Considering just how influential the Final Fantasy franchise has been for modern gaming, it’s hard not to think of the series as a progenitor for the entire RPG genre. But this isn’t quite the case. While it’s true that Final Fantasy popularized several RPG staples developers are still using today, the game was far from the first of its kind.

Final Fantasy on NES is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to RPGs, and its 1987 release was predated by arguably much more important titles. Modern RPGs wouldn’t be what they are without Final Fantasy, but Final Fantasy wouldn’t exist as it is without all the RPGs that came before.

10 Ultima III (1983)

The Ultima series is an extremely important part of the RPG genre’s history, but the earlier titles can be particularly difficult to get into. They’re very reflective of both their era & their hardware, and while all entries are worth a play (especially for those dedicated to understanding the genre’s scope,) Ultima III is probably the earliest modern gamers will be able to stomach.

Ultima III’s gameplay loop would be a key inspiration for both Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest’s slow pacing & turn based combat. It’s also remarkably freeform and quite a unique experience compared to modern RPGs.

9 Dragon Slayer (1984)

Nihon Falcom is best known for the Legend of Heroes and Ys games, but they owe their success primarily to the release of Dragon Slayer. An incredibly early action RPG, Dragon Slayer was a technical marvel on release– offering a new form of gameplay that yet to be seen in the medium.

Dragon Slayer’s level design is fairly simple and the gameplay loop is primitive for an action RPG, but it’s very easy to understand why Dragon Slayer was such a sensation in 1984. Simple, but downright addictive.

8 Hydlide (1984)

Hydlide was localized too late (1989) for western audiences to be able to appreciate what exactly the game offered the genre. Hydlide is the proto-Legend of Zelda, an action RPG that offers players genuine freedom and one of the earliest examples of open worlds in gaming.

The game itself has next to no direction and can be a bit grating in long play sessions. Hydlide is worth trudging through for the historical context– and is certainly fun enough in its own right– but there is a reason western audiences balked at the game. Timing really is everything.

7 Dragon Slayer II: Xanadu (1985)

Dragon Slayer II: Xanadu is essentially just a better version of the original Dragon Slayer all around, but it also makes its own important contributions to the video game medium. Where Dragon Slayer was important in codifying the action RPG, Dragon Slayer II: Xanadu is a key precursor to the development of the Metroidvania genre.

Gameplay is tighter, level design is more cohesive, and progression is driven by the player on a level that was quite uncommon for the era. If Dragon Slayer feels too dated, try Xanadu.

6 Ultima IV (1985)

Ultima IV might very well be the single most important game on this list. Ultima IV is the true progenitor of the modern genre’s trajectory. Everything from presentation to gameplay loop to concepts & mechanics can be traced directly back to Ultima IV.

While UIV of course shows its age, it is essential playing– more so than even Ultima III. While there are quite a number of ports to choose from, Ultima IV is currently available as freeware. There’s no excuse not to play this classic.

5 Dragon Quest (1986)

Nor is there an excuse to miss out on the original Dragon Quest considering how often it’s been ported by this point. While most of its ports are still locked to Japan, the first three games were recently re-released on the Switch. Dragon Quest shows its age, but it’s also an incredibly important title that built off the foundation Ultima set.

Dragon Quest was a genuine revolution for the time, urging players to explore every nook & cranny of this world. The game used bridges as a means to denote progression, signalling when the difficulty curve was about to rise. It’s a grindy RPG, but a clever & important one.

4 Dragon Quest II (1987)

On account of poor playtesting and a rushed development cycle, Dragon Quest II is far grindier and much less forgiving than its predecessor. That said, it’s also the game that introduced the concept of parties to JRPGs. DQII’s trio fill specific game roles & players are tasked with using their party accordingly.

The Hero is the all-purpose character, the Prince is the offensive, and the Princess is the mage. Dungeons are noticeably improved compared to DQI and the story plays off the original’s in a rather charming manner. Dragon Quest II is very much worth a play, but be prepared to grind.

3 Dragon Slayer IV: Drasle Family (1987)

Released as Legacy of the Wizard internationally, Dragon Slayer IV: Drasle Family is one of the best action RPGs of its generation. Dungeons are extremely complex, players are forced to explore every nook & cranny, and the presentation is simply on another level. Dragon Slayer IV frankly looks better than some early 16-bit games.

With outstanding art direction, even better music, and a difficulty curve that’s beyond rewarding to conquer, Legacy of the Wizard is a must play for fans of hard action RPGs.

2 Zelda II: The Adventure Of Link (1987)

The only RPG in the Zelda franchise (though not for lack of trying on Miyamoto’s part,) Zelda II: The Adventure of Link has a bad reputation, but it’s not exactly deserved. While its difficulty curve is as off-putting as its lack of direction, there’s an incredibly tight battle system lurking underneath the surface.

Zelda II requires a genuine amount of skill and it’s not as unfair as one might assume. The game simply expects players to take the time to master the controls, and if you can beat Dark Souls, you can beat Zelda II.

1 Ancient Ys Vanished (1987)

Ys is one of the greatest RPG franchises of all time and Ys I & II are an important duology in the context of the genre. While both games were developed together and are now sold as a joint product, Falcom decided to release Ys I as a standalone title.

Ancient Ys Vanished introduced the world to Adol Christin in a genuine epic. A fast paced action RPG with a brutal difficulty curve, strong level design, and a surprisingly rich story, Ys set precedents the rest of the genre wouldn’t be able to keep up with for years.

NEXT: 15 The Best JRPGs On Switch (According To Metacritic)