Over the years so many RPGs have been released, and while many of them have found a home on modern hardware, sadly there are still a handful that remain locked to their original platforms.
For today's list, we will be looking at ten of these RPGs that we feel should really be brought back—be that as a remaster, remake, or a simple port. Whatever the case is, these are amazing titles, and they deserve to see the light of day once again.
Skies of Arcadia
Skies of Arcadia remains a standout title from the golden age of RPGs. Originally released as a Dreamcast exclusive, it was eventually ported to the GameCube with additional content. The game tells the story of Vyse, a Blue Rogue who sets out to carve his own path after a chance encounter with a mysterious girl named Fina and an attack on his village.
In terms of gameplay, Skies of Arcadia featured full 3D environments with a multilayered overworld where players could fly their ships and discover floating islands. Despite this fantastical world-building, exploration itself remained grounded with great attention to detail. Vyse must take the time to physically open every door he encounters and climb every rung of a ladder—details that carried over into combat as well.
Rather than having characters stand on opposite sides of a field to trade blows, the turn-based battles took place on a full 3D map where characters physically moved into position to attack or dodge. With weapons that could have their elements changed freely in battle, there was an added layer of strategy on top of traditional RPG tactics. This is not even mentioning the airship battles, which featured mechanics all their own. All of these systems helped Skies of Arcadia stand out from other games on the market, making it a must-play. Its charming characters and engaging story certainly help as well.
When it comes to bringing the game to modern hardware, there isn't much that would need to be "improved." While the battle speed can be a bit slow and the random encounter rate is sometimes high, both issues could be addressed by including toggles to increase the game speed. Outside of this, the game still holds up remarkably well by today's standards, and it is simply a shame that it isn't more readily available.
Xenosaga
Xenosaga was the spiritual successor to the PlayStation classic Xenogears and the predecessor to today's widely popular Xenoblade Chronicles series. This trilogy actually consisted of three episodes and threw players headfirst into a sci-fi epic beyond their wildest dreams. While the game itself featured an interesting battle system centered on chaining combos and using skills alongside summoned mechs, it was the story and characters that truly hooked players from beginning to end. Similar to Xenogears before it, Xenosaga touches on quite a few heavy and religious themes during its runtime, and the end result was a simply unforgettable journey.
When it comes to a modern version, Xenosaga is one of the few titles on this list that most fans would agree should receive a full remake. With Episode II, the series saw a major shift in its art direction and a significant decrease in its pacing. Because battles were much more prevalent and included a lot of additional padding, many consider the title a slog to get through and often rank it as their least favorite. This was updated for the Japanese-exclusive Nintendo DS remake, but the original PS2 version was never revisited. With Xenosaga Episode III, however, the series returned to its former glory; it is often looked upon as one of the greatest RPGs the PlayStation 2 had to offer. A remake would provide developer Monolith Soft the chance to unify all three parts to deliver consistent quality and possibly include additional connections to the overall series they have developed—something that has been hinted at in their recent Xenoblade titles.
Either way, Xenosaga is a game that many would love to see return—even if only as an updated collection—and explaining any more would ruin it for newcomers. This is a game best experienced blindly, so if you ever get the chance, do yourself a favor and give it a shot!
Lost Odyssey
Lost Odyssey was a title developed by Mistwalker, the studio founded by the father of Final Fantasy himself, Hironobu Sakaguchi. That being said, the game feels very much like a spiritual successor to Final Fantasy X with its world layout, fixed camera angles, and turn-based battle system. Unlike Final Fantasy X, however, the game included a timing element in its combat and a mechanic unlike anything seen before: immortality.
The title's main character, Kaim, is an unlucky soul cursed to live forever, and this plays a role in both the story and the gameplay. While the game itself becomes quite challenging and demands nearly perfect strategy, the immortal characters actually cannot die. They will fall in battle, certainly, but they are revived after a set number of turns have passed. As long as the entire party isn't downed, the fight continues.
This alone makes the battles extremely interesting, but it is truly how this mechanic is implemented in the story that makes the game so special. Outside of the standard cutscenes, Lost Odyssey includes a dream section that plays out much like a visual novel. Each tale gives players a look into Kaim's past through self-contained stories that help the player understand the pain of immortality. These brief, emotional tales leave a lasting impression and represent some of the best storytelling one will ever discover in a game.
Thankfully, Lost Odyssey is not fully lost to time. The game is an Xbox 360 title that is backward compatible on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, and Microsoft even gave it away for free at one point. Of course, many might have missed that opportunity, but they can still purchase it individually. This is one of two games on this list that can be played easily via official means, but it is included here due to its status as an Xbox exclusive. It is long overdue for a port to other hardware and is definitely a game more players should experience.
Phantasy Star Online (Classic)
Phantasy Star Online is a game about which many players have mixed feelings. On one hand, it was a revolutionary online title that connected console players in a way never before seen; on the other, it is often blamed for bringing an end to the classic Phantasy Star series. From this point forward, every entry would be an action RPG with online elements, followed by titles such as Phantasy Star Universe, Zero, Portable, Portable 2 (and 2i), Online 2, Nova, and Online 2 New Genesis. Each of these games possesses a unique feel that allows them to stand out, meaning one never truly replaced another. That being said, the original Phantasy Star Online still holds a special place in the world, especially considering how much it differs from the "fashion endgame" focus of Phantasy Star Online 2. The problem, however, is that the game has not seen the light of day officially since its servers were shut down in 2010.
Released on the Dreamcast, GameCube, Xbox, and PC (in Japan), PSO allowed players to create their own characters, explore dungeons for loot, and take on challenging bosses. Teamwork was key, and failure meant other players could potentially take what was rightfully yours. This created a unique dynamic within the community that could lead to either lifelong friendships or mortal enemies. It was truly something special, but even without the online component, the title remained a solid action RPG—and that is not even counting the card game included as Episode III.
Thankfully, PSO is still playable today via fan-operated private servers, and the setup is quick and easy. Even so, it is a shame that SEGA seems to have no intention of returning to its older titles, especially after the release of New Genesis, which strayed even further from the original Phantasy Star Online formula. While it might not be the flashiest game by modern standards, it remains a lot of fun and deserves a revival. Sometimes players just want a game they can hop into for a few dungeon runs to relax, and that is exactly the type of cozy experience Phantasy Star Online offers.
White Knight Chronicles
Level-5's White Knight Chronicles used to be one of the more recognizable RPGs on the PlayStation 3. Following in the footsteps of titles such as Dark Cloud, and featuring an MMORPG-style combat system reminiscent of games like Final Fantasy XII and later Xenoblade Chronicles, the title puts players in the shoes of their own created avatar as they join the party of the protagonist, Leonard. After awakening the ancient power of the massive White Knight, the group sets out on an adventure across the world to not only discover the secrets of the knight but to also stop an ancient evil that has seemingly returned. Initially, it seems like a pretty standard "save the world" setup, but the game evolves into a complex narrative with surprising plot twists along the way—and it doesn't stop there.
Following the original White Knight Chronicles, the story continues into its sequel, where players can fully import their save files. The second game even included the entirety of the original on the disc, so fans didn't need to rush out to buy part one to begin playing. The sequel introduced a number of quality-of-life upgrades and added new side quests to the world, making it a "definitive edition" of sorts. Overall, the game had a lot going for it, but it was the unique online mode and town-building features that pushed it over the edge.
While the player-created avatar didn't play a major role in the main plot—at least not initially—they could be used to jump into the online mode. Here, players could meet up to take on quests unlocked by progressing the main story and battle massive, challenging bosses together. Additionally, each of these players could build their own towns—a feature carried over from Level-5's Dark Cloud series—and unlock special shops to further improve their characters. This multiplayer mode was essentially a game of its own tacked onto an already massive single-player RPG, but unfortunately, it is no more.
In today's world, it is impossible to play White Knight Chronicles online, and both titles remain exclusive to the PlayStation 3. While the original game can be played using PlayStation Plus Premium's streaming service, the sequel is completely missing, leaving the story unfinished and the quality-of-life improvements inaccessible.
Shadow Hearts
Shadow Hearts is a series that unfortunately fully embraces the first word of its title, as it is one of the lesser-known entries on our list. Launching on the PlayStation 2 in 2001, the game was a sequel to 1999's Koudelka and follows the story of a new protagonist, Yuri Hyuga. Set in the early 1900s, the title sees Yuri team up with a young exorcist named Alice after a mysterious voice in his head leads them to meet. Unlike many other JRPGs, the game's unique setting is grounded in reality while being set in an alternate world where monsters truly exist. With both traditional and cosmic horror on display, the game dives headfirst into the supernatural and is a non-stop wild ride until its conclusion.
Following Shadow Hearts, two sequels were produced, making the series a four-part tetralogy. While the original Koudelka uses tactical turn-based gameplay for its random encounters, Shadow Hearts features a more standard system but with real-time elements incorporated. When using abilities, a "Judgment Ring" wheel appears; stopping the spinning needle on key sections will increase the damage or the effect of a skill. Another unique aspect of the battle system is Yuri's ability to transform into monster forms he masters, which further opens up his options in battle. Though the game itself is mostly linear, its interesting story and horror-themed take on our real world are what truly make the series stand out, and the same can be said for its sequels.
Unfortunately, Shadow Hearts remains a PlayStation 2 exclusive, and its spiritual successor, Penny Blood, has struggled to find a publisher. The game still holds up very well by today's standards and would be a perfect candidate for an HD collection release.
Ar Tonelico
The Ar Tonelico series isn't an easy one to explain. Developed by Gust, the first entry was released on the PlayStation 2 in 2006, with a Western release following the next year. Borrowing elements from the popular Atelier series—such as crafting and relationship building—Ar Tonelico features a vast world filled with rich lore and a strong focus on music. With beings known as Reyvateils providing power through song, battles are turn-based yet feature real-time mechanics where the music itself impacts the flow of the fight. While this alone helps the game stand out from other JRPGs of its era, it is truly the captivating story and world that hook those willing to jump in. With dating-simulator-like moments playing a major role throughout, it is a title that doesn't want players to simply play through it, but rather to "live it."
The original series eventually spanned three titles, with Ar Tonelico II releasing on the PlayStation 2 in 2007 (2009 in the West) and the third and final entry arriving for the PlayStation 3 in 2010 (2011 for everyone else). These games were followed by a unique visual novel entry titled Ciel Nosurge, which has never left Japan.
In Ciel Nosurge, players use their console to "look" into another world and help the mysterious Ion. Along the way, they discover past events and follow yet another surprisingly deep and engaging plotline—one that serves as a prequel to Ar Tonelico itself. The ending of Ciel Nosurge leads directly into the RPG Ar Nosurge, which did release in the West in 2014 for PlayStation 3 and 2015 for PlayStation Vita. This version of the title was brought to modern hardware in 2021, but sadly only in Japan. While it also features a story that can only be described as "insane," Western players missing the context of Ciel Nosurge were left with a lesser experience, and the same can be said for anyone who didn't play through Ar Tonelico first.
Although Gust's titles are not as popular in the West as they are in Japan, Ar Tonelico is a unique series that appeals to a specific set of fans. While it isn't as "cozy" as Atelier, the sheer scale of the adventure and the countless plot revelations are things many fans would enjoy. Though it doesn't necessarily need a full remake, the original three titles would benefit from an updated translation and a collection release, while Ciel Nosurge and Ar Nosurge simply deserve to be released together. It is criminal that Western fans only received the last half of the story and that the modern ports never left Japan. Either way, this is a series that shouldn't be stuck on old hardware, especially considering how few physical copies exist in the wild. That said, players with PlayStation Plus Premium can still stream Ar Nosurge if they wish.
Persona 2
Nowadays, the name Persona really needs no introduction. With the mainstream popularity brought about by the release of Persona 5, most RPG fans are at least familiar with the name and with Shin Megami Tensei as a whole. However, that does not mean the entire series is easily accessible today. In fact, there are countless Shin Megami Tensei titles that are nearly impossible to come by in today's world, but for the sake of this list, we are going to look specifically at two: Persona 2: Innocent Sin and Persona 2: Eternal Punishment.
Taking place long after Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army and directly following Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner and the original Persona, Persona 2 is a duology split into two parts. While retaining the classic dungeon crawling, turn-based combat, and demon negotiation the series is known for, Persona 2 features a third-person camera and puts a heavier focus on the characters and their past traumas. With an interesting story set in a world where rumors become reality, the game was the first to break further away from the typical Shin Megami Tensei mold and lead us toward what Persona is today. With Innocent Sin taking place within the original timeline, the events of its story lead to the altered world featured in Eternal Punishment, which in turn led to the creation of the universe featured in Persona 3 and beyond. Though it doesn't feature the full social simulation seen in newer entries, the constantly updating character dialogue at each location captures the feeling of being with friends, creating a world one can easily get lost within. It was truly ahead of its time when it released on the PlayStation in 1999, but Western fans had to wait until 2011 to experience Innocent Sin officially—though, strangely enough, we did receive Eternal Punishment back in 2000.
When it comes to bringing Persona 2 to modern hardware, there is no denying some aspects are dated, even if the game holds up relatively well. The negotiation system—which allows players to obtain cards used to summon Personas—can be tricky and requires significant farming to obtain necessary items. The PSP version of Innocent Sin includes enhancements to update the title, while the PSP version of Eternal Punishment never received an official localization, though fan translations exist. Even with these updated releases, they are not what one would consider on par with more modern entries, and many players may struggle with the general gameplay. That is a shame, especially considering how great the stories are.
Rather than simply porting them to modern hardware, both entries would benefit greatly from full remakes that retain their original gameplay style. Modern turn-based combat, updated negotiations, and 3D cel-shaded models would do wonders for both of these classics. While some fans might want the time-based progression and Social Link systems to return, they aren't strictly necessary and would fundamentally change the flow of the original titles.
Custom Robo
When most players think of Nintendo and the RPG series under their belt, a handful of titles instantly come to mind: Pokémon, Mother (EarthBound), Fire Emblem, the Mario RPG series, and perhaps even Golden Sun. While all of these titles are great in their own right, there is one that often gets overlooked and hasn't been heard from since 2007—that series being Custom Robo.
Custom Robo originally launched on the Nintendo 64 exclusively in Japan and put players in the shoes of their own character entering the world of fighting using miniature robots. These robos are controlled by an operator who physically links their mind with them, taking the fight into a battle arena called a Holosseum. While each entry has its own variation of these details, they all retain the same core gameplay of creating your own robo and then testing it against other robo commanders.
While the first three entries in the series featured school-aged protagonists and focused on battle tournaments, it was the fourth title on the Nintendo GameCube, Custom Robo Battle Revolution, that stepped things up into adulthood. This also happened to be the first title to be localized in the West, and as such, it was renamed simply Custom Robo.
In Custom Robo, players take control of a protagonist who follows his father's wish of becoming a Robo Commander. With little idea of what this entails, he applies to become a bounty hunter and is only given the position after a freak accident bonds a new experimental robo to him. Unable to transfer owners, he is forced to command his robo in battle as a mysterious organization targets him and a greater mystery slowly unfolds. While battle tournaments still played a role, this darker take on the universe featured a complete RPG-style narrative and an extensive post-game to occupy the player's time. Along with the four-player multiplayer mode, the title was a beefy package on the GameCube and has yet to see a re-release since.
Following Battle Revolution, Custom Robo Arena was released on the Nintendo DS in 2007, but sadly it also marked the end of the entire series. This entry returned to the school setting used in the first three titles and made use of the Nintendo DS Wi-Fi Connection service, but for whatever reason, Nintendo and the developer, Noise, called it quits soon after.
With Custom Robo, there are plenty of options available; it simply comes down to Nintendo being willing to see them through. The first two titles have been brought to Nintendo Switch Online in Japan but do not have a localization—they would need to be translated for Western fans to truly enjoy them. Custom Robo GX is a Game Boy Advance title and could also be released as part of that service, but once again, it is only in Japanese. Custom Robo for the GameCube could see a release on Nintendo hardware as part of a GameCube lineup, or it could receive a fully remastered release. While technically none of these titles need to be updated, there is no denying how fun a release with online functionality could be. On the other hand, Custom Robo Arena made use of the Nintendo DS touch screen, so it would need a bit of work to make the transition—something that releases like the Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection have proved can be done.
Either way, Custom Robo is a solid RPG series exclusive to Nintendo hardware, and it is one that could excel in today's world if given the chance. It just needs a re-release to prove it.
.hack//IMOQ
To finish off this list, there was only one title that felt right: .hack (pronounced "dot hack" for those wondering).
The .hack series was one of the first video game properties to pursue a multimedia strategy. While the first game, .hack//Infection, was released in June 2002, the anime series .hack//SIGN began airing in April of the same year. Serving as a direct prequel to the first game, the anime helped establish the world, which was further expanded through novels, OVA specials, and manga. Of course, the original four .hack video games were at the center of this—those being Infection, Mutation, Outbreak, and Quarantine—but the series was much more than just these four titles.
Moving past the originals, Part 2 of .hack included the anime Roots and the G.U. video game series, which received a remastered collection in 2017. Part 3 included movies, a third main video game entry, and even a fighting game spin-off. While not all of this saw a localization, the series retained a strong following over the years due to its interesting setting and character-driven storylines. Now, .hack is poised for a complete revival with CyberConnect2 regaining the rights from Bandai Namco, but this revival doesn't account for the absence of the originals in today's world. While G.U. is easily accessible due to its re-release, the original IMOQ titles are extremely rare and buying them will cost a pretty penny; a remake or enhanced port would fix that.
The premise of .hack is something we have seen more of recently, but in the early 2000s, it was a completely new concept. The series focused on players logging into an MMORPG to play with their friends, only for things to take a darker turn when a select few discover it is more than just a game. With players being trapped within "The World" and others falling into comas for unknown reasons, a group of players begins investigating the incidents as they uncover the truth. Though the game simulates an MMORPG—complete with a computer desktop to navigate and emails to read—the vast majority of the title takes place within the virtual world itself, where the RPG gameplay is on full display.
As an early 2000s title, .hack is a pure dungeon crawler that doesn't hold the player's hand. Though it is technically action-based, every attack is determined by stats, meaning early on many moves may simply miss their target. With skills triggered from a menu and equipment providing different abilities, players must carefully plan their gear and their party members' loadouts to have a chance of surviving. The title also features a wide variety of usable items, but limited inventory space means not every tool can be brought along for every dungeon run. Unlike many modern RPGs, these items are essential, and one cannot be shy about using them; that is where much of the challenge lies. This is a series that pushes resources to the limit, featuring unforgiving deaths that can cause you to lose everything. Even the final boss of the first part requires a complete shift in playstyle to that of a healer, as attacking will only get you killed. The game doesn't explicitly tell players this, leaving it to them to figure it out on their own. This challenging style isn't for everyone, but it definitely has its charm.
If the original .hack titles were to ever see a re-release, they would undoubtedly need the most work. While the art direction is outstanding, the models, textures, and the constant fog used to mask draw distance could certainly be touched up, if not entirely redone. Menus are also a bit archaic, requiring significant navigation for simple tasks like giving a party member a new piece of equipment. While these mechanics are part of the original challenge and some fans might prefer them to stay the same, streamlining these systems wouldn't take away from the core experience.
As for the battle system, it is truly a "love it or hate it" style. In today's world, the Mystery Dungeon style of play is a rarity, and the return of classic .hack could help fill that void. At the same time, a modern action combat system—or an adaptation of what was seen in .hack//G.U. or .hack//Link—could also work. Realistically, a revamped system might attract more players, but many classic fans will always prefer the original. There is a reason .hack//IMOQ is so beloved, and it is simply unfortunate that it remains tied to the PlayStation 2—especially given the high price of each title.
And there you have it! Ten RPGs we personally feel really need to be brought to modern hardware. Of course there are many more, but we'll leave it at this for now! We hope you enjoyed the list, and don't forget to check back for more in the near future!
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