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About This Quiz
HEALMORE! From the simple pixels of the original Famicom all the way to the extraordinary blast processing of today's PS4, JRPGs continue doing what they've always done: telling stories to move our hearts and offering tight gameplay to sharpen our minds. We can still remember the first steps we took, blinking into the sunlight from Corneria Castle in Final Fantasy, or the first slime we faced in Dragon Quest. More than mere dots on a screen, these were the tales that filled our childhoods. Stories that we ourselves were part of!
Every frame shown here is someone's special memory. Every one of these JRPGs represent hours of playing, thinking, dreaming and smiling as we walked through these strange, wonderful worlds forged by people from far so away. These JRPGs are so much more than clicking a choice on a menu or timing a button press at the right time - they were laughs with best friends, with brothers and sisters, and maybe even parents. They were torn, glossy manuals, carefully slotted away into oblong plastic boxes. They were pages of notebook or even graph paper filled with doodles and checklists, reminders of mysteries and clues to investigate: be sure to check out that chest once you have the master key!
And now, here they all are again. Dare you continue? Of course you do. Heroes never turn back from a challenge!
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Which 1995 JRPG is this?
Suikoden 3
Dragon Quest 1
Chrono Trigger
Released in 1995 for the SNES, Chrono Trigger is considered by many to be the single greatest RPG of all time. With multiple endings, a host of beloved characters, and an innovative combat system allowing for team attacks, Chrono Trigger is the complete package. The music is fantastic, too!
Grandia
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Which JRPG by Square is this?
Final Fantasy
Released in 1987 for the NES, Final Fantasy was thought by developer Square to be their final hope for success. Its triumph resulted in no less than 14 spiritual sequels and innumerable spinoffs, a legacy that is still ongoing today!
Legend of the Dragoon
Nier: Automata
Tales of Maj'Eyal.
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What dragon-related JRPG is this?
Destiny of an Emperor
Wizardry
Dragon Quest 3
Developed by Chunsoft in 1988 for the NES, Dragon Quest 3 was a fantastic iteration of the successful Dragon Quest formula. It offered a day/night cycle, a fully featured class system and a vast open world to explore!
Eternal Sonata
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Which 2003 JRPG is this?
Blue Dragon
Lost Odyssey
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
Released in 2003 for the PS2, Developers Atlus really made something extraordinary in Nocturne. Noted for its multiple branching paths based on the Universes' core ideologies, its dozens of playable gods and mythological creatures, and its impeccable sense of style, Nocturne is still influencing JRPGs today!
Fallout: Tactics
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Which JRPG features this famous plumber?
Paper Mario: The 1000 Year Door
Super Mario RPG
Released in 1996 for the SNES, Super Mario RPG became an instant classic. Dispensing with many of the genre conventions, it worked using a hybridized action/turn based system that relied on the player's timing, as well as a large overworld to explore, familiar Mario characters and plenty of comedy.
Pokemon Conquest
Etrian Odyssey
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Which JRPG is also known as Mother 2?
Tales of Vesperia
Mega Man Battle Network
Rocket League
Earthbound
Released in 1994 for the SNES, Earthbound is actually the sequel to a previous game, Mother. While the gameplay was familiar, the setting - the modern day real world - was exceedingly original, as was the game's goofy and irreverent tone. It is also beloved for its characters, its nostalgic writing style and its jazzy music.
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What JRPG is this?
Xenogears
Released in 1991 for the PS1, Xenogears is an enormous, sprawling epic that takes place on a strange alien world. Filled with arcane imagery and symbolism, a mature story that nonetheless included giant Mechs to battle in, Xenogears is a study in extremes. Although the second disc is notoriously considered unfinished, none can doubt the influence it has had on JRPGs.
Arc the Lad
Persona 2: Innocent Sin
The Elder Scrolls: Battlespire
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Which Pokemon game is this?
Dragon Warrior 2
Digimon
Pokemon Red
Released in 1996 for the Game Boy, Pokemon birthed a massive entertainment franchise. The game centers around catching monsters, which you in turn use to battle against other monster trainers in your quest to be the very best. This simple formula has won the hearts of millions!
Fire Emblem
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Which moon-related JRPG is this?
Lunar
Lunar was released in 1993 for the Sega CD. Although it was not mechanically innovative, it's use of anime imagery and heartfelt characterization made Lunar stand out from the pack.
Ys
Shining Force
God Eater
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Which SNES JRPG is this?
Final Fantasy Tactics
Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen
Released in 1993 for the SNES, Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen was a unique hybrid of RPG and Strategy game, one that had branching paths depending on your choices in the game. It has had massive influence on tactical RPGs since then, making it something of a grandfather for the genre.
Wizardry 8
Tactics Ogre
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Which JRPG is this, published by Konami?
Diablo 2
Persona 3
Dragon Quest 4
Suikoden
Suikoden was created in 1995 for the PS1. It is noted for having both RPG and strategy elements, and having an incredible 108 unique recruitable characters, which would become a hallmark of the series.
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What tactical game is this?
Ni no Kuni
Disgaea
Disgaea was originally released for the PS2 in 2003. It is notable for being a story where you play as the nominal "bad guys," although in reality it is a tactical JRPG filled with humor, tons of options, limitless potential for character growth, and yes, a little bit of pathos.
Monster Rancher
Final Fantasy Tactics
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Which JRPG is this, featuring Viking gods?
Valkyrie Profile
Valkyrie Profile, released in 1999 for the PlayStation, is actually a more action oriented title than many of the others on this list. Nonetheless, its evocative characters, careful stat management and many alternate paths squarely place it on the list of classic RPGs.
Summon Knight
ActRaiser
Mother
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Which JRPG is this, developed by tri-Ace?
Wizardry 6: Bane of the Cosmic Forge
Pokemon: Soul Silver
Star Ocean
Created in 1996 for the PlayStation, Star Ocean is a series of free flowing action RPGs, similar to the Tales series, based in science fiction settings. It has endured throughout multiple iterations, due to its large scope and popular characters.
Star Tropics
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Which Disney-inspired JRPG is this?
Shadow of Mordor
Kingdom Hearts
Released for the PS2 in 2002, Kingdom Hearts is an extraordinary action RPG that combines the characters and worlds of Square-Enix and Walt Disney. Even the main characters have elements of both artistic styles!
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance
Yu-Gi-Oh!
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Which JRPG has disembodied spirits?
Phantom Brave
Released in 2004 for the PS2, Phantom Brave is a tactical RPG with a twist: your heroes are actually disembodied spirits, and you bind them to various and sundry objects on the battlefield to give them form. The sole exception to this is the main character, who is but a child and needs all the help she can get!
Tactics Ogre: Knight of Lodis
Double Dragon
Final Fantasy Tactics
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Which JRPG takes place in a fictional continent called Europa?
Brave Fencer Musashi
Record of Lodoss War
Valkyria Chronicles
Released in 2008 for the PS3, Valkyria Chronicles was an unusual game in that it did not fit into typical genre conventions- it was sort of a hybrid real-time XCOM, with a storyline that evoked an alt history WW2 mixed with fantasy elements. Unique to be sure!
ActRaiser
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Which dungeon-crawler is this?
River City Ransom
Dragon Warrior 4
Etrian Odyssey
Released in 2007 for the Nintendo DS, Etrian Odyssey had JRPG stylings but was actually more inspired by the western title Wizardry than anything else. It is known for having the ability to draw maps using the stylus, fantastic music, and the ability to have a custom made party.
Wizardry 7: Crusaders of the Dark Savant
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Which JRPG is also known as Shin Megami Tensei?
Romancing SaGa
Persona 3
Released in 2006 for the PS2, Persona 3 was a groundbreaking title that combined intense characterization and a modern setting with visual novel aspects wherein your character would go out with and befriend NPCs. This combination would prove to be incredibly successful, paving the way for two sequels and practically creating a new subgenre of JRPG all by itself!
Final Fantasy V
Dragon Warrior: Monsters
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What Game Boy game is this?
Pokemon: Blue
Giant Robo
My Little Pony: Tails of Equestria
Super Robot Wars
Created way back in 1991 for the original Game Boy, Super Robot Wars was the start of an incredibly phenomenon. By licensing robots from a host of popular anime and manga and weaving them into a single story, this game set fans' imaginations alight and started a journey dozens of games long that continues to this day!
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Which game is known in Japan as Rockman?
Digimon
Mechwarrior: Online
Netrunner
Mega Man Battle Network
Released in 2001 for the Game Boy Advance, this reimagining of Mega Man proved to have enduring popularity. It saw him as a sentient program within a network invaded by viruses, and featured a fun combat system that combined real time decisionmaking with collectible "chips" you would pick up through defeating foes.
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What JRPG is this, that features a dragon?
Suikoden 2
Breath of Fire
Created by Capcom in 1993 for the SNES, Breath of Fire's biggest innovation was the ability of the main character to change forms from a humanoid into a Dragon. This was kept - in one way or another - in the sequels, and became a hallmark of the series.
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance
Golden Sun
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Which tactical game is this?
Golden Sun DS
Destiny of an Emperor
Final Fantasy Online
Fire Emblem
Released in 1990 for the NES, Fire Emblem was a straightforward military strategy game with a twist - every unit was a distinct, unique character, and if you lost them in battle they were gone forever! This led to much careful play, a lot of frustrated resetting and a beloved series that continues today!
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Which turn-based JRPG is this?
Dragon Quest Heroes
The Legend of Zelda
Romancing SaGa
Created in 1992 for the Super Famicom, this classic was never formally released in the U.S. It is noted for its extraordinarily open world for the time, as well as the game involving multiple interwoven scenarios that take place from different characters' perspectives.
Wild Arms
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What role-playing game is this?
Phantasy Star
Made way back in 1987 for the Sega Master system, Phantasy Star proved to be a flagship RPG. It was a techno-fantasy based game on a strange world that saw first-person Wizardry-like combat and graphics that were quite advanced for its time.
Wizardry 3: Werdna's Revenge
Class of Heroes
Etrian Odyssey 2
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Which combat RPG is this?
Ys
Released in 1987, Ys is an enduring series of Japanese action RPGs that, unusually, are based on the PC. They are known for having large worlds to explore as well as frantic, action-based combat.
Brave Fencer Musashi
Final Fantasy Adventure
Rogue Galaxy
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What game was originally released as Seiken Densetsu 2?
Final Fantasy 3
Dark Cloud
Skies of Arcadia
Secret of Mana
Secret of Mana was released in 1993 for the SNES. Brightly colored and filled with a sense of wonder and fun, Secret of Mana features a real time combat system that seems to borrow heavily from The Legend of Zelda, with multiple weapons that could be upgraded, as well as a cast of 3 completely different main characters.
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Which shonen anime game is shown here?
Rogue Galaxy
One Piece: Unlimited Adventures
Grandia
Originally released in 1997, Grandia was an action based RPG series that was noted for its shonen manga style and wild sense of adventure. Exploration, thrilling combat and elemental magic combined with a story that didn't take itself too seriously.
Space Wolf
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Which game was the first title in Namco's Tales series?
Final Fantasy Adventure
Tales of Phantasia
Tales of Phantasia, originally released in 1995 for the Super Famicom, was the first in a huge series that continues today. It was notable for the Linear Motion Battle System, or LMBS, a hybrid real time with pause battle system that involved manually inputting commands as the battles raged.
Diablo
Sakura Wars
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Which game has giant mechas, called Wanzers?
Front Mission
Released in 1995 for the SNES, Front Mission was highly unusual for an RPG. it combined an evocative near future theme with the use of Giant Robots - Wanzers - as your agents on the field. Even stranger, these Wanzers owed more to the ponderous hulks of the Western Battletech than they did to Japanese Mecha!
Ogre Battle 64
Mech Commander
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
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Which JRPG is also known as Monster Farm?
Spyro the Dragon
Hyrule Warriors DS
Monster Rancher
Released in 1997, Monster Rancher was a game with a simple premise: you capture, train and breed monsters. The combat was entertaining enough, but the real fun was in seeing all of the crazy crossbreeds you could make.
Super Mario and the SIlver Stars
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Which JRPG was inspired by a novel of the same name?
Golden Sun
Parasite Eve
Released in 1998 for the Sony Playstation, Parasite Eve was noted for its mature, modern=day setting, its fusion of horror and science fiction and its extraordinarily detailed cutscenes that moved the story along.
Advance War: Days of Ruin
Fire Emblem 2
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Which JRPG is first in the Salburg trilogy?
Age of Empires
Sakura Wars
Atelier Marie
Atelier Marie was released for the Playstation in 1997. It is unusual for an RPG in its focus on crafting and creation rather than battles, and its more Shoujo - rather than Shonen - manga feel.
Ys VII
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Which 1991 game is this?
Dragon Quest 7
Samurai Warriors: Empires
Golden Sun 2
Final Fantasy IV
Released in 1991 for the SNES, Final Fantasy IV took everything they had learned from the previous three games and built upon it immensely. The series saw Mode 7 graphics, a vast world to enjoy, a story of betrayal, love and redemption, and a ton of interesting, distinct characters.
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What game, shown here, involves organized crime?
Double Dragon
River City Ransom DS
Yakuza
Created in 2005 for the Playstation 2, Yakuza is a uniquely Japanese role playing game with RPG elements, fighting through an open world in a modern japanese city. The franchise became known for its cinematic plots, bone-cracking (yet PG-13 rated) action and tons of minigames and side quests!
Final Fight
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What game has a character called Vyse?
Skies of Arcadia
Created in 2000 for the Sega Dreamcast, Skies of Arcadia was all about unique party members, wide vistas and above all, exploration. Although much beloved by the fans, a full-fledged sequel was never created.
Rogue Galaxy
Sid Meier's Pirates!
Infinite Galaxy
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Which 1991 game, shown here, is a sequel?
Laguna Drive
Dragon Quest VII
Blue Dragon
Chrono Cross
Released in 1999 for the Sony Playstation, Chrono Cross was a colorful, beautifully orchestrated sequel to its smash predecessor Chrono Trigger. Although most of the characters did not directly return, the game aged well and is now regarded as a worthy sequel to the SNES classic.
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Which game was the 2009 RPG of the Year?
Demon's Souls
Demon's Souls, released in 2009 for the PS3, was a rarity for a japanese RPG - an open world game with action based combat, with little characterization and where death stalked you at every turn. Its success paved the way for the Dark Souls trilogy that followed.
Let it Die
Space Defense Force
Shadow of the Colossus
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Which mobile platform RPG is this?
Digimon Online
Chaos Rings
Chaos Rings is a rarity on this list in that it began as a mobile game. It was marketed as a "full featured" RPG with a normal price, rather than a free-to-play gacha game. Its success has spawned several sequels, but gacha games still reign supreme!
Fire Emblem Gaiden
Final Fantasy Omni Opera
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Which Silicon Studio JRPG is this?
Bravely Default: Flying Fairy
The incomprehensibly named Bravely Default: Flying Fairy was released in 2012 for the Nintendo DS. A return to tradition of sorts, it was clearly made for a generation that longed for the old style Final Fantasy games, and it gave them exactly what they were looking for!
Final Fantasy Adventure
The Secret of Mana 2
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
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You Got:
/40
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