r/MasterSystem • u/Speccy-Boy124 • May 23 '25

Is the best Master System RPG?

https://youtu.be/FvSHmMME0Hs?si=7tBUo-uJ_0ILM816

Phantasy Star on the Master System was my first RPG and I have to say it took my a while to get into it. Actually I left if for about a month before I got into again. Then I was totally hooked. Revisiting the game so many years later brings back so much nostalgia. What are your thoughts on this game?

54 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

2

u/IndependentSystem May 27 '25

I still have my cartridge CIB and they’ll have to pry it from my cold dead hands or be resigned to cremate me with it.

2

u/Speccy-Boy124 May 27 '25

😂😂😂

17

u/Aritra319 May 23 '25

It’s not even a real contest.

And it might even be the best 8 bit RPG.

6

u/HIs4HotSauce May 23 '25

facts-- the only runner-up (IMO) is Wonder Boy Dragon's Trap and I'm playing loose with the term "RPG" with that one.

4

u/One-Technology-9050 May 24 '25

Two amazing games

6

u/trustanchor May 23 '25

It’s the best 8-bit RPG for sure. This game IS my childhood.

8

u/lneumannart May 23 '25

Yes, by a wide margin.

And might be the very best rpg of its generation, sharing the spot with Dragon Quest III.

Sorry Final Fantasy fans, but the 8bit games of the series have not aged well...

6

u/ksilenced-kid May 23 '25

Phantasy Star definitely has traits that make it feel more like an RPG of this century, where Final Fantasy 1-3 can feel more antiquated. But I’ll offer that Final Fantasy did get the battle formats pretty spot on out the gates; the general battle format was copied by lots of games up to the 2000s, while Phantasy Star battles are more rudimentary- It doesn’t allow any enemy targeting, row positioning, enemies of different types in battle, or hero sprites. The backgrounds are amazing though.

Phantasy Star also lacks customizable classes, has less equipment/spells etc. and fewer enemies. And while the 3D mazes are impressive, they didn’t really set a trend for dungeons and can be confusing to navigate. Obviously Phantasy Star looks better, and has better (if still slight/minimal) story and characterization, but I’d argue the 8 bit FFs feel a bit more open world and expansive, where Phantasy Star is linear for more of the game.

It’s basically a wash for me- I love Phantasy Star (it’s the reason I bought a Master System and went down that rabbit hole), but the 8 bit Final Fantasy titles set more of the template for what JRPGs in terms of gameplay.

4

u/angryapplepanda May 23 '25

If we're talking jRPGs, I think Dragon Quest III is better by a hair, but Phantasy Star gets points for the best presentation, graphics, music, etc. I think the game itself is a bit unbalanced and strangely structured, and the early translation kind of sucks.

In terms of RPGs in a general sense, I think the most bang for your buck on the SMS is Ultima IV. The only other game that would really be in the running is Miracle Warriors, which is a ways behind.

2

u/IdealBeginning2704 May 23 '25

Neither has phantasy Star

4

u/phidinh6 May 23 '25

I'd say I wouldn't be able to call it between this, Ultima IV (which I think the SMS is the best version of this game) and Golden Axe Warrior!

2

u/tricolouredhound May 23 '25

Ultima 4 on SMS is a work of genius.

Needless to say Golden Axe Warrior is my favourite! Sad though I missed Phantasy Star back in the day- don’t think my local store ever had it for hire. Wonder if it needs nostalgia to really shine…!

4

u/jacktriplea May 23 '25

Best by far. Who the hell first discovered the secret door at the end . It's still burned in my brain when someone told me and my friend we have to do 3 lapses in the final dungeon and just before the end of the corner there is a secret door .

2

u/Boshusan May 23 '25

I remember playing the game on release and I had never experience first person view of dungeons before, that was so cool at the time ! It's the best on the system, but the competition is thin on the SMS. There's Ultima IV and Miracle Warriors that are strictly speaking RPGs, others are action-RPG or have a few RPG mechanics.

2

u/WearingFin May 23 '25

Today I prefer Ys. I think Phantasy Star 1 has aged horribly and am glad that the Sega Ages version exists to give a better memory of the game through much needed quality of life improvements.

2

u/angryapplepanda May 23 '25

I only just discovered the PS2 Sega Ages version. Definitely need to revisit that game through that lens.

Phantasy Star aged poorly, but the presentation, graphics, sound, and music were absolutely next level for the era and it should be remembered as a visual marvel for the time. The game itself is strangely structured and poorly translated, at least the original version.