Introduction

Okay, in the last decade I’ve seen quite a few great older RPGs and JRPGs get a remake or remaster—and I’m not complaining. These games were seemingly trapped on their older consoles, meaning to play them you had to do one of two things. One, dust off your old system and game, praying both would work and time hadn’t doomed them. Or two, pay an obscene amount of money to buy these older gems and hope your bills still got paid on time. That’s why I’m more than happy to see games get remade or remastered—even if the latter is sometimes done poorly. Here are 10 RPGs That Need a Remake or Remaster!

10. Final Fantasy IX

Release Date: July 7, 2000
System(s): PS1

As a fan of the Final Fantasy franchise, IX was one of the few that never hooked me when I was younger. I kept firm to that opinion until I recently started replaying Zidane and his allies’ adventure. Now I understand why people treasure this entry and wish for a proper remake or remaster. We’ve seen ports with slight upscaling and visual updates, but it still feels like it was released in 2000. A true remake or remaster could introduce this gem to a new generation and prove that this story and gameplay rank among the best in the series.

9. Thousand Arms

Release Date: October 14, 1999
System(s): PS1

It will always be a sin to think ATLUS is only known for Persona or SMT. Back in the day, ATLUS published some incredible games, and Thousand Arms was one of them. A mix of traditional turn-based gameplay and dating sim elements, it was unusual even for the PS1 era. The game hasn’t aged gracefully, but with some Persona 3 Reload love, this could be a phenomenal remake. ATLUS, show the world that Thousand Arms deserves the same respect!

8. Jade Empire

Release Date: April 12, 2005
System(s): Xbox

Jade Empire was an action RPG built by BioWare, blending martial arts combat with a deep narrative. Rather than swords or guns, players pummeled enemies with powered-up fists. It had multiple story paths, cool visuals, and rich lore. While it has been ported to Steam, it never got a proper remaster. A new-gen remake of Jade Empire would be a dream come true for action-RPG fans.

7. Xenogears

Release Date: October 20, 1998
System(s): PS1

Before Xenosaga and Xenoblade, there was Xenogears. Part RPG and part mecha adventure, it used a similar active-time battle system to Final Fantasy. While its graphics were solid for the PS1, it’s long overdue for an overhaul. A full remake would finally unshackle this gem from its PS1 prison.

6. Jade Cocoon: Story of the Tamamayu

Release Date: July 27, 1999
System(s): PS1

Jade Cocoon was like a Ghibli-inspired mix of Pokémon and Monster Rancher. With art by Katsuya Kondo, it let players capture, fuse, and evolve monsters into wild creations. Though it got a sequel, Jade Cocoon has never seen a remaster. Even if it’s a long shot, it deserves a second life.

5. Phantasy Star

Release Date: December 20, 1987
System(s): SEGA Master System

Phantasy Star began as a sci-fi-fantasy hybrid RPG before becoming the MMO juggernaut it is today. The original title had groundbreaking world-building and lore. While playable through SEGA collections, it deserves a proper modern update to rekindle its classic magic.

4. Earthbound

Release Date: June 5, 1995
System(s): SNES

Earthbound (Mother 2) is one of the most iconic RPGs ever made. Ness’s strange and heartfelt adventure through quirky towns and alien conspiracies remains powerful. A remake could give it the polish it deserves and bring in a new wave of fans ready to experience its timeless charm.

3. Parasite Eve

Release Date: September 10, 1998
System(s): PS1

A fusion of horror and RPG, Parasite Eve was a unique and haunting experience. As NYPD detective Aya Brea, players faced biological horrors in a tense Christmas Eve showdown. With today’s Resident Evil remakes showing how well horror-RPGs can age, Parasite Eve deserves the same spotlight.

2. Chrono Trigger

Release Date: 1995
System(s): SNES

With Akira Toriyama, Hironobu Sakaguchi, and Yuji Horii behind it, Chrono Trigger is the holy grail of RPGs. Its time-traveling plot, memorable characters, and innovative battle system are iconic. Despite ports to various consoles, it’s never received a true remake. Square Enix, please make it happen.

1. The Legend of Dragoon

Release Date: June 13, 2000
System(s): PS1

The Legend of Dragoon featured QTE-enhanced combat, a memorable story, and visuals that challenged Final Fantasy. It’s still one of the greatest PS1-era RPGs and deserves a full remake. With modern graphics and polished mechanics, this cult classic could finally reach the status it always deserved.

Conclusion

There’s always hope when passionate fans rally behind games they love. The 10 RPGs listed above all deserve a remake or remaster—not just for nostalgia, but because their stories, gameplay, and impact still matter. Join us here at SunsetNerdVerse in praying to the gaming gods: bring these classics back to life!

— Aaron