Awesome Underated NES RPGs

[urko948]

Anyone have any recommendations for some good unknown RPGs for the NES?

[Snarlgax]

Not exactly unknown, but The Magic of Scherherazade is very good.

[DefaultGen]

Deep Dungeon IV has a translation from the Famicom version if you're into first person dungeon crawlers. It plays like a 25 year old console dungeon crawler, which is a love or hate style, but it's a strong contender for relatively unknown.

[Areala]

"Ghost Lion" on the NES. Yes, that's a real title.

*huggles*
Areala

[dragonz]

I would say Crystalis (which I don't think is as unknown as it used to be), it's a top down action RPG similar to Zelda.

I would also recommend Tombs & Treasure, a first person dungeon crawler style game.

[MisterXiado]

I would say Crystalis (which I don't think is as unknown as it used to be), it's a top down action RPG similar to Zelda.

I agree that while Crystalis isn't completely invisible, I think that it's under-represented in classic RPGs. Don't touch the GBC abomination, though.

[mazeroth1]

Yes! Crystalis was a great game. Not many people knew of it but I used to play it with a friend who got it for a birthday.

[miketheratguy]

Faxanadu is fun, but perhaps more of an action game than an RPG. Ultima: Quest of the Avatar was a really compelling, unique RPG. Can't speak for its quality but Faria is one that no one remembers but which I know existed.

[Areala]

You'll need a fan translation patch to play them, but there are two games in the Megami Tensei series (Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei and Megami Tensei II) that are extremely underrated and not very well known.

If you're a fan of the 'Persona' or 'Shin Megami Tensei' series from more modern consoles, you'll enjoy its 8-bit incarnations. If you aren't...maybe Ultima: Exodus or, as miketheratguy said, Quest of the Avatar would be more up your alley.

Flying Warriors is another little-known one that is similar to Faxanadu in the way it plays, but that adopts a more traditional RPG-style turn-based mode for boss fights.

*huggles*
Areala

[miketheratguy]

You'll need a fan translation patch to play them, but there are two games in the Megami Tensei series (Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei and Megami Tensei II) that are extremely underrated and not very well known.

If you're a fan of the 'Persona' or 'Shin Megami Tensei' series from more modern consoles, you'll enjoy its 8-bit incarnations. If you aren't...maybe Ultima: Exodus or, as miketheratguy said, Quest of the Avatar would be more up your alley.

Flying Warriors is another little-known one that is similar to Faxanadu in the way it plays, but that adopts a more traditional RPG-style turn-based mode for boss fights.

*huggles*

Areala

I have a soft spot in my heart for Ultima: Exodus since it was the first straight-up RPG that I ever played, but Quest of the Avatar is easily the better game. Its morality-based gameplay challenge was really kind of revolutionary for its time.

[dragonz]

Flying Warriors is another little-known one that is similar to Faxanadu in the way it plays, but that adopts a more traditional RPG-style turn-based mode for boss fights.

*huggles*

Areala

Hahah Flying Warriors was awesome, if a bit too advanced for its good with it's fighting system. Flying Dragon, the prequel to it was also pretty decent.

[ButtonMasher]

Not exactly unknown, but The Magic of Scherherazade is very good.

Definitely. Being only used to the bigger named action/RPG franchises like Final Fantasy and the Zelda games, it seemed like a really obscure video game to me when I first saw it. I had two housemates in university that would constantly be taking turns with this one. The first time I saw it at a flea market, I HAD to have my own copy.

[SephirothDVR]

Although its a mix bag, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves was a game I enjoyed. It was my first RPG.

[danowar]

I can think of some:

- Sweet Home (Precursor of Resident Evil)

- Just Breed (strategy RPG)

- Dark Lord

- Chaos World

I think all of those need translations, so...

[PowerGamer]

If you've played Romance of the Three Kingdoms or the Dynasty Warriors series, then Destiny of an Emperor is a great RPG featuring the same characters. It gives a unique take on some standard RPG mechanics. HIt points are actually the number of men in that characters force and what would usually be considered magic is different strategies that can be used against an opponent.

[Hekuta]

Crystalis for sure. I know it's not usually mentioned when people think of rpg's but River City Ransom was an amazing game too. I loved getting those free smiles. And the mondo merv