The 10 Best 16-Bit RPGs (According To Metacritic)
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There have been a lot of 16-bit RPGs on the market over the years. Here’s a look at 10 of the absolute best, according to Metacritic.
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RPGs are many a gamer’s favorite form of escapism. With the press of a button, we can instantly be transported into a fantasy realm, a faraway planet, or something as simple as our own little farm on the outskirts of a quirky little town. Whether you’d like to explore and grind or hack-and-slash, there’s definitely one for you.
It’s often been debated that the peak of the genre came with the age of 16-bit graphics and with the help of Metacritic, we just might settle the score. We’ve included RPGs old and new to contend for top title on our list, so ready your stats and prepare to play.
10 Breath of Fire (79)
It’s an RPG involving dueling dragons, beautiful goddesses, and lots of spells, it’s none other than Capcom’s Breath of Fire. granting us Dragonborn power long before we explored the wilds of Skyrim, this often-overlooked RPG definitely has a certain charm. Even if it does reuse a few Street Fighter sound bites
It’s about as classic JRPG as you can get, but it’s not that we’re complaining. The visuals are impressive, the characters are unique, and the story is engaging. It was so beloved it warranted five other sequels if the first one wasn’t enough for you.
9 Phantasy Star (82)
It might be Sega’s answer to the Dragon Quest series, but it’s gone down as one of the most beloved games on the system. Exchanging the swords and sorcery motif of Dragon Quest for its own original space opera plot, the series is nothing if not interesting.
Although the series is more well-known for its MMORPG games, this was the one that started it all. For the time, the graphics and gameplay were revolutionary, and it was something that even made the likes of Nintendo nervous. If you want to experience this incredible game, a brilliant port is currently available on the Switch.
8 Octopath Traveler (83)
Octopath Traveler is an absolutely beautiful RPG that pays accurate tribute to SNES classics of the ’90s. Taking more than a few notes from the likes of Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy, and even a little Dragon Quest, the game is a memorable experience that any fan of the genre should play.
The design perfectly blends classic 16-bit Sprites with 3D graphics and effects, the story and gameplay in Courage multiple playthroughs, and combat feels classic but not tired. It’s one of the most stunning games in the Switch’s library and is positively perfect for that JRPG itch.
7 Collection of Mana (83)
The Mana series was a game-changer when it hit the SNES in the 90s, being one of the first true action RPGs that graced the home consoles. However, up until now, the full series had only been available in Japan. But thanks to the Nintendo Switch, retrogamers can finally get in on all the action.
The series definitely has a Zelda-esque feel to it but has all the charm and magical beauty of a Final Fantasy title. In fact, the first game in the series started off as a Final Fantasy spinoff. If you’re looking for a different kind of RPG, we highly recommend giving this series a look.
6 Hyper Light Drifter (84)
We’ve talked about Hyper Light Drifter several times before, but it’s simply one of those games that bear repeating. To put it in the simplest terms, the game is essentially a Zelda-like RPG with absolutely no spoken dialogue or text. The plot itself is anybody’s guess, but it still delivers an exceptional experience.
You’ll upgrade your character, explore the world for collectibles, currency, and hidden areas, as well as fighting a selection of monsters and bosses along the way. It’s a unique cyberpunk dungeon-crawler, but with enough action to satisfy any fan of combat-focused games.
5 Wargroove (84)
Directly inspired by the Advance Wars series on the Game Boy Advance, Wargroove is an interesting action-strategy game that puts the player in control of their own army of fantasy forces. Will you be a benevolent royal, an insidious necromancer, a mighty wizard, or a friendly plant monster? You decide how to lead your troops to battle.
Not as heavy as Fire Emblem but definitely longer than your average game of chess, for group will definitely put your mind to the test as well as your gaming skills. If you wanted large-scale battles with a 90s 16-bit aesthetic, this is the game for you.
4 Stardew Valley (87)
We’ve talked about cyberpunk dungeon crawlers, 16-bit battles, and space opera adventures, but sometimes you want to put down the sword and shield and just kick back on your own little patch of Heaven in a cozy retro-styled world. That’s what Stardew Valley is for.
Tell many have compared this game to the popular Harvest Moon franchise, we think it goes a little deeper than that. Though the game shares several similarities, there is a lot more to do. You can raise a farm and livestock, you can explore a dungeon full of monsters, and you can also find true love from the comfort of this 16-bit world.
3 Dragon Quest XI S (2D Mode) (91)
In all honesty, we could have featured a number of Dragon Quest titles on this list. But in the end, we had to go with the most recent entry in the series, thanks to the newly introduced “2D Mode.” although the main game is done and fully rendered 3D graphics, players have the option to play in the traditional 16-bit style.
Although this is mainly anesthetic change that changes little to nothing in the overall storyline, it serves as a reminder to show fans where the series came from. It has the traditional JRPG formula, and even reintroduces the original combat system from the early games. It’s definitely top-tier material for us.
2 Chrono Trigger (92)
Of course, we can’t have a list of 16-bit RPGs without talking about the granddaddy of them all, Chrono Trigger. considered by many to be the greatest RPG of all time, and even by some to be the greatest game of all time, this ingenious little title from Square Enix has stood the test of time.
Several entries on this list try to pay tribute to the techniques and practices set forth by the SNES title. But at the end of the day, there’s only one Chrono Trigger. There’s an amazing port of it on the Nintendo DS, and it’s certainly a game everyone should experience.
1 Link to the Past (95)
Though there might be some arguments whether or not the Zelda series should be considered an RPG or not, we have to give A Link to the Past the top spot on this list. Think about it, you explore a fantasy world collecting various weapons and potions, you dive into deep dungeons filled with monsters and traps, all while trying to defeat an evil wizard and save a princess.
It sure sounds like an RPG to us, which is why we have to give this game top billing. Although Link has since made the jump the fully rendered graphics, everyone and their brother will compare the newer games to this title.
NEXT: 10 Movies To Watch If You Like The Legend Of Zelda Games
Zach Gass is a writer from East Tennessee with a love for all things Disney, Star Wars, and Marvel. When not writing for Screen Rant, Zach is an active member of his community theatre, enjoys a variety of authors including Neil Gaiman, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkein, and is a proud and active retro-gamer.
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