SNES has the best console RPGS of all time. That seems to be all I do with my Axim nowadays, and my girlfriend wonders why I spent $350 on "a glorified Gameboy"... I think I'll limit her Bejeweled time as punishment...
Anyway, among the hard-core rpg nerd circles, the top 3 are usually Final Fantasy 3 (arguably the greatest console rpg of all time), Earthbound (probably my favorite rpg of all time), and Super Mario RPG. All very different, all great games.
Final Fantasy 3 is really what put the FF series on the map as far as mainstream American rpg fans go. It's extremely deep and addicting. The story is second to none and the characters are very likeable. Not much more I can say, really. Check it out.
Earthbound is so fun it's criminal. You play a boy in a modern society, so it's already non-traditional. Swords and sorcery are replaced by yo-yos and PSI abilities. Weapon shops and dungeon crawls are mini-malls and arcade brawls. I'm re-playing this currently. Too good.
To be honest,
Super Mario RPG is the only game of the three aforementioned that I never quite finished. If memory serves, I believe I started going back to arcades more the time this came out. At any rate, this game was released well after the previous 2. It's highly polished, and still very fun. I wish I could say more. I'll play this once I finish Earthbound again.
Other SNES rpgs worth noting:
Shadowrun: Highly under-rated. Graphics are nothing to write home about, but if a futuristic society of cyber-punks, mercenaries, and good-old shootouts appeals to you, I recommend it. I had a blast when I used to play this game.
Chrono Trigger: In all fairness, this game belongs right up there with the top 3. Another winner from Squaresoft, it mixes traditional RPGs with time travel. Get this game.
Breath of Fire (3) : I loved this game when it first came out. It really picked up its stride with the 2nd installment. One of the unique things about it was that you could actually do different things in the overhead "world map" rather than just walk. You could fish, hunt, etc. when not monster-bashing. Oldie but goodie.
Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past: The list wouldn't be complete without the definitive Zelda game. Nuff' said.
And just for kicks...
Actraiser: This game was groundbreaking when it came out. Part RPG, part Populous (you're a sort of god to a race), it had a unique approach to traditional genres. See if you like it.
Ogre Battle: Still one of my favorite old school strategy games. You actually control a small force of different races and professions and duke it out with the baddies from level to level. I just remember having a blast with this back in the day.
So I hope that helped. If you're already very familiar with these games, I can list a few more... but I thought this might be enough to get you started. I'm off to take in some theater before I hit the Fourside Mall in Earthbound... have fun!
