8-Bit RPGs You Won't Believe Exist!

The Atari 2600 was a charming home video game system, but it wasn’t until Nintendo entered the scene with the NES that the market truly took off. Equipped with remarkable 8-bit graphics for its time, they revolutionized the home console industry almost overnight. Some other significant 8-bit consoles were the Sega Master System, Game Boy, and Game Boy Color.

8-bit systems may not match the performance of 16-bit systems from the same period, but they were pivotal in their time and still offer enjoyable gaming experiences. Let’s delve into the past by revisiting some action RPGs, which are often undiscovered gems for Western audiences.

8. Grand Master

A Mega Man Style RPG

Developer: Soft Machine
Publisher: Varie
Released: February 26, 1991 (Japan)
Platform: NES

The game titled “Grand Master” wasn’t distributed in the West, yet it remains simple to play without modifications for English speakers. Unlike many action RPGs, its world map resembles a “Mega Man” game. Players can select a stage and advance through it from a top-down view, traveling from a watery dungeon to a towering fortress. As players vanquish waves of adversaries in this 1991 NES RPG, they can boost their HP and MP stats. Although somewhat challenging to fully appreciate due to its age, “Grand Master” was quite innovative for its time.

7. River City Ransom

A Brawler With An RPG Beat

In a novel twist, the game River City Ransom revolutionized the beat ’em up genre by integrating role-playing game (RPG) elements within an expansive city setting. As players navigated through this urban landscape, they encountered and vanquished gangs of teenagers who would then relinquish cash upon defeat. This acquired wealth could be used to enhance the player’s character at restaurants, boosting their stats. This gameplay mechanic persisted in subsequent titles like River City Girls and served as inspiration for other brawlers such as Scott Pilgrim via The World: The Game, thereby cementing River City Ransom’s status as a highly influential NES game that paved the way for genre advancements.

6. Zelda 2: The Adventure Of Link

Link’s Bizarre Sequel

As for the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System), Nintendo wasn’t quite sure about creating sequels, resulting in unusual standalone games like “Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link“. Rather than providing another intricate top-down adventure, the gameplay perspective transitioned intermittently as players ventured through Hyrule.

In this game, the main world wasn’t as intricate, and players might stumble upon unexpected battles that would temporarily switch the viewpoint to a 2D mode. During these encounters, Link could gain experience points instead of advancing by collecting items. Moreover, this 2D perspective is utilized for traversing towns and exploring dungeons as well.

5. The Samurai Lord Musashi: Gimmicks On The Run

What If Musashi Was A Robot?

Developer: Tose
Publisher: Yutaka
Released: October 5, 1991 (Japan)
Platform: NES

Brave Fencer Musashi is an excellent action RPG for the PS1, but there was another action RPG inspired by the legendary Japanese samurai that predates it. The Samurai Lord Musashi: Gimmicks on the Run, a Japan-exclusive NES game from 1991, was based on the anime Musashi, the Samurai Lord. The main character, Musashi, was a robot resembling Gundam models or the compact versions of Gundams found in various games and anime. As this robotic samurai, players could traverse a vibrant top-down world, level up conventionally. Fans are lucky because there’s a fan patch available for this licensed game, as it’s truly outstanding.

4. Chronicle Of The Radia War

A Hidden Gem From Tecmo

Developer: Tecmo
Publisher: Tecmo
Released: November 15, 1991 (Japan)
Platform: NES

1991’s Radia War Chronicle, developed by Tecmo (known for NES hits like Ninja Gaiden), is another exclusive Japanese release. Players could traverse screens with their party, potentially triggering random encounters. In these instances, enemies would roam about, seemingly biding their time to be defeated by players, earning EXP in the process. A fan-made English translation patch exists for this action RPG, making it accessible to a wider audience. Despite its story not being as groundbreaking by today’s standards, Radia War Chronicle remains a hidden gem from Tecmo.

3. Crystalis

SNK’s Answer To Zelda

Crystalis hails from a well-known game company, SNK, and unlike many of their games, it was indeed launched in the Western market. Essentially, it was SNK’s counterpart to the Zelda series, but instead of focusing on puzzles, it prioritized developing a richer combat system that includes character leveling up.

In this game, an abundance of equipment and enchantments were to be discovered. The magic in particular had the power to transform the world much like ice can freeze rivers solid. This was a game that demonstrated foresight in numerous aspects. Although there is a Game Boy Color version available, the original on NES remains unrivaled and has been remastered for release through the SNK 40th Anniversary Collection.

2. Star Ocean: Blue Sphere

A Trapped Entry

Developer: tri-Ace
Publisher: Enix
Released: June 28, 2001 (GBC Version, Japan)
Platform: Game Boy Color, Mobile

The Star Ocean series initially started towards the end of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System’s (SNES) lifespan in 1996, however, it was not until 1999 that the first game to be released outside of Japan, titled Star Ocean: The Second Story, made its debut on PlayStation 1. Despite being well-received on PS1, the subsequent game, Star Ocean: Blue Sphere, which served as a direct sequel, was exclusive to Japan and was released for the Game Boy Color. Similar to other games in the series, battles were action-based following transitions from random monster encounters in the world. Players could select multiple characters to play with from the beginning, embarking on an adventure triggered by a crash landing, reminiscent of a cute mech piloted by Precis. Fans have been tirelessly working on a patch for years, and now a version comparable to the original is playable.

1. Final Fantasy Adventure

Palm Trees And Eight

The initial “Mana” game was promoted as a spin-off from Final Fantasy series outside Japan, titled “Final Fantasy Adventure.” In Japan, it’s known as “Seiken Densetsu,” however players refer to it, this is an original Game Boy classic that has been remade and ported numerous times. Players take on the role of the protagonist, Sumo, navigating a world similar to Zelda, battling monsters, progressing, and leveling up. Temporary companions join Sumo, offering assistance in combat or benefits like healing magic. The remakes, such as “Sword of Mana” for the GBA, may be more accessible but the original Game Boy version remains impressive.

2025-04-09 12:35

8-Bit RPGs You Won’t Believe Exist!