The Best Retro SEGA JRPGs

Both as a console maker and afterward as a third-party publisher, SEGA has released a lot of JRPGs. From the likes of Phantasy Star all the way up to the modern age of Like A Dragon, the distinct and varied library of SEGA JRPGs is one well-worth exploring. For those looking to dive into the classics, we’ve got a selection of some of the best retro SEGA JRPGs for you to enjoy.

Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium

SEGA’s first big RPG franchise was Phantasy Star. The first game was among the earliest JRPGs to get released outside of Japan and is one of the Master System’s best games. Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium, meanwhile, closed out the franchise’s SEGA Genesis era with style. The unusual sci-fi setting, cool manga-style cut-scenes, and fast-paced battle system come together to form one of the best retro SEGA JRPGs a person could ask for.

Defenders of Oasis

For a handheld console of its era, the Game Gear had quite a few strong RPGs released on it. Several of them saw releases in the West, and it’s Defenders of Oasis that carried the traditional JRPG banner among that bunch. Another JRPG that opted to pass on a typical fantasy setting, Defenders of Oasis instead is based on the classic Arabian Nights setting. A heroic prince must save his people from an evil force, all with the help of a mighty Jinn. A truly spell-binding adventure, and there isn’t much else out there like it.

Shining Force III

The Shining Force games have always had one foot in the tactical turn-based RPG genre and the other in the tradition JRPG framework. This SEGA Saturn release is actually three games, but only one of them saw official release outside of Japan. The idea was to show the events of the story from multiple perspectives. Each scenario can be played as its own game, but when you combine them you get something genuinely epic. Easily one of the best retro SEGA JRPGs, and one that needs a rerelease badly.

Panzer Dragoon Saga

Shifting the SEGA Saturn’s most famous rail shooter into a JRPG was a gutsy move, but it’s one that paid off for Panzer Dragoon Saga. Panzer Dragoon‘s setting always felt like it extended beyond the borders of those shooters, and Saga allowed players to fully explore it. You’ll travel the world on foot and on the back of your dragon. The battle system blends turn-based strategy and action in a very unique way. One more outstanding SEGA Saturn RPG that desperately needs to find its way back to the market again.

Shining in the Darkness

This is the game that kicked off the Shining series. Shining in the Darkness is an excellent dungeon crawling JRPG with challenging turn-based combat. You’ll want to bring some graph paper with you, as its mazes can be difficult to navigate without a map. Whether you make your own maps or borrow them, it’s worth the extra effort. Learning the dungeon layouts while slowly increasing the capabilities of your party proves to be a compelling concoction. The later Saturn sequel is also worth checking out, if you can.

Let us know what your favorite retro SEGA JRPG is below!

---