I've never really gotten into JRPGs, but I'd like to. Where do I start?

[Slycne]

Oh also because you didn't specifically mention it as a WRPG you've played, and I never give up the opportunity to extol my love for them, go play the Baldur's Gate series, like now.

Even better way to experience it is to follow the steps here [http://www.gog.com/en/forum/baldur_s_gate/baldurs_gate_2_essential_mods/page1], which combines both games and both expansions into one massively epic game, and while using Baldur's Gate 2's superior graphics for the whole thing.

 

[Justanothergamer300]

plus you can never go wrong with the Mario RPGs

Those...aren't really what I'd call JRPG's.
Chrono Trigger is on the DS... GET IT NOW. Never mind it being one of the best JRPGS, it's one of the best games, period. The DS version adds cool cutscenes by Akira Toriyama.

Why isn't it a JRPG comes from Japan don't it

 

[Phoenixmgs_v1legacy]

Why isn't it a JRPG comes from Japan don't it

JRPG and WRPG have to do with mechanics more than anything, not really where the game is made, it just so happens that like 90+% of JRPGs are from Japan and 90+% of WRPGs are from the West (which is why we have the terms JRPG and WRPG). A good example the exception to the rule is Demon's Souls, which is a WRPG made in Japan; the setting, character creation and classes, combat mechanics, etc. are all extremely Western.

 

[Cheesepower5]

Final Fantasy 6, a million times Final Fantasy 6. If you're looking for this gen... maybe Lost Odyssey?

There's lots I could recommend though. Shin Megami Tensei series, most Final Fantasy(especially Tactics series), Dragon Quest(4 and above are best, unless you're a 3 fanboy.) I could go on.

 

[Chibz]

Disgaea. It's very much win. How about a little ... FF1, 4 and 6? Oh, and FF: Mystic Quest. It's a very simplified JRPG.

 

[DustyDrB]

Well I've been trying to get into JRPGs as well recently. I started off with Earthbound, and it was a fantastic choice. So definitely find a way to play that (it's an old game, impossible to find in physical form at less than twice the price of a current gen game, and not available on any current console's online store. Hmmm...)

I think found Final Fantasy XIII used and cheap, so I gave it a try. It's kind of a slog. I can't recommend it. I gave up after four hours. I'll try Final Fantasy VII next (that's supposed to be one of the best ones, I think).

Valkyria chronicles is one that I'm looking into as well.

 

[Peter Manning]

I'd have to say that Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy 6 were the best that JRPGs got before FF7 changed the ballgame.

 

[Trolldor]

Well I've been trying to get into JRPGs as well recently. I started off with Earthbound, and it was a fantastic choice. So definitely find a way to play that (it's an old game, impossible to find in physical form at less than twice the price of a current gen game, and not available on any current console's online store. So how did I play it? Hrmmm...)

I think found Final Fantasy XIII used and cheap, so I gave it a try. It's kind of a slog. I can't recommend it. I gave up after four hours. I'll try Final Fantasy VII next (that's supposed to be one of the best ones, I think).

Valkyria chronicles is one that I'm looking into as well.

All FF games are a slog.
7 has the best combat system, with arguably 12 being close.

 

[thethingthatlurks]

Nier. It's more of a hacyk-slashy game with RPG elements than a true RPG, but if you can stand the characters and story, it will serve as an excellent gateway to more involved JRPGs.

 

[zehydra]

bump...

word of advice, the mods hate bumping.

OT: Final Fantasy 1. Lol jk, I don't really know where you would start, but I've played Golden Sun II for GBA and that was fantastic.

 

[ModReap]

DS:
The World Ends With You (Must have for DS)
Disgaea DS (medium-heavy grind)
Shin Megami Tensei (light-medium grind)
Chrono Trigger DS
Mario and Luigi: Bowsers inside story
Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride.
Radiant Historia (keep an eye out for it, comes out this February)
All the Golden Sun games. (if you have a DS that can play GBA games too.)

PS3:
Valkyria Chronicles
Tales of Graces (F) (TBA)
Final Fantasy Versus XII (TBA) (looks rather different from XIII)

360:
Tales of Vesperia (haven't played it (don't own a 360) but the "Tales of" games are always pretty good.)

Final Note: You missed most of the good JRPG's as they were all last generation. But these should keep you busy in the meantime .

Edit: "Tales of" , and "Shin Megami Tensei" are always good signs to look for.

Edit 2: Oh and if you have a Gamecube, Baten Kaitos Origins is one of my personal favorites.

Edit 3:

So, for games that break that mold... Golden Sun. The GBA versions are better than the DS, but the DS game is still incredibly well done.

If you will excuse me ( as I enjoy Golden Sun) but how exactly does it break the mold?

 

[Austin Howe]

The most acessible RPG ever made is Final Fantasy IX, it's got great characters, a plt and villains that more or less make sense, the gameplay is simple and fun, the graphics and art styel are fantastic, and the soundtracks hit all of the right notes. Actually, it's probably better designed, written, soundtracked, etc., than any game in the series, but I will always hold VIII in higher esteem because it was far more ambitious, and incredibly original.

Chrono Trigger is also good for this porpoise.

 

[Lord Beautiful]

Take this from someone who has a general distaste for JRPGs.

Try and hunt down a copy of Chrono Trigger for the DS and a copy of Chrono Cross for the Playstation (I don't know if it's downloadable on PSN yet). The former is a great RPG with a pretty damn good story and gameplay that still holds up very well to this day. The latter is one of the most ungodly amazing experiences I've gotten out of any piece of fictional media.

 

[Lord Beautiful]

Chrono Trigger is also good for this porpoise.

You mean this porpoise?

 

[Cheesepower5]

Another piece of advice(which may come off as contradictory to my previous post); take opinions on Final Fantasy with a grain of salt. It's the most divisive piece of media since the fucking Bible.

 

[Daedalus1942]

I've played my share of WRPGs (Oblivion, Mass Effect, Fallout, The Witcher), but I've never really gotten into JRPGs. I've played the Pokemon games (and loved them), and I'm in the middle of FF1, but that's about it. Oh, and Demon's Souls, but that feels like a WRPG to me. So where do I start? I have a PS3 and 360, and a gaming PC. I also have a DS, and there's a lot of JRPGs out for that, right? Thanks for any help, I really appreciate it.

I quite enjoyed Blue Dragon, as well as Folklore. Two unusual unique JRPG's with a twist, great graphics and interesting battle systems.
Failing that, Valkyria Chronicles was great.
-Tabs<3-

 

[old account]

So where do I start?

I'd say start at either Final Fantasy 6 (Final Fantasy 3 for the the US release name), FInal Fantasy 9, or my personal favorite... Legend of the Dragoon.

In my opinion, it is most important for you to find a game that has a good story and plot. Character development will make you want to go to the next level and find out what happens and how your character reacts. Then you would want a game that looks good. FF6, even though it is 16bit, is one of the best looking games that ever came out for the SNES, and FF9 and LotD both came out near the end days of the PS2 so the programers and developers understood the extent of the graphics card and came up with great gameplay and cinematic footage.

Hope this helps