Welcome to the first edition of Game Collector, where GameSpot hunts for great deals on games so you don't have to. This week's installment includes a list of some of the best RPGs from the past several years at the best prices available anywhere. If you've been looking for elusive RPGs and haven't had any luck then Game Collector is the perfect place to start. Here you will find a list of RPGs that we believe should be in everyone's game collection.
Chrono Trigger - SNES (1995)
Street Price: $69.99
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As the semi-prequel to Chrono Cross, GameSpot's Game of the Year for 2000, Chrono Trigger has attained cult status as a collector's item that no self-respecting game player should be without. Prices for this game have reached astronomical proportions at game retailers across the globe and even finding the game can be nearly impossible. But Chrono Trigger is a certified classic and worth the investment.
Final Fantasy VII - Sony PlayStation (1997)
Street Price: $10
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Square rocked the world with its first cinematic RPG, Final Fantasy VII for the PlayStation. With gorgeous FMV for spells and summons, FFVII ushered in a new era of role-playing games. Many may have already played or purchased FFVII, but a Game Collector concentrating on RPGs wouldn't be complete without it.
Final Fantasy Tactics - Sony PlayStation (1998)
Street Price: $39.99
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Long considered one of the most difficult RPGs ever, Final Fantasy Tactics will test the mettle of the most experienced RPG enthusiast. While more of a strategy game than a classic dungeon crawler, Tactics' gripping story line keeps the controller glued to the player's hands for hours on end.
The Final Fantasy Legend - Nintendo Game Boy (1998)
Street Price: $12.95
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As the first Final Fantasy game for the Game Boy, this cartridge was originally an entry in Square's SaGa series before coming to the US. You must first form a party of four by selecting them from three different character classes. Then you're off to the countryside to fight monsters, speak with the inhabitants, and solve the mysteries of a foreboding tower.
Xenogears - Sony PlayStation (1998)
Street Price: $39.99
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Yet another classic Square RPG, Xenogears follows a young man named Fei on a quest to recover his memory. As remnants of his past resurface, Fei discovers his heritage as a warrior and pilots a mech (gear) in attempts at protecting the community that accepted him. With one of the best stories ever to grace a video game and religious overtones that temporarily locked the game in obscurity, Xenogears is a must-have for any RPG fan.
Grandia - Sony PlayStation (1999)
Street Price: $22.99
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Originally released for the Sega Saturn, Grandia was one of the first RPGs to allow the player to avoid random battles. With over 80 different spells, a bevy of armaments to equip, and a gripping story, Grandia may be slightly dated but you'll never notice it while playing.
Dragon Warrior - NES (1989)
Street Price: $5.95
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As one of the originators of Japanese RPGs, Dragon Warrior established many of the conventions that are common to the genre today. Consequently, getting your hands on a copy of this innovative game has become increasingly difficult over the years. With an enormous primary quest and dozens of optional side quests to tackle, Dragon Warrior rides on more than just its reputation.
Suikoden II - Sony PlayStation (1999)
Street Price: $25.99
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Konami isn't known for great RPGs but the Suikoden series is the exception. The original Suikoden was the first PlayStation RPG to be released in the US and being such, garnered quite a bit of attention. Suikoden II fell relatively flat at retail with competition in the market but it improves on the original in every respect. If you're an RPG fan who passed on this game a couple of years ago, now is a great time to pick it up at a discounted price.
Chrono Cross - Sony PlayStation (2000)
Street Price: $32.95
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Despite receiving glowing reviews and a wealth of awards from the media, Square's Chrono Cross failed to reach the mass market largely because it wasn't named Final Fantasy. If you've passed on this RPG for whatever reason, you owe it to yourself to buy and play GameSpot's Game of the Year for 2000.
Pokemon Red & Blue - Game Boy Color (1997)
Street Price: $13.25
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Pokemon has been bashed for its decidedly happy demeanor but the series has sold millions of cartridges because it's a solid RPG with 150 characters that can join your party. If you've passed on Pokemon in the past because of its reputation now is a good time to invest minimal funds and find out what the phenomenon is all about.
Be sure to visit GameBuyer to find more great deals on both classic and recently released video games.
