The Best JRPGs of All Time, Really?

As I find myself doing far too often, I was randomly browsing the net the other day when an article from IGN caught my eye. The title read, ‘The Top Five Best JRPGs of All Time,’ which immediately sent my spidey senses tingling.

Simply knowing I was about to click into an article that was almost certainly click bait didn’t actually prepare me for IGN’s mind-boggling take on the Best JRPGs of All Time. In fact, I found this particular article so poorly thought out and written that I figured I’d give IGN a helping hand.

Now, while I don’t actually think it’s possible to create a definitive list of the 5 best JRPGs, I do believe I can do a damn better job than Chat GP… Sorry, I mean IGN. So, without further ado, here are 5 JRPGs better than IGN’s Best JRPGs of All Time.

Number 5:

We kick off with the fifth best JRPG of All Time, and while the list doesn’t appear to be in any particular order, placing them from best to worst as listed isn’t going to make this list much worse. So, let’s start with number 5: Yakuza 0. No, that isn’t a typo. IGN actually seems to believe that Yakuza 0, a game classified as a story-rich action beat ’em up, is, in fact, a JRPG.

Reading the short piece IGN uses to justify Yakuza 0’s inclusion on this ‘Best JRPGs of All Time’ list, nowhere do they actually address the fact that Yakuza 0 might be a controversial choice, considering it’s not a JRPG, and Yakuza: Like a Dragon actually exists.

No Yakuza games will be making my list, but I will stick to the PlayStation 3/Xbox 360 era as IGN did and go with Lost Odyssey, arguably the best JRPG on the 360.

Many of its cult following would argue it’s a better Final Fantasy than any that have come along since the series’ PS1 heyday perhaps..

Number 4:
Besides the positioning, IGN’s fourth game on the list deserves to be there as, Final Fantasy 7 remains to this day an engaging, gripping, and truly bewitching RPG that, for many, remains unmatched even in comparison to its recent remake. In fact, as I write this article, I have my vinyl copy of the game’s soundtrack playing in the background. So, as I’m sure you’s agree, choosing a realistic alternative to Final Fantasy 7 for this list is morn than a bit of a challenge. However, if I have to, I think a case for Xenogears being Final Fantasy 7’s closest 32-bit rival can be made.

Much like Final Fantasy 7 after all, Xenogears broke the JRPG mold with its adult themes, impossible scale, and sheer ambition in regard to what a game can be. Oh, and it also has a masterful soundtrack too.

Number 3.
Let’s get back to the nonsense now. IGN’s third-best JRPG of All Time is EarthBound, the SNES cult classic that commands outrageous prices on places like eBay if you fancy getting your hands on a copy today. But, in all honesty, why would you?

Now, don’t get me wrong, EarthBound is a charming game jam-packed with creative writing, humorous characters, and a visual style that has greatly helped it withstand the passage of time. However, compared to even just the RPGs of its era, EarthBound is a flawed gem. It can be cumbersome in places, plodding in others, and more content with being something different rather than a defining RPG. EarthBound simply can’t be considered one of the best JRPGs on the SNES, let alone one of the best of all time.

Given the overwhelming number of RPGs to be found on the SNES, we are really spoiled for choice when it comes to picking a worthy successor to EarthBound for this list. But I think Chrono Trigger is the obvious choice. Titles like Final Fantasy 5/6, Super Mario RPG, Arabian Nights, and many others could all argue in their favor as far better choices for this list. However, in my opinion at least, Chrono Trigger is every bit as good a game today as it was when released back in 1995. It remains visually appealing, compelling to play, and easy to fall in love with. Chrono Trigger is a true masterpiece, without question.

Number 2.
The Kingdom Hearts franchise has such a strong cult following these days that I wouldn’t have been too surprised to see it top a list such as this. However, IGN has instead awarded the PS2 classic a silver medal. Stranger still, by placing Kingdom Hearts 2 as the second-best JRPG of all time, IGN has (I assume) unwittingly made the clear statement that they believe Kingdom Hearts 2 to be the best JRPG on the PS2.

Now, while I’m sure there are Kingdom Hearts fans out there who might agree with such a lofty position for the Disney-flavored RPG, I think many more RPG fans would argue that the likes of Valkyrie Profile 2, Shadow Hearts Covenant, Shin Megami Tensei 3, Radiata Stories, and the .hack//GU Trilogy all rank above Kingdom Hearts 2 when it comes to the best PS2 JRPGs. These titles should have been on this list instead.

For my money, Persona 4 would have been a far better choice for this list. After all, not only is Persona 4 a wonderful RPG in its own right, but as the years go by, the game is proving to be a timeless classic that, with each re-release, is actually growing in popularity, such highlights just how brilliant Persona 4 is, whether it’s the original or the Golden edition.

Number 1.
Ni No Kuni by Level-5 is a stunning game to see in motion, produced by Studio Ghibli. I would expect no less, but even by the standards of the Totoro creators, Ni No Kuni is breathtaking to watch. However, that really is the game’s one-two punch, if you will, Studio Ghibli’s involvement. Beyond the game’s endearing presentation, a cumbersome and, some would say, ugly choice of battle system stands in stark contrast to the handcrafted fairytale setting, which is awash in glorious watercolor. Ni No Kuni is truly, and I can’t state this enough, a very easy game to fall in love with at first sight. But actually sitting down and playing it, the combat, the grinding, the very heart of the game itself—the gameplay—is, at best, lackluster.

Why IGN included Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch on this list is almost as perplexing to me as the inclusion of Yakuza 0. And while I do not wish to attribute this list to an AI writer, reasoning like, “The game provides a vast world full of diverse characters and a combat system that lets players control multiple party members,” makes me think that maybe whoever chose Ni No Kuni as one of the top 5 JRPGs of all time might not have actually played it.

If I were to pick an alternative that could compete with Ni No Kuni in terms of presentation but outclass it in just about every other regard, I’d have to go with Valkyria Chronicles—a standout tactical RPG that was very much ahead of its time. managing to combine anime-inspired watercolor visuals with a memorable story and compelling gameplay. A true standout RPG.

So there you have it: IGN’s Top 5 Best JRPGs versus 5 of our own. What would make your list and what wouldn’t?

5: Yakuza 0 (IGN) versus Lost Odyssey (StageSelect)

4: Final Fantasy 7 (IGN) versus Xenogears (StageSelect)

3: EarthBound (IGN) versus Chrono Trigger (StageSelect)

2: Kingdom Hearts 2 (IGN) versus Persona 4 (StageSelect)

1: Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch (IGN) vs Valkyria Chronicles (StageSelect)

Assistant Editors MissingNoNo.
An avid gamer for over 30 years and a passionate writer for more than a decade, writing for Stage-Select about everything from retro gaming to the next big things from Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo is more than just a job, it’s a passion.