which system has the best/most RPG's?

[nageov3t]

I'm a classic RPG guy... give me a turn-based rpg a la FF2 any day of the week and I'd be a happy man. FPS's, sports games, group games, etc don't do much for me.

I've got a $300 gift certificate at amazon.com and I'm thinking it might finally be time to invest in a new console system, but any suggestions based on my game preferences?

 

[oznerol]

PS2

 

[Baked]

PS3 60GB + learn to read Japanese + buy PS2 import games from places like Play-Asia.

 

[tatteredpotato]

Really I think the 360 and PS3 are pretty close when it comes to JRPGs, maybe look at other features that may be important to you, such as online gaming (Xbox wins) or multimedia (PS3 wins with Blu Ray).

 

[DaveSimmons]

Do you have a PS2 already?

Final Fantasy X,XII (and VII - IX if you missed them), Xenosaga 1-3, Persona 3-4,
Odin Sphere, Rogue Galaxy, Star Ocean, Shadow Hearts, ...

Note that current PS3s do play PS1 games, just not PS2.


For Western RPGs: a PC. Fallout, Oblivion, KOTO 1-2, Mass Effect are all better on a PC, and there are many PC-only RPGs like Vampire: Bloodlines and Neverwinter Nights 1-2.

 

[nageov3t]

PS3's don't play PS2 games?

what's the HD on the PS3 used for anyways? I was looking at amazon and there's like a $250 price difference between 60gb and 80gb?

edit: just noticed that the $150 60gb on amazon is used/broken. lol.

 

[tatteredpotato]

Originally posted by: loki8481
PS3's don't play PS2 games?

what's the HD on the PS3 used for anyways? I was looking at amazon and there's like a $250 price difference between 60gb and 80gb?

AFAIK no current PS3's have backwards compatibility, only the launch consoles, and the first 80 gigs did. It's kinda confusing since there have been about 10 different PS3 SKUs between HDD size and backwards compatibility.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: loki8481
PS3's don't play PS2 games?

what's the HD on the PS3 used for anyways? I was looking at amazon and there's like a $250 price difference between 60gb and 80gb?

edit: just noticed that the $150 60gb on amazon is used/broken. lol.

60 GB = launch PS3 which had the PS2 chips in it for hardware based compatibility. It costs $150 to repair out-of-warranty PS3s and the 60 GBs are all out of warranty now.

HD: it's used for installing parts of games to reduce disc access times, for downloadable content, for game saves (no memory cards needed), and you can install your MP3 collection if you don't want to stream them to the PS3 from your PC.

 

[Dari]

If you really like old-school RPGs then get a Nintendo DS.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: ducci
PS2

:thumbsup: For this generation, Xbox 360.

 

[Rassilon]

PS2 by far, or DS in close second.

But if you must be "current", PS3; all the xbox360 RPGs are shit, and the PS3 has Valkyria Chronicles, which is better than the entire 360 library combined, and Disgaea 3 which is also excellent. And if you count Ryu ga Gotoku (Yakuza) as an RPG (its similar to Shenmue), there are two on PS3 (3 and kenzan), and both are brilliant, though neither have been translated to english yet.
The first 2 are on ps2 and are awesome.

 

[Pheran]

Keep in mind that the 360's backwards compatibility will also allow you to play original Xbox RPG titles such as KOTOR 1/2 and Jade Empire if you haven't already.

 

[erwos]

I'd suggest a PS2 followed by an Xbox 360. But I couldn't let the following pass.

Originally posted by: Rassilon
But if you must be "current", PS3; all the xbox360 RPGs are shit

Whoa. So not true. Mass Effect and Fable 2 are excellent. Lost Odyssey and Tales of Vesperia are also quite good. The Last Remnant is good. Infinite Undiscovery and some of Atlus' random releases... OK, those suck.

and the PS3 has Valkyria Chronicles, which is better than the entire 360 library combined, and Disgaea 3 which is also excellent.

Both of which are SRPGs, which may not appeal to the OP, who is looking for classic RPGs. I love Disgaea and own Disgaea 1-3 (along with all of NISA's other console games), but it's not what people mean when they say classic RPGs.

And if you count Ryu ga Gotoku (Yakuza) as an RPG (its similar to Shenmue), there are two on PS3 (3 and kenzan), and both are brilliant, though neither have been translated to english yet. The first 2 are on ps2 and are awesome.

They are indeed awesome (I own RgG 1 and am looking for a good used copy of 2), but you are _really_ stretching when you've got to include untranslated Ryu Ga Gotoku games as PS3 RPGs. They're good beat 'em ups with stats and an awesome story, not really RPGs. And similar to Shenmue? Have you ever even played a Shenmue game? RgG plays nothing like that at all. They have, at best, some superficial similarities in the story-telling and graphics - not a bad thing, but they aren't going to appeal to exactly the same crowd.

 

[FeathersMcGraw]

Originally posted by: Rassilon
PS2 by far, or DS in close second.

This is my answer. Keep in mind that $300 is going to stretch a whole lot farther on the PS2 than other platforms. It's too bad that you just missed the B2G1 used promotion at Gamestop this past weekend.

 

[nageov3t]

no backwards compatibility on new PS3's is a major bummer, but it looks like the used old 60G's are only ~75 more than the new 80G's... is the failure rate on them high enough that the warranty is really going to be a concern?

 

[DaveSimmons]

The failure rate is low, but all of them are over a year old now, many closer to 2 years old, and repairs will set you back $150.

Having a separate PS2 means more clutter and messing with real memory cards (the PS3 creates unlimited virtual memory cards on the HD) but then you have full warranties on the PS2 and 360 or PS3.

You could just get a PS2 now and go another year working through the PS2 library while prices on the newer consoles drop.

At Amazon:
PS2 + 2-pack Sony memory cards + Final Fantasy X, God of War, Persona 3, Xenosaga 1 (Amazon sellers - new), Rogue Galaxy, Odin Sphere, Katamari Damacy = all for less than $300.

Other JPRG substitutes, $20 each: Disgaea 1-2, Star Ocean Til the End, Dragon Quest VIII, Persona 4 ($40), Shadow Hearts (used, $27+), Front Mission 4 (strat, $15), ....

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: loki8481
no backwards compatibility on new PS3's is a major bummer, but it looks like the used old 60G's are only ~75 more than the new 80G's... is the failure rate on them high enough that the warranty is really going to be a concern?

Why don't you just buy a used PS2 instead of a used PS3? Is your utility of having BC greater than the disutility of having a more expensive system crap out on you?

 

[nageov3t]

You could just get a PS2 now and go another year working through the PS2 library while prices on the newer consoles drop.

I think that's probably what I'm leaning toward right now... I came into an unexpected 2 grand when I opened my mail a little while ago, so I'll probably finally refurnish my bedroom, buy a new 26" lcd for my room, and toss in a PS2.

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: loki8481

You could just get a PS2 now and go another year working through the PS2 library while prices on the newer consoles drop.

I think that's probably what I'm leaning toward right now... I came into an unexpected 2 grand when I opened my mail a little while ago, so I'll probably finally refurnish my bedroom, buy a new 26" lcd for my room, and toss in a PS2.

I wish I was your mailman...

 

[Rassilon]

Originally posted by: erwos
I'd suggest a PS2 followed by an Xbox 360. But I couldn't let the following pass.

Whoa. So not true. Mass Effect and Fable 2 are excellent. Lost Odyssey and Tales of Vesperia are also quite good. The Last Remnant is good. Infinite Undiscovery and some of Atlus' random releases... OK, those suck.

Mass effect was so-so, and is on PC anyways. Fable 2 was terrible (so was the first one), and lost odyssey was really weak.

And if you count Ryu ga Gotoku (Yakuza) as an RPG (its similar to Shenmue), there are two on PS3 (3 and kenzan), and both are brilliant, though neither have been translated to english yet. The first 2 are on ps2 and are awesome.

They are indeed awesome (I own RgG 1 and am looking for a good used copy of 2), but you are _really_ stretching when you've got to include untranslated Ryu Ga Gotoku games as PS3 RPGs. They're good beat 'em ups with stats and an awesome story, not really RPGs. And similar to Shenmue? Have you ever even played a Shenmue game? RgG plays nothing like that at all. They have, at best, some superficial similarities in the story-telling and graphics - not a bad thing, but they aren't going to appeal to exactly the same crowd.[/quote]

Yea, its a stretch to call RgG an RPG, but some people view things differently...
But they certainly are similar to Shenmue. i have and play/played both 1&2, and they are great.
Ryu ga Gotoku is almost like a spiritual sequel to shenmue. Obviously the environment and type of story are different, but its the closest comparison to any other game.

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: Rassilon

Originally posted by: erwos
I'd suggest a PS2 followed by an Xbox 360. But I couldn't let the following pass.

Whoa. So not true. Mass Effect and Fable 2 are excellent. Lost Odyssey and Tales of Vesperia are also quite good. The Last Remnant is good. Infinite Undiscovery and some of Atlus' random releases... OK, those suck.

Mass effect was so-so, and is on PC anyways. Fable 2 was terrible (so was the first one), and lost odyssey was really weak.

You are in the decided minority with these opinions.

Valkyria Chronicles is an amazing game. So is Disgaea 3. I doubt either is what the OP is looking for. Pretending otherwise is foolish. Your thinly disguised PS3 fanboyism is silly, too.

 

[ubercaffeinated]

man i loved fable 2 - it was a system seller for me. mass effect was alright. not a perfect score but still a blast. running through vesperia right now, and i'm having a lot of fun. valkyria chronicles wasn't my cup of tea, and neither was disgaea 3. still not sure if i'll be picking up star ocean - will likely rent it.

 

[imported_Lothar]

SNES.

 

[JoPh]

xbox has the edge right now. yes i said xbox.

 

[BenSkywalker]

I'd have to go DS then PS2. Not that the PS2 doesn't have an utterly exceptional library of RPGs, but for old school the DS is just better overall IMO. PS2 has too many of the 'new and improved' style although there are big exceptions(Dragon Quest 8- if you like old school RPGs it isn't an option- buy it with the system).

For the PS3 and 360 right now, they both suck, very badly for what you are looking for. Don't get me wrong, they have their excellent points, but old school RPGs are pretty much non existant. The titles people are mentioning are something very different then what you were asking about.