I’ll only address the ones I’ve played that have fan translations available on http://cdromance.org but here’s my top 10 (I’ll also link all my video playthroughs of each):
1) Treasure of the Rudras (1996, SNES)
Square’s last RPG for the SNES is pretty amazing, you play as one of three protagonists initially (and eventually a fourth) and playing as one progresses the story of another; the spell system is also unique because it’s based on whatever Japanese characters that you input and it will create a custom spell based on it.
2) Mother 3 (2006, GBA)
Arguably better than its Earthbound, Mother 3 is a darker tale that still involves many of the quirky type characters, enemies and locations that Earthbound has, and still to this one day one of the most requested RPGs from Western fans
3) Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 (2000, SNES)
Thracia 776 might be the best of the SNES era Fire Emblem games – and it’s not for the faint of heart, it might also be the most difficult FE game ever. Reinforcement after reinforcement will come, forcing you to come up with the best tactical strategies to survive but trust me it’s worth it as the story and characters are top notch!
4) Samurai Shodown RPG (1997, Neo Geo CD)
Yes Samurai Shodown does have an RPG, exclusive to the Neo Geo CD but it’s worth playing as the graphics are wonderful, the characters are familiar to any Samurai Shodown player and the combat system is unique – you input fighting combos as attacks!
5) Bahamut Lagoon (1996, SNES)
Another great Square entry, Bahamut Lagoon is a tactical RPG where you control dragons. That’s nuff said right?
6) Far East of Eden Zero (1995, SNES)
It’s a travesty none of the Tengai Makyo RPGs got officially released in the West because they are all pretty high production with solid gameplay and story elements. As well as a real time clock feature that equates the days in the game to real life. But you can pick up a fan translation for this one and I highly recommend it.
7) Metal Max Returns (1995, SNES)
A fun RPG set in a post apocalyptic setting, what’s special about this one is the fact that you can either fight normally as your character, or drive a tank and fight as a tank as well! In addition to the that the enemies are absolutely insane – ever fight a woolly mammoth tank or a killer plant with laser beams or a gorilla that shoots sonic waves?
8) Sailor Moon: Another Story (1995, SNES)
Bet many Westerners didn’t know that Sailor Moon had a SNES RPG! That’s right and it’s a pretty good one too; many Sailor Moon fans definitely check it out but even if you aren’t it’s a very solid RPG in it’s own right.
9) Feda: Emblem of Justice (1994, SNES)
Heavily inspired by the Shining Force games, you can think of this as ‘Shining Force for the SNES’ it’s got great tactical combat and also the characters have memorable personalities as well.
10) Shin Megami Tensei II (1994, SNES)
A dungeon crawler RPG at its heart, this iteration of Shin Megami Tensei plays quite differently from the newer versions as it really is a Japanese dungeon crawler RPG with crazy monsters in a post apocalyptic setting.
Good news is recently we have been seeing more and more previously unreleased RPGs being brought over to the West officially (Romancing Saga, Live a Live, Trials of Mana etc) hope this trend continues.
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