Summary
Whether these titles have been console locked, discontinued, or becomeprohibitively expensive items on eBay, there are many wonderful JRPGs that are unlikely to see the light of day any time soon in an official capacity. Of course, fan-made versions, emulations, or a change of IP ownership may increase the chances of them being available again, but retro game stores are fun and nostalgic for a reason.
Short of flying to Japan and combing through second-hand shops, these titles have become much more difficult to play for modern gamers. Adding to the challenge, consoles remain the most popular platform for younger gamers in Japan, with 72.3% of players still using them, often encouraged by parents who prefer the content control consoles provide.
This turn-based RPG features a young blondie named Lucas who must use his psychic abilities to save the planet from an army of invaders. In contrast to previous entries in the series, it takes a moredramatic and melancholy tonewhile still maintaining a unique surrealist humor. Its development first started in 1994 but was repeatedly put on hold, spanning across several other consoles before its final realization in 2006.
Despite only being released in Japan and having no official localization, this sequel to Earthbound (or Mother 2 in Japan) is now a sought after gem for Western audiences and has been lovingly translated by fans in an unofficial capacity. The freelance work hours required to complete this translation project were estimated to be around $30,000. Released for the Game Boy Advance, official copies are still locked to the system and exceedingly rare. While fans hope foran official localizationor remaster in the future, Nintendo is not often swayed by public opinion, and those who adore the series may have to make do with what they have now. At least fans can play as Lucas in Super Smash Bros.
TheShadow Heartstrilogy is a series of dark, gothic JRPGs released for the PlayStation 2 between 2001 and 2005. The first game follows Yuri Hyuga, a young man with the ability tofuse with monsters, as he embarks on a journey to prevent an ancient evil from taking over the world. The games are known for blending turn-based combat with a unique “Judgment Ring” mechanic, where success in battle depends on timing and precision. The series also stands out for its dark themes, eerie atmosphere, and unique fusion of horror elements with real-world historical settings, from World War I Europe to 1920s China.
WhileShadow Heartsand its direct sequel,Shadow Hearts: Covenant, gained a strong cult following, the final installment,Shadow Hearts: From the New World, failed to garner the same attention. Low production runs and niche appeal have made physical copies of the trilogy particularly rare today. Prices forShadow Hearts: Covenantoften exceed $200, while complete sets of the trilogy can reach over $1,000. Despite their continued popularity among fans of dark JRPGs, theShadow Heartsgames have never been re-released, leaving collectors to track down original PS2 copies.
Panzer Dragoon Sagais a critically acclaimed RPG released for the Sega Saturn in 1998. Departing from the on-rails shooting style of the earlierPanzer Dragoongames,Sagais a fully realized RPG that combines exploration, turn-based combat, and a deep narrative. Players control Edge, a young mercenary who partners with a dragon to uncover the secrets of an ancient, decaying world. The game’s unique battle system allows players to position their dragon in real-time to attack enemies’ weak spots while avoiding incoming threats.
Unfortunately,Panzer Dragoon Sagawas released toward the end of the Sega Saturn’s lifecycle, and its low production run, coupled with Sega’s shift in focus to the Dreamcast, resulted in poor sales. Only about 20,000 copies were shipped to North America, making physical copies of the game extremely rare today. Due to legal issues and the loss of the original source code,Panzer Dragoon Sagahas never seen a re-release, further driving its desirability among collectors. Complete-in-box versions regularly sell for over $1,000, and it remains one of the most coveted Sega Saturn games.
Suikoden IIis a turn-based JRPG released for the PlayStation in 1999 and is considered by many to be one of the best on the system. Created to rival the likes of Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, the series is known for its grand political narrative, emotional character arcs, and quality gameplay. The protagonist, Riou, is caught in a war between two nations and must gather allies to stop a corrupt empire. Players have the ability to recruit over 100 characters to their cause, 40 of whom are usable in battle scenarios.
As a 2D game released in a climate where 3D games were being emphasized, it was undersold and suffered from low production. Today, this has contributed to its increased rarity and led to physical copies being highly coveted by fans as collector’s items. Luckily, PSN has released a digital version that is available on more modern Sony consoles like PS3 and PS Vita, but it’s still not available on PS4 or PS5. Konami has plans to release anHD remaster in 2025, however.
