The Best Retro Square Enix JRPGs

It’s hard to imagine what the history of JRPGs would look like without the contributions of Square Enix. Once two powerful rivals, Square and Enix’s library reads like a who’s who of the genre. We’ve picked some of the best retro Square Enix JRPGs, and to keep things fair we’re only mentioning Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest once each.

Final Fantasy VII

It would be very difficult to overstate the impact of Final Fantasy VII on the JRPG genre. This flashy, ambitious PlayStation debut for the Final Fantasy series proved to be one of the key titles for helping this genre break out in the global market. Setting all of that aside, it’s also a very good game. With a compelling setting, memorable characters, and a story that will keep you guessing to the end, it’s not hard to see why Final Fantasy VII would lead a list of the best retro Square Enix JRPGs.

Chrono Trigger

Chrono Trigger isn’t just one of the best retro Square Enix JRPGs, it’s also one of the best JRPGs of all-time. Some of the biggest names in the business came together to make this game, resulting in an absolute masterpiece. Terrific graphics, a spectacular soundtrack, and a blazing pace are just some of the reasons that this Super NES title has stood the test of time and served as the inspiration for countless other JRPGs. An essential game to play for anyone interested in the genre.

Valkyrie Profile

The PlayStation played host to some of the most interesting, innovative JRPGs ever. Valkyrie Profile saw Square Enix and developer tri-Ace come together to create an intriguing mix of side-scrolling platforming and speedy turn-based combat. This is all wedded to a fascinating story about a Valkyrie named Lenneth and the fallen heroes she recruits to her cause. Reaching the best ending can be a challenge, but it’s a worthy test that rewards you with even more story.

Romancing SaGa III

The SaGa series marches to its own beat, and that was obvious even as early as this Super Famicom installment. Romancing SaGa III has a lot of the usual SaGa elements. There are eight characters to choose from, character growth that is based on your actions as opposed to gathering experience points, and many opaque systems to experiment with. In terms of presentation, this is among Square’s finest 16-bit releases. It’s a hard game, but satisfying.

Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride

In many ways, Dragon Quest V is a special game in the Dragon Quest series. In Japan, its unique story helped make it one of the most cherished games of all-time. This was, however, the first mainline game in the series to miss out on a localization. It wasn’t until the Nintendo DS remake that players outside of Japan could see what the fuss was all about. Dragon Quest V follows the story one of one person’s life, from childhood to parenthood, and it’s that distinctive set-up that helps make it one of the best retro Square Enix JRPGs.

Let us know what you think the best retro Square Enix JRPG is below!