RPGs are a tricky business. They’re some of the most beloved games around, but they tend to be either massive, era-defining hits or cult classics with a small but dedicated fanbase. The former get remakes and remaster galore, while the latter are lucky to see a port.
While the cold calculus of capitalism might mean that these fan favorites will never see a remake in the style ofFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth, we can dream. Here are some RPGs that made players' hearts sing back in the day, and truly deserve a remake for the next generation of gamers.
10Thousand Arms
Thousand Arms(1998) had a lot to offer in the PS1’s heyday; stunning anime visuals, lovable characters, and an unforgettable bop of an opening theme. It’s best known for its dating-sim subgame, which was required to upgrade your gear. Each potential love interest offered different perks and enhancements when they helped out in the forge, based on their current relationship with you.
Given an updated combat system and an expanded roster, ideally one that allows the protagonist to date both women and men if the player is so inclined, a Thousand Arms remake could have a lot of potential.
9Jade Cocoon: Story Of The Tamamayu
A monster-catching RPG hot on the heels ofPokemon,Jade Cocoon(1998) is more story-focused and a bit darker than the kid-friendly hit. Capturing insectoid Minions to fight the demons plaguing the land, our protagonist Levant can not only train monsters, but also break them down for resources and fuse them into more powerful forms. This is nothing new now, but at the time it was an exciting change to the nascent formula.
With tightened gameplay and modern graphics, a Jade Cocoon remake would be a feast for the eyes and a great JRPG experience all around.
8Lost Odyssey
The XBox 360 wasn’t exactly known for its RPGs, but one exclusive title in its lineup stands out as a must-play.Lost Odyssey(2007) is a work of art that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder withFinal Fantasy, which isn’t surprising considering both Hironobu Sakaguchi and Nobuo Uematsu contributed to its development.
Between its epic battles and gorgeous landscapes, Lost Odyssey explores the cost of immortality as the eternal Kaim grapples with loss and responsibility. If Microsoft is serious about exclusives, a remake of Lost Odyssey would be a big step in the right direction.
7EarthBound
Originally the middle game of theMothertrilogy in Japan,EarthBound(1994) was the only one of the three to see an official release in the West. While it flopped commercially, those who did play this quirky, heartwarming adventure immediately fell in love.
In most cases, I’d say to leave a classic like this one alone. It’savailable through Nintendo Switch Online, after all, so it’s available and accessible for today’s gamers. With a team that understands the source material, though, I wonder just what sort of magic a modern EarthBound could weave.
6Legend Of Legaia
Legend Of Legaia(1998) has some story beats that mirrorFinal Fantasy 9, particularly a monster-spawning mist enveloping the world, but it actually hit shelves before its better-known cousin. It’s particularly notable for its combat, whichfeatured combo attackssimilar to 2D fighting games. Pulling off the correct combo of high, low, and special attacks would trigger ultimates and other powers.
Legaia’s world is ripe for a reboot, with new variants of the symbiotic Seru and an expanded repertoire of moves for Van, Noa, and Gala. With some flashy mocap from martial arts experts, it would be worth playing for the combat visuals alone.
5Bahamut Lagoon
Tactical RPGs didn’t really hit their stride in the West until the 21st century, whenSuper Smash Bros Meleespurred curiosity about the then-unknown Japan exclusive,Fire Emblem.As a result, Super Famicom classicBahamut Lagoon(1996) was never localized for the SNES.
Unlike most tactical games, you don’t have full control over your squad in Bahamut Lagoon. You can directly order a handful of human characters, but the rest of your team - comprised ofdragons that you’ve raised and trainedbetween missions - will act on their own, responding only to rudimentary orders like “Attack” or “Hold.” It’s also a relic from thegolden age of Squaresoft, which should be all the reason necessary to call for a remake.
4The Legend Of Dragoon
The Legend Of Dragoon(2000) is about as perfect a representation of PS1-era JRPGs as any that exists. Its high-fantasy world, gripping combat, and epic story are brought to life with FMVs and 3D models on pre-rendered backgrounds, a technique that produced many of the era’s most famous environments.
Dart’s saga is available through PSN Classics, and rightly so. It showcased everything that was wonderful about the PS1, and a remake could do the same for the PS5 (or PS6, we’re not picky).
3Skies Of Arcadia
One of the best titles on theDreamcastand among the greatest RPGs of all time,Skies Of Arcadia(2000) is a swashbuckling airship adventure that you’ll never forget. In addition to traditional turn-based battles, Vyse and his crew also take command in ship-to-ship combat as they ply the clouds.
Skies hits all the usual JRPG story beats, but does so with a panache that make it a paragon of the genre. It’s seen a few remasters, and the cast had a cameo inValkyria Chronicles, but a true remake (perhaps with an open world of floating continents to explore horizon-to-horizon) would be incredible.
2Parasite Eve
Parasite Evefeels like a fusion ofFinal Fantasy andResident Evil, a match made in horror heaven. As terrifying mutants spontaneously overrun New York City, Aya Brea races the clock to understand and destroy Eve, the mysterious woman at the center of the outbreak.
As much as a remake would delight fans and new players alike, the outlook is grim. Fans got their hopes up in 2022 when Square Enix trademarked the nameSymbiogenesis, but that turned out to just be anNFT cash-grab.
1Chrono Trigger / Chrono Cross
1995’sChrono Triggeris a true masterpiece, deservedly held up as one of the greatest JRPGs - indeed, the greatestgames- of all time. The time-traveling tale is full of heart, mystery, and adventure set to one of the finest soundtracks ever to grace the medium.
Its PlayStation sequel,Chrono Cross(1999), is only loosely related to the original, but offers such a unique story and gameplay that it developed a cult following all its own. Either game (but preferably both) getting a Final Fantasy 7-style remake would be, for many fans, the event of the century.
