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SUPER NINTENDO RPG BUYER'S GUIDE

- OUTSTANDING - One of the best games available for the system and one no rpg fan should miss.

- VERY GOOD - A very solid rpg and one that most rpg fans will likely enjoy.

- AVERAGE - A mediocre rpg that rpg fans might enjoy, but won't likely come back to.

- POOR - A very flawed rpg and one that most fans will not likely enjoy.

THE 7TH SAGA Enix

RELEASED: Sept. 1993 RPG STYLE: Turn-based DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: Moderate RARITY: Uncommon LOOSE: $10 COMPLETE: $20 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Enix released some of the best RPGs available for the Super Nintendo system. Unfortunately, The 7th Saga isn't one of them. It's basically a mediocre action-rpg that never seems to know which direction it wants to go in. The visuals are decent, the soundtrack is forgettable, and the overall rpg experience is about as vanilla and bland as you can imagine. It's certainly not a bad rpg, but it just doesn't offer up anything unique to make it stand out from the crowd. SCORE: 6.0

ACTRAISER Enix

RELEASED: Nov. 1991 RPG STYLE: Simulation DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: Moderate RARITY: Common LOOSE: $7 COMPLETE: $20 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: Y

Actraiser is an interesting combination. It features platforming, rpg, and simulation elements and somehow successfully rolls all of these elements into one very entertaining gaming experience. While the rpg and simulation elements are almost a game in and of themselves, it's the platforming parts of the game that keep things really interesting. It's not a game for everyone, but it has such a varied game play style that it has something for everyone. SCORE: 8.0

ARCANA Hal America

RELEASED: May 1992 RPG STYLE: Turn-based DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: Low RARITY: Common LOOSE: $8 COMPLETE: $15 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Arcana is a throwback to the classic computer dungeon-crawlers of old. The only problem is that it's not being played on an old computer, but a 16-bit game console. The entire game revolves around the use of cards. Even the enemies and characters are basically just pictures on various playing cards. The storyline is almost non-existent and there's just not much in the way of excitement to be found. Repetitive is the best way to describe this tedious rpg. SCORE: 4.0

BIG SKY TROOPER JVC Musical Industries

RELEASED: Oct. 1995 RPG STYLE: Hybrid DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: Low RARITY: Common LOOSE: $4 COMPLETE: $8 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Big Sky Trooper is one strange game. The game combines shooting, rpg, and even some puzzle elements to it and has one of the strangest visual themes you're likely to encounter in a Super Nintendo RPG. Visually the game is solid and very colorful and the soundtrack fits in with the overall eccentric theme the game employs. The game play has some glaring flaws that keep the game from greatness, but there's still something strangely fun about the game. SCORE: 6.5

BRAIN LORD Enix

RELEASED: Aug. 1994 RPG STYLE: Action DIFFICULTY: Hard DEMAND: Moderate RARITY: Uncommon LOOSE: $10 COMPLETE: $25 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Brain Lord has all the makings of a great action-rpg. Unfortunately, the entire package never seems to come together. The control is decent, but the puzzles in the game can be very difficult to figure out, especially since the game often doesn't give you much information to go on. This frequent frustration keeps the game from ever realizing the potential that occasionally shows itself throughout the game. Brain Lord is a decent, but very difficult rpg. SCORE: 6.0

BRANDISH Koei

RELEASED: Feb. 1995 RPG STYLE: Action DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: Low RARITY: Uncommon LOOSE: $7 COMPLETE: $15 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Brandish is one of those rpgs that can't seem to figure out what it wants to be. It tries to be a classic computer rpg and a console rpg at the same time. Problem is, it doesn't do either very well. The control system is very strange and takes a lot of getting used to. Most gamers will likely tire of the dumbed-down puzzles and repetitive gameplay long before they come to grips with the play control anyway The game play is just too broken to be any fun. SCORE: 4.5

BREATH OF FIRE SquareSoft

RELEASED: Aug. 1994 RPG STYLE: Turn-based DIFFICULTY: Hard DEMAND: High RARITY: Common LOOSE: $15 COMPLETE: $30 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Breath of Fire was developed by Capcom but was translated and published in the US by the legendary rpg publisher SquareSoft. The game is very traditional in the way it plays and while it's often criticized for its weak story translation, it's still considered one of the great 16-bit era rpgs. Many Breath of Fire fans prefer the second game over this first title, but I tend to fall in the minority as I find this original to be a much more fun and challenging adventure. SCORE: 8.5

BREATH OF FIRE II Capcom

RELEASED: Dec. 1995 RPG STYLE: Turn-based DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: High RARITY: Uncommon LOOSE: $25 COMPLETE: $45 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: Y

Capcom made some minor tweaks in this Breath of Fire sequel, some good and some not so good. The battle system is a bit more playable, but the game's storyline sometimes feels like it's all over the map. The visuals are solid and the soundtrack is catchy as well, but for some reason the game just feels like it's lost a step and doesn't feel quite as gripping, from a storyline standpoint, as its predecessor. It's still a great rpg and should absolutely not be missed. SCORE: 8.5

CHRONO TRIGGER SquareSoft

RELEASED: Aug. 1995 RPG STYLE: Turn-based DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: Very High RARITY: Uncommon LOOSE: $50 COMPLETE: $100+ VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Square really broke the mold when they created Chrono Trigger and it doesn't take more than a few minutes to understand why rpg fans hold this game in such high regard. Gorgeous visuals, one of the greatest rpg musical scores ever heard, and a riveting storyline all come together to form one of the most outstanding and compelling rpg experiences money can buy. Chrono Trigger is arguably the best rpg available for the Super Nintendo console. SCORE: 10.0

DRAGON VIEW Kemco

RELEASED: Nov. 1994 RPG STYLE: Action DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: Low RARITY: Uncommon LOOSE: $10 COMPLETE: $15 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Dragon View is the sequel to Kemco's other classic computer-themed rpg Drakkhen. The game makes a few changes in the game play here and there, but much like Drakkhen, just doesn't have a lot to offer unless you're just a die hard classic computer rpg fan. The pacing is slow, the plot is dull, and the combat feels too sluggish to offer up the type of action and strategy that most rpg fans long for. Unless you just have to play every rpg, pass on this one. SCORE: 4.0

DRAKKHEN Kemco-Seika

RELEASED: Sept. 1991 RPG STYLE: Action DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: Low RARITY: Common LOOSE: $4 COMPLETE: $8 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Drakkhen is one of those rpgs that's tough to figure out. Console rpgs were taking over at the time of its release, yet the developers chose to stick with the classic computer rpg game play that was becoming a bit stale at the time. The visuals are bland, the musical score is very uninspiring, and the play control feels more like it belongs on an Apple II computer than a 16-bit game console. Unless you're just really into classic computer rpgs, avoid this one. SCORE: 3.5

DUNGEON MASTER JVC Interactive

RELEASED: June 1993 RPG STYLE: Turn-based DIFFICULTY: Hard DEMAND: Low RARITY: Rare LOOSE: $5 COMPLETE: $12 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Dungeon Master for the Super Nintendo system is basically a port of the popular computer rpg title. The only problem is that this version is very stripped down not only visually but gameplay-wise as well. The computer original was very innovative when it was first released, but by the time it made it onto the Super Nintendo console, it just wasn't nearly as impressive. Couple that with really poor play control and what you have is this dud. SCORE: 4.0

E.V.O. THE SEARCH FOR EDEN Enix

RELEASED: July 1993 RPG STYLE: Action DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: High RARITY: Uncommon LOOSE: $40 COMPLETE: $120+ VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

How many rpgs allow you to begin life as a tiny fish and then work your way up the evolutionary food chain. Who would have thought that an RPG built around the theory of evolution could be so interesting and fun to play. The pacing of the game is a bit slow, but the unique action game play system more than makes up for it. And the ability to customize your creature as it grows adds an almost endless amount of variety to the game. SCORE: 7.5

EARTHBOUND Nintendo

RELEASED: June 1995 RPG STYLE: Turn-based DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: Very High RARITY: Uncommon LOOSE: $65 COMPLETE: $150+ VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Earthbound takes the rpg genre and puts a unique and modern spin on it. Instead of a sword-wielding hero, Earthbound presents a baseball bat-carrying kid named Ness. Gone is the gold and rupies of other rpgs, replaced instead with an ATM card. To go along with this modern theme is a set of visuals and an off-beat soundtrack that's as quirky as the game itself. But as odd as this might sound, it's still considered one of the great Super NES rpgs. SCORE: 9.0

EQUINOX Sony Imagesoft

RELEASED: March 1994 RPG STYLE: Action DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: Low RARITY: Uncommon LOOSE: $4 COMPLETE: $8 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Equinox is really more of a platformer/puzzle title than anything, but it does have enough rpg elements that I could at least slip it in here. There are tons of mind-bending puzzles in the many dungeons, and you'll have to track down various weapons and magic spells if you're to have any hope of completing each one. Once you gather enough tokens, you can take on the boss. The control can be tricky since the game is set up in an isometric view, but it's still fun. SCORE: 6.5

AD&D EYE OF THE BEHOLDER Capcom

RELEASED: April 1994 RPG STYLE: Turn-based DIFFICULTY: Hard DEMAND: Low RARITY: Common LOOSE: $3 COMPLETE: $6 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

AD&D Eye of the Beholder is yet another classic computer rpg ported over to the Super NES system. The game itself is decent enough, but trying to control a game that originally used a keyboard with a SNES controller is just painfully awkward. The visuals are average and the sound effects aren't much better. If you're a Dungeons & Dragons fan, you'd be better off playing the computer version and not this below average SNES port. SCORE: 5.0

FINAL FANTASY II SquareSoft

RELEASED: Nov. 1991 RPG STYLE: Turn-based DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: High RARITY: Common LOOSE: $18 COMPLETE: $45 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Final Fantasy II represents the series' first appearance on a 16-bit console. The graphics are decent, but this was an early Super NES title, so they're nowhere near as good as the visuals found in later rpg titles. The soundtrack is amazing, as it is in most Final Fantasy titles, but the game play wasn't changed much from the 8-bit releases. Even as good as Final Fantasy II is, it must be noted that this game is still not quite in the same league as Final Fantasy III. SCORE: 8.0

FINAL FANTASY III SquareSoft

RELEASED: Oct. 1994 RPG STYLE: Turn-based DIFFICULTY: Hard DEMAND: Very High RARITY: Uncommon LOOSE: $25 COMPLETE: $60 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Along with Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy III is probably the most popular and sought-after rpgs available for the Super Nintendo console. It's the game by which all other rpg releases on the system are judged. Gorgeous visuals, a breath-taking musical score, and one of the best 16-bit rpg story lines ever written come together to form what is an absolutely unforgettable rpg experience and one that no Super Nintendo rpg fan should ever be without. SCORE: 9.5

FINAL FANTASY: MYSTIC QUEST Enix

RELEASED: Oct. 1992 RPG STYLE: Turn-based DIFFICULTY: Easy DEMAND: Moderate RARITY: Common LOOSE: $5 COMPLETE: $15 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest was created as an entry-level rpg to encourage gamers who weren't quite as seasoned in the rpg genre to get an introduction to the Final Fantasy series. Everything about the game was much more simple and the difficulty was toned way down as well. It's still a great game and worth playing, even by veteran rpg fans, as long as you can lower your expectations a bit and just enjoy the game for what it really is. SCORE: 7.5

GOOF TROOP Capcom

RELEASED: July 1993 RPG STYLE: Action RPG DIFFICULTY: Easy DEMAND: Low RARITY: Common LOOSE: $4 COMPLETE: $10 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Goof Troop is another game that has just enough rpg elements to make this list. It's almost like a Disney version of Zelda: Link to the Past. There are plenty of puzzles to solve, with some decent action-rpg elements mixed in. The visuals are decent, but nothing to write home about. The only real negative aspect of the game is that it's a tad on the easy side and doesn't feature very many levels. That being said, the game is a lot of fun to play while it lasts. SCORE: 6.5

ILLUSION OF GAIA Enix/Nintendo

RELEASED: Sept. 1994 RPG STYLE: Action DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: Moderate RARITY: Common LOOSE: $8 COMPLETE: $20 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Illusion of Gaia is the second game in the "Soul Blazer" series of games, but it's also the weakest of the three. It has some nice moments, and it certainly looks and sounds the part, but the sporadic difficulty and often uninspiring story line just don't quite measure up to the other two games in the series. If you're a fan of Soul Blazer and Terranigma, you'll likely feel right at home with this very enjoyable action-rpg title if you can overlook its few minor inadequacies. SCORE: 8.0

ININDO: WAY OF THE NINJA Koei

RELEASED: March 1993 RPG STYLE: Turn-based DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: Moderate RARITY: Uncommon LOOSE: $5 COMPLETE: $15 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Inindo: Way of the Ninja is a unique oriental-flavored rpg that has a lot of charm and personality to help make up for what it's lacking in the visual department. The game plays like a standard turn-based rpg for the most part but there are strategy elements thrown into the mix as well. Another unique feature is the way the game goes from night to day and back again. It's not a great rpg, but it's still a very good one and shouldn't be missed. SCORE: 7.0

KING ARTHUR & THE KNIGHTS OF JUSTICE Enix

RELEASED: July 1995 RPG STYLE: Action DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: Low RARITY: Rare LOOSE: $5 COMPLETE: $35 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Enix was known to release a stinker from time to time and King Arthur & the Knights of Justice just happens to be one of the stinkiest. At its core, the game is a standard action-rpg, but it tries too hard to push the King Arthur and Camelot themes and tends to become very predictable, even early on. It doesn't help that the control is streaky and really becomes an annoyance over the course of the game. There's very little to like about this mediocre action-rpg. SCORE: 3.5

LAGOON Kemco-Seika

RELEASED: Dec. 1991 RPG STYLE: Action DIFFICULTY: Hard DEMAND: Low RARITY: Uncommon LOOSE: $5 COMPLETE: $15 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Lagoon is one of those rpgs that has a lot of wasted potential. It's got a very unique visual style, a solid rpg soundtrack, and a very well laid out adventure. The only problem is that the broken play control manages to bring the entire experience crashing to the ground. Your character has such a short reach with his weapon that you'll normally take more hits than you'll dish out. This makes the game more of a lesson in futility than any type of enjoyment. SCORE: 6.5

LEGEND OF ZELDA A LINK TO THE PAST Nintendo

RELEASED: April 1992 RPG STYLE: Action DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: High RARITY: Common LOOSE: $8 COMPLETE: $17 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: Y

Zelda has become one of the greatest video game series in history, and this is the game that many consider the pinnacle of the series. This game takes the action-rpg experience to new levels and produces one of the most amazing adventures you'll ever experience. Great visuals, an memorable musical score, and a quest that will test even the most seasoned action-rpg fan make up a game that should be in every Super Nintendo owner's game collection. SCORE: 9.5

LORD OF THE RINGS Interplay

RELEASED: Oct. 1994 RPG STYLE: Action DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: Low RARITY: Uncommon LOOSE: $5 COMPLETE: $15 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Lord of the Rings: Volume 1 is one of those games that no matter how you look at it, it's just not a good game at all. It tries to be an action-rpg, but there's just so much redundant exploring that has to be done, not to mention certain items that absolutely must be found to continue on in the game that it makes the entire experience extremely frustrating and not very rewarding at all. Even diehard LOTR fans will likely find this game very annoying. SCORE: 2.5

LUFIA & THE FORTRESS OF DOOM Taito

RELEASED: Dec. 1993 RPG STYLE: Turn-based DIFFICULTY: Hard DEMAND: Moderate RARITY: Uncommon LOOSE: $12 COMPLETE: $25 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

The Lufia series is probably the most underrated rpg series found on the Super Nintendo console, and this is the game that started it all. The game has gorgeous visuals and a very beautifully orchestrated soundtrack, but it's turn-based combat system can be a little tricky to use at times. The game also has a rediculously high enemy encounter rate which can make moving around in the game feel somewhat tedious at times. Still, it's a very solid turn-based rpg. SCORE: 8.0

LUFIA II RISE OF THE SINISTRALS Natsume

RELEASED: Aug. 1996 RPG STYLE: Turn-based DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: High RARITY: Uncommon LOOSE: $30 COMPLETE: $55 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Lufia & the Fortress of Doom was a very good rpg, but Lufia II takes the series to a whole new level. Lufia II has amazing visuals, a beautifully orchestrated musical score, and one of the best rpg story lines in history. This game can easily stand toe to toe with even the elite Super NES rpgs like Final Fantasy III and Chrono Trigger. It's honestly that good. If you've never played this title, you don't know what you're missing. It's one of the best rpgs the SNES has to offer. SCORE: 9.5

MIGHT & MAGIC III ISLES OF TERRA FCI

RELEASED: Jan. 1995 RPG STYLE: Turn-based DIFFICULTY: Hard DEMAND: Low RARITY: Rare LOOSE: $5 COMPLETE: $12 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Might & Magic III began life on the various home computers of the time period before being ported over to the Super Nintendo console by FCI. Might & Magic III is your basic dungeon crawler and never strays too far from its computer counterpart. It does make use of the Super NES Mouse peripheral, but it's not enough to improve the awkward interface the game makes use of. It also doesn't help matters that the game is rediculously difficult. SCORE: 3.5

OBITUS Bullet Proof Software

RELEASED: Sept. 1994 RPG STYLE: Turn-based DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: Very Low RARITY: Uncommon LOOSE: $3 COMPLETE: $8 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

It's safe to say that Obitus is probably the worst rpg available on the Super Nintendo console. The visuals are drab, the music is almost nonexistent, and the actual game itself is a good example of how not to make a video game. There are very few video games that I can't find at least one good thing to say about them, but I couldn't find one redeeming quality in this entire game. If you know what's good for you, avoid this one like the plague. SCORE: 2.0

PALADIN'S QUEST Enix

RELEASED: Oct. 1993 RPG STYLE: Turn-based DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: Moderate RARITY: Uncommon LOOSE: $8 COMPLETE: $18 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Paladin's Quest is another Super NES rpg that has a lot of wasted potential. The game uses a very unique and eccentric visual style and has the quirky soundtrack to go along with it. Unfortunately, the game play system feels like it was recycled from the 8-bit era and doesn't offer up anything new to go along with the rest of the game's unique features. It's certainly not a bad game, but the entire presentation just feels very tired and isn't likely to satisfy most rpg fans. SCORE: 6.5

ROBOTREK Enix

RELEASED: Oct. 1994 RPG STYLE: Turn-based DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: Moderate RARITY: Uncommon LOOSE: $16 COMPLETE: $28 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Quintet took a break from the Soul Blazer series long enough to create this unique turn-based rpg that revolves around the world of robotics. The game makes use of a very sarcastic humor that gives the game a unique feel to it. The combat system is a bit standard, but the ability to customize your robot adds enough variety to more than make up for it. Throw in a fantastic musical score and you have one of the more unique and enjoyable rpgs for the Super NES. SCORE: 8.0

SECRET OF EVERMORE SquareSoft

RELEASED: Oct. 1995 RPG STYLE: Action DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: Moderate RARITY: Common LOOSE: $10 COMPLETE: $25 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Secret of Evermore was one of the few rpgs of the time period to be developed by an American development group. The game looks and plays very similarly to its predecessor, Secret of Mana, but the game has a very different feel to it. The visuals are outstanding and show a lot of variety and the soundtrack is equally impressive. Most rpg fans still prefer Secret of Mana, but I think this game has a more unique overall style and much better dialog. SCORE: 8.5

SECRET OF MANA SquareSoft

RELEASED: Oct. 1993 RPG STYLE: Action DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: High RARITY: Common LOOSE: $30 COMPLETE: $60 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Secret of Mana is to action-rpgs what Street Fighter 2 is to fighting games. Not only is the game gorgeous, but it's got a lot of variety in the different areas found throghout the game. The action combat system is very unique in the way it adds a little strategy to what would otherwise be just another hack & slash game play engine. The musical score is outstanding, and other than some spotty dialog, the game is amazing. It's still one of the best action rpgs ever created. SCORE: 9.0

SECRET OF THE STARS Tecmo

RELEASED: July 1995 RPG STYLE: Turn-based DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: Moderate RARITY: Rare LOOSE: $18 COMPLETE: $30 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Tecmo isn't exactly known for their rpg prowess, and one spin through Secret of the Stars and you'll understand why that is. It's a decent turn-based rpg, but it's about as bland and vanilla as you can get. The game might say 16-bit on the box, but it looks, sounds, and plays like an 8-bit title. If you can look past these glaring flaws, you might actually enjoy the game the first time through, but don't expect to feel a desire to play it again anytime soon. SCORE: 6.5

SHADOWRUN Data East

RELEASED: May 1993 RPG STYLE: Action DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: Moderate RARITY: Common LOOSE: $12 COMPLETE: $22 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Shadowrun is unique in that it's a game that begins with the main character already dead. That's right, he's basically a zombie come back to life. In fact, the majority of the game's characters are brought back to life, including long-dead creatures like orcs, elves, and dragons. Only now these characters have the use of modern day weaponry and technology. As you can imagine, all of this makes for one fun, yet strangely bizarre action-rpgs. SCORE: 7.0

SOUL BLAZER Enix

RELEASED: Aug. 1992 RPG STYLE: Action DIFFICULTY: Easy DEMAND: High RARITY: Uncommon LOOSE: $20 COMPLETE: $40 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Soul Blazer basically borrows a few of the better game play twists from Actraiser and builds a unique action-rpg around it. The story line might seem a bit silly for those looking for a more serious rpg plot, but it works perfectly to carry the light-hearted mood of the game. The control is top notch, the bosses are intense, and the soundtrack is really catchy as well. Soul Blazer is one of the most underrated action-rpgs available on the Super Nintendo console. SCORE: 9.0

SUPER ADVENTURE ISLAND II Hudson Soft

RELEASED: Oct. 1994 RPG STYLE: Action DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: Moderate RARITY: Rare LOOSE: $12 COMPLETE: $22 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Super Adventure Island II is another game that can barely be classified as an rpg, but there are enough rpg elements to put it on the list. The game still features plenty of the traditional Adventure Island platforming action, but it also introduces a lot of unique rpg elements to further extend the quest and add some variety to the mix. The game sports some outstanding visuals and a beautiful soundtrack to go along with it. Don't miss this interesting platformer/rpg. SCORE: 8.0

SUPER MARIO RPG LEGEND OF THE SEVEN STARS Square/Nintendo

RELEASED: May. 1996 RPG STYLE: Turn-based DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: Very High RARITY: Common LOOSE: $42 COMPLETE: $100+ VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Who would have thought that a turn-based rpg built around the Super Mario universe could be so good. The game's rendered visuals are among the best ever seen on the console, and Square was somehow able to come up with a sound-track that was equally great to go along with them. The combat system is simple, yet extremely playable, and there's enough twists and turns to keep even seasoned rpg fans on their toes. One of the greatest rpgs ever made. SCORE: 9.5

SUPER NINJA BOY Culture Brain

RELEASED: April 1993 RPG STYLE: Turn-based DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: Low RARITY: Uncommon LOOSE: $5 COMPLETE: $10 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Super Ninja Boy has a very chinese-flavored theme that immediately stands out when you begin playing the game. Another unique feature of the game is the way combat is handled in typical beat 'em up arcade fashion ala Final Fight. This will obviously turn off some rpg fans, but it does make the game stand out from the crowd. The visuals are a bit lacking, but this is still a decent rpg if you don't mind something a little different. SCORE: 6.5

TERRANIGMA Enix

RELEASED: March 1996 RPG STYLE: Action DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: Very High RARITY: Rare LOOSE: $65 COMPLETE: $100+ VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Enix really hit one out of the park with Terranigma. It's action-rpg goodness at its best. The visuals in the game are gorgeous and there's never a lack of variety between the different areas in the game. The musical score is absolutely stunning and the action-rpg play control is extremely playable and easy to pick up. The game is epic in length and features some of the best rpg bosses ever seen. This is probably the best action-rpg ever created! SCORE: 10.0

TWISTED TALES OF SPIKE MCFANG Bullet Proof Software

RELEASED: June 1994 RPG STYLE: Action DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: Low RARITY: Uncommon LOOSE: $5 COMPLETE: $15 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

You won't likely find a more bizarre or unique rpg on the Super Nintendo console than The Twisted Tales of Spike McFang. The characters are insane, the story line is offbeat, and even the music and visuals are quirky. That being said, it's hard not to like the game because it's actually a lot of fun. There's a lot of platforming action in the game to mix things up, and there are even quite a few puzzles to solve as well. Not your typical rpg, but still fun. SCORE: 7.0

ULTIMA: THE BLACK GATE FCI

RELEASED: Nov. 1994 RPG STYLE: Action DIFFICULTY: Hard DEMAND: Very Low RARITY: Rare LOOSE: $5 COMPLETE: $10 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Ultima: The Black Gate is a port of Ultima VII that was available on PC. Ultima VII was a great rpg, but something happened when the game was ported to the Super NES console. The game was dumbed-down quite a bit, and much of the great dialog was cut out as well. They took a wonderful adventure-rpg and turned it into a mindless hack-n-slash game. As a hack and slash game, it's not terrible, but as an rpg it's just not a very good game at all. SCORE: 3.0

ULTIMA: THE FALSE PROPHET FCI

RELEASED: April 1994 RPG STYLE: Turn-based DIFFICULTY: Hard DEMAND: Very Low RARITY: Uncommon LOOSE: $4 COMPLETE: $8 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Of the three Ultima releases on the Super Nintendo console, this is the only decent one of the bunch. At least this release feels a bit more like the classic Ultima computer releases, although it's certainly far from perfect. The visuals are a bit bland and some of the puzzles are rediculously difficult to figure out, but overall this is still a game that might appeal to Ultima fans or fans of the classic computer rpgs. At least the game is quite cheap nowadays. SCORE: 6.0

ULTIMA: RUNES OF VIRTUE II FCI

RELEASED: Nov. 1994 RPG STYLE: Action DIFFICULTY: Hard DEMAND: Very Low RARITY: Rare LOOSE: $6 COMPLETE: $12 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Ultima: Runes of Virtue II is yet another extremely mediocre Ultima port for the Super Nintendo console and it's only slightly better than the disaster that was Ultima: The Black Gate. The visuals are a slight step up and the control setup is a bit easier to use this time around, but the dialog is still very lacking and there's just not enough meat to this game to keep your attention for any decent amount of time. Unless you're a huge Ultima fan, avoid this one. SCORE: 3.5

UNCHARTED WATERS Koei

RELEASED: Jan. 1993 RPG STYLE: Action DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: Low RARITY: Rare LOOSE: $25 COMPLETE: $50 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Much like many other Koei releases, Uncharted Waters is a simulation-style game and places heavy emphasis on being realistic rather than the more arcade-like feel of other simulation games out there. In this game you get to sail the high seas and buy and sell goods along the way. While the simulation aspects of the game are decent, the visuals and music in the game are very substandard. Even by simulation standards, this game isn't very good at all. SCORE: 4.0

NEW HORIZONS: UNCHARTED WATERS II Koei

RELEASED: Oct. 1994 RPG STYLE: Action DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: Low RARITY: Uncommon LOOSE: $20 COMPLETE: $40 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

New Horizons is actually the sequel to the first Uncharted Waters game and while it does fix a few of the nagging issues from the first title, the end result still isn't great. Once again, the visuals are very 8-bit looking, and the music is still repetitive and grating. The game play is a bit smoother this time around and easier to get a handle on, but the various tasks in the game still feel very tedious and make playing the game feel more like a chore than a treat. SCORE: 5.5

WIZARDRY V HEART OF THE MAELSTROM Capcom

RELEASED: April 1994 RPG STYLE: Turn-based DIFFICULTY: Very Hard DEMAND: Moderate RARITY: Uncommon LOOSE: $3 COMPLETE: $10 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

The Wizardry series has become legendary as one of the best computer role-playing game series ever made. Unfortunately, most attempts to port these titles to game consoles has proven disastrous. Wizardry V for the Super NES is actually one of the better ports. That's not to say that it's perfect, far from it. The visuals are barely adequate, but the quest itself is fairly faithful to the computer version overall. It's also equally brutal in its high level of difficulty. SCORE: 6.0

YOUNG MERLIN Virgin Interactive

RELEASED: March 1994 RPG STYLE: Action DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: Very Low RARITY: Uncommon LOOSE: $3 COMPLETE: $7 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

Young Merlin is another odd action-rpg that never seems to come together. The game feels at times like an action-rpg in the Zelda: Link to the Past vein, but the linear progression of the game and the uninspired puzzles the game throws your way just seem to further add to the redundancy of the overall experience. The music and visuals are decent, but they look and feel as bland as the rest of the game. This game had potential, but sadly it was never realized. SCORE: 4.0

YS III: WANDERERS FROM YS American Sammy

RELEASED: Jan. 1992 RPG STYLE: Action DIFFICULTY: Medium DEMAND: Moderate RARITY: Uncommon LOOSE: $6 COMPLETE: $15 VIRTUAL CONSOLE: N

The Ys series has long been a cult-favorite among rpg fans, but Ys III has always gotten mixed reactions. This third game was a big departure from previous Ys titles and turned the game into more of a side-scroller than the overhead action-rpg it was before. The story is still engrossing, but the visuals have taken a hit, which is strange considering this is a Super NES title. The PC Engine version is still much better, but this is an adequate substitute. SCORE: 7.0

Super Nintendo RPG Buyer's Guide written and created by: Corbie Dillard
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