5 Best PS1 RPGs That Never Came To America

Key Takeaways

• PS1 RPGs like Growlanser and Tear Ring Saga were never released outside Japan, offering unique tactical gameplay.
• Shin Sedai Robot Senik: Brave Saga brought Gundam and FF elements together in tactical combat not seen in the West.
• London Seirei Tantei-Dan’s charming 2D graphics and turn-based gameplay never received a Western or fan translation.

Among its roster of amazing RPGs, the PS1 featured iconic titles like Final Fantasy 7 and Parasite Eve, as well as a host of other phenomenal experiences. But for as many amazing RPGs that made it out of Japan, a significant number of great RPGs never saw a release in the West. The PS1 import scene was rather active back in the day, as proper US releases for some of the console’s most intriguing RPGs never came to pass.

Whether it was a turn-based RPG with anime characters akin to Final Fantasy, a compelling tactical JRPG, or some sort of unique, off-beat experience, the RPGs that never made it out of Japan are still worth checking out today. Featuring fascinating worlds, unique systems, and a sense of style that sets them apart, these Japan-exclusive PS1 RPGs were just a few of the excellent games that never made it to the West.

5 Growlanser

One Of The PS1’s Most Compelling Tactical RPGs

• Platform: PS1
• Developer: Career Soft
• Release Date: November 25, 1999

Published by Atlus and developed by Career Soft, Growlanser is a fascinating tactical RPG set in the fantasy kingdom of Rolandia. Set during a war between old magic and new magic, Growlanser tells the tale of a young warrior named Carmaine, one who finds himself thrust into the conflict upon reaching the proper age.

Growlanser’s outstanding combat system calls on players to form their party, then uses a grid-based system to align themselves for actions. The bumping, highly energetic music, and addictive nature of the combat are what really bring Growlanser together. It also features some gorgeous anime cutscenes and a charming cast of characters. Growlanser would later get a port to the PSP, but that too remained sadly exclusive to Japan.

4 Shin Sedai Robot Senki: Brave Saga

Anime-Influenced Strategy RPG Features Terrific Mech Combat

• Platform: PS1
• Developer: Pandora Box Creative Office
• Release Date: December 17, 1998

Mixing together elements of Gundam and Final Fantasy, Shin Sedai Robot Senik: Brave Saga is a tactical RPG that is based on a toy line similar to Transformers. It feels like a late-80s Japanese anime sprung to life, with appropriately corny music and voice acting, complimenting Brave Saga’s razor-sharp combat and tactical gameplay.

Featuring a fast-paced turn-based battle system, Brave Saga focuses on combat between mechs and the interpersonal relationships that bond together the cast in between. It is a delightful experience, which makes it even more unfortunate that it never launched outside Japan, as it would be a perfect fit for a remaster on modern consoles.

3 King’s Field

Precursor To Soulsborne Series Is One Of The Console’s Best RPGs

The sequel to FromSoftware’s challenging dungeon crawler did launch in the US, where it dropped the 2 and released simply as King’s Field. But the first game never left Japan, leaving it as a curious part of FromSoft’s intriguing history, as it was the origin point for what would become the Soulslike genre.

King’s Field is a first-person dungeon crawler RPG that features the trademark FromSoft design, focusing on obtuse puzzle design, challenging combat, and a dark, dreary world. It is still a fascinating game in many ways, as its commitment to game design and otherworldly fantasy would go on to influence numerous games moving forward.

2 Tear Ring Saga

Spiritual Successor To Fire Emblem Stuns On PS1

• Platform: PS1
• Developer: Tirnanog
• Release Date: May 24, 2001

Tear Ring Saga was developed by a team of former Intelligent Systems developers, the creators of the Fire Emblem series. Similarly to Fire Emblem, Tear Ring Saga is a tactical RPG set in a sprawling fantasy kingdom, focusing on addictive turn-based combat and an expertly crafted story of war and betrayal.

Moving units around the maps feel crisp and sharp, taking advantage of the fast speeds that the PS1 offers. Combat feels altogether brilliant, and the music is absolutely spectacular. Due to ongoing legal issues with Nintendo and its similarity to Fire Emblem, Tear Ring Saga was not translated into English and has remained in Japan since it was released in 2001.

1 London Seirei Tantei-Dan

Charming RPG Set In Victorian London

• Platform: PS1
• Developer: Bandai
• Release Date: May 20, 1999

Utilizing outrageously charming 2D graphics, a fantastic soundtrack, and traditional turn-based gameplay, London Seirei Tantei-dan seemed like a perfect fit for US audiences. Unfortunately, this gem has been left without both an official Western release and a fan translation, leaving its fate rather dubious.

Developed by Bandai, London Seirei Tantei-dan casts players as an orphan in 19th-century London during the Steam Age. It is absolutely lovely to look at, with beautiful 2D sprite art and a combat system that feels right at home on the console. Requests for Bandai to translate it to English have gone unanswered since 1999, and considering that the company has moved on to bigger and better things, it is likely to stay that way.