Colorful, interesting, unique RPGs

[andross]

Earthbound and Super Mario RPG are some of my favorite RPGs of all time. What I like about thoem is the fact that they are both very colorful, quirky, and unusual. I also like Chrono Trigger and Lufia II. Does anyone have any good suggestions for games which share these elements? Suggestions for games on any system, not just the Super Nintendo, are entirely welcome. Thanks to anyone who responds.

[Duke.Togo]

I would suggest Final Fantasy IV, V and VI, Skies of Arcadia, Suikoden, Wild Arms, the original Lufia, Panzer Dragoon Saga, Magic Knight Rayearth, Lunar and Lunar 2, Blue Dragon, Vay, Phantasy Star I-IV, and most of the Dragon Quest games. I could run on and on as this is my favorite genre, but that is enough to get started.

I would highly recommend picking up Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection if you have a 360 or PS3. Dirt cheap and all the Phantasy Star games incuded. Have fun!

[BydoEmpire73]

Paper Mario on the n64, definitely. One of the most colorful, interesting and unique RPGs ever. Loved every minute. 1000 Year Door on the Gamecube was great, too, although it took a while to get into.

Not necessarily "colorful" but Panzer Dragoon Saga on the Saturn is a great PRG. Very unique and interesting. Great story, great settings and art direction, great combat. Just a killer game all around. It'll cost you an arm and a leg, but it's really good. Not sure if it's exactly what you're looking for, but it is an unusual RPG.

[andross]

Paper Mario RPG basically made my childhood. I have it on the wii virtual console but i've been waiting for a good deal on the cartridge (since its usually pretty expensive). I also remember those ff games from when i was much younger. I know I liked those. Panzer Dragoon Saga is of interest to me but it usually goes for somewhere between 150 to 200 and I'm not very interested in modchipping my Saturn (athough I may some day). Yeah, thanks for these suggestions, guys. Some of these games aren't familiar so I'll need to check them out.

On a side note, who else here really likes Elemental Gimmick Gear? Since it's an action rpg in the vein of Zelda I wouldn't group it with these other games but the hand-drawn graphics are true art.

[Dhalamar]

If you've got an iPod or an iPhone

Rogue Touch
Sword of Fargoal (which is also a C64 game. But the iPhone version of it was done by the same guys who did the original and they modernized it somewhat)
Ravensword : The Fallen King
Final Fantasy 1 and 2 were ported to it
Golvellius (port of a Sega Master System game)
Shining Force (also a Sega Genesis game)
Phantasy Star ... well ... any of 'em but Phantasy Star II was ported to the platform recently as well
Oregon Trail (hey, it could be seen as an RPG hehe)
Dungeon Hunter is a dungeon crawler style game

And breaking out of that genre a little bit, but kinda staying in it depending on how you look at it (though the game is WAAAAAY too simulationy for my tastes) MLB 09 or 10 "The Show" for the PS3 (or the PS2 I think does this too). You could technically see that game as an RPG because you make a character and take him through the various this and thats. Building up his stats, getting on different teams and whatnot. I think NHL 09 and 10 do this character creation as well. Yeah, sports games, but considering that particular feature they could be in the vein of RPGs as well.

Granted, the story in Rogue Touch and Sword of Fargoal is almost non existent, but they're a product of the times and insanely satisfying to play. Of course, you can just get Rogue on the PC for free, and snag a rom of Sword of Fargoal somewhere for the C64. But the way they enhanced Sword for the iPhone is damned impressive.

And I remember playing Ultima 6 on the PC when I was younger. :P

[BydoEmpire73]

Good call on those. Sword of Fargoal is probably my favorite iPhone/iTouch game. It's just perfect for the platform. No story like you said, but it's fun to play for 60 seconds or 60 minutes.