kadokawa | Adds enough features to consider it a separate game from the original - changes to plot/mechanics/progression/character art, and more |
PS2 | Metal Saga | Success | First Metal Max series game to be localized, post-apocalyptic setting with some vehicle combat |
GB+GBC | Metal Walker | Capcom | Pokemon + robots + billiards = Metal Walker |
Xbox One | Miden Tower (DL only) | Exe-Create | Kemco tries to have serious, mature themes… in a game where there is literally a wall that turns into a girl as a main character |
PS4 | Miden Tower (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XBO |
Switch | Miden Tower (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XBO |
3DS | Miitopia | Nintendo | Miis take center stage in this simplistically-styled turn-based game, with a class system and Mii personalities determining combat prowess |
Switch | Miitopia | Nintendo | Mostly similar to the 3DS version, but with greatly expanded Mii customizability! |
PSP | Mimana: Iyar Chronicle | Kogado/Premium Agency | ARPG with poor hit detection, a generally unlikeable cast, and a weak story overall |
Vita | Mind Zero | Acquire/Zerodiv | First-person dungeon crawler with some Persona-like atmosphere; losing all MP in combat will make characters vulnerable |
JP FC | Minelvaton Saga: Ragon no Fukkatsu | Random House | First of the Silva Saga series, featuring overhead ARPG combat |
Master System | Miracle Warriors: Seal of the Dark Lord | Kogado | Extremely sparse story, strange overworld movement |
JP FC | Mirai Senshi: Lios | Pack-In-Video | A mech-based SRPG, equipment upgrades improve units and are earned in battles |
JP FC | Mirai Shinwa Jarvas | Taito | If it looks like a kusoge, and plays like a kusoge… |
3DS | Moco Moco Friends | Racjin | A saccharine-sweet creature-collecting/raising game with a bunch of magical girls raising and evolving plushies |
Switch | Moero Chronicle Hyper | Compile Heart/Idea Factory | First-person dungeon crawl where everything is steeped in sexual innuendo |
Switch | Moero Crystal H (DL only) | Compile Heart/Idea Factory | More first-person dungeon crawling, just as skeezy as Moero Chronicle Hyper (if not more) |
JP Game Gear | Moldorian: Hikari to Yami no Sister | Sega | Really good artwork, a turn-based battle system that gives you only seconds to input commands |
JP FC | Momotarou Densetsu | Hudson Soft | Standard gameplay, but cute all the same! |
Switch | Monark | FuRyu | See PS5 |
PS4 | Monark | FuRyu | See PS5 |
PS5 | Monark | FuRyu | Created by some of the original SMT staff with a heavy emphasis on psychology, featuring turn-based gridless tactical combat |
Switch | Monmusu Gladiator (DL only) | ZephyrStudio | Raise monster girls in a roguelite with card-based mechanics (thankfully not lewd) |
Xbox One | Monochrome Order (DL only) | Hit-Point | Kemco's at it again with a game that has lot of moral dilemmas and player choices that surprisingly matter, if a bit ham-fistedly |
PS4 | Monochrome Order (DL only) | Hit-Point | See XBO |
Switch | Monochrome Order (DL only) | Hit-Point | See XBO |
JP SFC | Monstania | Amccus/Bits Laboratory | SRPG featuring puzzles, a party size of two, and a progress-based leveling system |
3DS | Monster Combine TD (DL only) | Collavier | Essentially a Plants vs. Zombies clone, but the monsters you can use for defense are randomly selected from a deck; XP can be earned to hold more monsters in said deck |
PS2 | Monster Hunter | Capcom | These monsters aren't gonna hunt themselves! Origin of the popular series |
Wii U | Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate | Capcom/Eighting | Similar to Monster Hunter Portable 3rd, but adds in underwater combat and has local multiplayer |
3DS | Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate | Capcom/Eighting | An expanded version of Monster Hunter Tri (Wii), improving weapons and armor; was the first game to incorporate the Circle Pad Pro accessory |
3DS | Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate | Capcom/Eighting | Gets rid of underwater combat, adds the ability to scale both walls and monsters, adds Exploration Missions and new weapon types |
PSP | Monster Hunter: Freedom | Capcom | An enhanced/expanded handheld port of the first Monster Hunter game |
PSP | Monster Hunter: Freedom 2 | Capcom | An enhanced/expanded handheld port of the second Monster Hunter game (which was previously Japan-only) |
Xbox One | Monster Hunter: World | Capcom | Does away with the zones of previous entries in favor of a connecting, evolving, and reactive ecosystem with more monsters to slay and scavenge! |
PS4 | Monster Hunter: World | Capcom | See XBO |
PSP | Monster Hunter Freedom Unite | Capcom | A further enhanced verion of Freedom 2, with more monsters, missions, pieces of equipment, and the addition of Felyne fighters to provide assistance |
3DS | Monster Hunter Generations | Capcom | New features include upgrading armor using scavenged materials, mutated monster forms, different attack stypes for each weapon, and special moves to charge during hunting |
Switch | Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate | Capcom | Adds new monsters, new hunting styles, changes the control scheme (for obvious reasons), and spiffs up the graphics from the original |
JP PSP | Monster Hunter Portable 3rd | Capcom | Takes elements from Freedom Unite and Tri but is its own game, now multiple Felynes can assist in combat |
Switch | Monster Hunter Rise | Capcom | Monster hunting, now with doggo pals and many more combat options; iterates on ideas from both World and previous games |
3DS | Monster Hunter Stories | Capcom/Marvelous | A far more traditional turn-based RPG than other entries, with strong monster collecting and raising elements |
Switch | Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin | Capcom | Same fun monster hatching and turn-based training gameplay loop as its predecessor, improved battle mechanics and lots of open areas to explore |
Wii | Monster Hunter Tri | Capcom | Adds an underwater ecosystem to the tried-and-true monster-slaying formula |
PSP | Monster Kingdom: Jewel Summoner | Gaia | A monster collector/battler game made by the co-creator of the SMT series, item fusion can influence the monsters' stats |
DS | Monster Racers | Koei | A peculiar monster-collecting game where you battle via racing |
PSX | Monster Rancher | Tecmo | Use CDs to unlock monsters that you train and fight! |
Switch | Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX (DL only) | Koei Tecmo | Bundled QoL-polished versions of the monster breeder, with turbo functions, added monsters to the second game, and an in-game CD database |
PSX | Monster Rancher 2 | Tecmo | Use CDs to unlock more monsters that you train and fight! |
PS2 | Monster Rancher 3 | Tecmo | More monster raising, but now you can trade monsters with friends/can use past data rather than disc-digging for old monsters! |
PS2 | Monster Rancher 4 | Tecmo | Allows for more customization of your training facilities and adds a major exploration/adventure mode |
GBA | Monster Rancher Advance | Tecmo | Similar to the PSX games, but using words to summon monsters rather than CDs |
GBA | Monster Rancher Advance 2 | Tecmo/Graphic Research | See above! |
DS | Monster Rancher DS | Cing | Monster raising and battling, now on two screens! Utilizes the microphone and touch screen to create monsters |
PS2 | Monster Rancher EVO | Tecmo | Leans more into traditional RPG mechanics than the rest of the series, dumbs some regular Monster Rancher ones down in the process |
PSX | Monster Seed | NK System | Monster-raising and battling SRPG, where the monsters have a limited lifespan |
Xbox One | Monster Viator (DL only) | Hit-Point | Kemco comes through with a monster collector with a lot of exposition and a high encounter rate |
Switch | Monster Viator (DL only) | Hit-Point | See XBO |
PS4 | Monster Viator (DL only) | Hit-Point | See XBO |
JP Mega Drive | Monster World IV | Westone | A far different protagonist from the rest of the series and toned-down RPG elements (purchasing equipment is still possible), but enhanced platforming |
PS3 | Monster World IV (DL only) | Westone | See JP Mega Drive, but officially in English |
Xbox 360 | Monster World IV (DL only) | Westone | See JP Mega Drive, but officially in English |
PS4 | Moon: Remix RPG Adventure | Onion Games | See Switch |
Switch | Moon: Remix RPG Adventure (DL only) | Onion Games | A formerly JP PSX-only game that parodies JRPG tropes; the character must level up and solve puzzles in order to clean up after a "hero" |
JP FC | Mother | Ape/Nintendo | Modern-themed turn-based game starring kids with psychic powers |
JP GBA | Mother 1 + 2 | Ape/HAL Laboratory/Nintendo | Ports of Mother 1 and 2, with an extended ending for the former |
JP GBA | Mother 3 | Brownie Brown/HAL Laboratory | (LOCALIZE IT NINTENDO) Musical combo system in combat, still as offbeat as ever |
JP FC | Mouryou Senki Madara | Konami | Dark and challenging! Autonomous combat! Anime-based! |
PS2 | MS Saga: A New Dawn | BEC | Gundam-themed, but accessible to those unfamiliar with the universe, includes mobile suit part mixing and matching |
JP DS | Mugen no Frontier EXCEED: Super Robot Taisen OG Saga | Monolith Soft | Sequel to SRTOGS: Endless Frontier, plays in the same way, with crossover elements |
PS3 | Mugen Souls | Compile Heart/GCREST | Open-field turn-based RPG where being moe is important to getting stronger… somehow |
PS3 | Mugen Souls Z | Compile Heart/GCREST/Idea Factory | Very much like the first, still just as uncomfortable |
Wii | Muramasa: The Demon Blade | Vanillaware | Gorgeous side-scrolling ARPG with a Japanese folklore twist |
Vita | Muramasa Rebirth | Vanillaware | Adds additional side stories for new characters (as DLC), rewrites the translation and reworks the controls |
PS2 | Musashi: Samurai Legend | Square Enix | Sequel of sorts to Brave Fencer Musashi with similar ARPG gameplay |
JP FC | Musashi no Bōken | Quest | Standard DQ clone, but corn can be an enemy so that's pretty funny |
Saturn | Mystaria: The Realms of Lore | Micro Cabin | SRPG rereleased as Blazing Heroes in NA for the same console, non-linear party recruitment |
Vita | Mystery Chronicle: One Way Heroics | Spike Chunsoft | Has some mystery dungeon elements, but you are forced to keep moving in order to avoid the ray of light that will destroy you (and it will) |
PS4 | Mystery Chronicle: One Way Heroics | Spike Chunsoft | See Vita |
DS | Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer | Chunsoft | Roguelike dungeon crawl where food management is critical and death is expected |
JP SFC | Mystic Ark | Produce | A cousin to The 7th Saga, super grindy |
Vita | Mystic Chronicles | Hit-Point | See PSP |
PSP | Mystic Chronicles (DL only) | Hit-Point | Another good ol' Kemco jam, this one won't blow anyone out of the water with its cliches |
GameCube | Mystic Heroes | Koei | A more mystical, chibi-styled Dynasty Warriors |
PS2 | Mystic Heroes | Koei | Cutesy Dynasty Warriors-like with magic, more characters than the GameCube version |
PS3 | Mystic Heroes (PS2 Classics) | Koei | See PS2 |
DS | My World, My Way | Global A Entertainment | The main character is a spoiled princess who can literally pout her way into changing the difficulty of battles and the terrain itself |
JP FC | Nakayoshi to Issho | Yutaka | Precious simplistic RPG ft. Kodansha characters (inc. Sailor Moon!) that may give you diabetes |
JP PS2 | Namco x Capcom | Monolith Soft | Predecessor to Project X Zone, SRPG with combo-based gameplay |
JP GBA | Napoleon | Genki | RTSRPG starring Napoleon Bonaparte doing some very not-historically-accurate things |
DS | Naruto: Path of the Ninja | Tose | Follows the manga/anime through the Chunin Exams arc, with some touch controls integrated |
DS | Naruto: Path of the Ninja 2 | Tose | Plays like the first game, but is more of an original filler story than directly following the source material |
Vita | Natural Doctrine | Kadokawa | See PS3 |
PS4 | Natural Doctrine | Kadokawa | Adds a bonus extra hard mission, otherwise see PS3 |
PS3 | Natural Doctrine | Kadokawa | SRPG with elements of cover/positioning, lots of unfortunate corridor/funnel-type maps, overall too complex for many players |
JP PSP | Nayuta no Kiseki | Falcom | ARPG with platforming elements |
Wii U | Necromancer (VC) | Hudson Soft | An untranslated horror-themed JRPG originally made for the PC Engine |
JP SFC | Nekketsu Tairiku Burning Heroes | J-Force | 8 scenarios to beat for the true ending, characters other than the protagonist are AI in battle |
Switch | Nelke & the Legendary Alchemists: Ateliers of the New World | Gust | See PS4 |
PS4 | Nelke & the Legendary Alchemists: Ateliers of the New World | Gust | A fanservice title for the series, gathering alchemists from all entries into an RPG/town-builder hybrid where managing time is as usual a difficult task |
PS4 | NEO: The World Ends With You | Square Enix/h.a.n.d. | See Switch |
Switch | NEO: The World Ends With You | Square Enix/h.a.n.d. | Gone is the partner-based system of the first game, replaced by frenetic yet trendy 4-party-member action; as fashionable as ever |
PS5 | Neptunia ReVerse | Compile Heart/Felistella | A definitive version of Hyperdimension Neptunia featuring a new mode with many gameplay quality and balance changes |
PS4 | Neptunia Virtual Stars | Compile Heart/Idea Factory | The Nepgirls interact with V-tubers in an ARPG featuring both gun-based and hack-and-slash gameplay styles; run-of-the-mill feeling despite the concept |
Switch | Neptunia x Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars | Idea Factory/Compile Heart/Tamsoft | See PS4 |
PS4 | Neptunia x Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars | Idea Factory/Compile Heart/Tamsoft | The crossover ARPG that hopefully nobody was asking for |
JP SFC | Neugier: Umi to Kaze no Koudou | Wolf Team | An almost-localized ARPG with attacks that can level up, a rather short game overall |
Genesis | New Horizons | Koei | AKA Uncharted Waters: New Horizons; hope you like boats! Better sound on SNES than this version |
Vita | New Little King's Story (delisted) | Konami | Changes the watercolor aesthetic to a more anime-styled one, poor English translation, needs quite a bit of visual polish |
Switch | New Pokemon Snap | Bandai Namco | It's a stretch, but there are courses to level up which unlock new routes and Pokemon to candidly capture on camera |
Xbox 360 | Nier | Cavia | An ARPG spinoff of one of Drakengard's endings, astounding soundtrack, twisty plot, multiple endings |
PS3 | Nier | Cavia | Hack-and-slash ARPG with a pervading sense of melancholy and a gorgeous soundtrack, multiple endings; takes place after one of Drakengard's endings |
PS4 | Nier: Automata | PlatinumGames | Extremely atmospheric ARPG, distant sequel to the first Nier, incredible music |
Xbox One | Nier: Automata (DL only) | PlatinumGames | See PS4 |
Switch | NieR: Automata - the End of YoRHa Edition | PlatinumGames | See PS4, but with all DLC included (and additional exclusive costumes) |
JP PS3 | Nier Replicant | Cavia | The version of Nier not released in the West (until 2021), featuring Nier as a brother rather than a father |
PS4 | NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139... | Square Enix/Toylogic | Bringing Brother Nier's story to the West for the first time, with an additional ending and updated gameplay more akin to Automata |
Xbox One | NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139... | Square Enix/Toylogic | See PS4 |
Xbox Series | NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139... (DL only) | Square Enix/Toylogic | See PS4 |
Neo Geo Pocket | Nige-ron-pa (JP only) | Dennou Club | A turn-based game all about working various small jobs, party members have a friendship score that can cause them to abandon you if too low |
PS4 | Nights of Azure | Gust | An ARPG with sapphic undertones that leans into fanservice territory; dark in tone with a focus on collecting demon blood to level yourself and the familiars you collect |
PS4 | Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon | Gust | Similar premise as the first game, but now with a time limit on both excursions and the game as a whole; instead of 4 creatures, you now have 2 and an AI partner |
Switch | Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon | Gust | See PS4 |
JP FC | Niji no Silkroad | Advance Communication Company | Increase your rank as a trader by going out and procuring goods (which you can also buy to raise your stats) |
Xbox 360 | Ninety-Nine Nights | Q Entertainment/Phantagram | A musou-type game with RPG elements and a fantasy theme, increasing character levels makes better combos available |
Xbox 360 | Ninety-Nine Nights II | Q Entertainment/Feelplus | Darker in tone than the first game, but with worse reviews; plays like its predecessor |
GB+GBC | Ninja Boy II | Culture Brain | RPG with beat-em-up elements similar to Super Ninja Boy |
JP FC | Ninja Ra Hoi! | ASCII | A parody game of sorts that takes place in feudal Japan |
GB+GBC | Ninja Taro | NMK | Collect items to raise your stats in an ARPG with painfully slow walking speed |
JP DS | Ni no Kuni: Shikkoku no Madoushi | Level-5 | Same general story as Wrath of the White Witch, but vastly different gameplay - a literal spellbook is a necessity to draw the required runes |
Switch | Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch | Level-5 | See PS3 |
PS3 | Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch | Level-5 | Incredible Ghibli-styled visuals, monster-collecting elements, and unfortunate AI |
PS4 | Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Remastered | Level-5 | Contains all DLC and improves the graphics; is otherwise the same game |
PS4 | Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom | Level-5 | Overhauls gameplay drastically- combat is now ARPG-styled (though there are still some spirits to provide assistance); the focus turns to kingdom-building |
Switch | Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom - Prince's Edition | Level-5 | See PS4, but with all DLC included |
PS4 | Nioh | Team Ninja | Demon-filled ARPG set in the late Sengoku period with a robust Souls-like combat system |
PS4 | Nioh 2 | Team Ninja | Exchanges the main character of the first with a character-created avatar, adds features like enemy souls to capture to use their abilities, combat is even deeper than before |
PS5 | Nioh 2 Remastered - The Complete Edition (DL only) | Team Ninja | Contains all available DLC and graphical/framerate upgrades, as well as speedier load times |
PS5 | Nioh Remastered - The Complete Edition (DL only) | Team Ninja | Contains all available DLC and graphical/framerate upgrades |
PSP | No Heroes Allowed! (DL only) | Acquire | Third game in the Badman series, adds aquatic creatures to the array of upgradable defenses against unwanted heroes |
JP DS | Nora to Toki no Koubou: Kiri no Mori no Majo | Atlus | Atlus' attempt at an Atelier-styled game, with anticipatedly adorable results |
DS | Nostalgia | Matrix Software/RED Entertainment | Turn-based combat, airship battles, real-world locations, and a magical steampunk aesthetic |
JP GB+GBC | Nushi Tsuri Adventure: Kite no Bouken | Marvelous/Victor Interactive Software | Catch fishies and fight thingies! |
Xbox One | Octopath Traveler | Acquire/Square Enix | See Switch |
Xbox Series | Octopath Traveler | Acquire/Square Enix | See Switch |
Switch | Octopath Traveler | Acquire/Square Enix | A gorgeous 2D/3D mesh with 8 different protagonists whose stories overlap (albeit very little); fairly robust turn-based combat system |
PS2 | Odin Sphere | Vanillaware | Side-scrolling beat-em-up ARPG with a gorgeous art style |
PS3 | Odin Sphere (PS2 Classics) | Vanillaware | See PS2 |
Vita | Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir | Vanillaware | See PS3 |
PS3 | Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir | Vanillaware | Enhanced remake of Odin Sphere with much less slowdown, difficulty changes, more stages, and new enemies |
PS4 | Odin Sphere Leifthrasir | Vanillaware | See PS3 |
N64 | Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber | Quest | Plays like Ogre Battle, RTS elements and political story |
Wii U | Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber (VC) | Quest | See N64 |
PSX | Ogre Battle: Limited Edition | Quest | Enhanced port of Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen (SNES) |
JP Saturn | Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen | Riverhillsoft/Quest | See PSX, but with five additional scenarios unique to this version |
SNES | Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen | Quest | Epic overarching story with RTS elements |
PS2 | Okage: Shadow King | Zener Works/SCE | Cute spooky-themed JRPG |
PS4 | Okage: Shadow King (DL only) | Zener Works/SCE | See PS2 |
Switch | Omega Labyrinth Life (DL only) | Matrix Software | See PS4, but with "touch" events, a lewd rock-paper-scissors game, destructable armor, and less censored scenes |
PS4 | Omega Quintet | Compile Heart/Galapagos RPG | A game starring pop idols with turn-based combat that relies on turn order manipulation; more costume destruction mechanics are unfortunately present |
3DS | One Piece: Romance Dawn | Three Rings | Tells the story of the first half of the series; battles are done in a turn-based combo-heavy style; story cutscenes are presented in a dull, lazy fashion |
Wii | One Piece: Unlimited Adventure | Ganbarion | ARPG in which the Straw Hat Pirates are stuck on an island and need to forage for survival; crafted food increases statistics |
PS4 | One Piece: World Seeker | Ganbarion | Think the Batman Arkham or Spider-Man games, but with a One Piece coat of paint; equipment raises stats while skill points are used to unlock and improve moves |
Xbox One | One Piece: World Seeker | Ganbarion | See PS4 |
Switch | One Way Heroics Plus (DL only) | Smoking Wolf | A complete version of the PC original game; a roguelike where every few steps in-game causes an instant death shadow to scroll more across the screen |
PS4 | Onigiri (DL only) | Cyberstep | See PS4 |
Switch | Onigiri (DL only) | Cyberstep | A free-to-play MMORPG with an extensive character development system, dated graphics, and lots of mythological Japanese fanservice |
GBA | Onimusha Tactics | Capcom | Technically an SRPG side story to the main series, but has a similar plot |
PS4 | Oninaki (DL only) | Tokyo RPG Factory | An ARPG that relies on crossing the line between the land of the living and the spiritual plane, where demons of different classes are used to help attack |
Switch | Oninaki (DL only) | Tokyo RPG Factory | See PS4 |
Vita | Operation Abyss: New Tokyo Legacy | Experience | Heavily customizable characters in a - you guessed it - first-person dungeon crawler; this one has a dark technological feel to it |
Vita | Operation Babel: New Tokyo Legacy | Experience | Direct sequel to Operation Abyss with the same gameplay; leveling up can only be done at the party's home base, characters are still highly customizable |
Xbox 360 | Operation Darkness | Success | An SRPG featuring permadeath and a heavily alternate history WWII - think Nazi zombies and dragons |
Wii | Opoona | ArtePiazza | Cutesy semi-sci-fi game where combat is done by throwing a sphere at enemies |
PS4 | Orangeblood (DL only) | Grayfax Software | Pixel art, girls with guns, and more attitude than you thought possible |
Switch | Orangeblood (DL only) | Grayfax Software | See PS4 |
Xbox One | Orangeblood (DL only) | Grayfax Software | See PS4 |
JP DS | Ore ga Omae o Mamoru | Vingt-et-un Systems/Idea Factory | A Metroidvania made to entice women to play, but quite difficult in practice; no XP to speak of but stats can be increased through equipment and story events |
Vita | Oreshika: Tainted Bloodlines (DL only) | Alfa System | Unique art style; half turn-based, half family manager with lots of customizability |
Vita | Orgarhythm (DL only) | Acquire | Rhythm game/RTS hybrid where keeping on beat gives you more XP to give you more abilities |
JP GBA | Oriental Blue: Ao no Tengai | Hudson Soft/RED Entertainment | A gaiden of the Tengai Makyo series, has a free scenario system influenced by real-time passage |
PS2 | Orphen: Scion of Sorcery | Shade | ARPG with a strange turn-based/real-time combat hybrid, limited amount of battles overall prevent grinding |
JP FC | Otaku no Seiza: Adventure in the Otaku Galaxy | Advance Communication Company | Unbalanced and cheeky |
JP FC | Outlanders | Micronics | Kooky sci-fi with wonky ARPG combat |
JP PC Engine | Out Live | Sunsoft | First-person dungeon crawler, but in a mech! |
PS5 | Overrogue (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
Xbox Series | Overrogue (DL only) | Exe-Create | Kemco tries its hand at a roguelike deckbuilder game featuring a full party, with varying results |
Xbox One | Overrogue (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
Switch | Overrogue (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
PS4 | Overrogue (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
SNES | Paladin's Quest | Copya System | Utopian-themed turn-based game where casting magic costs HP instead of MP |
Wii | Pandora's Tower | Ganbarion | ARPG with a focus on environmental puzzle-solving and a time-based curse mechanic |
Wii U | Pandora's Tower (DL only) | Ganbarion | See Wii |
Saturn | Panzer Dragoon Saga | Team Andromeda | Turn-based combat focused on circling enemies and exposing weakpoints, short in length |
N64 | Paper Mario | Intelligent Systems | Continues the timing-based attacks seen in SMRPG |
Wii U | Paper Mario (VC) | Intelligent Systems | See N64 |
Wii U | Paper Mario: Color Splash | Intelligent Systems | System based on paint and color, attacks are chosen by cards, story progress and some items confer stat increases |
3DS | Paper Mario: Sticker Star | Intelligent Systems | Eschews the traditional XP-based format in favor of finding items that increase base first attack power and increase HP; attacks can only be made via expendable stickers |
Switch | Paper Mario: The Origami King | Intelligent Systems | Not much in the RPG department yet again (HP is upgraded by collecting hearts), but the turn- and timing-based combat returns with extra complexity |
GameCube | Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door | Intelligent Systems | Everything that made the first game so great, but more of it! |
PSX | Parasite Eve | Square | Horror JRPG based on a novel, positioning-based combat system |
Vita | Parasite Eve (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
PSP | Parasite Eve (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
PS3 | Parasite Eve (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
PSX | Parasite Eve II | Square | More of a survival-horror slant than the first game, including tank controls! |
Vita | Parasite Eve II (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
PSP | Parasite Eve II (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
PS3 | Parasite Eve II (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
Vita | Penny-Punching Princess | Nippon Ichi | Pixel-styled beat-em-up with an emphasis on collecting money from defeated enemies to bribe them, unlock new areas, and upgrade stats |
Switch | Penny-Punching Princess | Nippon Ichi | See Vita |
PSX | Persona 2: Eternal Punishment | Atlus | Half of the Persona 2 story- the other half wasn't officially localized until years later |
Vita | Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (PSone Classics) | Atlus | See PSX |
PSP | Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (PSone Classics) | Atlus | See PSX |
PS3 | Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (PSone Classics) | Atlus | See PSX |
JP PSX | Persona 2: Innocent Sin | Atlus | The missing half of Persona 2 in the Americas |
Vita | Persona 4: Golden | Atlus | Adds new social links, a new character, more story elements, costumes, and Personas in addition to QoL changes |
PS3 | Persona 5 | Atlus | Demon negotiation, collection, and fusion, all with a bunch of stylish teens! |
PS4 | Persona 5 | Atlus | See PS3 |
PS5 | Persona 5 Royal | Atlus | See PS4, but with spiffed-up graphics and framerate |
Switch | Persona 5 Royal | Atlus | See PS5 |
PS4 | Persona 5 Royal | Atlus | Adds a new party member, new Social Links, a new section of the story, and loads of tweaks and additions to gameplay |
Xbox One | Persona 5 Royal | Atlus | See PS5 |
Xbox Series | Persona 5 Royal | Atlus | See PS5 |
PS4 | Persona 5 Strikers | Omega Force/Atlus | See Switch |
Switch | Persona 5 Strikers | Omega Force/Atlus | A sequel to Persona 5 (if you pretend Royal never happened) with ARPG gameplay; much more in-depth strategy required than your typical musou-like game |
3DS | Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth | Atlus | A P3/P4/P5 crossover this time focusing on the P5 cast; similar gameplay to Persona Q but with the difficulty rebalanced |
3DS | Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth | Atlus | A P3/P4 crossover with Etrian Odyssey-styled gameplay; characters equip Personas to change affinities/attacks/weaknesses as well as sub-Personas that confer extra abilities |
Master System | Phantasy Star | Sega | Sci-fi JRPG great-grandpappy |
DS | Phantasy Star 0 | Sonic Team | Think Phantasy Star Online, but with crunchier graphics and a full-fledged story mode |
GBA | Phantasy Star Collection | Digital Eclipse/Sega | Ports of the first 3 Phantasy Star games |
JP Game Gear | Phantasy Star Gaiden | Japan System Supply | Spinoff story set between Phantasy Star I and II, similar gameplay |
Genesis | Phantasy Star II | Sega | The Sci-fi JRPG, text-based adventures featuring characters from the game also exist |
Xbox 360 | Phantasy Star II (DL only) | Sega | See GEN |
Genesis | Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom | Sega | Went for a more traditional fantasy slant as opposed to the sci-fi seen in the rest of the series |
Genesis | Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium | Sega | If you liked the other games in the series, you'll love this one! |
Dreamcast | Phantasy Star Online | Sonic Team | ARPG, first online console game |
Xbox Series | Phantasy Star Online 2 | Sega Online R&D | See XBO |
Xbox One | Phantasy Star Online 2 (DL only) | Sega Online R&D | MMOARPG with a single-player storyline and absolutely tons of cosmetics (and matching microtransactions) |
PS4 | Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis | Sega Online R&D | See XS |
Xbox One | Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis | Sega Online R&D | See XS |
Xbox Series | Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis | Sega Online R&D | An expansion/replacement of sorts of the original MMO that takes place 1000 years in the future |
GameCube | Phantasy Star Online: Episode I & II | Sonic Team | Adds entirely new content for Episode II, AKA Phantasy Star Online: Blue Burst |
GameCube | Phantasy Star Online: Episode I & II Plus | Sonic Team | PSO with additional formerly online-only quests and items |
Xbox | Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II | Sonic Team | Everyone likes playing MMORPGs with clunky controllers! |
GameCube | Phantasy Star Online Episode III: C.A.R.D. Revolution | Sonic Team | Grid-and-turn-based card battling system, because that was the style at the time |
Dreamcast | Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2.0 | Sonic Team | An expanded version of the original |
PSP | Phantasy Star Portable | Alfa System/Sonic Team | Sequel to Phantasy Star Universe, plays in a similar ARPG style, customizable player character, mission-based structure |
PSP | Phantasy Star Portable 2 | Alfa System | Direct sequel to the first game, can import character from first game, some fairly minor differences but otherwise plays the same as the first |
JP PSP | Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity | Alfa System | An upgrade to PSP2; adds new story content, races, bosses, skills, and QoL changes/balancing |
Xbox 360 | Phantasy Star Universe | Sonic Team | Mostly the same as PS2, but Ambition of the Illuminus is a free DLC instead |
PS2 | Phantasy Star Universe | Sonic Team | ARPG with a PSO-like combat style, had both online and offline modes (only offline persists to this day) |
PS2 | Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus | Sonic Team | Standalone expansion to Phantasy Star Universe |
PS2 | Phantom Brave | Nippon Ichi | Another Disgaea-adjacent SRPG; gridless system and borderless maps (characters and objects can fall off) |
PSP | Phantom Brave: The Hermuda Triangle | Nippon Ichi | Adds even more characters to the improved Wii version of the game |
Wii | Phantom Brave: We Meet Again | Nippon Ichi | Adds a new campaign and characters to the PS2 version of the SRPG |
JP PSP | Phantom Kingdom Portable | Nippon Ichi | Adds new scenarios and battles with characters from later Disgaea games |
3DS | Picdun 2: Witch's Curse (DL only) | Intense | First-person dungeon crawler where the maps make an image to be discovered; combat is timing-based with few options but moves quickly |
3DS | Pocket Card Jockey (DL only) | Game Freak | A game about horse raising and racing via solitare. As in the card game. |
N-Gage | Pocket Kingdom: Own the World | Sega | A spiritual sequel to Dragon Force, but with insane amounts of groan-inducing leet-speak and lots of tongue-in-cheek self-awareness |
JP GB+GBC | Pocket Monsters: Green Version | Game Freak | If you've played Red/Blue, do you really need this one? |
Switch | Poison Control | Nippon Ichi | See PS4 |
PS4 | Poison Control | Nippon Ichi | Hybrid of a third-person shooter and Qix (of all things), with a leveling mechanic and emotional toxicity to cleanse (literally) |
3DS | Pokemon Alpha Sapphire/Omega Ruby | Game Freak | Remakes of the Gen III Pokemon games incorporating creatures and mechanics from later generations |
DS | Pokemon Black/White | Game Freak | Incredible animated spritework and perhaps the best storyline in the franchise |
DS | Pokemon Black 2/White 2 | Game Freak | Regarded by many as the peak of the franchise; a continuation of Gen 5's story |
Switch | Pokemon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl | ILCA | Remakes of the Gen 4 Pokemon games, with a cute but divisive art style and adding QoLs from later games |
GameCube | Pokemon Colosseum | Genius Sonority | You're a trainer, go purify some Shadow Pokemon! |
DS | Pokemon Conquest | Koei | Pokemon meets Nobunaga's Ambition - a fun SRPG with levels gained through bonding with your trainer |
GB+GBC | Pokemon Crystal | Game Freak | An attempt to add story to Gold/Silver, but does add a female protagonist! |
DS | Pokemon Diamond/Pearl | Game Freak | Less water than Gen 3 Pokemon games, but with an obnoxious mountain to frequently travel through |
GBA | Pokemon Emerald | Game Freak | Superior third version of Pokemon Gen 3 |
GBA | Pokemon FireRed/LeafGreen | Game Freak | Remakes of Red/Green versions |
JP Wii | Pokemon Fushigi no Dungeon - Ikuzo! Arashi no Boukendan | Chunsoft | Stack water Pokemon in a WiiWare-exclusive Mystery Dungeon adventure! |
JP Wii | Pokemon Fushigi no Dungeon - Mezase! Hikari no Boukendan | Chunsoft | See above, but electric Pokemon |
JP Wii | Pokemon Fushigi no Dungeon - Susume! Honou no Boukendan | Chunsoft | See above, but fire Pokemon |
GB+GBC | Pokemon Gold/Silver | Game Freak | More mons, a day/night system, and the ability to revisit the entire previous region |
3DS | Pokemon Gold/Silver/Crystal (VC) | Game Freak | See GBC |
DS | Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver | Game Freak | Remakes of the Gen 2 Pokemon games, with the storyline from Crystal attached, can also make use of the Pokewalker accessory |
Switch | Pokemon Legends: Arceus | Game Freak | A more dynamic Pokemon-catching experience than anything previously, open-world exploration against a feudal backdrop |
Switch | Pokemon Let's Go Eevee/Pikachu | Game Freak | Full 3D remakes of Red/Blue versions but with Pokemon Go-like mechanics of catching new mons |
3DS | Pokemon Moon/Sun | Game Freak | Does away with the traditional gym battle format in favor of puzzles scattered throughout not-Hawaii, adds Ultra Beasts (which look suspiciously Digimon-like…) |
DS | Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team | Chunsoft | Companion to the GBA's Red Rescue Team, with Pokemon exploring randomized labyrinths in classic Mystery Dungeon style |
Wii U | Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team (VC) | Chunsoft | See DS |
DS | Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness/Time | Chunsoft | More mystery dungeon delving with the famous pocket monsters, with the addition of Gen 4 Pokemon |
DS | Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky | Chunsoft | The "third version" of Explorers of Darkness/Time, adds more storyline elements |
Wii U | Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky (VC) | Chunsoft | See DS |
3DS | Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity | Spike Chunsoft | Focuses on 5th generation Pokemon, utilizes some AR features to unlock new dungeons, changes the artstyle from sprites to 3D models, but the gameplay loop remains unchanged |
GBA | Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team | Chunsoft | Third-person randomized dungeon crawler with Pokemon, sister Blue version was a DS game |
Wii U | Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team (VC) | Chunsoft | See GBA |
Switch | Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX | Spike Chunsoft | Combined remake of Red/Blue Rescue Team with similar gameplay: exploring dungeons and making use of type advantages to help delve further |
DS | Pokemon Platinum | Game Freak | Last of the "combined third versions" of Pokemon games, this one the arguably ultimate version of Gen 4 |
Switch | Pokemon Quest (DL only) | Game Freak | Send voxel-styled Pokemon out to explore an island for you, then take the stones they find to level them up further; relies on free-to-play mechanics |
DS | Pokemon Ranger | HAL Laboratory | More of an ARPG than regular Pokemon games that uses the stylus to help temporarily capture Pokemon, who assist in completing missions |
Wii U | Pokemon Ranger (VC) | HAL Laboratory | See DS |
DS | Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs | Creatures Inc. | Very like the first two, but now you can also draw symbols to summon legendary 'mons to help you out |
Wii U | Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs (VC) | Creatures Inc. | See DS |
DS | Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia | Creatures Inc. | Still no Pokemon battling here and still touchscreen-heavy, but with more possible partner Pokemon and tools for capturing |
Wii U | Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia (VC) | Creatures Inc. | See DS |
GB+GBC | Pokemon Red/Blue | Game Freak | Called Red/Green versions in Japan, definitely the origin of the popularity of monster-collecting video games |
3DS | Pokemon Red/Blue/Yellow (VC) | Game Freak | See GB |
GBA | Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire | Game Freak | 7/10, too much water; not possible to collect all Pokemon in these versions |
3DS | Pokemon Rumble World | Ambrella | A stylized 3D Pokemon beat-em-up where capturing many types of mons increases Adventurer Rank, which gives access to new areas and increases the strength of wild Pokemon |
Switch | Pokemon Scarlet/Violet | Game Freak | More free-form/open-world in path-taking than any prior mainline entry, but marred with technical hiccups |
3DS | Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon | Spike Chunsoft | Expands the available roster to include gen 6 Pokemon, gameplay is still as simple and grindy as ever |
Switch | Pokemon Sword/Shield | Game Freak | First-ever mainline console Pokemon game; not all Pokemon can be caught/are featured in the National Pokedex; regional theme is British |
3DS | Pokemon Ultra Sun/Moon | Game Freak | Alternate universe story in the same region as Sun/Moon; adds more Ultra Beasts, activities, and ways to catch Pokemon from older games |
3DS | Pokemon X/Y | Game Freak | Pokemon brought into the 3D realm of not-France, statistics of 'mons can be further raised and refined via minigames |
GameCube | Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness | Genius Sonority | You're a trainer, go purify more Shadow Pokemon! |
GB+GBC | Pokemon Yellow | Game Freak | More of the same, with bonus Pikachu following you |
JP PSX | PoPoLoCrois Monogatari | Sugar & Rockets | Based off an anime adaptation of a manga with super cute characters and semi-SRPG grid based combat |
Switch | Potato Flowers in Full Bloom (DL only) | Pon Pon Games | Simplistic, straightforward first-person dungeon crawling with a cozy aesthetic and stamina management in combat |
JP SFC | Power of the Hired | Masaya | SRPG where the party can summon monsters to help in battle; monster selection determines the party's available spells |
GB+GBC | Power Quest | Japan System Supply | Model robot combat in a fighting game format, parts are upgradeable to increase stats |
JP SFC | Princess Minerva | Atelier Double/Riverhillsoft | GIRL POWER ANIME-BASED ROAD TRIP! |
Switch | Prinny Presents NIS Classics Volume 1 | Nippon Ichi | Contains Phantom Brave: The Hermuda Triangle and Soul Nomad & the World Eaters in remastered fashion |
Switch | Prinny Presents NIS Classics Volume 2 | Nippon Ichi | Contains ports of Z.H.P. Unlosing Ranger VS Darkdeath Evilman and Makai Kingdom (the latter with previously JP-only content) |
Switch | Prinny Presents NIS Classics Volume 3 | Nippon Ichi | Contains La Pucelle: Ragnarok (available for the first time in the west) and Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure (PSX) with QoL features |
3DS | Professor Layton and the Last Specter | Level-5/Brownie Brown | Included due to Professor Layton's London Life, a cute life sim with minimal stats, many (re)quests, and jobs to rank up in |
3DS | Project X Zone | Monolith Soft | Sequel to Namco x Capcom, this time additionally incorporating Sega characters; SRPG maps with combo- and assist-based attacks |
3DS | Project X Zone 2 | Monolith Soft | Plays the same as its predecessor, but Segata Sanshiro is an available character; thereby making this game the best ever- I don't make the rules |
JP 3DS | Puyo Puyo Chronicle | Sonic Team | Arle (from Madou Monogatari- a deep cut) has to find a way home in an RPG mode complete with leveling, where combat is conducted via Puyo |
Switch | Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 | Sega/Sonic Team | See PS5 |
Xbox One | Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 | Sega/Sonic Team | See PS5 |
PS4 | Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 | Sega/Sonic Team | See PS5 |
PS5 | Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 | Sega/Sonic Team | Features Skill Battles wherein you must reduce your opponent's HP to 0 with the help of selected skills (and level up in other modes)! |
Xbox Series | Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 | Sega/Sonic Team | See PS5 |
Switch | Puzzle & Dragons Gold (DL only) | GungHo Online | A barebones story, dumbed-down mechanics from the regular game, and gacha mechanics galore; seen as a low point in the series |
3DS | Puzzle & Dragons Z + Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition | GungHo Online | A collection of two puzzle/RPG hybrid games where you level up your monsters and unleash their skills using time-limited match-3 gameplay |
N64 | Quest 64 | Imagineer | Final Fantasy II-like leveling system, a very baby JRPG |
GB+GBC | Quest: Brian's Journey | Atelier Double | A demake of the N64 game… if you considered Quest 64 a game to begin with. Taking actions builds stats |
PSP | R-Type Command | Irem | An SRPG spinoff of the space shmup; two separate campaigns available; pilots can gain experience during missions, making their ships better in combat |
JP PSP | R-Type Tactics II: Operation Bitter Chocolate | Irem | Continues the same style of gameplay as the first game; three campaigns to choose from; stats can be improved with leveling |
JP PSX | Racing Lagoon | Squaresoft | THE street racing/JRPG hybrid, stylish and jazzy |
DS | Radiant Historia | Atlus/Headlock | Turn-based grid combat, lots of time travel and utilizing branching timelines to affect the future |
3DS | Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology | Atlus | Adds additional scenario content, reworks the visuals, and gives characters the ability to make follow-up attacks in combat |
JP FC | Radia Senki: Reiemeihen | Tecmo | 4 AI characters + 1 controllable = fun auto tactics |
PS2 | Radiata Stories | Tri-Ace | ARPG with a majorly branching storyline, tons of recruitable characters (all with their own schedules), and lots to kick! |
DS | Ragnarok DS | GungHo | As the title implies, it's Ragnarok Online, except on the DS; only a max of 3 can play together, but there is a storyline to follow |
Vita | Ragnarok Odyssey | Game Arts | Basically a Monster Hunter clone with some Norse elements; levels do not increase traditionally but improving equipment via cards improves your stats |
PS3 | Ragnarok Odyssey Ace | Game Arts | Enhanced version of Ragnarok Odyssey with all DLC included, new dungeons/enemies/skills, and readjusted gameplay balance; stat enhancements done via cards |
Vita | Ragnarok Odyssey ACE | Game Arts | Easier to import RO save data from, otherwise see PS3 |
PSP | Ragnarok Tactics | Apollosoft | SRPG with a lot of customizability in characters, two separate scenarios and multiple endings |
Vita | Ragnarok Tactics (DL only) | Apollosoft | See PSP |
Switch | Rainbow Yggdrasil (DL only) | Otorakobo | A roguelike with a heavy emphasis on color, which can even upgrade equipment |
JP SFC | Ranma 1/2: Akanekodan Teki Hihou | Atelier Double | Based on the anime/manga, otherwise pretty standard |
Vita | Ray Gigant | Experience/Bandai Namco | Another first-person dungeon crawl; this one has 3 separate protagonists (and parties), stat increases use materials gathered from the field rather than XP |
Xbox 360 | Record of Agarest War | Compile Heart | An extremely long SRPG that encourages careful marriage selection via dating sim elements and takes place over 5 generations |
PS3 | Record of Agarest War (DL only) | Compile Heart | Multi-generational game with dating sim elements and tactical combat |
PS3 | Record of Agarest War 2 | Compile Heart/Idea Factory | Change in gameplay to be more combo-based rather than tactical, loveless marriages are possible (but not recommended) |
Xbox 360 | Record of Agarest War Zero | Compile Heart/Idea Factory | Prequel to the first game, with enhanced dating sim elements and the ability to carry over save data from the first game to unlock characters |
PS3 | Record of Agarest War Zero | Compile Heart/Idea Factory | Plays like the first game, can connect using save data to unlock characters from the first game, heroines' costumes depend on their feelings towards you |
Switch | Record of Lodoss War-Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth- | Team Ladybug | See PS5 |
PS4 | Record of Lodoss War-Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth- | Team Ladybug | See PS5 |
PS5 | Record of Lodoss War-Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth- (DL only) | Team Ladybug | A Metroidvania on the shorter side with shallower systems, but nonetheless satisfying elemental attacks |
Xbox One | Record of Lodoss War-Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth- (DL only) | Team Ladybug | See PS5 |
Xbox Series | Record of Lodoss War-Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth- (DL only) | Team Ladybug | See PS5 |
Dreamcast | Record of Lodoss War: Advent of Cardice | Neverland | Based on the anime, plays kinda like Diablo |
PS4 | Relayer | Kadokawa | See PS5 |
PS5 | Relayer | Kadokawa | A slow start, but otherwise engaging mecha SRPG gameplay featuring aggro management and complicated character customization |
PSP | Rengoku: The Tower of Purgatory | Neverland | A sci-fi ARPG with cumbersome gameplay mechanics and an almost nonexistent story, encourages weapon scavenging from enemies |
PSP | Rengoku II: The Stairway to H.E.A.V.E.N. | Neverland/Hudson Soft | Makes very minimal changes to the gameplay loop from the first game, culminating in another lackluster experience |
JP Mega Drive | Rent-A-Hero | Sega | Do errands for the local populace to upgrade your super suit! Fighting game-like battles, very tongue-in-cheek |
PS3 | Resonance of Fate | Tri-Ace | Free-roaming gun-heavy "cinematic" battle system, only 3 party members, a lot of moral gray areas |
Xbox 360 | Resonance of Fate | Tri-Ace | A post-apocalyptic game with a battle system that combines real-time and turn-based elements, lots of gunplay |
PS4 | Resonance of Fate 4K/HD Edition (DL only) | Tri-Ace | Removes some clothing options, otherwise see 360 |
3DS | Return to PoPoLoCrois: A Story of Seasons Fairytale | Marvelous/Epics | Combines the light turn-based combat of PoPoLoCrois with the farming of Story of Seasons, resulting in a shallow, modest (but adorable) mix of both |
PSX | Revelations: Persona | Atlus | A questionably localized game/spinoff of the SMT series; Mark danced crazy! |
GB+GBC | Revelations: The Demon Slayer/Megami Tensei Gaiden: Last Bible | Multimedia Intelligence Transfer | Megami Tensei for kids, more medieval-themed than its mother series |
PS4 | Revenant Dogma | Exe-Create | See Vita |
Vita | Revenant Dogma | Exe-Create | It's Kemco again, with a game you've likely played before (and better); characters can transform mid-combat so that's a thing |
Xbox One | Revenant Dogma (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Vita |
Switch | Revenant Dogma (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Vita |
Vita | Revenant Saga | Exe-Create | See Wii U |
PS4 | Revenant Saga | Exe-Create | See Wii U |
Wii U | Revenant Saga (DL only) | Exe-Create | Shrug, another Kemco game |
Xbox One | Revenant Saga (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Wii U |
Switch | Revenant Saga (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Wii U |
PS3 | Revenant Saga (DL only) | Exe-Create | Another Kemco jam, as by-the-numbers bland as it gets |
Xbox One | RevErsi Quest (DL only) | Yokogosystems | SRPG-ified version of Othello/Reversi with varying board shapes and a variety of unit types |
PSX | Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure | Nippon Ichi | SRPG with painfully easy battles and a musical theme |
DS | Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure | Nippon Ichi | Changes the SRPG combat to 2D turn-based fighting, no English song vocals |
Switch | Ring Fit Adventure | Nintendo | Conjure a literal sweat and work (out) to save the world with the help of a magical pilates ring! Character progression is measured though XP |
PS2 | Ring of Red | Konami | Alternate-history military turn-based strategy game with cool mechs |
3DS | River City: Knights of Justice (DL only) | Avit-Niigata | Gives a tongue-in-cheek RPG makeover to the Kunio-kun series; there is no leveling but stats increase with equipment and gem slotting |
NES | River City Ransom | Technos Japan | BARF! Beating up rival street gangs to rescue a girl and using dropped cash to buy stat upgrades |
GBA | River City Ransom EX | Million | Removes co-op and replaces it with an AI partner and more game customizability |
PS2 | River King: A Wonderful Journey | Marvelous | The truest form of JRPG- loads of fishing |
PS3 | River King: A Wonderful Journey (PS2 Classics) | Marvelous | See PS2 |
DS | River King: Mystic Valley | Marvelous | It's a River King game, yes, but the fishing lacks the charm it once had in earlier games |
PSP | Riviera: The Promised Land | Sting | Adds full voice acting, more CG images, and more events to the GBA version of the game |
GBA | Riviera: The Promised Land | Sting | First in the Dept. Heaven series, with nonconventional dungeon exploration and item-based battles |
GBA | Robopon 2: Cross/Ring Version | RED Entertainment | Introduces 4-on-4 battles, but otherwise is more of the same robot collecting and customizing |
GB+GBC | Robopon: Sun Version | Hudson Soft/Red Company Corporation | A robot-making and collecting Poke-clone, only one of the three versions was released in the Americas |
SNES | Robotrek | Quintet/Ancient | Customize your robo-buddy party! |
JP DS | Rockman.EXE: Operate Shooting Star | Capcom | A port of Mega Man Battle Network with some additional Star Force content thrown in |
JP GBA | Rockman EXE 4.5: Real Operation | Capcom | Not part of the MMBN story, gives you the ability to control multiple Navis |
PS2 | Rogue Galaxy | Level-5 | Space pirate ARPG with AI party members and a nontradional stat increasing system |
PS4 | Rogue Galaxy (DL only) | Level-5 | See PS2 |
JP PS2 | Rogue Hearts Dungeon | Compile Heart | Roguelike dungeon crawl with randomized dungeons, not part of the Mystery Dungeon series though |
JP SFC | Romancing Saga | Square | A very sandboxy JRPG; multiple playable characters, non-linear in fashion |
PS2 | Romancing SaGa | Square Enix | Remake of the sandboxy JRPG with gameplay elements taken from other games in the series |
Switch | Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered (DL/Asia English) | Square Enix/Bullets | A remaster of the PS2 version with additional playable characters and events |
PS4 | Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered (DL only) | Square Enix/Bullets | See Switch |
PS5 | Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered (DL only) | Square Enix/Bullets | See Switch |
JP SFC | Romancing Saga 2 | Square | No complete English translation on this console, sandobxy multi-generation spanning story |
Switch | Romancing SaGa 2 (DL only) | ArtePiazza/Square | See Vita |
Xbox One | Romancing SaGa 2 (DL only) | ArtePiazza/Square | See Vita |
Vita | Romancing SaGa 2 (DL only) | ArtePiazza/Square | Adds a new dungeon, new character classes, and overhauls the graphics and audio; these features can also be turned off if desired |
PS4 | Romancing SaGa 2 (DL only) | ArtePiazza/Square | See Vita |
JP SFC | Romancing Saga 3 | Square | No complete English translation on this console, sandboxy, gorgeous spritework, but difficult |
Switch | Romancing SaGa 3 (DL only) | ArtePiazza/Square | See Vita |
PS4 | Romancing SaGa 3 (DL only) | ArtePiazza/Square | See Vita |
Xbox One | Romancing SaGa 3 (DL only) | ArtePiazza/Square | See Vita |
Vita | Romancing SaGa 3 (DL only) | ArtePiazza/Square | Adds new storylines, a new dungeon, a NG+ mode, updated graphics, and the ability to play the game as originally made |
DS | Rondo of Swords | Success | An SRPG where you have to run a route through enemies to engage them in combat |
JP Game Gear | Royal Stone | Sega | Sequel to Crystal Warriors - this is a standard but pretty SRPG all about revenge |
JP FC | RPG Jinsei Game | Takara | Make the correct life choices to increase your stats and achieve your career dreams! |
PSX | RPG Maker | Kuusou Kagaku | Included due to presence of sample RPG Gobli's Quest, a short romp with notable difficulty spikes |
PS5 | RPGolf Legends (Asia English/DL) | ArticNet | See Switch |
Switch | RPGolf Legends (Asia English/DL) | ArticNet | There's exploring, fishing, whacking monsters with clubs, XP of sorts to unlock holes... Kemco has made up for its sins |
Xbox Series | RPGolf Legends (DL only) | ArticNet | See Switch |
PS4 | RPGolf Legends (DL only) | ArticNet | See Switch |
Xbox One | RPGolf Legends (DL only) | ArticNet | See Switch |
Xbox Series | RPG Time: The Legend of Wright (DL only) | DeskWorks | A literal pen-and-paper JRPG with fun gameplay gimmicks of a variety of genres |
Switch | RPG Time: The Legend of Wright (DL only) | DeskWorks | See XS |
PS4 | RPG Time: The Legend of Wright (DL only) | DeskWorks | See XS |
Xbox One | RPG Time: The Legend of Wright (DL only) | DeskWorks | See XS |
JP SFC | Rudra no Hihou | Square | Create your own spells! Ultra-pretty sprites! |
Switch | Ruinverse (DL only) | Exe-Create | The same Kemco turn-based fare as usual, the main character has two different forms that provide different strengths in battle |
PS5 | Ruinverse (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Switch |
Xbox One | Ruinverse (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Switch |
Xbox Series | Ruinverse (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Switch |
PS4 | Ruinverse (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Switch |
JP Dreamcast | RUN=DIM as Black Soul | Yuki Enterprise | Hexagonal turn-based strategy with giant robots fighting |
DS | Rune Factory 2: A Fantasy Harvest Moon | Neverland | Grow your farm and level up, and befriend monsters to hire them as farmhands! |
DS | Rune Factory 3: A Fantasy Harvest Moon | Neverland | Like the others, but villagers now have a dynamic AI schedule and the ability to delve into dungeons with the player |
3DS | Rune Factory 4 | Neverland | The farming/dungeon exploring/marriage sim returns; crafting new equipment is essential to improving stats, your child can also join you in combat |
Switch | Rune Factory 4 Special | Hakama/Neverland | Adds a new difficulty mode and event scenes for your marriage partner of choice post-matrimony; QoL changes present |
PS4 | Rune Factory 4 Special (DL only) | Marvelous | See Switch |
Xbox Series | Rune Factory 4 Special (DL only) | Marvelous | See Switch |
Xbox One | Rune Factory 4 Special (DL only) | Marvelous | See Switch |
Switch | Rune Factory 5 | Marvelous | Interesting characters and fun farming/adventuring/courting/crafting gameplay hooks, but poor performance |
DS | Rune Factory: A Fantasy Harvest Moon | Neverland | Now you get to raise crops and slay monsters! |
Wii | Rune Factory: Frontier | Neverland | Harvest and dungeon delve, all while trying to prevent a whale island from crashing to the ground! |
Wii | Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny | Neverland | More farming and fighting, with some seafaring sprinkled in! |
PS3 | Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny | Neverland | Harvesting, adventuring, and seafaring in order to raise islands from the bottom of the ocean, with bonus Move controls |
NES | Rygar | Tecmo | Difficult Metroid-like sidescrolling ARPG with lots of enemy killing via yo-yo-like shield and experience to gain |
Wii | Rygar: The Battle of Argus | Team Tachyon | See PS2, but with motion controls for the diskarmor and a massive change in Rygar's appearance |
PS2 | Rygar: The Legendary Adventure | Tecmo | Diskarmor shenanigans galore, but now in 3D; gorgeous soundtrack; points enhance player characteristics and strengthen weapons |
JP SFC | Ryuuki Heidan: Danzarb | Pandora Box | Epic sci-fi story marred by lackluster graphical presentation |
3DS | Sadame (DL only) | Mebius | An ARPG with 4 separate classes to hack and slash through an alternate history Sengoku period, includes a sphere grid-like customization system |
JP DS | SaGa 2: Hihou Densetsu - Goddess of Destiny | Racjin/Square Enix | A ground-up remake of Final Fantasy Legend II, with more sidequests and the removal of random battles |
JP DS | SaGa 3: Jikuu no Hasha - Shadow or Light | Racjin/Square Enix | Given the same treatment as its predecessor from Final Fantasy Legend III |
PSX | SaGa Frontier | Square | 7 scenarios with complicated leveling mechanics, woefully left unfinished |
PSX | SaGa Frontier 2 | Square | Watercolored, hand-drawn backgrounds and complex leveling with only 2 scenarios |
Switch | SaGa Frontier Remastered (DL only) | Square Enix/Bullets | Adds new cutscenes and the long-awaited 8th playable character, as well as spiffs up the graphics |
PS4 | SaGa Frontier Remastered (DL only) | Square Enix/Bullets | See Switch |
PS4 | SaGa Scarlet Grace: Ambitions (DL only) | Studio Reel/Square Enix | Uses the traditional SaGa format of taking actions to increase parameters rather than leveling, 4 different protagonists to choose from, very nonlinear as usual |
Switch | SaGa Scarlet Grace: Ambitions (DL only) | Studio Reel/Square Enix | See PS4 |
PSX | Saiyuki: Journey West | Koei | SRPG based on the Journey to the West novel |
Vita | Saiyuki: Journey West (PSone Classics) | Koei | See PSX |
PS3 | Saiyuki: Journey West (PSone Classics) | Koei | See PSX |
PSP | Saiyuki: Journey West (PSone Classics) | Koei | See PSX |
PS4 | Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin | Edelweiss | Part rice-farming simulator, part side-scrolling ARPG, all charm and pretty visuals |
Switch | Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin | Edelweiss | See PS4 |
JP Saturn | Sakura Taisen | Overworks | First in the long-running SPRG series, where managing your troupe of girls gives them better stats! |
Wii | Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love | Sega/RED Entertainment/Idea Factory | No major changes from the PS2 version save for a lack of JP voices |
PS2 | Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love | Sega/RED Entertainment | Mech SRPG/dating sim goodness in 1920s New York, the first of the series to be localized |
3DS | Samurai Defender (DL only) | Link Kit | A by-the-books tower defense game with a Warring States skin |
PS4 | Samurai Maiden (DL/Asia English) | Shade Inc. | See PS5 |
PS5 | Samurai Maiden (DL/Asia English) | Shade Inc. | It's clunky poorly-written ecchi, with affection levels raising stats and skills |
Switch | Samurai Maiden (DL/Asia English) | Shade Inc. | See PS5 |
DS | Sands of Destruction | Imageepoch | Timing/combo based combat system that the enemies have no trouble abusing you with |
PSP | Sarara's Little Shop (PSone Classics) | Kinotrope/Siesta | See PS3 |
Vita | Sarara's Little Shop (PSone Classics) | Kinotrope/Siesta | See PS3 |
PS3 | Sarara's Little Shop (PSone Classics) | Kinotrope/Siesta | Available on NA PSN, but left untranslated - combines shop management and dungeoneering elements akin to Recettear |
Switch | Saviors of Sapphire Wings/Stranger of Sword City Revisited | Experience/Codeglue | Two first-person dungeon crawlers, one brought to the West for the first time with an emphasis on character social interaction to enhance stat bonuses (see XBO/Vita for the other) |
PS4 | Scarlet Nexus | Tose/Bandai Namco | See PS5 |
Xbox Series | Scarlet Nexus | Tose/Bandai Namco | See PS5 |
PS5 | Scarlet Nexus | Tose/Bandai Namco | A flashy ARPG with two different storylines to choose from and a bevy of psychic powers to play with |
Xbox One | Scarlet Nexus (DL only) | Tose/Bandai Namco | See PS5 |
JP Game Gear | SD Gundam: Winner's History | ITL | Turn-based SRPG in unit placement, but real-time battles between individual units- with Gundams! |
Switch | SD Gundam Battle Alliance (Asia English/DL) | Artdink/Alvion | See XS |
Xbox One | SD Gundam Battle Alliance (Asia English/DL) | Artdink/Alvion | See XS |
Xbox Series | SD Gundam Battle Alliance (Asia English/DL) | Artdink/Alvion | Chibi mobile suits in a massive hack-and-slash crossover to correct multiversal shenanigans |
PS4 | SD Gundam Battle Alliance (Asia English/DL) | Artdink/Alvion | See XS |
PS5 | SD Gundam Battle Alliance (Asia English/DL) | Artdink/Alvion | See XS |
Switch | SD Gundam G Generation: Cross Rays (Asia English) | Tom Create | See PS4 |
PS4 | SD Gundam G Generation Cross Rays (Asia English) | Tom Create | Very similar to Genesis in combat (albeit with QoL changes), focuses on 13 different Gundam series (including Wing and SEED) and gives them more time to tell their stories |
Vita | SD Gundam G Generation Genesis (Asia English) | Tom Create | See PS4 |
PS4 | SD Gundam G Generation Genesis (Asia English) | Tom Create | A Super Robot Wars-like game that spans the Universal Century timeline in a highly abridged form; lots of stats for both pilots and mobile suits to manage |
JP PSP | SD Gundam G Generation Overworld | Bandai Namco | SRPG that contains Gundam designs from 35 different iterations of the series, plays like Super Robot Wars |
JP FC | SD Keiji Blader | NMK | DQ clone set in the far distant future |
SNES | Secret of Evermore | Square Soft | An ARPG featuring a boy and his dog traveling through different eras; never released in Japan |
PS4 | Secret of Mana | Q Studios/Square | See Vita |
SNES | Secret of Mana | Square | Actually the second Mana game, up to 3-player co-op |
Vita | Secret of Mana (DL only) | Q Studios/Square | Remade in 3D with a lot of the original visual charm missing, a new translation, adds voiced dialogue and makes QoL changes |
SNES | Secret of the Stars | Tecmo | Super slow and super mundane |
Xbox One | Seek Hearts (DL only) | Exe-Create | Kemco gonna Kemco, at least this one lets you adjust the encounter rate and consume old equipment to agument the protagonist's stats |
Switch | Seek Hearts (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XBO |
PS4 | Seek Hearts (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XBO |
Switch | Sega Ages: Phantasy Star | Sega | Mostly the same as the original release, but with QoL features like auto-mapping of dungeons and adjusting the rate of XP gain (if desired) |
JP SFC | Seiken Densetsu 3 | Square | The character you choose at the start determines your storyline, otherwise plays like SoM |
3DS | Senran Kagura 2: Deep Crimson | Tamsoft | Plays like the first game and somehow manages to be even more risque in presentation |
PS4 | Senran Kagura: Estival Versus | Tamsoft | See Vita |
Vita | Senran Kagura: Estival Versus | Tamsoft | Massive mammary melee- a beat-em-up/ARPG where the girls you control will almost inevitably lose pieces of clothing in order to increase their power |
Vita | Senran Kagura: Shinovi Versus | Tamsoft | Choose a shinobi school to represent and show superiority over other schools by using 3D beat-em-up gameplay and (for some reason) tearing your clothes off |
3DS | Senran Kagura Burst (DL only) | Tamsoft | One of the most fanservicey beat-em-ups you'll ever see, has two different story modes to follow |
PS4 | Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal | Honey Parade/Tamsoft | Changes gameplay perspective to 3D (as opposed to the 2.5D of the original), adds more characters via DLC |
Xbox One | Sephirothic Stories | Exe-Create | All the visual charm of a PS2 game on more modern systems; enemies are visible as opposed to random encounters, otherwise same old Kemco |
PS4 | Sephirothic Stories | Exe-Create | See XBO |
Switch | Sephirothic Stories (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XBO |
Switch | Seven Pirates H | Idea Factory/Compile Heart/Felistella | It's Genkai Tokki. You command monster girls in combat with a pirate theme. And you deserve to be judged for playing it. |
Dreamcast | Seventh Cross Evolution | Atypical Alchemists Associate | Spore before Spore - gain evolution points and make your creature! |
JP FC | Shadow Brain | Scitron & Art | Futuristic 1st-person dungeon crawler |
PS2 | Shadow Hearts | Sacnoth | Takes place after Koudelka's bad ending, incorporates cosmic horror, alternate history, and a timing-based disc that affects success |
PS2 | Shadow Hearts: Covenant | Nautilus | More of the above, but it has a vampire wrestler, so it's immediately 5203487203 times better |
PS2 | Shadow Hearts: From the New World | Nautilus | Simliar gameplay to the previous entries, but more of a comedic tone and weaker dungeon design |
PSX | Shadow Tower | FromSoftware | Plays similarly to King's Field, but killing particular enemies determines stat growth |
PSP | Shadow Tower (PSone Classics) | FromSoftware | See PSX |
PS3 | Shadow Tower (PSone Classics) | FromSoftware | See PSX |
Vita | Shadow Tower (PSone Classics) | FromSoftware | See PSX |
JP PS2 | Shadow Tower: Abyss | FromSoftware | Another first-person FromSoft jam and sequel to Shadow Tower, this one features soul harvesting and independent NPC schedules |
Switch | Shadowverse: Champion's Battle | Cygames | An anime-based card battle game where each deck theme has its own level to increase, conferring better cards |
GBA | Shaman King: Legacy of the Spirits Soaring Hawk/Sprinting Wolf | KCEJ | Based on the manga, basically Pokemon-type battles with spirits |
GBA | Shaman King: Master of Spirits | KCEJ | Metroidvania based on the anime |
GBA | Shaman King: Master of Spirits II | KCEJ | Another Metroidvania based on the anime but with more attacks and abilities |
PS2 | Shaman King: Power of Spirit | WinkySoft | SRPG of sorts, but individual fights between units are settled in a 3D fighting game format |
PS2 | Shepherd's Crossing | Success | A game much like Harvest Moon in terms of farming, RPG elements are present in the raising and skill-learning of hunting dogs |
PSP | Shepherd's Crossing | Success | Adds a few QoL changes but otherwise spiffs up the visuals of the original |
JP SFC | Shiki Eiyuuden | 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 |
Genesis | Shining Force | Climax/Sonic Software Planning | Epic SRPG with unit promotion |
GBA | Shining Force: Resurrection of the Dark Dragon | Amusement Vision | Remake of the first Shining Force with new plot and characters |
Game Gear | Shining Force: The Sword of Hajya | Sonic Software Planning | Technically Shining Force Gaiden II- just play Shining Force CD instead |
3DS | Shining Force: The Sword of Hajya (VC) | Sonic Software Planning | See GG |
Sega CD | Shining Force CD | Sonic Software Planning | Remake of Shining Force Gaiden I/II for the JP Game Gear, requires a backup RAM cart to play all scenarios |
PS2 | Shining Force EXA | Neverland | Isometric ARPG with two protagonists and some town-building, recycles many assets from Shining Force Neo |
JP Game Gear | Shining Force Gaiden: Final Conflict | Sonic Software Planning | Typical Shining Force gameplay, takes place after SFCD but before SFII, links SFI and II together |
Genesis | Shining Force II | Sonic Software Planning | Similar to the first, with hidden characters and potentially branching promotion |
Saturn | Shining Force III | Camelot | Technically only Scenario 1 of the full Shining Force III story |
PS2 | Shining Force Neo | Neverland | More realistically proportioned models than Shining Tears, but overall plays similarly |
Genesis | Shining in the Darkness | Climax/Sonic Software Planning | First-person dungeon crawl, first game released in the Shining series (but not first chronologically in story) |
PS4 | Shining Resonance Refrain | O-Two/Sega/Media.Vision | Enhanced port of a previously JP-only PS3 game with added storylines; a serviceable ARPG with some dating sim elements |
Switch | Shining Resonance Refrain | O-Two/Sega/Media.Vision | See PS4 |
Xbox One | Shining Resonance Refrain | O-Two/Sega/Media.Vision | See PS4 |
GBA | Shining Soul | Nextech/Grasshopper Manufacture | Isometric ARPG that serves as a reboot of sorts to the Shining series |
GBA | Shining Soul II | Nextech/Grasshopper Manufacture | Similar to the first, with more classes to choose from |
PS2 | Shining Tears | NexTech/Amusement Vision | Plays vastly different to the rest of the Shining Force games- is an isometric ARPG rather than turn-based |
Saturn | Shining the Holy Ark | Camelot | 1st-person dungeon crawl, not unlike its predecessor Shining in the Darkness |
JP PSX | Shin Megami Tensei | Atlus | Visually overhauls the SFC version, but is otherwise no different than the original |
JP GBA | Shin Megami Tensei | Atlus | Keeps the visuals from the Playstation version, makes a few balance changes and adds some unlockable story scenes |
JP SFC | Shin Megami Tensei | Atlus | 1st-person dungeon crawl with demon recruitment/fusion, only localized on mobile |
PS2 | Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon | Atlus | Very similar to its predecessor, but uses demon negotiation rather than capture elements |
PS3 | Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon (PS2 Classics) | Atlus | See PS2 |
PS2 | Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army | Atlus | Deviates from series norms by being more of an ARPG and taking place in the past, demon assistance is always present |
PS3 | Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army (PS2 Classics) | Atlus | See PS2 |
3DS | Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers | Atlus | Remake of a JP-only Saturn game; demon alignment makes a large difference in battle, dictating what types of attacks they prefer; demon pairs can also be incompatible |
DS | Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor | Atlus | SRPG with branching narrative choices and squads of units rather than individuals, plus demons of course |
DS | Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 | Atlus | Plays largely the same as the first, but adds a social system to influence the ending |
3DS | Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker | Atlus | Adds a post-ending scenario, voice acting, an easier difficulty mode, a new character, and QoL changes |
3DS | Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked | Atlus | Adds an additional day of plot, more demons, QoL improvements, voice acting, difficulty selection, and a graphical retouch |
PS2 | Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga | Atlus | Straightforward turn-based JRPG, characters transform into demons in battle, lots of turn manipulation in combat |
PS3 | Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga (PS2 Classics) | Atlus | See PS2 |
PS2 | Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2 | Atlus | See above - direct sequel to Digital Devil Saga |
PS3 | Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2 (PS2 Classics) | Atlus | See PS2 |
PS2 | Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne | Atlus | AKA Shin Megami Tensei 3 - has all the expected demon recruitment, does not feature a Law/Chaos branching system |
PS3 | Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne (PS2 Classics) | Atlus | See PS2 |
PSP | Shin Megami Tensei: Persona | Atlus | Adds the previously excluded Snow Queen Quest, readjusts difficulty levels and encounter rates, and reworks the dialogue to be more modern |
Vita | Shin Megami Tensei: Persona (DL only) | Atlus | See PSP |
PSP | Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2: Innocent Sin | Atlus | Previously never localized in North America, the direct predecessor to Eternal Punishment; contains demon recruitment and rumor-spreading |
Vita | Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2: Innocent Sin (DL only) | Atlus | See PSP |
PS2 | Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 | Atlus | Where the Persona series really began to pick up steam; introduced the Social Link element used by future entries |
PS2 | Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 FES | Atlus | Adds an additional epilogue scenario to the original game, debatably the definitive edition |
PS3 | Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 FES (PS2 Classics) | Atlus | See PS2 |
PSP | Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Portable | Atlus | Adds a female main character to Persona 3, alters Social Links accordingly, does not contain "The Answer" scenario, gives control over other party members in combat |
Vita | Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Portable (DL only) | Atlus | See PSP |
PS2 | Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 | Atlus | The RPG/life sim (of sorts) series continues, this time with a murder mystery theme and an obsession with the color yellow |
PS3 | Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 (PS2 Classics) | Atlus | See PS2 |
DS | Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey | Atlus/Lancarse | First-person dungeon crawler with demon battling, negotiation, and fusion - all in Antarctica! |
3DS | Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux | Atlus | Newly added routes, endings, demons, and voice acting along with graphical and QoL upgrades |
JP GB+GBC | Shin Megami Tensei Devil Children: Kuro no Sho | Multimedia Intelligence Transfer | First game in the Devil Children series (the accompanying other version is untranslated), a monster-collector where demon partners can be used to help traverse the overworld |
JP SFC | Shin Megami Tensei if… | Atlus | Like regular SMT, but in a centralized high school setting. This is Persona's daddy! |
JP SFC | Shin Megami Tensei II | Atlus | Similar to but easier than the first game |
Switch | Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster | Atlus | See PS4 |
PS4 | Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster | Atlus | See PS2, but also cleans up the graphics, gives you the option to not have Dante, and expands difficulty options |
3DS | Shin Megami Tensei IV | Atlus | Takes place in a separate world from the other SMT games, gameplay elements like demon recruitment/fusion, the 3-pronged alignment choice, and the Press Turn system return |
3DS | Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse | Atlus | A follow-up to/alternate timeline story in the same world as SMT IV, makes some QoL changes to the gameplay loop from its predecessor |
Switch | Shin Megami Tensei V | Atlus | Probably the most beginner-friendly of the mainline series, but still punishing if you aren't paying attention |
JP SFC | Shin Seikoku: La Wares | J-Force | Based off a Japanese TTRPG, featuring mech combat |
JP FC | Shinsenden | Tamtex | Another day, another eastern-themed DQ clone |
Wii | Shiren the Wanderer | Chunsoft | Actually the third game in the Shiren the Wanderer sub-series of Mystery Dungeon roguelike games |
Vita | Shiren the Wanderer: The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate | Spike Chunsoft | Fifth Shiren game, day/night system is important for visibility, some puzzle-solving involved in dungeon crawling |
Switch | Shiren the Wanderer: The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate | Spike Chunsoft | See Vita, but with a few extra dungeons |
JP PC Engine | Shiryou Sensen: War of the Dead | Fun Project | Badass cover art, plays a lot like Zelda II |
JP SFC | Shodai Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-kun | 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) |
JP FC | Silva Saga | Seta | Nice graphics for the time |
JP SFC | Silva Saga II: The Legend of Light and Darkness | Seta | Hire mercenaries to help in combat! |
Xbox One | Silver Nornir (DL only) | WorldWideSoftware | See XS |
Xbox Series | Silver Nornir (DL only) | WorldWideSoftware | By-the-books Kemco fare that moves too fast for its own good, both in plot and gameplay |
Switch | Silver Nornir (DL only) | WorldWideSoftware | See XS |
PS4 | Silver Nornir (DL only) | WorldWideSoftware | See XS |
PS5 | Silver Nornir (DL only) | WorldWideSoftware | See XS |
Dreamcast | Skies of Arcadia | Overworks | Standard combat and ship battles! |
GameCube | Skies of Arcadia Legends | Overworks | The skyfaring adventure with a bit more spit-shine! |
JP SFC | Slayers | BEC | Based on the anime of the same name, plays typically for the era |
JP 3DS | Slime Mori Mori Dragon Quest 3: Daikaizoku to Shippo Dan | Square Enix | |
Switch | Snack World: The Dungeon Crawl - Gold | h.a.n.d./Level-5 | A third-person dungeon crawler (as the name implies) with lots of food-based puns and humor as well as surprising difficulty |
DS | Solatorobo: Red the Hunter | CyberConnect2 | Spiritual sequel to Tail Concerto (PSX), with steampunk robot combat and tons of anthropomorphic creatures |
JP DS | Soma Bringer | Monolith Soft | Top-down ARPG, widely acclaimed; lots of text to read and lots of character customization to do |
Wii | Sonic and the Black Knight | Sonic Team | Sonic meets King Arthur this time, with even worse controls and a looser form of experience in the form of followers, which raise your knight rank which lets you access more skills |
Wii | Sonic and the Secret Rings | Sonic Team | Sonic meets Arabian Nights with results of dubious quality, but experience to be gained and applied to skills based on stage performance |
PS5 | Sonic Frontiers | Sonic Team | More of an open-world platformer (a first for the series), but the hedgehog does have various stats to increase |
Switch | Sonic Frontiers | Sonic Team | See PS5 |
Xbox Series | Sonic Frontiers | Sonic Team | See PS5 |
PS4 | Sonic Frontiers | Sonic Team | See PS5 |
Xbox One | Sonic Frontiers | Sonic Team | See PS5 |
Xbox 360 | Sonic Unleashed | Sonic Team | Featuring XP for both the hedgehog and werehog, a hub world that can be explored, and more/different levels than the PS2/Wii versions |
PS2 | Sonic Unleashed | Sonic Team/Dimps | See Wii |
Wii | Sonic Unleashed | Sonic Team/Dimps | Hope you like werehogs! More night levels than 360/PS3, a non-explorable hub world by comparison, and only the werehog can be leveled |
PS3 | Sonic Unleashed | Sonic Team | See 360 |
Genesis | Sorcerer's Kingdom | NCS | SRPG where each character's individual move phase leads to the entire enemy's movephase, stat leveling is FFII-like |
Vita | Sorcery Saga: Curse of the Great Curry God | Compile Heart/Zerodiv | Roguelike with a simple premise; levels reset at the start of each dungeon but equipment levels persist, giving unwanted items to your companion teaches it skills |
SNES | Soul Blazer | Quintet | Part of the legendary Quintet trilogy, an ARPG with some town-reconstruction elements |
PS4 | Soul Hackers 2 | Atlus | See PS5 |
Xbox One | Soul Hackers 2 | Atlus | See PS5 |
PS5 | Soul Hackers 2 | Atlus | A modern-day interpretation of cyberpunk themes with character bonding moments and the usual demon fusion |
Xbox Series | Soul Hackers 2 | Atlus | See PS5 |
PS2 | Soul Nomad & The World Eaters | Nippon Ichi | Yet another Disgaea-adjacent SRPG, this one has more NPC interaction and a branching storyline |
Vita | Soul Sacrifice | Marvelous/SCEJ/Comcept | A heavily dark fantasy-styled Monster Hunter clone of sorts with the choice of sparing or sacrificing your enemies, allies, and own body parts as a crucial element to progression |
Vita | Soul Sacrifice Delta (DL only) | Marvelous/SCEJ/Comcept | Additions include new weapons, abilities, factions, monsters, areas, and a streamlining of combat to increase fluidity |
Xbox 360 | Spectral Force 3 | Idea Factory/XPEC Entertainment | SRPG with a large amount of recruitable characters, faction-based story |
DS | Spectral Force Genesis | Idea Factory | An extremely detailed war sim RTSRPG, with multiple nations to play as and features like taxation and diplomacy |
PSP | Spectral Souls: Resurrection of the Ethereal Empires | Idea Factory | An enhanced port of the previously Japan-only Spectral Souls II, an SRPG with multiple storylines to choose, an AP-based combat system |
DS | Spectrobes | Jupiter | An original Disney Interactive Studios IP with slippery-looking controls; a Pokemon clone with ARPG combat |
DS | Spectrobes: Beyond the Portals | Jupiter | Many more Spectrobes to collect and a general improvement overall from the first game |
Wii | Spectrobes: Origins | Genki | ARPG/monster collector with utilization of motion controls to switch between Spectrobes in combat |
Master System | SpellCaster | Sega | ARPG in combat (plays much like Shinobi), point-and-click-like in towns, story progression increases stats |
JP SFC | Star Ocean | Tri-Ace | Look at that spritework! |
PSP | Star Ocean: First Departure | Tose/Tri-Ace | Adds new playable characters and animated cutscenes, gives the game a different engine, expands on some NPCs storyline-wise, first western localization of the game |
PS4 | Star Ocean: First Departure R (DL only) | Tose/Square Enix/Tri-Ace | Adds new character illustrations and makes QoL changes to the PSP version |
Switch | Star Ocean: First Departure R (DL only) | Tose/Square Enix/Tri-Ace | See PS4 |
PS4 | Star Ocean: Integrity and Faithlessness | Tri-Ace | Arguably the weakest entry in the series; combat occurs with all party members (up to 7!) present in real-time, with a rock-paper-scissors-like system |
PSP | Star Ocean: Second Evolution | Tose/Tri-Ace | Adds new playable characters, reworked skills, new cutscenes, and even more endings to The Second Story |
PS4 | Star Ocean: The Divine Force | Tri-Ace | See PS5 |
Xbox Series | Star Ocean: The Divine Force | Tri-Ace | See PS5 |
Xbox One | Star Ocean: The Divine Force | Tri-Ace | See PS5 |
PS5 | Star Ocean: The Divine Force | Tri-Ace | A return to dual protagonists and the most dynamic combat system in the series to date |
Xbox 360 | Star Ocean: The Last Hope | Tri-Ace | Chronologically the first game in the series, fun action-based gameplay and a heavier sci-fi emphasis than all other titles |
PS4 | Star Ocean: The Last Hope - 4K/Full HD Edition (DL only) | Tri-Ace/Square Enix | See PS3, but with prettier graphics |
PS3 | Star Ocean: The Last Hope International | Tri-Ace | Adds anime-styled character portraits, dual audio, and new music to the original 360 release; considered to be the definitive version of the game |
PSX | Star Ocean: The Second Story | Tri-Ace | First localized Star Ocean game with two different scenarios |
PS2 | Star Ocean: Till the End of Time | Tri-Ace | AKA Star Ocean 3 - losing all HP or MP will knock a character out in battle, very complicated Private Action scoring system to determine ending |
PS4 | Star Ocean: Till the End of Time (DL only) | Tri-Ace | See PS2 |
Genesis | Star Odyssey | Hot-B | Localized 20 years after initial release in Japan (as Blue Almanac), enemy level scales to player |
PS2 | Steambot Chronicles | Irem | Mech-based ARPG, characters are named after food, eschews leveling system for highly customizable mech parts |
JP FC | STED: Iseki Wakusei no Yabou | ADK | Very Phantasy Star-like |
PS2 | Stella Deus: The Gate of Eternity | Pinegrow/Atlus | SRPG with a similar position-heavy system to Hoshigami: Ruining Blue Earth |
PS3 | Stella Deus: The Gate of Eternity (PS2 Classics) | Pinegrow/Atlus | See PS2 |
3DS | Stella Glow | Imageepoch | SRPG gameplay, learning character abilities is somewhat dependent upon building a relationship with the main character |
Xbox One | Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town | Bullets/Marvelous | See Switch |
PS4 | Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town | Bullets/Marvelous | See Switch |
Switch | Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town | Bullets/Marvelous | A remake of Harvest Moon: (More) Friends of Mineral Town with different choices for both male/female protagonists; farming/courtship as usual otherwise |
PS4 | Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town | Marvelous | See Switch |
Switch | Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town | Marvelous | The true heir to the Harvest Moon name; this time you help develop a whole town and learn new recipes by increasing your gathering skills |
PS5 | Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin | Team Ninja | Campy Chaos killing! An ARPG take of sorts on the first Final Fantasy game, with Nioh-like combat and many creative liberties |
PS4 | Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin | Team Ninja | See PS5 |
Xbox One | Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin | Team Ninja | See PS5 |
Xbox Series | Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin | Team Ninja | See PS5 |
Vita | Stranger of Sword City | Experience | More first-person dungeon crawling, highly customizable party, permadeath of party members is something to manage, lots of challenge |
Xbox One | Stranger of Sword City (DL only) | Experience | See Vita |
Vita | Stranger of Sword City Revisited (DL only) | Experience | Adds new (potentially game-breaking) classes, new dungeons, new monsters (and tactics for existing ones), and tons of QoL adjustments |
PSX | Suikoden | Konami | Amazing NTSC cover art, loads of different playable characters, and a highly political story |
PSP | Suikoden (PSone Classics) | Konami | See PSX |
PS3 | Suikoden (PSone Classics) | Konami | See PSX |
Vita | Suikoden (PSone Classics) | Konami | See PSX |
PSX | Suikoden II | Konami | Sweeping political epic- |
PSP | Suikoden II (Psone Classics) | Konami | See PSX |
PS3 | Suikoden II (PSone Classics) | Konami | See PSX |
Vita | Suikoden II (PSone Classics) | Konami | See PSX |
PS2 | Suikoden III | KCET | The turn-based epic saga continues, a variety of protagonists, can import data from the PSX games for bonuses |
PS3 | Suikoden III (PS2 Classics) | KCET | See PS2 |
PS2 | Suikoden IV | KCET | Takes place long before other games in the series, smaller party size, looooooooooooooooooooooooooads of slow sailing |
PS3 | Suikoden IV (PS2 Classics) | KCET | See PS2 |
PS2 | Suikoden Tactics | Konami | An SRPG with a heavy focus on elements and support characters; takes place both before and after Suikoden IV |
DS | Suikoden Tierkreis | Konami | Not part of the main series storyline (no returning characters), but similar 108-star recuitment and turn-based gameplay |
PS2 | Suikoden V | Konami/Hudson Soft | Last game in the series before being abandoned by Konami, a return to 6-person parties, lots of story connections to I-III |
JP FC | Sukeban Deka III | Shouei | Manga-based ARPG |
PSP | Summon Night 5 | Felistella | First game in the main series to be localized, an SRPG with morale elements (having a lot after battle can help increase character skills) |
Vita | Summon Night 5 (DL only) | Felistella | See PSP |
Vita | Summon Night 6: Lost Borders | Media.Vision | SRPG that basically acts as general fanservice for the series, featuring characters from all previously numbered entries |
PS4 | Summon Night 6: Lost Borders | Media.Vision | See Vita |
GBA | Summon Night: Swordcraft Story | Flight-Plan | Combat reminiscent of earlier Tales games, but with weapon swapping available |
GBA | Summon Night: Swordcraft Story 2 | Flight-Plan | Like the first, but with more crafting |
DS | Summon Night: Twin Age | Flight-Plan | Touch control-only ARPG with 2 AI party members and the ability to summon monsters |
JP SFC | Super Chinese World 2 | Culture Brain | Super Ninja Boy sequel, has ARPG battles instead of its predecessor's turn-based combat |
JP SFC | Super Chinese World 3 - Chou Jigen Daisakusen | Culture Brain | Two different battle modes to choose from: ARPG or turn-based, each with their own storylines |
Vita | Superdimension Neptune VS Sega Hard Girls | Compile Heart | Spinoff of the main Neptunia series with similar gameplay; features time traveling across the different Sega console eras |
JP SFC | Super Famicom Wars | Intelligent Systems | Technically a digital-only title (released via Satellaview), units can gather XP in combat that does not carry between maps |
Genesis | Super Hydlide | T&E Soft | Remake of Hydlide 3, with a morality, encumbrance, hunger, and day/night system. IT'S NOT ALL THAT GOOD. |
SNES | Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars | Square | Fun little turn-based game with a cute artstyle and rhythmic button pressing to maximize damage |
Wii U | Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (VC) | Square | See SNES |
Switch | Super Neptunia RPG | Artisan Studios/Compile Heart/Idea Factory | See PS4 |
PS4 | Super Neptunia RPG | Artisan Studios/Compile Heart/Idea Factory | Take the Neptunia crew and put them in a Valkyrie Profile-like game and this is the result |
SNES | Super Ninja Boy | Culture Brain | Can be played multiplayer, combat is done in side-scrolling ARPG format, sequel to Little Ninja Brothers |
Wii | Super Paper Mario | Intelligent Systems | Multiple playable characters and the ability to switch between 2D/3D for platforming; the last decent Paper Mario game, according to many |
JP GB+GBC | Super Robot Taisen | Winkysoft | Origin of the long-running SRPG series |
GBA | Super Robot Taisen: Original Generation | Banpresto | Contains only original characters (no licensed mechs), gameplay is otherwise SRPG as always |
GBA | Super Robot Taisen: Original Generation 2 | Banpresto | Differs from the first game by featuring a branching storyline |
JP PSP | Super Robot Taisen A Portable | Banpresto | It's more SRW, with branching storylines and super evasive enemies! Remake of the GBA game Super Robot Wars A |
JP SFC | Super Robot Taisen EX | Winkysoft | SRPG, branching storyline, uses the SRW3 engine |
JP SFC | Super Robot Taisen Gaiden: Masou Kishin - The Lord of Elemental | Winkysoft | SRPG, focuses on one of the original characters in the series, directional damage |
JP GBA | Super Robot Taisen J | Banpresto | Contains licensed mechs, which is why localization didn't otherwise occur |
JP PS2 | Super Robot Taisen OG: Original Generations | Banpresto | Combined retcon/remake of the two GBA SRT games; additionally incorporates battle systems/bots from other games in the series |
DS | Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier | Monolith Soft | Spinoff of the Original Generation series of Super Robot Wars, with turn-based combo combat rather than the regular SRPG format |
PS4 | Super Robot Wars OG: The Moon Dwellers (Asia English) | B.B. Studio | Serves as a new entry point to the OG series (which has no cameos as opposed to the main series), SRPG combat with assists based on positioning, multiple protagonists |
Switch | Super Robot Wars T (Asia English) | B.B. Studio | See PS4 |
PS4 | Super Robot Wars T (Asia English) | B.B. Studio | Balances out the intertwining series focuses more smoothly than V or X, iterates on X's gameplay by adding supporter units |
Switch | Super Robot Wars V (Asia English) | B.B. Studio | See PS4 |
Vita | Super Robot Wars V (Asia English) | B.B. Studio | See PS4 |
PS4 | Super Robot Wars V (Asia English) | B.B. Studio | Multi mech-franchise SRPG mashup, this one with a particularly heavy focus on Yamato 2199; has multiple endings and protagonists |
JP DS | Super Robot Wars W | Banpresto | Generally speaking same gameplay as always, splits the story into 2 timelines (not all storylines are present in both) |
Switch | Super Robot Wars X (Asia English) | B.B. Studio | See PS4 |
PS4 | Super Robot Wars X (Asia English) | B.B. Studio | Crossover chaos continues, focus is on Mashin Hero Wataru, Gurren Lagann, and Cross Ange in addition to many other cameos; nerfs some units from V |
Vita | Super Robot Wars X (Asia English) | B.B. Studio | See PS4 |
JP Mega Drive | Surging Aura | Japan Media Programming | Each action in combat takes time to do - and can be interrupted! It's also really pretty too |
Switch | Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido | Indieszero/Nintendo | A puzzle game with equippable/trainable sprites that help you serve sushi spectacularly! |
3DS | Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido | Indieszero/Nintendo | See Switch |
JP FC | Sweet Home | Capcom | Without this, Resident Evil doesn't exist; a horror turn-based game with character permadeath |
Xbox One | Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris | Aquria | Follows the third anime season, gameplay is still ARPG-styled but frequently interrupted by long bursts of visual novel-like dialogue |
PS4 | Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris | Aquria | See XBO |
Switch | Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris (DL only) | Aquria | See XBO |
Xbox One | Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet | Dimps | Takes place in the gun-heavy game world from the second season of the anime, ARPG/third-person shooter combat with a customizable avatar |
PS4 | Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet | Dimps | See XBO |
Switch | Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet - Complete Edition (DL only) | Dimps | Includes all expansions and DLC from the original release |
Vita | Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment (DL only) | Aquria | Takes place during the anime's first arc but is a spinoff, has content from a JP-only prequel game included, with ARPG MMO-styled combat and dating sim elements |
PS4 | Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization | Aquria | See Vita |
Vita | Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization (DL only) | Aquria | Direct sequel to Lost Song, has a 4-person party with more streamlined MMO-type combat than previous games in the series; lots of NPCs to befriend, goes back to the first arc style |
Switch | Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization - Deluxe Edition (DL only) | Aquria | Includes all DLC from the original |
Vita | Sword Art Online: Lost Song | Artdink | Sequel to Hollow Fragment, has more actual ARPG-type combat, takes place in the area of the second half of the anime's first arc, 3-person parties |
PS4 | Sword Art Online: Lost Song | Artdink | See Vita |
PS4 | Sword Art Online Re: Hollow Fragment (DL only) | Aquria | Vastly improves the translation of the original, changes the way skills work in combat, and adds new bosses amongst other QoL changes |
Xbox One | Sword of Elpisia (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
Xbox Series | Sword of Elpisia (DL only) | Exe-Create | It's... got pets? And they're cute? It's Kemco, there's not much else to be said |
Switch | Sword of Elpisia (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
PS4 | Sword of Elpisia (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
PS5 | Sword of Elpisia (DL only) | Exe-Create | See XS |
3DS | Sword of Hope II (VC) | Kemco | See GB |
GBA | Sword of Mana | Brownie Brown | Incorporates elements from later games and 2 story paths |
Genesis | Sword of Vermilion | Sega | Overworld traversal in first and third-person, combat is done ARPG-style |
3DS | Swords & Darkness (DL only) | Aplus/Arc System Works | A side-scrolling beat-em-up with no special features of note |
JP GB+GBC | Sylvania Families: Otogi no Kuni no Pendant | Epoch | More of a life-sim featuring overly cutesy characters based on a series of animal figurines |
3DS | Symphony of Eternity (DL only) | World Wide Software/Kemco | A boy, girl, and golem walk into a Kemco game and end up surprisingly in-depth with individual customization of skills and spells through reading books |
JP SFC | Tactics Ogre | Quest | Epic storyline, lots of important choices to make - even at the very beginning of the game! |
PSX | Tactics Ogre | Quest | SRPG with an alignment system and turn-based gameplay (in contrast to Ogre Battle) |
PSP | Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together | Square Enix/Quest | Allows for revisiting of plot points to see how alternate major decisions would have changed the story |
Vita | Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together (DL only) | Square Enix/Quest | See PSP |
PS4 | Tactics Ogre: Reborn | Square Enix | See PS5 |
Switch | Tactics Ogre: Reborn | Square Enix | See PS5 |
PS5 | Tactics Ogre: Reborn | Square Enix | Revises the combat from the PSP version (Let Us Cling Together) and remasters the sound (but not the sprites) |
GBA | Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis | Quest | Plays like Tactics Ogre- SRPG format, set before both Ogre Battle games |
Switch | Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythmic Adventure Pack | Bandai Namco | Formerly JP 3DS-only games; all the rhythmic action of Taiko Drum Master with 2 different story modes wherein you assemble a party and level up |
PSX | Tail of the Sun | Artdink | Be caveman. Go hunting. Build tower of mammoth bone. More of a life-sim really |
JP Wii | Takt of Magic | Taito | Successor to LostMagic (DS); a ARPGRTS focused on using motion controls to cast spells |
PS5 | Tales of Arise | Bandai Namco | Makes changes both welcome and unwelcome to the series, including a shared pool of points used for healing/buffs, comic book-style skits, removal of post-battle banter, and the cutest Tales mascot EVER |
Xbox One | Tales of Arise | Bandai Namco | See PS5 |
PS4 | Tales of Arise | Bandai Namco | See PS5 |
Xbox Series | Tales of Arise (DL only) | Bandai Namco | See PS5 |
JP PS3 | Tales of Berseria | Bandai Namco | See PS4 - last Tales game developed for PS3 |
PS4 | Tales of Berseria | Bandai Namco | Story is linked to Zestiria, highly eclectic cast, fulfilling certain conditions in battle (ARPG as always) leads to unleashing better abilities (or bolstering your enemies) |
PSX | Tales of Destiny | Wolf Team | First localized Tales title with a similar 2D real-time combat system to its predecessor |
PSX | Tales of Destiny II | Wolf Team/Namco | Actually Tales of Eternia - the real Tales of Destiny 2 is a Japanese exclusive |
PSP | Tales of Eternia (PAL/AU/JP only) | Namco Tales Studio | A port of what NA territories knew as Tales of Destiny II, with vastly improved load times |
PS3 | Tales of Graces f | Namco Tales Studio | Enhanced localization of a JP-only Wii Tales title, very technical combat system, takes place at multiple times through the party's lives |
Vita | Tales of Hearts R | 7thChord/Namco Bandai | Remake of a previously JP-only DS title; leveling is done by improving a character's signature weapon, emphasizes air combos and union special attacks in combat |
JP DS | Tales of Innocence | Alfa System | You know what to expect here at this point - in addition, doing sidequests for guilds levels them up |
PS2 | Tales of Legendia | Namco | Reverts back to the linear combat of earlier entries, about half of the game takes place after the final boss is defeated |
JP SFC | Tales of Phantasia | Wolf Team | Mind-bogglingly pretty, a technological marvel for the time |
JP PSX | Tales of Phantasia | Namco | Arguably the best way to play the game, despite lack of official translation |
GBA | Tales of Phantasia | Namco Tales Studio | First time released in English, with lots of slowdown and heavily compressed voice clips |
GameCube | Tales of Symphonia | Namco Tales Studio | Brought the Tales series into the 3D realm |
Wii | Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World | Namco Tales Studio | Lots of elemental affinity manipulation and some monster recruitment mechanics in addition to normal Tales gameplay |
PS3 | Tales of Symphonia Chronicles | Bandai Namco | Combined release of the previously JP-only PS2 version of Tales of Symphonia (with additional content) and Dawn of the New World (with a new control scheme) |
3DS | Tales of the Abyss | Namco Tales Studio | Very similar to the original; load times are shorter, some minor changes to quests were made, and shortcuts for battle abilities requires use of the touchscreen |
PS2 | Tales of the Abyss | Namco Tales Studio | Back to the 3D combat that Symphonia popularized, a shining example of protagonist character development |
JP DS | Tales of the Tempest | Dimps/Namco Tales Studio | A short spinoff title from the mainline series, but plays as you've come to expect; a very polarizing game |
PSP | Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology | Alfa System | A crossover Tales game with a customizable main character, the ability to recruit other major characters from the series, and a quest-based format |
Xbox 360 | Tales of Vesperia | Namco Tales Studio | It's more Tales, featuring a badass doggo! Lots of missables and a strong overall cast |
PS4 | Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition | QLOC/Bandai Namco | See XBO |
Xbox One | Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition | QLOC/Bandai Namco | Includes all the content from the previously JP-only PS3 version (new characters and more voice acting, amongst others) |
Switch | Tales of Vesperia Definitive Edition | QLOC/Bandai Namco | See XBO |
PS3 | Tales of Xillia | Namco Tales Studio | Two separate protagonists with different combat styles (in similar ARPG format to others in the series) gives additional replayability |
PS3 | Tales of Xillia 2 | Namco Tales Studio | Direct sequel to Tales of Xillia with a new silent protagonist, lots of debt to manage, and character affection to earn |
PS3 | Tales of Zestiria | Bandai Namco | Often maligned amongst series fans for being misleading in terms of character marketing, has a battle system that revolves around partnering up |
PS4 | Tales of Zestiria | Bandai Namco | See PS3 |
JP FC | Tao | Pax Softonica | Heavily religious-themed, bizarre af (you ride a dinosaur to Moscow), likely kusoge |
DS | Tao's Adventure: Curse of the Demon Seal | Konami | Sequel to Azure Dreams (PSX/GBC), with similar tower climbing/dungeon crawling mchanics, with the addition of touchscreen runes |
JP PSX | Tear Ring Saga: Yutona Eiyuu Senki | ASCII Entertainment | It's pretty much Fire Emblem, down to the creator of the series |
JP PS2 | Tear Ring Saga Series: Berwick Saga - Lazberia Chronicle Chapter 174 | Enterbrain | SRPG with a heavy Fire Emblem influence (made by the same creator) with a hexagonal-based battle grid |
PS3 | Tears to Tiara II: Heir of the Overlord | Aquaplus/Sting | Sequel to a JP-only visual novel; plays more or less like a visual novel with occasional SRPG skirmishes thrown in |
PSX | Tecmo's Deception: Invitation to Darkness | Tecmo | Make deals with the devil and use traps to kill your enemies! |
PS3 | Tecmo's Deception: Invitation to Darkness (PSone Classics) | Tecmo | See PSX |
JP SFC | Tenchi Muyo!: Game Hen | TamTam | Isometric turn and grid-based combat, based off the anime! |
JP FC | Tenchi o Kurau II: Shokatsu Koumei Den | Capcom | Plays just like the first, just never localized |
JP SFC | Tengai Makyou Zero | Red Company Corporation | Utilized special technology to allow for a real-time clock, more dialogue |
JP SFC | Tenshi no Uta: Shiroki Tsubasa no Inori | Telenet Japan | Not only can you negotiate with monsters, you get special experience points for doing so! |
SNES | Terranigma (PAL/JP only) | Quintet | Strangely never localized, last in the Quintet ARPG trilogy; spells can only be cast via one-time use items |
PSP | The 3rd Birthday | HexaDrive | Third game in the Parasite Eve series, more like a third-person shooter than previous games, mission-based gameplay and lots of NPC possession! |
Vita | The 3rd Birthday (DL only) | HexaDrive | See PSP |
SNES | The 7th Saga | Produce | 7 different playable characters, way harder in the US than Japan |
3DS | The Alliance Alive | Cattle Call/Grezzo/FuRyu | Written by the creator of Suikoden; a turn-based game where skills are increased via use and "talent points" are accumulated to improve stats individually |
PS4 | The Alliance Alive HD Remastered | Cattle Call | No major differences outside of graphical enhancement and some UI adjustments due to the lack of two screens |
Switch | The Alliance Alive HD Remastered | Cattle Call | See PS4 |
PS3 | The Awakened Fate Ultimatum | Nippon Ichi | Top-down roguelike with a focus on choosing between good and evil (with matching transformations) |
3DS | The Battle Cats POP! (DL only) | Ponos | More of a tower defense game, but you do use accumulated XP to level up and change the apeparance of your extremely weird cat crew |
PS2 | The Bouncer | Dream Factory | Cult-classic 3D beat-em-up with RPG elements |
Vita | The Caligula Effect (DL only) | Aquria | Written by the writer of Persona 1/2; any NPC can be recruited into the party after raising affinity enough, combat is tactical and based on heavy comboing |
PS4 | The Caligula Effect 2 | FuRyu/Historia | A heavy focus on character identity, the return of massive amounts of social links of sorts, and a combat system marrying Grandia's with ATB |
Switch | The Caligula Effect 2 | FuRyu/Historia | See PS4 |
PS4 | The Caligula Effect: Overdose | Aquria | Adds a selectable female protagonist, further stylizes the UI, provides QoL improvements, and features an alternate story route/ending, amongst other things |
Switch | The Caligula Effect: Overdose | Aquria | See PS4 |
Switch | The Cruel King and the Great Hero | Nippon Ichi | Children's storybook visuals abound, with an uncomplicated turn-based combat system to match and a strangely high encounter rate |
PS4 | The Cruel King and the Great Hero | Nippon Ichi | See Switch |
DS | The Dark Spire | Success | A heavily stylized first-person dungeon crawler with an emphasis on an alignment system |
3DS | The Denpa Men 2: Beyond the Waves (DL only) | Genius Sonority | Plays the same, but adds more elements, status ailments, new dungeons, and the ability to dress up your Denpa Men |
3DS | The Denpa Men 3: The Rise of Digitoll (DL only) | Genius Sonority | Dual-type Denpa Men now exist, as do more antenna shapes, monsters, and sidequest-type activities! |
3DS | The Denpa Men: They Came By Wave (DL only) | Genius Sonority | A quirky little game where you use AR to gather up little men to use as party members, naturally there is also a rock-paper-scissors feel to it |
Xbox Series | The DioField Chronicle | Lancarse/Square Enix | See PS5 |
Switch | The DioField Chronicle | Lancarse/Square Enix | See PS5 |
Xbox One | The DioField Chronicle | Lancarse/Square Enix | See PS5 |
PS5 | The DioField Chronicle | Lancarse/Square Enix | Real-time (ish) strategy and political intrigue abound, battles move more quickly than expected, decent unit variety |
PS4 | The DioField Chronicle | Lancarse/Square Enix | See PS5 |
TurboGrafx-CD | The Dynastic Hero (TurboDuo) | 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 |
GB+GBC | The Final Fantasy Legend | Square | Actually the first game in the SaGa series, has many different playable races and monsters |
Xbox Series | The Good Life (DL only) | White Owls Inc. | A Swery jam with murder mysteries, animal transformation, debt to juggle, and personal stats to monitor |
Switch | The Good Life (DL only) | White Owls Inc. | See XS |
Xbox One | The Good Life (DL only) | White Owls Inc. | See XS |
PS4 | The Good Life (DL only) | White Owls Inc. | See XS |
PSX | The Granstream Saga | Shade | ARPG, Successor to the Quintet trilogy, unsettling faceless 3D models |
PS3 | The Guided Fate Paradox | Nippon Ichi | Isometric roguelike in the Disgaea universe, with angel companions and the ability to grant wishes and levels resetting upon leaving the dungeon |
Switch | The Knight of Queen (DL only) | VR RPG Inc. | An extremely simplistic-looking turn-based RPG meant to be played in VR |
PS4 | The Knight of Queen (DL only) | VR RPG Inc. | See Switch |
Xbox 360 | The Last Remnant | Square Enix | Battles are done in large-scale- each character leads a squad of units, too much grinding can notoriously make the game too difficult |
Switch | The Last Remnant Remastered (DL only) | Square Enix | See PS4 |
PS4 | The Last Remnant Remastered (DL only) | Square Enix | Adds a ton of QoL improvements originally from the PC version (removal of leader limits, a turbo mode for battles, etc) as well as spiffing up the visuals |
Wii | The Last Story | Artoon/Mistwalker | ARPG with tactical and stealth elements including a cover system and issuing orders to AI party members in real-time |
PSX | The Legend of Dragoon | Sony Computer Entertainment Japan | Timing-based combat, some funny voice acting, neat concept |
Vita | The Legend of Dragoon (PSone Classics) | Sony Computer Entertainment Japan | See PSX |
PSP | The Legend of Dragoon (PSone Classics) | Sony Computer Entertainment Japan | See PSX |
PS3 | The Legend of Dragoon (PSone Classics) | Sony Computer Entertainment Japan | See PSX |
PSP | The Legend of Heroes: A Tear of Vermillion | Microvision/Falcom | Second game in the Gagharv trilogy, despite western release order; run-of-the-mill turn-based gameplay and an arbitrary pet system |
JP Vita | The Legend of Heroes: Sora no Kiseki the 3rd - Evolution | Falcom | Final game in the Liberl arc albeit with a different protagonist; plays like the previous games; Evolution version adds new artwork/scenarios |
PS4 | The Legend of Heroes: Trails From Zero | Falcom | A port of a port of the first game in the Crossbell Arc of the series, long thought to forever remain unlocalized (until now) |
Switch | The Legend of Heroes: Trails From Zero | Falcom | See PS4 |
PSP | The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky | Falcom | The 6th Legend of Heroes game/first Trails game, starts an interweaving storyline, combat is turn-based but offers lots of attack options, NPCs react to the story dynamically |
Vita | The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky (DL only) | Falcom | See PSP |
PSP | The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC (DL only) | Falcom | Immediate sequel to the first game, plot-heavy with compelling characters, gameplay similar to the first but adds combination attacks |
Vita | The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC (DL only) | Falcom | See PSP |
PS3 | The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel | Falcom | Beginning of another major arc in the Trails series, adds co-op link attacks to combat, structure is based in a school-type environment |
PS4 | The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel | Falcom | Tons of QoL changes; includes all DLC, more English dialogue, JP audio, and a turbo mode |
Vita | The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel | Falcom | See PS3 |
Vita | The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II | Falcom | See PS3 |
PS4 | The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II | Falcom | Tons of QoL changes; includes all DLC, more English dialogue, JP audio, and a turbo mode |
PS3 | The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II | Falcom | Takes place soon after the first game - basically required playing if you liked the first one |
PS4 | The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III | Falcom | Ties together plot threads from the Sky trilogy and Crossbell duology as well as continuing the Cold Steel plot; naturally a long game, combat mostly unchanged from I and II |
Switch | The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III | Falcom | See PS4 |
Switch | The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV | Falcom | See PS4 |
PS4 | The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV | Falcom | Absolutely requires playing all other Trails games prior to this one; has a very large (and arguably unwieldy) cast of characters, plays like its predecessor |
PSP | The Legend of Heroes II: Prophecy of the Moonlight Witch | Microvision/Falcom | First game in the Gagharv trilogy, despite western release order; gameplay is still very traditional, arguably bland, continues the pet system from the previous game |
PSP | The Legend of Heroes III: Song of the Ocean | Microvision/Falcom | Last in the Gagharv trilogy, but chronologically between the other two; still linear but allows for importing of data from the previous two games |
3DS | The Legend of Legacy | Cattle Call/FuRyu | Developed by an all-star team of developer heavy-hitters; turn-based combat that requires formation selection, elemental manipulation, and gives stat gains as battle spoils |
Saturn | The Legend of Oasis | Ancient | Sequel to Beyond Oasis (GEN), similar top-down ARPG gameplay |
Vita | The Longest Five Minutes | Nippon Ichi | Plays with the idea of extreme flashbacks where abilities are remembered rather than learned |
Switch | The Longest Five Minutes | Nippon Ichi | See Vita |
Switch | The Lost Child | Kadokawa | See Vita |
PS4 | The Lost Child | Kadokawa | See Vita |
Vita | The Lost Child | Kadokawa | First-person dungeon-crawling follow up to El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron; creatures in dungeons can be recruited into your party and used in battle |
NES | The Magic of Scheherazade | Culture Brain | Could get pretty oof in cultural stereotypes, a mix of turn-based and ARPG gameplay |
PS2 | The Nightmare of Druaga: Fushigino Dungeon | Arika/Matrix Software/Chunsoft | Actually a title in the Mystery Dungeon series, sequel to The Tower of Druaga |
PS5 | The Nioh Collection | Team Ninja | The remastered Nioh and Nioh 2 put together in one package |
PS4 | The Princess Guide | Nippon Ichi | An ARPG with obtuse mechanics like praising and scolding the princess you are controlling as well as a steep difficulty curve |
Switch | The Princess Guide | Nippon Ichi | See PS4 |
PS4 | The Seven Deadly Sins: Knights of Britannia | NatsumeAtari | More of a 3D arena fighter, but does have an Adventure Mode with quests in both musou and duel format to obtain items that enhance character stats |
PS2 | The Sword of Etheria (PAL/JP only) | KCET | 3D beat-em-up with a Wizard of Oz theme, heavy emphasis on combo/team-up attacks |
GB+GBC | The Sword of Hope | Kemco | First-person RPG, good luck seeing it on the tiny screen! |
GB+GBC | The Sword of Hope II | Kemco | It's slow and repetitive, much like the first. Then again, it is Kemco… |
JP PC Engine | The Tower of Druaga | Namco | Plays a lot like the classic arcade dungeon crawler, but stats can be increased between floors or after finding items |
SNES | The Twisted Tales of Spike McFang | Red Company Corporation | Super cutesy ARPG |
Xbox 360 | The Undead Syndrome (DL only) | Mukago Software Development | A very strange, very budget indie horror game with ARPG elements and leveling |
PS3 | The Witch and the Hundred Knight | Nippon Ichi | Isometric ARPG with food management, a wonky camera, and a game-breaking bug, but a delightfully dark cast |
PS4 | The Witch and the Hundred Knight 2 | Nippon Ichi | Plays a lot like the first, albeit with a new cast of whimsical characters |
PS4 | The Witch and the Hundred Knight: Revival Edition | Nippon Ichi | Adds a new multi-floor dungeon, more weapons/armor, and Metallia as a playable character |
DS | The Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road | Media Vision | Dorothy and friends go out to hunt some witches, with a cumbersome trackball guiding movement and a slot-based combat system |
DS | The World Ends With You | Jupiter/Square Enix | A fashionable, frantic ARPG that utilizes badges of sorts to determine attack abilities |
Switch | The World Ends With You Final Remix | Jupiter/Square Enix | Adds an extra scenario, but incorporates awkward motion/touch controls |
PS4 | The Yakuza Remastered Collection | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | A bundle containing the remastered versions of Yakuza 3/4/5 (first instance of a physical Yakuza 5 in the West) |
Xbox One | The Yakuza Remastered Collection (DL only) | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | See PS4 |
Xbox Series | The Yakuza Remastered Collection (DL only) | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | See PS4 |
PSX | Thousand Arms | RED Entertainment/Atlus | JRPG with heavy dating sim elements |
PSX | Threads of Fate | Square | Two-scenario ARPG with unconventional stat-increasing mechanics |
PSP | Threads of Fate (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
PS3 | Threads of Fate (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
Vita | Threads of Fate (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
PS3 | Time and Eternity | Imageepoch | Strange, oft-criticized game with an offbeat anime-hybrid art style, dating-sim elements, and a single party member; repetitive gameplay |
Dreamcast | Time Stalkers | Climax | Your level goes back down to 1 after beating a boss. Enough said. |
PSX | Tobal No. 1 | DreamFactory | A fighting game with an additional quest mode with roguelike dungeon crawling |
Wii U | Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE | Atlus | Modern-themed crossover between the Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem series, turn-based gameplay and combo attacks |
Switch | Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore | Atlus | Adds new side stories and all previous DLC; allows a secondary party member to be called into combat; other QoL changes |
PS3 | Tokyo Twilight Ghost Hunters | Toybox/Now Production | SRPG/visual novel hybrid of sorts with a ghost-hunting theme, combat takes place on a grid, traps are important to place, luck is a very important factor |
Vita | Tokyo Twilight Ghost Hunters | Toybox/Now Production | See PS3 |
PS4 | Tokyo Twilight Ghost Hunters - Daybreak Special Gigs | Toybox/Now Production | See PS3 |
Vita | Tokyo Twilight Ghost Hunters - Daybreak Special Gigs (DL only) | Toybox/Now Production | See PS3 |
PS3 | Tokyo Twilight Ghost Hunters - Daybreak Special Gigs (DL only) | Toybox/Now Production | Enhanced remake of the original that makes some slight QoL improvements to battle, adds extra story scenes, and bonus harder battles |
Vita | Tokyo Xanadu | Falcom | ARPG with a modern setting; rock-paper-scissors-like enemy weaknesses require quick party member swapping, linear dungeons |
PS4 | Tokyo Xanadu eX+ | Falcom | Contains new post-game content and side stories |
JP GBA | Tomato Adventure | AlphaDream | You say "tomato," I say "a silly RPG with toy-based gimmicks in combat, humor throughout, and lots of lycopene!" |
NES | Tombs and Treasure | Falcom | 1st-person dungeon crawl with some point-and-click elements |
Switch | Tomomi (DL only) | NUL2 Studio | A solo-developed Metroidvania that leans into humor |
PSX | Torneko: The Last Hope | Chunsoft/Matrix Software | Roguelike sequel to Torneko no Daibouken (SFC), second localized Mystery Dungeon game |
JP SFC | Torneko no Daibouken: Fushigi no Dungeon | Chunsoft | First game in the Mystery Dungeon series, with a Dragon Quest coat of paint |
JP Mega Drive | Tougi-Ou: King Colossus | Sega | Another Ys wannabe |
PS4 | Touhou: Scarlet Curiosity (DL only) | Ankake Spa | A bland dungeon-crawling ARPG/bullet hell hybrid where jumping is the most broken-tier skill of all |
PS4 | Touhou Genso Wanderer | Aqua Style | See Vita |
Vita | Touhou Genso Wanderer (DL only) | Aqua Style | Roguelike featuring the Touhou girls and bland dungeons |
PS4 | Touhou Genso Wanderer -Lotus Labyrinth R- (DL only) | Aqua Style | Gives the game a large party size to split off and make teams with, skills to further customize said teams, and loads of loadouts to streamline the experience |
Switch | Touhou Genso Wanderer -Lotus Labyrinth R- (DL only) | Aqua Style | See PS4 |
PS4 | Touhou Genso Wanderer Reloaded | Aqua Style | Adds all DLC from the original, new story content, and characters; tweaks some gameplay mechanics |
Switch | Touhou Genso Wanderer Reloaded | Aqua Style | See PS4 |
Switch | Touhou Shoujo Tale of Beautiful Memories (DL only) | The N Main Shop | A pixelated ARPG/turn-based hybrid featuring characters from throughout the long-running series |
JP FC | Toujin Makyou Den: Heracles no Eikou | Data East | First in a long Greek-themed series that Nintendo never bothered to localize (except that one time) |
PS4 | Toukiden 2 | Omega Force | See Vita |
Vita | Toukiden 2 | Omega Force | Features an open world map for story mode, adds a grappling hook-like mechanic, small helpers to gather items for you, all on the pretense of hunting demonic monsters |
Vita | Toukiden: Kiwami | Omega Force | Contains the entirety of the original game and adds more weapons, monsters, and story content |
Vita | Toukiden: The Age of Demons | Omega Force | Koei Tecmo's Monster Hunter clone; targeting specific body parts of demons to collect particular spoils is crucial to attribute improvement |
PS4 | Toukiden Kiwami | Omega Force | See Vita |
Switch | Traditional Braves (DL only) | Daidai | An SRPG with sparse map and unit design, but interesting card mechanics in combat |
PS4 | Traditional Braves (DL only) | Daidai | See Switch |
Xbox 360 | Transformers: Devastation | PlatinumGames | Think Bayonetta, but with Autobots! Upgradeable/synthesizable weaponry and stat increases |
PS3 | Transformers: Devastation | PlatinumGames | See 360 |
PS4 | Transformers: Devastation | PlatinumGames | See 360 |
Xbox One | Transformers: Devastation | PlatinumGames | See 360 |
PS2 | Trapt | Paon Corporation | Unofficially part of the Deception series, with all the trap-placing gameplay intact |
Genesis | Traysia | Telenet | Fairly standard, grid-based combat |
JP SFC | Treasure Hunter G | Sting | Another forgotten Square-published game, action point-based SRPG |
PS4 | Trials of Mana | Xeen/Square Enix | Brings the game into 3D, adds new difficulty levels, gives characters abilities for buffs, adds an extra class tier, among many other QoL changes |
Switch | Trials of Mana | Xeen/Square Enix | See PS4 |
Switch | Triangle Strategy | Square Enix/Artdink | An SRPG core with a heavy emphasis on narrative decision-making and trying to sway party members to agree with your decisions |
Vita | Trillion: God of Destruction | Compile Heart/Idea Factory | Lots of complex stat management in this semi-turn-based, semi-roguelike where the characters you raise will inevitably die only to pass their stats along |
PS3 | Trinity: Souls of Zill O'll | Omega Force | ARPG with 3 different playable characters that can be switched between on the fly, first of its series to be localized |
PS3 | Trinity Universe | Idea Factory/Gust/Nippon Ichi | Turn-based, has two different protagonists (each with different guest characters from Atelier and Disgaea) and an AP-based combo system |
PS2 | Tsugunai: Atonement | Cattle Call | Broken up into various quests rather than one fully linear experience- not all quests revolve around combat |
Switch | Twin Blades of the Three Kingdoms (DL only) | Unico | Tactical gameplay on a much smaller scale telling the oft-spun yarn of the Three Kingdoms with anime character portraits galore |
Switch | Ultra Kaiju Monster Rancher (DL/Asia English) | Koei Tecmo | An Ultraman-Monster Rancher crossover that maybe nobody asked for, but everyone needed (same gameplay as older titles, but kaiju-sized!) |
3DS | Unchained Blades (DL only) | FuRyu | Identical to the PSP version except for the placement of dungeon maps on the bottom screen |
PSP | Unchained Blades (DL only) | FuRyu | First-person dungeon crawler with monster recruitment, customizable party members; made by a large number of industry veterans |
NES | Uncharted Waters | Koei | Do you like micromanagement? Capitalism? Minimal fantasy? This may be for you! |
Genesis | Uncharted Waters | Koei | Historical JRPG |
SNES | Uncharted Waters: New Horizons | Koei | 6 different protagonists with different careers to balance the books with in a mercantile JRPG |
Xbox One | Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi | Experience | A first-person dungeon crawler taking place in an alternate 1970's Japan with dark themes and high-risk, high-reward strategizing |
PS5 | Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi | Experience | See XBO |
Switch | Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi | Experience | See XBO |
PS4 | Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi | Experience | See XBO |
Xbox 360 | Unholy Heights (DL only) | Petit Depotto | An insane cross between a tower defense and an apartment manager sim, where you manage an abode for monsters that have their own lives |
3DS | Unholy Heights (DL only) | Petit Depotto | See 360 |
PS4 | Unholy Heights (DL only) | Petit Depotto | See 360 |
PS2 | Unlimited Saga | Square | Much-maligned game with 7 different protagonists, a board-game style of exploration, and an obtuse combat system |
3DS | Unlucky Mage (DL only) | Exe-Create | Kemco game with a bit of humor to it, particularly when it comes to spell names and snappy writing; gameplay is otherwise as cookie-cutter as always |
JP FC | Ushio to Tora: Shin'en no Daiyou | 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 |
Vita | Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception | Aquaplus | First localized title in the series, an SRPG/visual novel mix that requires no knowledge of the game that came before it; adding combos to an attack can change its properties |
PS4 | Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception | Aquaplus | See Vita |
PS4 | Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth | Aquaplus | See Vita |
Vita | Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth | Aquaplus | Direct sequel to Mask of Deception, plays very similar to it; adds co-op attacks, continues the strong localization of its sister title |
PS4 | Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen | Aquaplus/Sting | See Vita |
Vita | Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen (DL only) | Aquaplus/Sting | A remake of the previously JP-only first game in the series; an SRPG/visual novel hybrid with an emphasis on chaining together attacks with proper timing |
PS4 | Utawarerumono: ZAN | Aquaplus | A musou-like adaptation of Mask of Deception, stripping away a lot of the story in the process |
PSX | Vagrant Story | Square | Darker-themed ARPG with the same setting as Final Fantasy XII and Tactics, heavy crafting focus |
Vita | Vagrant Story (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
PSP | Vagrant Story (Psone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
PS3 | Vagrant Story (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
PSP | Valhalla Knights | K2 | Combat takes place in real-time with instant character switching but is a tad clunky, job system/subclassing confers abilities onto party members |
Vita | Valhalla Knights (DL only) | K2 | See PSP |
PSP | Valhalla Knights 2 | K2 | Not much different from the first at all, cumbersome spell systems and mission structure with bland environments |
Vita | Valhalla Knights 2: Battle Stance (DL only) | K2 | See PSP |
PSP | Valhalla Knights 2: Battle Stance (DL only) | K2 | Adds handy warp points, more customization options, more quests, more monsters, and cuts the maximum party size down from 6 to 4 |
Vita | Valhalla Knights 3 | K2 | Similar sort of ARPG as its predecessors, only with a party of 7 and a very antiquated view on the objectification of women |
Wii | Valhalla Knights: Eldar Saga | K2 | ARPG with a lot of similarities to Monster Hunter and a job system |
JP Saturn | Valhollian | Datt Japan | SRPG with 3D scenes to show attacking, combination attacks are possible and can lead to bonding conversations |
PS3 | Valkyria Chronicles | Sega | Squad-focused SRPG with real-time troop movement limited by AP, tanks are also controllable (and destructable) |
PSP | Valkyria Chronicles 2 | Sega | Plays a lot like the first, but with a more school-like setting compared to the first game |
Vita | Valkyria Chronicles 2 (DL only) | Sega | See PSP |
JP PSP | Valkyria Chronicles 3 | Sega/Media.Vision | Runs parallel to the first game, dark in tone but very anime-like characters, plays like the other games in the series |
Xbox One | Valkyria Chronicles 4 | Sega/Media.Vision | See PS4 |
Switch | Valkyria Chronicles 4 | Sega/Media.Vision | See PS4 |
PS4 | Valkyria Chronicles 4 | Sega/Media.Vision | Plays much like the other numbered entries with the grit of the first game; adds a new class and assist options in the thick of battle |
PS4 | Valkyria Chronicles Remastered | Sega | Improves the already gorgeous look of the first game and includes all DLC, otherwise is the same as the original |
Switch | Valkyria Chronicles Remastered (DL only) | Sega | See PS4 |
Xbox One | Valkyria Revolution | Media.Vision | See Vita |
PS4 | Valkyria Revolution | Media.Vision | See Vita |
Vita | Valkyria Revolution (DL only) | Media.Vision | Abandons the previously established canon of the series and tries to adopt a more action-based format with some tactical elements still in play |
Vita | Valkyrie Drive: Bhikkhuni | Meteorise | Less apologetic and even more lewd, another beat-em-up by the Senran Kagura creator with questionable transformations |
PS5 | Valkyrie Elysium | Soleil/Square Enix | A side game (but not really) that leans far, far, far more heavily into action than RPG elements, with a skill tree to upgrade stats and general disappointment for fans of the series |
PS4 | Valkyrie Elysium | Soleil/Square Enix | See PS5 |
JP FC | Valkyrie no Bouken: Toki no Kagi Densetsu | Namco | Minimal text, starring Namco's famous valkyrie |
PSX | Valkyrie Profile | Tri-Ace | 2D dungeon exploration, grim themes, and a combo-based battle system |
PS2 | Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria | Tri-Ace | Similar combat and dungeon exploration as the first game, but with no time limits or pressure to release Einherjar |
DS | Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume | Tri-Ace | Prequel to the first Valkyrie Profile; an SRPG where permakilling party members voluntarily can greatly aid in battle |
PSP | Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth | Tose/Tri-Ace | An English port of the Japanese PSX version, not too different overall but does spiff up the localization a bit and adds a few cutscenes |
PS5 | Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth (DL only) | Square Enix | See PSP |
PS4 | Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth (DL only) | Square Enix | See PSP |
PSX | Vandal Hearts | KCET | Standard SRPG gameplay with non-set classes |
JP Saturn | Vandal Hearts | KCET | A spiffed up version of the PSX game, with new maps/spells/music/items |
PSX | Vandal Hearts II | KCET | SRPG with non-set classes and turns in which the player and enemy move simultaneously |
PSX | Vanguard Bandits | Human Entertainment | Fantasy/mech hybrid SRPG with a system balancing actions and resting |
PSP | Vanguard Bandits (PSone Classics) | Human Entertainment | See PSX |
Vita | Vanguard Bandits (PSone Classics) | Human Entertainment | See PSX |
PS3 | Vanguard Bandits (PSone Classics) | Human Entertainment | See PSX |
PS4 | Various Daylife (DL only) | Dokidoki Groove Works/Square Enix | See Switch |
Switch | Various Daylife (DL only) | Dokidoki Groove Works/Square Enix | Do jobs, juggle gaining (and losing!) XP as a result of said jobs, maybe do some quests, repeat (with some element of social links) |
Sega CD | Vay | Hertz/SIMS | Standard Working Designs localization, turn-based gameplay, and difficulty spikes galore |
Saturn | Virtual Hydlide | T&E Soft | Remake of the first Hydlide, with the best framerate known to man |
PS2 | Virtua Quest | Sega-AM2/Tose | ARPG with a main character so lame, he has to capture the souls of the Virtua Fighter characters to become cool |
GameCube | Virtua Quest | Sega-AM2/Tose | An ARPG starring a lame kid who has to enslave the souls of Virtua Fighter characters to become cool |
Switch | Vivid Knight (DL only) | Asobism | A roguelike with an auto-battle system, heavy reliance on RNG, and many crystals that combine to increase party stats |
JP Mega Drive | Vixen 357 | NCS | Mechy SRPG with permadeath, an official localization was planned in 2019 but abandoned |
Switch | Voice of Cards: The Beasts of Burden (DL only) | Square Enix | Doesn't drastically shake up the formula from the first 2 games, but does add a monster-taming mechanic and features a female GM |
PS4 | Voice of Cards: The Beasts of Burden (DL only) | Square Enix | See Switch |
Switch | Voice of Cards: The Forsaken Maiden (DL only) | Alim/Square Enix | See PS4 |
PS4 | Voice of Cards: The Forsaken Maiden (DL only) | Alim/Square Enix | An experience largely the same as the first game, but with a new, arguably more relaxing story and atmosphere |
Switch | Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars (DL only) | Alim/Square Enix | Yoko Taro makes a card game with a heavy tabletop aesthetic |
PS4 | Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars (DL only) | Alim/Square Enix | See Switch |
PS5 | Void tRrLM();++ //Void Terrarium++ | Nippon Ichi | See PS4, but with extra areas to explore and some cosmetic additions |
PS4 | Void tRrLm(); //Void Terrarium | Nippon Ichi | Plays like a mystery dungeon title with a Tamagotchi-like twist; keeping your human alive and happy can give you bonuses in dungeons |
Switch | Void tRrLM(); //Void Terrarium | Nippon Ichi | See PS4 |
PSP | Warriors of the Lost Empire | Platinum Egg | A fairly mindless hack-and-slash ARPG with some very questionable enemy AI |
Vita | Warriors of the Lost Empire (DL only) | Platinum Egg | See PSP |
Genesis | Warsong | NCS | AKA Langrisser I |
PS3 | Way of the Samurai 3 | Acquire | A Sengoku-era ARPG with 22 different endings; weapons gain XP and lead to learning skills, many butterfly effect-type decisions to make |
Xbox 360 | Way of the Samurai 3 | Acquire | See PS3 |
PS3 | Way of the Samurai 4 (DL only) | Acquire | Another iteration of the samurai sim taking place during the last days of the shogunate; skills can gain XP in order to become stronger and unlock higher tiers |
3DS | Weapon Shop de Omasse (DL only) | Nex Entertainment | A parody of traditional JRPGs, where you play as a weaponsmith renting out your crafted (via rhythm minigame) wares to adventurers in order to level them |
Vita | What Did I Do To Deserve This, My Lord!? (DL only) | Acquire/Rideon | See PSP |
PSP | What Did I Do To Deserve This, My Lord!? (DL only) | Acquire/Rideon | You're the bad guy who has to build the dungeons and buff up your monsters to kill off the good guys! |
PSP | What Did I Do To Deserve This, My Lord!? 2 | Acquire | Make more dungeons, be more dastardly, and use your newfound ability to mutate monsters as you increase their stats! |
Vita | What Did I Do To Deserve This, My Lord!? 2 (DL only) | Acquire | See PSP |
PS3 | White Knight Chronicles: International Edition | Level-5/SCEJ | Attempts to be a MMO/JRPG hybrid with customizable avatar; doesn't really succeed at it, repetitive combo-based combat system |
PS3 | White Knight Chronicles II | Level-5/SCEJ | Puts a coat of polish over the first game's systems, but does little to improve them; the disc also includes a copy of the first game with the reworked battle system |
PSX | Wild Arms | Media.Vision | Amazing theme song, standard turn-based combat, tool-focused dungeon exploration |
PS5 | Wild Arms (DL only) | Media.Vision | See PSX |
PS4 | Wild Arms (DL only) | Media.Vision | See PSX |
Vita | Wild Arms (PSone Classics) | Media.Vision | See PSX |
PS3 | Wild Arms (PSone Classics) | Media Vision | See PSX |
PSP | Wild Arms (PSone Classics) | Media.Vision | See PSX |
PSX | Wild Arms 2 | Media.Vision | Old Western setting, plays similarly to the first |
PSP | Wild Arms 2 (PSone Classics) | Media.Vision | See PSX |
PS3 | Wild Arms 2 (PSone Classics) | Media Vision | See PSX |
Vita | Wild Arms 2 (PSone Classics) | Media.Vision | See PSX |
PS2 | Wild Arms 3 | Media.Vision | Wild West-themed, turn-based, town discovery requires utilizing a GPS-like system, frequent encounters |
PS4 | Wild Arms 3 (DL only) | Media.Vision | See PS2 |
PS2 | Wild Arms 4 | Media.Vision | Abandons the Wild West theme of the previous games; actions in combat affect targeted areas rather than allies/enemies |
PS2 | Wild Arms 5 | Media.Vision | Back to Filgaia's Wild West theme, but maintains the hex system from WA4 |
PS2 | Wild Arms Alter Code: F | Media.Vision | 3D remake of Wild Arms, adding 5 playable characters and some QoL improvements |
PSP | Wild Arms XF | Media.Vision | Takes the hex grid system seen in later series entries and makes an SRPG out of them, a vitality points system adds an additional time limit to regular battles |
Vita | Wild Arms XF (DL only) | Media.Vision | See PSP |
NES | Willow | Capcom | Yes, based off the 80's movie with Warwick Davis and Val Kilmer. Solid ARPG gameplay! |
Switch | Witch & Hero (DL only) | FK Digital/Flyhigh Works | See 3DS |
3DS | Witch & Hero (DL only) | FK Digital/Flyhigh Works | An overly simplistic game where you as the hero defend the the titular witch by repeatedly bumping into waves of enemies to kill them, level up, rinse, and repeat |
Switch | Witch & Hero II (DL only) | Flyhigh Works | See 3DS |
3DS | Witch & Hero II (DL only) | Flyhigh Works | A new hero and witch to control, both at the same time; gameplay is otherwise unchanged |
3DS | Witch & Hero III (DL only) | Flyhigh Works | The witch goes back to being stationary, but now you control a second little hero to endlessly ram enemies with |
PS3 | Wizardry: Labyrinth of Lost Souls (DL only) | Acquire | Same ol' Wizardry - another difficult first-person dungeon crawler |
PS2 | Wizardry: Tale of the Forsaken Land | Racjin | Surprise! This is actually a JRPG! First-person dungeon-crawler like its parent WRPG series |
PS4 | Wizards of Brandel (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Vita |
Switch | Wizards of Brandel (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Vita |
Vita | Wizards of Brandel (DL only) | Exe-Create | Tries to have a sense of humor about its story, but is otherwise just another Kemco game |
Xbox One | Wizards of Brandel (DL only) | Exe-Create | See Vita |
Switch | Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World | Artdink | A remake of Monster World IV with added game modes and character voices |
PS4 | Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World | Artdink | See Switch |
Switch | Wonder Boy: Monster Land (DL only) | Westone Bit Entertainment/Sega | (AKA Wonder Boy in Monster Land) See SMS, but with challenge modes and QoL features |
PS4 | Wonder Boy Collection | Bliss Brain/Westone Bit Entertainment | Contains versions of 4 Wonder Boy titles (including in Monster Land, in Monster World, and Monster World IV) |
Switch | Wonder Boy Collection | Bliss Brain/Westone Bit Entertainment | See PS4 |
Master System | Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap | Westone Bit Entertainment | A nonlinear game where transforming into different monster forms (and buying better statted equipment) is key to progression |
Master System | Wonder Boy in Monster Land | Westone Bit Entertainment/Sega | A side-scrolling ARPG where score serves as XP of sorts and there is purchasable equipment to increase stats |
Xbox 360 | Wonder Boy in Monster Land (DL only) | Westone Bit Entertainment | An emulation of the arcade version |
PS3 | Wonder Boy in Monster Land (DL only) | Westone Bit Entertainment | See 360 |
Genesis | Wonder Boy in Monster World | 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 |
JP SFC | Wonder Project J: Kikai no Shounen Pino | Almanic | Raise your robo-boy to follow commands, improve his stats, and rescue his creator (Think Pac-Man 2) |
Switch | WorldNeverland: Elnea Kingdom (DL only) | Althi | A slice-of-kingdom-life sim with dungeons to explore and very large amounts of townspeople to talk to/marry; skills can be leveled to make kingdom life easier |
PS4 | World of Final Fantasy | Square Enix | See Vita |
Vita | World of Final Fantasy | Square Enix | Chibified/simplified return to turn-based FF combat, where stacking characters confers stronger attacks |
Xbox One | World of Final Fantasy Maxima | Square Enix | Adds QoL changes, superbosses, New Game+, and the ability to change your characters into classic FF characters in battle |
Switch | World of Final Fantasy Maxima | Square Enix | See XBO |
PS4 | World of Final Fantasy Maxima | Square Enix | See XBO |
JP SFC | Xak: The Art of Visual Stage | Micro Cabin/Tokai Engineering | Ys' cousin, but the story only covers the first half of the first game on MSX |
N-Gage | Xanadu Next | Falcom/ScriptArts | Isometric ARPG gameplay with a clunky class-switching system of sorts and a different story than the PC version |
Wii | Xenoblade Chronicles | Monolith Soft | I'm really feeling loads of sidequests and ARPG combat! |
Wii U | Xenoblade Chronicles (DL only) | Monolith Soft | See Wii |
Switch | Xenoblade Chronicles 2 | Monolith Soft | A vast, open world with character designs that lean far closer to anime than its predecesor; some gacha mechanics for unlocking new summonable spirits |
Switch | Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna - The Golden Country | Monolith Soft | Serves as both a DLC to XC2 as well as a standalone game; set long before the main game; combat is more dynamic than the main game |
Switch | Xenoblade Chronicles 3 | Monolith Soft | Adds a class system to the series' lauded exploration, 6 active party members in combat at once; heavy emphasis on character interaction that works in its favor |
3DS | Xenoblade Chronicles 3D (New 3DS only) | Monolith Soft/Monster Games | More or less the same as the original, but changes the HUD a little bit and adds a few bonus modes like a model viewer and jukebox |
Switch | Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition | Monolith Soft/Monster Games | Adds an entire epilogue section, cleans up the graphics significantly, and has a lot of QoL improvements |
Wii U | Xenoblade Chronicles X | Monolith Soft | Open-world ARPG with a customizable avatar, mechs are available, combat is somewhat complex, story not linked to other Xeno games |
PSX | Xenogears | Square | Almost unlocalized due to heavy religious/philosophical themes, action point-based combat |
PSP | Xenogears (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
Vita | Xenogears (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
PS3 | Xenogears (PSone Classics) | Square | See PSX |
PS2 | Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht | Monolith Soft | Spiritual successor to Xenogears, with similar AP-based combat; has a ton of cutscenes |
PS2 | Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und Bose | Monolith Soft | Made some changes to the combat system that were largely panned at the time, but otherwise more of the same |
PS2 | Xenosaga Episode III: Also Sprach Zarathustra | Monolith Soft | Xenosaga was intended to be a 6-part series- this entry makes it extremely evident |
PS2 | Yakuza | Amusement Vision | Tons of minigames, ARPG combat, and a badass protagonist; lots of major Hollywood actors in the English voice cast |
PS4 | Yakuza 0 | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | Money serves as a sort of XP in this prequel to the main series, starring 80's Kiryu and Majima |
Xbox One | Yakuza 0 (DL only) | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | See PS4 |
PS2 | Yakuza 2 | Amusement Vision | Kazuma Kiryu's Kamurocho shenanigans continue with a JP-only voice cast |
PS3 | Yakuza 3 | Amusement Vision/Sega | Continues Kiryu's story but takes out a fair amount of content due to rushed localization (hostess clubs, for example) |
PS4 | Yakuza 3 Remastered | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | Brings back a lot of content (substories/cabaret) originally cut from the western version and streamlines the localization |
Xbox One | Yakuza 3 Remastered (DL only) | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | See PS4 |
Xbox Series | Yakuza 3 Remastered (DL only) | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | See PS4 |
PS3 | Yakuza 4 | Amusement Vision/Sega | Adds additional protagonists in addition to furthering Kiryu's saga (with tons to do in Kamurocho as always) |
PS4 | Yakuza 4 Remastered | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | Cleans up the localization and has a major character recast from the original due to real-world legal proceedings, otherwise is very similar |
Xbox Series | Yakuza 4 Remastered (DL only) | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | See PS4 |
Xbox One | Yakuza 4 Remastered (DL only) | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | See PS4 |
PS3 | Yakuza 5 (DL only) | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | Has 5 controllable protagonists total and takes place over 5 different cities, uses a more enhanced graphics engine than other PS3 games in the series |
PS4 | Yakuza 5 Remastered | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | Minimal changes from the original overall, most notably a reworked localization |
Xbox Series | Yakuza 5 Remastered (DL only) | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | See PS4 |
Xbox One | Yakuza 5 Remastered (DL only) | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | See PS4 |
Xbox One | Yakuza 6: The Song of Life | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | See PS4 |
Xbox Series | Yakuza 6: The Song of Life | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | See PS4 |
PS4 | Yakuza 6: The Song of Life | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | Final game in Kiryu's saga, only one playable protagonist and fighting style, experience is divided into multiple types to level stats |
PS3 | Yakuza: Dead Souls | Sega | Non-canonical spinoff taking place after Yakuza 4; 4 playable protagonists and reduced exploration ability (on account of there being zombies everywhere) |
Xbox Series | Yakuza: Like a Dragon | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | See XBO |
PS4 | Yakuza: Like a Dragon | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | See XBO |
Xbox One | Yakuza: Like a Dragon | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | Plays way more like a traditional turn-based JRPG, Kiryu is for once not the main character in the story, classic Yakuza shenanigans |
PS5 | Yakuza: Like a Dragon | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | See XBO |
PS4 | Yakuza Kiwami | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | A retelling of the story of the first Yakuza in the Yakuza 0 engine, using Japanese dialogue rather than a dub and adding a system where Majima can ambush you anywhere |
Xbox One | Yakuza Kiwami (DL only) | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | See PS4 |
PS4 | Yakuza Kiwami 2 | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | A retelling of Yakuza 2, adding minigames seen in other series entries as well as prequel chapters (and more Majima) |
Xbox One | Yakuza Kiwami 2 (DL only) | Ryu ga Gotoku Studio | See PS4 |
PSP | Yggdra Union: We'll Never Fight Alone | Sting | Adds new characters, redrawn sprites, increased unit capacity, more story sequences, and tweaks skills found in the original |
GBA | Yggdra Union: We'll Never Fight Alone | Sting | Second Dept. Heaven game, an SRPG with card-based movement and skills as well as some real-time elements |
3DS | Yo-kai Watch | Level-5 | Level-5's charming Pokemon-like franchise; demons are discovered in the "real" world, befriended, collected, and used in battle, combat occasionally involves minigames |
3DS | Yo-kai Watch 2: Fleshy Souls/Bony Spirits | Level-5 | Frequently retreads the same ground as the first game, with Pokemon-styled version splitting to collect all the Yo-kai |
3DS | Yo-kai Watch 2: Psychic Specters | Level-5 | The all-encompassing third version of Yo-kai Watch 2, adds an additional questing area and a whole new tribe of demons to befriend |
3DS | Yo-kai Watch 3 | Level-5 | Changes setting to a more Western-themed one, combat is affected by team positioning on a grid, the two protagonists can be switched between at almost any time |
3DS | Yo-kai Watch Blasters: Red Cat Corps/White Dog Squad | Level-5 | An ARPG that acts as a bit of a Ghostbusters parody and a sequel to Yo-kai Watch 2; orbs are collected during missions to level up the team of Yo-kai and buy items |
Switch | Yodanji (DL only) | Kemco | Yokai-themed roguelike with many unlockable/playable demons, minimalistic graphics, and limited inventory space |
JP FC | Ys | Falcom | Adol bumps into the enemies to slay them |
Vita | Ys: Memories of Celceta | Falcom | Considered by Falcom to the the real Ys IV; still an ARPG, has party members with a variety of attack types, parrying can reduce damage taken and enable counterattacks |
PS4 | Ys: Memories of Celceta | Falcom | Adds a Japanese voice option, otherwise see Vita |
PSP | Ys: The Ark of Napishtim | Falcom | Closer to the original PC Japanese version than the PS2 version was; also adds some extra quests; very long and frequent loading |
PS2 | Ys: The Ark of Napishtim | Falcom | Technically Ys VI; Adol can jump now, so that's cool |
PSP | Ys: The Oath in Felghana | Falcom | Remastered version of Ys III, taking gameplay elements from Ys VI and expanding the storyline with extra scenes |
Vita | Ys: The Oath in Felghana (DL only) | Falcom | See PSP |
Master System | Ys: The Vanished Omens | Falcom/Sega | Some dungeon areas are horizontally flipped, but is otherwise generally similar to the original release |
Turbografx-CD | Ys Book I & II | Falcom | Another way to experience the glory of Adol? Ys, please! |
PSP | Ys I & II Chronicles | Falcom | Mostly the same as previous versions, but with a new soundtrack option as well as newly done character portraits |
Vita | Ys I & II Chronicles (DL only) | Falcom | See PSP |
JP FC | Ys II | Falcom | Adds magic to Adol's repertoire |
Genesis | Ys III | Telenet/Falcom | Plays like the other releases, but with arguably better music and game balance |
JP FC | Ys III: Wanderers From Ys | Falcom | Changes the battles to be side-scrolling rather than top-down and allows Adol to swing his sword/jump |
Turbografx-CD | Ys III: Wanderers From Ys | Falcom/Alfa System | It's sidescrolling Ys- that's all there is to it |
SNES | Ys III: Wanderers From Ys | Falcom/Advance Communication | Similar to the FC version, but with cleaner graphics and arguably worse hit detection |
JP SFC | Ys IV: Mask of the Sun | Tonkin House | Non-canonical to the Ys series after the release of Memories of Celceta |
JP PC Engine | Ys IV: The Dawn of Ys (CD) | Hudson Soft | Technically different from the Ys IV on SFC/other consoles |
PS4 | Ys IX: Monstrum Nox | Falcom | Carries over a lot of gameplay elements from Ys VIII; Adol's most story/character-heavy tale yet; features new movement mechanics for world traversal |
Switch | Ys IX: Monstrum Nox | Falcom | See PS4 |
PS4 | Ys Origin | Falcom | See Vita |
Vita | Ys Origin | Falcom | An Ys without Adol as the protagonist! Has 3 different protagonists and takes place as a strictly interior dungeon crawl, goes back to hack-and-slash spirtes |
Switch | Ys Origin | Falcom | See Vita |
Xbox One | Ys Origin (DL only) | Falcom | See Vita |
PSP | Ys Seven | Falcom | Adds party members to the regular Ys formula, in addition to making weapon types (slashing, blunt) determine an enemy's susceptibility to them |
Vita | Ys Seven (DL only) | Falcom | See PSP |
JP SFC | Ys V: Ushinawareta Suna no Miyako Kefin | Falcom | Only game in the series to have never been localized (hopefully this will change?) |
PS5 | Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana | Falcom | See Vita, with some slightly enhanced visuals |
PS4 | Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana | Falcom | Has more dungeons and forms for Dana than the Vita version, at the expense of some costumes |
Vita | Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana | Falcom | Adol in ARPG action again, with a settlement-building mechanic and up to 3 party members in combat |
Switch | Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana | Falcom | See PS4 |
JP PSP | Ys vs. Sora no Kiseki: Alternative Saga | Falcom | A 3D arena fighting game- very Power Stone-like, where characters from Ys and Trails collide (and level while doing so) |
PSP | Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Tag Force 4 | Konami | See above, with some differenct characters |
PS2 | Yu-Gi-Oh!: Capsule Monster Coliseum | WinkySoft/KCEJ | SRPG featuring the Capsule Monsters before they got their own spinoff anime |
GBA | Yu-Gi-Oh!: Reshef of Destruction | Konami | You will be judged by many for playing this game and even more for enjoying it- be warned |
PS2 | Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Duelists of the Roses | KCEJ | Something something loose adaptation of War of the Roses in a children's card game with grids to place monsters (that can rank up) on |
GameCube | Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Falsebound Kingdom | Konami | It's an RTS/turn-based RPG hybrid with Yu-Gi-Oh characters. I don't make the rules here. |
GBA | Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Sacred Cards | Konami | Surprisingly, there's a story surrounding the gameplay of a children's card game. You level by dueling. Shrug. |
PS2 | Yu-Gi-Oh! GX: The Beginning of Destiny | KCEJ | Adds more duels to the the PSP Tag Force game, also allows for connectivity with Tag Force 2 to obtain more cards |
PSP | Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force | Konami | Something something children's card game, beating rivals levels you up and makes you eligible to buy better booster packs |
PSP | Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force 2 | Konami | If you played the first one, you've played this one; playing the previous game can unlock extra cards |
Switch | Yumeiri (DL only) | Affility | Simple visuals but challenging text-heavy gameplay with heavy real-life subject matter |
JP SFC | Yume Meikyuu: Kigurumi Daibouken | Axes Art Amuse | First-person dungeon crawl; kill the enemies and take their costumes! |
JP PSP | Yuusha 30 Second | Marvelous | All episodes play like Hero 30 of the original game, but adds more QoL features like leveling outside missions |
PSP | Z.H.P. Unlosing Ranger vs. Darkdeath Evilman | Nippon Ichi | Mostly a roguelike, completing dungeons adds to your stats; mandatory boss battles take place in a more traditional turn-based format, highly customizable main character |
JP Wii | Zangeki no Reginleiv | Sandlot | Mission-based structure; free-running in stages and lots of emphasis on motion controls to attack, enemies drop mana that can be used to level up various weapons |
PS4 | Zanki Zero: Last Beginning | Spike Chunsoft | A visual novel/survival RPG hybrid with levels awarding skill points, exploration is like a first-person dungeon crawler and combat is real-time; lots of managing deaths |
NES | Zelda II: The Adventure of Link | Nintendo | A side-scrolling Zelda game with XP and leveling? Surely this must be (an) Error! |
GBA | Zelda II: The Adventure of Link | Nintendo | See NES |
Switch | Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (NSO) | Nintendo | See NES |
Wii U | Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (VC) | Nintendo | See NES |
GBA | Zoids: Legacy | Amedio | In Japan, known as Zoids Saga II; standard turn-based combat, based on the anime |
Xbox 360 | Zoids Assault | SE Mobile & Online | SRPG featuring the long-running Zoids franchise and a lot of washed-out color palettes |
JP DS | Zoids Saga DS: Legend of Arcadia | Tomy | Retells the story of the first Zoids Saga game, with updates to gameplay from throughout the series and incorporation of the 2nd/3rd games' protagonists |
JP FC | Zombie Hunter | Hi-Score Media Work | Not the greatest side-scrolling ARPG, but it does have synthesized voices |
Switch | ZombieVital DG (DL only) | StudioGIW | A dungeon maker game where you level up your monsters and create the catacombs you've always wanted; rather graphically sparse |
GBA | Zone of the Enders: The Fist of Mars | Winkysoft | Mecha SRPG with some first-person elements in targeting enemies and attack dodging |
Data collected by Lucca of JRPGC. Please read the FAQ for more information.