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What's the current standing of top handheld RPGs of all time?

RedSwirl

RedSwirl

Member
Oct 25, 2017
10,053
Has Witcher 3 on Switch significantly upset the ranking of top RPGs that are playable on handheld systems? What about the Switch ports of games like Baldur's Gate or Planescape?

I'm counting all RPGs able to be played officially on handheld systems, including mobile (Baldur's Gate was already on mobile I guess. Shit that includes mobile KOTOR too.).

Just some suggestions to toss up there:

DS Chrono Trigger
Whichever the best DS Dragon Quest is I guess
Witcher 3 Switch
D&D games on mobile and Switch
FF Tactics on PSP and mobile
Pokemon
Mario & Luigi
Dark Souls Switch
I don't know what people think the best MegaTen games are but a lot of those are on handhelds
Fire Emblem
 
Odeko

Odeko

One Winged Slayer
The Fallen
Mar 22, 2018
15,180
West Blue
Dark Souls Remastered and Mother 3 are the first two to come to mind.

Those are pretty hard to beat.

Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey should definitely be on the list too.
 
Man God

Man God

Member
Oct 25, 2017
38,304
Most of the best RPGS ever either started on handhelds or were ported there, so this is a tough one.

It's only gotten more complicated with the Switch getting all these classic western ones.
 
Weltall Zero

Weltall Zero

Game Developer
Banned
Oct 26, 2017
19,343
Madrid
I don't know how watered down the 3DS version of Xenoblade is, but the Wii original is probably my favorite JRPG of all time.
 
Fat4all

Fat4all

Woke up, got a money tag, swears a lot
Member
Oct 25, 2017
92,756
here
Golden Sun

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Harmonius

Harmonius

The Fallen
Oct 26, 2017
258
I feel like we have to delineate between Ports and Original Handheld RPGs, because otherwise you get mostly console games included.

Top Three for me is probably Shin Megami Tensei 4, Radiant Historia, and Mother 3
 
angelgrievous

angelgrievous

Middle fingers up
Member
Nov 8, 2017
9,138
Ohio
The fact that I can play the likes of Chrono Cross, Final Fantasy VII, VIII, and IX, Vagrant Story, Breath of Fire III and IV on my Vita make it the GOAT handheld RPG system of all time imo. As far as games go:
  • FF VII
  • Xenogears
  • FFIX
  • Chrono Cross
  • Vagrant Story
  • FF Tactics
  • Persona 4 Golden
  • Grandia
  • Suikoden II
  • Breath of Fire III
  • Alundra
 
Deepwater

Deepwater

Banned
Oct 25, 2017
6,349
TWEWY is the best handheld RPG that's not a port, enhanced port, or remake of a console game.
 
OP
OP
RedSwirl

RedSwirl

Member
Oct 25, 2017
10,053
angelgrievous said:
The fact that I can play the likes of Chrono Cross, Final Fantasy VII, VIII, and IX, Vagrant Story, Breath of Fire III and IV on my Vita make it the GOAT handheld RPG system of all time imo. As far as games go:
  • FF VII
  • Xenogears
  • FFIX
  • Chrono Cross
  • Vagrant Story
  • FF Tactics
  • Persona 4 Golden
  • Grandia
  • Suikoden II
  • Breath of Fire III
  • Alundra
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I didn't even think about PS1 classics. Damn.

And you've got all those FF games on Switch now too.
 
Josh5890

Josh5890

I'm Your Favorite Poster's Favorite Poster
The Fallen
Oct 25, 2017
23,211
For me personally my top five (in no order)

Chrono Trigger- DS
Star Ocean: First Departure- PSP
Final Fantasy I- PSP (first final fantasy I ever played :) )
Phantasy Star- Switch
Octopath Traveler- Switch
 
Chasing

Chasing

The Fallen
Oct 26, 2017
10,706
Personally Witcher 3 didn't make a dent, didn't really do much for me to begin with when I played it on PS4.

Now if we're talking recent releases, then we can't fail to mention Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes Of An Elusive Age - Definitive Edition.
 
Weiss

Weiss

User requested ban
Banned
Oct 25, 2017
64,265
If the list doesn't contain Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey it is incorrect.
 
Velocity:Design:Comfort

Velocity:Design:Comfort

Banned
Nov 23, 2017
4,302
Mother 3 is the best RPG to ever come out on handheld. I don't necessarily think we should count ports or Switch versions here should we? If so then maybe it would be FF12.
 
Feep

Feep

Lead Designer, Iridium Studios
Verified
Oct 25, 2017
4,602
Dezzy said:
I've never played Golden Sun 1 or 2. What makes them so good? I love traditional jrpgs so I'm always ready to play an old one that I missed out on.
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For my money, the best part of the game is excellent puzzle and dungeon design. However, graphically it's still wonderful, and the battle system and customization are pretty satisfying.

Story is decent enough.
 
Chasing

Chasing

The Fallen
Oct 26, 2017
10,706
Real talk tho, The World Ends With You is the greatest original handheld RPG that has ever been.
 
Sartho

Sartho

Member
Jan 9, 2018
94
Since we're counting Switch ports, I gotta Divinity: Original Sin 2. Amazing game, and seeing a friend play it on switch is awesome. Makes me want to double dip.
 
Evil Lucario

Evil Lucario

Member
Feb 16, 2019
448
Switch is technically handheld so honestly I'd throw Xenoblade Chronicles 2 up there. Xenoblade Chronicles 1 would also be there too once Definitive Edition comes out.

Dezzy said:
I've never played Golden Sun 1 or 2. What makes them so good? I love traditional jrpgs so I'm always ready to play an old one that I missed out on.
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They're basically Zelda games translated into JRPGs with some more spins on the formula. Strong puzzle design, great character customization, and fun characters/world. They're not too challenging (unless playing on Hard Mode for The Lost Age), but not any less engaging which is more important.
 
Raza

Raza

Member
Nov 7, 2017
1,567
Ohio
I guess Mother 3. Strange Journey and Radiant Historia are up there though. Also, a personal favorite of mine but probably wouldn't be in many lists: Rune Factory 4.
 
Hoa

Hoa

Member
Jun 6, 2018
4,304
Megaman Battle Network 3 should be up there.

Personally Megaman Starforce 3 gets a special mention too.

Still nothing that plays like either of those out there.
 
Dezzy

Dezzy

Member
Oct 25, 2017
3,434
USA
I'm gonna say Mother 3. I played it using the fan translation patch, and it was an unforgettable experience. Mother 3 is such a great game with an awesome setting and overall theme and story. I can't believe Nintendo never gave us this game in english. It's truly a crime. Anyone who loved Earthbound(Mother 2) needs to find a way to play it.

The actual fan translation itself is great as well. They nailed the style and humor that the english Earthbound had.
 
McScroggz

McScroggz

The Fallen
Jan 11, 2018
5,973
I personally think this is a flawed premise if any RPG that can be played on a handheld is allowed rather than games made for a handheld, but then I didn't make the thread. So I guess Chrono Trigger.
 
JB2448

JB2448

One Winged Slayer
Member
Oct 25, 2017
5,964
Florida
Raza said:
I guess Mother 3. Strange Journey and Radiant Historia are up there though. Also, a personal favorite of mine but probably wouldn't be in many lists: Rune Factory 4.
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Kaitos said:
It's Mother 3. It's always Mother 3.
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Dezzy said:
I'm gonna say Mother 3. I played it using the fan translation patch, and it was an unforgettable experience. Mother 3 is such a great game with an awesome setting and overall theme and story. I can't believe Nintendo never gave us this game in english. It's truly a crime. Anyone who loved Earthbound(Mother 2) needs to find a way to play it.

The actual fan translation itself is great as well. They nailed the style and humor that the english Earthbound had.
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Y'all are good people.
 
Zen Hero

Zen Hero

Member
Oct 25, 2017
5,633
The current standing is that no other turn-based RPGs measure up to the Etrian Odyssey series in terms of tight gameplay design.
 
Dark_Castle

Dark_Castle

Member
Oct 27, 2017
7,147
Should be considering handheld exclusive only. Top overall is Mother 3 IMO but I'm really having a great time with Bravely Second right now.
 
FunMouse

FunMouse

Member
Apr 30, 2018
1,292
Golden Sun and Golden Sun: The Lost Age will always be my all time favorite handheld rpgs. Brb while I go and listen to some Isaac Theme music.
 
Yasumi

Yasumi

One Winged Slayer
Member
Oct 25, 2017
4,573
Only one mention of Dragon Quest XI? Dang.

Persona 4 Golden and Dragon Quest XI.
 
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