# Best non-portable console for JRPGs? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 22, 2010, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-non-portable-console-for-jrpgs/536957 "2010-04-22T03:45:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![PopeJewish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@PopeJewish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PopeJewish)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2010, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-non-portable-console-for-jrpgs/536957/21 "2010-04-23T23:28:28Z")
> [@Airk](#): > > I wouldn’t necessarily argue that JRPGs are in rut, PopeJewish, but considerign there’ve only been about 3 western RPGs in the past 5 years (and two of those - Mass Effect 2 and Fallout 3 - are hybridy FPS things. I can’t even name a ‘pure’ western RPG except Dragon Age from the past half decade. I’m probably forgetting one, but the point stands.), I don’t think it’s fair to say that it’s because they somehow haven’t kept pace with western RPG fare. I would disagree with that statement. While there hasn’t been an absolute plethora of console WRPGs there have been quite a few. Fable, ES 4 Oblivion, Mass Effect, Fallout 3, and Dragon Age are the big ones. Then you get into all the games that seriously rely on RPG elements while themselves being FPSs, and you can throw ME 2 in to that category but you can also put in games like BioShock and such. Point being, overall there has been a lot more innovation in western RPGs then there has been in jRPGs. While some of them aren’t what you call “pure” rpgs, they’re still rpgs of one sort or another, and they’ve learned to appeal to a much larger market share. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2010, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-non-portable-console-for-jrpgs/536957/22 "2010-04-24T13:37:00Z")
Witcher 2 is coming out, by the way. ---
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2010, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-non-portable-console-for-jrpgs/536957/23 "2010-04-24T15:48:56Z")
> [@Airk](#): > > I’m not sure what you’re trying to say here. Are you somehow implying that because the PS3 is the most widespread console in Japan, 3rd party developers are making JRPGs for it, and therefore, because those 3rd party developers, who only make JRPGs, are developing JRPGs for the PS3, that, somehow, this is IMPAIRING the PS3’s ability to get games in other genres? Truly, they are a victim of their own success. 😛 > > C’mon, seriously. Not sure if we are two rival fanboys about to go at it, but, I think your final line amounts to fighting words. I think we both agree that JRPGs go to Playstation. Not going to argue that in the least. On the other games: I didn’t say they **couldn’t** [impaired]. I said they **weren’t** [lack of focus]. I’m not sure if talking about PS3 sales in Japan really helps to this conversation. I would say it is all noise, but I will give in to your distraction here, based on the OP. I don’t play JRPGS but I would assume Imports play their part. But I think there are some opportunities that Playstation was late to the party on. You can’t tell me that MOVE is an anachronism. Yet, it is obviously a viable market segment that Playstation feels like they missed. Obligatory comment on Eye Toy:: If Eye toy was that great, Sony wouldn’t have made Move. Move wouldn’t look like a third-rate Wii, warmed over. Victim I will give you. Success is up for debate. **How much money does Sony lose per system sold?** How many people use their PS3 for just Blu-Ray? How many of those people would use their PS3 for games, if a better variety of games was out there? ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2010, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-non-portable-console-for-jrpgs/536957/24 "2010-04-24T16:00:13Z")
> [@Meeko](#): > > I think we both agree that JRPGs go to Playstation. Not going to argue that in the least. Except you’re wrong and people do want to argue with that point. Neither system has received very many JRPGs, but among a hard count, it’s likely the Xbox 360 has more. At the very least, it’s neck-and-neck. So your premise is faulty, and thus the number of JRPGs a system doesn’t jack over who has better sales numbers. > [@](#): > > You can’t tell me that MOVE is an anachronism. Yet, it is obviously a viable market segment that Playstation feels like they missed. Obligatory comment on Eye Toy:: If Eye toy was that great, Sony wouldn’t have made Move. Move wouldn’t look like a third-rate Wii, warmed over. No argument from me here. The Move is a poor-man’s Wiimote. What that has to do with the topic at hand is beyond me though. > [@](#): > > Victim I will give you. Success is up for debate. **How much money does Sony lose per system sold?** How many people use their PS3 for just Blu-Ray? How many of those people would use their PS3 for games, if a better variety of games was out there? Sony still loses about $100 (maybe more) on each PS3 sold. So yes, even if they get their install base up, the fact that the 360 is creaming them in software sales is really all that matters. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2010, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-non-portable-console-for-jrpgs/536957/25 "2010-04-25T18:13:17Z")
To get this conversation back to the OP’s intent, the answer is the PS3, for one simple reason: [3-D Game Dot Heroes.](http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/20/review-3d-dot-game-heroes/) Edit: It’s not pure JRPG, it’s like a 3-D mix od an old school Zelda game crossed with an old school Final Fantasy or Dragon Warrior. ---
**Author:** ![Airk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@Airk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airk)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-non-portable-console-for-jrpgs/536957/26 "2010-04-26T14:01:39Z")
> [@Meeko](#): > > Not sure if we are two rival fanboys about to go at it, but, I think your final line amounts to fighting words. I’m a fanboy of logic. I don’t actually own a PS3, so you can be your own judge of how much of a PS3 fanboy that makes me. 😛 I just object to the idea that somehow a console having more JRPGs has any connection whatsoever with what Sony is “focusing on” and certainly not on what they “could” focus on. > [@](#): > > I think we both agree that JRPGs go to Playstation. Not going to argue that in the least. Actually, I don’t, really. Things are starting to lean that way, but it’s by no means clear cut at the moment. Heck, the Wii probably has as many JRPGs as either of the other two. > [@](#): > > I didn’t say they **couldn’t** [impaired]. I said they **weren’t** [lack of focus]. Uh, actually you DID say “could”; Go read your own post. > [@](#): > > I’m not sure if talking about PS3 sales in Japan really helps to this conversation. I would say it is all noise, but I will give in to your distraction here, based on the OP. I don’t play JRPGS but I would assume Imports play their part. The only reason it’s relevant is because JRPGs are made for Japan - that’s where they do the lion’s share of their business. FF13 is something of an exception here, since somehow, the Final Fantasy name is big over here, but as a rule JRPGs are a niche market in the US, whereas in Japan they are fairly large. Since the PS3 has a much larger install base in Japan, it makes sense for companies that are targetting the Japanese JRPG market to make games for that platform. This isn’t fanboyism here, this is business. Note also that these companies are all 3rd party developers, and have nothing to do with what Sony is/would/could be “focused on.” It’s not like Sony is offering awesome licensing deals to people who make JRPGs for the PS3 or something. > [@](#): > > But I think there are some opportunities that Playstation was late to the party on. Duh? But that has little to nothing to do with JRPGs. > [@](#): > > You can’t tell me that MOVE is an anachronism. Yet, it is obviously a viable market segment that Playstation feels like they missed. Obligatory comment on Eye Toy:: If Eye toy was that great, Sony wouldn’t have made Move. Move wouldn’t look like a third-rate Wii, warmed over. I have zero interest in Move. But it’s obviously a “mee too” gesture by Sony in an effort to capitalize on the huge success of the Wii, and has nothing to do with this discussion. > [@](#): > > Victim I will give you. Success is up for debate. **How much money does Sony lose per system sold?** How many people use their PS3 for just Blu-Ray? How many of those people would use their PS3 for games, if a better variety of games was out there? And why do I care about any of this? I’m just protesting your bizarre assertion that somehow, Sony has promoted or focused on JRPGs to the detriment of other genres. And yes, success, in Japan at any rate, which is, as mentioned, the core market for the games we are talking about. **PopeJewish** - I don’t really this it’s at all appropriate to consider games “with RPG elements” because at this point, you can’t swing controller without hitting a game that offers “stats” or “level ups” or something RPG derivative like that. I think your list of Western RPGs (at least in the console space) is fairly exhaustive. Pure RPGs are not prevalent in the Western game space at this point, Bethesda notwithstanding. I don’t really buy the idea of Bioshock being an “RPG” any more than I buy the idea of No More Heroes being an RPG. There are lots of “hybrids” and “games with RPG elements” present on both sides of the big pond, but the oft touted superiority of the Western RPG hasn’t resulted in a lot of them getting made. **bouv** maybe you can explain to me: Why does anyone care about 3d Dot Heroes? To me it looks ridiculous, contains no apparent exciting features or innovation, and is just a bland action RPG with a ridiculous art style. Can someone explain to me what’s supposed to be so awesome about this game? Edit: spelling. ---
**Author:** ![Wolverine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba9def/32.png) [@Wolverine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolverine)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-non-portable-console-for-jrpgs/536957/27 "2010-04-26T14:46:40Z")
Here is my completely unscientific evidence to discern the truth. My method: go to [Gamefaqs.com](http://Gamefaqs.com) and look under the Role-Playing category for the 3 main systems. This should include downloadable games through a console’s online functions as well per the OP (Virtual Console, Xbox Live, etc.). Subtract any Role-Playing games that are 1st person, MMORPG, or PC style (according to the sub-headings at the top). Future games and repeat titles are included in here because I don’t have all day to sort these out. 88 Wii games - 2 first person games = 86 games (which doesn’t include strategy games like Fire Emblem, Ogre Battle, or the newly release Ogre Battle 64 :)) 84 PS3 games - 11 first person - 11 MMORPG - 7 PC style = 55 PS3 games 122 Xbox 360 games - 16 first person - 16 MMORPG - 7 PC style = 83 games According to this, Xbox 360 has the most games under the role-playing category but loses several slots because many are Western style or multi-player. The Wii edges ahead because of the power of Virtual Console and a large history of awesome SNES RPGs (and there are more on the way). Also in the Wii’s favor, they will be getting Dragon Quest X. If you only look at sub-group of console style RPGs, again the Wii wins 24 to Xbox’s 23 with the PS3 at 17. I’m not saying the Wii _IS_ the best, just that it has been overlooked in this conversation. The OP did mention downloadable games and the Wii has a very rich library that will only grow bigger. In fact, I’m going to go play Ogre Battle 64 right now. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-non-portable-console-for-jrpgs/536957/28 "2010-04-26T14:52:40Z")
> [@](#): > > Things are starting to lean that way, but it’s by no means clear cut at the moment. Heck, the Wii probably has as many JRPGs as either of the other two. Agreed. > [@](#): > > The only reason it’s relevant is because JRPGs are made for Japan - that’s where they do the lion’s share of their business. FF13 is something of an exception here, since somehow, the Final Fantasy name is big over here, but as a rule JRPGs are a niche market in the US, whereas in Japan they are fairly large. Since the PS3 has a much larger install base in Japan, it makes sense for companies that are targetting the Japanese JRPG market to make games for that platform. This isn’t fanboyism here, this is business. Square Enix has been talking about expanding the market for JRPGs outside of Japan for years now. It’s why you see titles like FF13, Star Ocean 4 and The Last Remnant on the Xbox 360 either before (or at the same time) as the PS3 release. Namco Bandai and their releases of Eternal Sonata and Tales of Vesperia have made many of the same statements. And Mistwalker has made an almost exclusive pact with Microsoft to bring all of their games only to the Xbox 360. > [@](#): > > **bouv** maybe you can explain to me: Why does anyone care about 3d Dot Heroes? To me it looks ridiculous, contains no apparent exciting features or innovation, and is just a bland action RPG with a ridiculous art style. Can someone explain to me what’s supposed to be so awesome about this game? 3D Dot Game Heroes uses the classic overhead action RPG style of the original Legend of Zelda and its art style is fucking awesome. That’s why people are so enamored with it. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-non-portable-console-for-jrpgs/536957/29 "2010-04-26T14:54:29Z")
> [@Wolverine](#): > > Here is my completely unscientific evidence to discern the truth. My method: go to [Gamefaqs.com](http://Gamefaqs.com) and look under the Role-Playing category for the 3 main systems. This should include downloadable games through a console’s online functions as well per the OP (Virtual Console, Xbox Live, etc.). Subtract any Role-Playing games that are 1st person, MMORPG, or PC style (according to the sub-headings at the top). Future games and repeat titles are included in here because I don’t have all day to sort these out. Your method is faulty as GameFAQs considers games with alternate titles separate games. So your numbers are way inflated. ---
**Author:** ![Airk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@Airk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airk)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-non-portable-console-for-jrpgs/536957/30 "2010-04-26T20:37:23Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Square Enix has been talking about expanding the market for JRPGs outside of Japan for years now. It’s why you see titles like FF13, Star Ocean 4 and The Last Remnant on the Xbox 360 either before (or at the same time) as the PS3 release. Namco Bandai and their releases of Eternal Sonata and Tales of Vesperia have made many of the same statements. Now if only more of those games had been GOOD, they might have actually accomplished that goal. =/ Though a lot of people would also argue that several of those titles were sortof “thrown together” for the 360 and then “finished” for the PS3. (ToV is the one that gets this criticism the most, and it does seem justified. OTOH, PS3 ToV has Patty which pretty much ruins any of the other improvements.) > [@](#): > > And Mistwalker has made an almost exclusive pact with Microsoft to bring all of their games only to the Xbox 360. This is definitely true. > [@](#): > > 3D Dot Game Heroes uses the classic overhead action RPG style of the original Legend of Zelda and its art style is fucking awesome. That’s why people are so enamored with it. I guess one man’s “fucking awesome” is everyone I associate with’s “WTF” 😉 But truthfully, I guess it’s really just that I don’t feel any urge to play a original LoZ knockoff at this point. I’m past that. Anyway, while Wolverine’s numbers may be inflated, his methodology isn’t bad. Conclusion: What most of us have been saying all along. No clear winner. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-non-portable-console-for-jrpgs/536957.md?page=1)