The 16 Best JRPGs of the 1980s

The decade that built the genre — genre-defining giants sit beside cult Famicom obscurities and pioneering computer adventures, all laying the foundation for everything that followed. Which one wins?

1

Final Fantasy

Square's 1987 fantasy RPG that launched one of gaming's biggest franchises.

1000pts

2

Dragon Quest III

The 1988 Famicom classic that perfected the series with classes and an open world.

898pts

3

The Legend of Heroes

Falcom's 1989 RPG that began the long-running Legend of Heroes series.

835pts

4

EarthBound Beginnings

The quirky 1989 Mother game set in a modern-day America full of psychic kids.

734pts

5

Final Fantasy II

Square's 1988 sequel that introduced a story-driven cast and a novel growth system.

734pts

6

Dragon Slayer

Falcom's influential 1984 action RPG that helped pioneer the genre in Japan.

571pts

7

Phantasy Star II

Sega's ambitious 1989 Genesis sequel with a sprawling sci-fi story.

571pts

8

Ys II: Ancient Ys Vanished

Falcom's 1988 sequel that refined the action and added magic to the formula.

571pts

9

The Black Onyx

A pioneering 1984 dungeon-crawler credited with popularizing RPGs in Japan.

467pts

10

Phantasy Star

Sega's 1987 sci-fi RPG renowned for its dungeons and trailblazing female hero.

343pts

11

Dragon Quest

The genre-defining 1986 original that established the console JRPG template.

343pts

12

Dragon Quest II

The 1987 follow-up that expanded the world and added a full party of heroes.

343pts

13

Megami Tensei

The 1987 Famicom RPG that launched the demon-recruiting Shin Megami Tensei lineage.

343pts

14

Sweet Home

Capcom's 1989 survival-horror RPG that later inspired Resident Evil.

343pts

15

Faxanadu

A 1987 action RPG spin-off of the Dragon Slayer series for the Famicom.

190pts

16

Hydlide

A 1984 action RPG that was a major early hit on Japanese home computers.

190pts