# 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?

*By YPB Team · Published June 23, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-16-best-jrpgs-of-the-1980s*

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## Current results (3 votes)

1. **Final Fantasy** — 33.33% (1 votes · score 1000/1000)
   Square's 1987 fantasy RPG that launched one of gaming's biggest franchises.
2. **Dragon Quest III** — 33.33% (1 votes · score 898/1000)
   The 1988 Famicom classic that perfected the series with classes and an open world.
3. **The Legend of Heroes** — 33.33% (1 votes · score 835/1000)
   Falcom's 1989 RPG that began the long-running Legend of Heroes series.
4. **EarthBound Beginnings** — 0% (0 votes · score 734/1000)
   The quirky 1989 Mother game set in a modern-day America full of psychic kids.
5. **Final Fantasy II** — 0% (0 votes · score 734/1000)
   Square's 1988 sequel that introduced a story-driven cast and a novel growth system.
6. **Dragon Slayer** — 0% (0 votes · score 571/1000)
   Falcom's influential 1984 action RPG that helped pioneer the genre in Japan.
7. **Phantasy Star II** — 0% (0 votes · score 571/1000)
   Sega's ambitious 1989 Genesis sequel with a sprawling sci-fi story.
8. **Ys II: Ancient Ys Vanished** — 0% (0 votes · score 571/1000)
   Falcom's 1988 sequel that refined the action and added magic to the formula.
9. **The Black Onyx** — 0% (0 votes · score 467/1000)
   A pioneering 1984 dungeon-crawler credited with popularizing RPGs in Japan.
10. **Phantasy Star** — 0% (0 votes · score 343/1000)
   Sega's 1987 sci-fi RPG renowned for its dungeons and trailblazing female hero.
11. **Dragon Quest** — 0% (0 votes · score 343/1000)
   The genre-defining 1986 original that established the console JRPG template.
12. **Dragon Quest II** — 0% (0 votes · score 343/1000)
   The 1987 follow-up that expanded the world and added a full party of heroes.
13. **Megami Tensei** — 0% (0 votes · score 343/1000)
   The 1987 Famicom RPG that launched the demon-recruiting Shin Megami Tensei lineage.
14. **Sweet Home** — 0% (0 votes · score 343/1000)
   Capcom's 1989 survival-horror RPG that later inspired Resident Evil.
15. **Faxanadu** — 0% (0 votes · score 190/1000)
   A 1987 action RPG spin-off of the Dragon Slayer series for the Famicom.
16. **Hydlide** — 0% (0 votes · score 190/1000)
   A 1984 action RPG that was a major early hit on Japanese home computers.

Tags: games, 80s, retro, jrpg