What are the best JRPGs for the Nintendo DS/2DS/3DS?

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Dec 18, 2018

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15 Games Considered

Best JRPGs for the Nintendo DS/2DS/3DS	Price	Platforms	Genre
-- Chrono Trigger	$53.99	Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo DS, Wii, PlayStation, PlayStation 3 (Digital Only), PlayStation Portable, iOS, Android, Windows	Role-Playing
-- Shin Megami Tensei IV	$19.99	Nintendo 3DS	Role-Playing, Dungeon Crawler
-- Bravely Default	$42.99	Nintendo 3DS	Role-Playing
-- Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux	$39.99	Nintendo 3DS	Role-Playing, Dungeon Crawler, Horror
-- Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse	$32.98	Nintendo 3DS	Role-Playing, Dungeon Crawling

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15 Games Considered

My Recommendation for Chrono Trigger

My Recommendation for Chrono Trigger

Quality art and music

The turn-based combat may be too easy for some players

You can obtain multiple different endings depending on your choices

Scripted battles go against the flow of gameplay

Battles happen seamlessly out on the field, with no random encounters

The game is a little short for an RPG by today's standards

Captivating storyline that centers around time travel

My Recommendation for Shin Megami Tensei IV

My Recommendation for Shin Megami Tensei IV

Unusual and clever setting

The Law and Chaos alignments are black-and-white

Brilliant music with a unique sound

Annoying and obtuse demon negotiation mechanics

You get to collect and control many types of demons and angels to fight in battle

Finding where you need to go on the world map is a pain

Your moral choices branch out to multiple endings

Uneven level of difficulty

Philosophical story where you shape the fate of the world

Harsh learning curve in the first dungeon

Highly challenging, yet rewarding turn-based combat

My Recommendation for Bravely Default

My Recommendation for Bravely Default

Unique risk reward combat system

Gets repetitive in the later half of the game

Beautiful visuals reminiscent of classic JRPGs

The story is mostly standard JRPG fare

You have a lot of freedom to explore starting early in the game

Voice acting is hit-or-miss

Cool multiplayer feature that helps you out in battle

Exploration can get blocked off at times

View cut-scenes starring certain characters with AR cards

My Recommendation for Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux

My Recommendation for Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux

Features some new additions over the original Strange Journey

Some of the puzzles can take a long time to figure out

Hardcore dungeon crawling that keeps you on-edge

Your destinations are too often behind hidden doors

Intense and foreboding soundtrack with classical influences

Incredibly hard, especially if you take the Law or Neutral routes

You get to collect and control many types of demons and angels to fight in battle

Your moral choices branch out to multiple endings

Highly challenging, yet rewarding turn-based combat

Philosophical sci-fi story that speculates on the consequences of human vices

My Recommendation for Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse

My Recommendation for Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse

Accessible to newcomers to the Shin Megami Tensei series

Spoils Shin Megami Tensei IV right from the start

Your moral choices branch out to multiple endings

The Law and Chaos alignments are shallow and black-and-white

Philosophical story where you shape the fate of the world

The Peace and Anarchy endings are flawed

Brilliant music with a unique sound

The story puts too much emphasis on your tropey companions

You get to collect and control many types of demons and angels to fight in battle

Highly challenging, yet rewarding turn-based combat

My Recommendation for Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey

My Recommendation for Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey

Hardcore dungeon crawling that keeps you on-edge

Some of the puzzles can take a long time to figure out

Intense and foreboding soundtrack with classical influences

Your destinations are too often behind hidden doors

You get to collect and control many types of demons and angels to fight in battle

Incredibly hard, especially if you take the Law or Neutral routes

Your moral choices branch out to multiple endings

Highly challenging, yet rewarding turn-based combat

Philosophical sci-fi story that speculates on the consequences of human vices

My Recommendation for Bravely Second: End Layer

My Recommendation for Bravely Second: End Layer

Better end game pacing

Some poor dialogue

Good mix of story genres

Some jobs are limited to fighting certain characters

Many choices in the Job System

May be too familiar

Unique risk reward combat system

My Recommendation for Final Fantasy IV

My Recommendation for Final Fantasy IV