! style="width: 4em;" | Year ! style="width:10em;" | Title ! style="width: 8em;" | Developer ! style="width: 8em;" | Publisher ! style="width: 6em;" | Setting ! style="width: 6em;" | Platform ! style="width: 8em;" | Subgenre ! style="width: *;" | Series/Notes ! style="width: 4em;" | COO
|
| 1986}}{{vgrtbl|NA|1986|UK|1986}} | Alternate Reality: The City | Paradise
Datasoft | Datasoft
U.S. Gold | Sci-Fi | APPII (Port)
C64 (Port)
MAC (Port)
ST (Port) | Series debuts. | US |
| NA|1986|UK|1986}} | Bards Tale, The | Interplay | EA | Fantasy | AMI (Port) | Bard's Tale | US |
| NA|1986}} | Bard's Tale II, The: The Destiny Knight | Interplay | EA | Fantasy | C64 | Bard's Tale | US |
| JP|1986|NA|1987}} | NA|Deadly Towers|JP|Mashou|JP|魔鐘}} | Irem | Broderbund
Irem | Fantasy | NES[1] | Action RPG[2] | JP |
| JP|1986}} | JP|Deep Dungeon: Madō Senki|JP|ディープダンジョン 魔洞戦記}} | HummingBird | DOG | Fantasy | FDS[3] | Dungeon crawl | JP |
| JP|1986|NA|1989}} | NA|Dragon Warrior|JP|Dragon Quest|JP|ドラゴンクエスト}} | Chunsoft | Enix
Nintendo | Fantasy | NES[1]
PC98
MSX[4] | JRPG[5] | Series debuts. | JP |
| JP|1986}} | JP|Super Monkey Dai Bouken|JP|元祖西遊記 スーパーモンキー大冒険}} | VAP | Fantasy | NES[1] | Action RPG[6] | Based on the novel Journey to the West | JP |
| JP|1986}} | JP|Haja no Fuuin|JP|覇邪の封印}} | Kogado | ASCII | Fantasy | FM7
PC88 | JRPG[7] | JP |
| JP|1986|NA|1989}} | NA|Hydlide|JP|Hydlide Special|JP|ハイドライドスペシャル}} | T&E | FCI, Inc..
Tohiba EMI | Fantasy | NES[1] (Remake) | Action RPG[8] | Series debuts. | JP |
| JP|1986}} | JP|Hydlide II: Shine of Darkness|JP|ハイドライド II}} | T&E | T&E | Fantasy | FM7 (Port)
MSX[4] (Port) | Action RPG[8] | JP |
| FR|1986}} | FR|Mandragore}} | Infogrames | Infogrames | Fantasy | MSX[4] | Computer-style RPG[9] | FR |
| NA|1986}} | Might & Magic: Book I | New World | New World | Fantasy | APPII | Series debuts. | US |
| NA|1986}} | Phantasie | Logical Design | SSI | Fantasy | ST (Port) | Series debuts. | US |
| NA|1986}} | Phantasie II | SSI | SSI | Fantasy | APPII | US |
| NA|1986}} | Phantasie II | Logical Design | SSI | Fantasy | C64 (Port)
ST (Port) | US |
| NA|1986}} | Shard of Spring | SSI
Digital Illusions | SSI | Fantasy | APPII
C64
DOS | Followed by Demon's Winter. | US |
| NA|1986}} | Starflight | Binary Systems | EA | Sci-Fi | DOS | A rare example of a sci-fi CRPG and the spiritual ancestor to such games as Star Control 2 and Space Rangers. | US |
| JP|1986}} | JP|Super Rambo Special|JP|スーパーランボースペシャル}} | Pack-In-Video | Pack-In-Video | Modern | MSX2[4] | Action RPG[10] | JP |
| NA|1986}} | Temple of Apshai Trilogy | Westwood | Epyx | Fantasy | AMI (Port)
ST (Port) | US |
| NA|1986}} | The First Age of Darkness | Origin | Origin | Fantasy | APPII (Remake) | Series debuts. | US |
| NA|1986}} | The First Age of Darkness | Origin | Origin | Fantasy | C64 (Port) | Series debuts. | US |
| JP|1986|NA|1986}} | Exodus | Origin | Origin
StarCraft | Fantasy | AMI (Port)
MAC (Port)
ST (Port)
FM7 (Port)
PC88 (Port)
PC98 (Port) | Computer-style RPG | Pioneered many innovations that would become standard on many CRPGs, both Western and Eastern, that followed. | US |
| NA|1986}} | Quest of the Avatar | Origin | Origin | Fantasy | ATR (Port) | The first major CRPG to move from "hack and slash" gameplay to a "virtuous" story-driven approach. | US |
| JP|1986}} | JP|Toki no Kagi Densetsu|JP|ワルキューレの冒険 時の鍵伝説}} | Namco | Namco | Fantasy | NES[1] | Action RPG[11] | JP |
| JP|1986|NA|1989}} | NA|WiBArm|JP|WiBArm|JP|ウィバーン}} | JP|Arsys Software}} | JP|Arsys Software|NA|Broderbund}} | Sci-Fi | PC88
DOS (Port) | Action RPG[12] | JP |
| NA|1986|UK|1986}} | Wizard's Crown | SSI | SSI | Fantasy | APPII (Port)
ATR (Port)
C64 (Port) | Tactical RPG | US |
| NA|1986}} | The Return of Werdna | Sir-Tech | Sir-Tech | Fantasy | APPII
DOS | Dungeon crawl | US |
| 1987}}{{vgrtbl|NA|1987}} | 2400 A.D. | Origin | Origin | Sci-Fi | APPII | US |
| NA|1987}} | Alternate Reality: The Dungeon | Datasoft | Datasoft | Sci-Fi | APPII
ATR
C64 | US |
| JP|1987}} | JP|Artelius|JP|アルテリオス}} | Nihon Bussan | Nihon Bussan | Fantasy | NES[1] | Action RPG[6] | JP |
| JP|1987|NA|1987}} | NA|Bard's Tale, The|JP|バーズテイル}} | Interplay | EA | Fantasy | APPGS (Port)
DOS (Port)
ST (Port)
PC88 (Port)
PC98 (Port)[13] | Dungeon crawl | US |
| NA|1987}} | Bard's Tale II, The: The Destiny Knight | Interplay | EA | Fantasy | APPII (Port) | Dungeon crawl | US |
| NA|1987}} | Beyond Zork: The Coconut of Quendor | Infocom | Infocom | Fantasy | AMI
APPII
APPGS
C128
DOS
MAC
ST | Adventure game/RPG hybrid | US |
| JP|1987}} | JP|Black Onyx, The|JP|ザ・ブラックオニキス}} | Bullet-Proof | Sega | Fantasy | SG1K[14] | Dungeon crawl[15][16] | The original release is often considered one of Japan's first RPGs.[16] | JP |
| JP|1987}} | JP|Cleopatra no Mahou|JP|クレオパトラの魔宝}} | Square | Square | FDS[3] | JP |
| NA|1987}} | Deathlord | EA | EA | Fantasy | APPII
C64 | US |
| JP|1987}} | JP|Megami Tensei|JP|デジタル・デビル物語 女神転生}} | Atlus | Namco | Fantasy | NES[1] | Dungeon crawl[17] | Series debuts. | JP |
| JP|1987}} | JP|Xanadu|JP|ザナドゥ}} | Nihon Falcom | Sony | Fantasy | MSX[4]
MSX2[4] | Action RPG[18] | JP |
| JP|1987|NA|1990}} | NA|Dragon Warrior II|JP|Dragon Quest II Akuryo no Kamigami|JP|ドラゴンクエストII 悪霊の神々}} | Chunsoft | Enix | Fantasy | NES[1] | JRPG[5] | JP |
| NA|1987|UK|1988}} | Dungeon Master | FTL | FTL | Fantasy | ST (Port) | US |
| JP|1987}} | JP|Esper Dream|JP|エスパードリーム}} | Konami | Konami | Fantasy | FDS[3] | Action RPG | Series debuts. | JP |
| NA|1987}} | Eternal Dagger, The | SSI | SSI | Fantasy | APPII
ATR | Tactical RPG | Sequel to Wizard's Crown. | US |
| NA|1987}} | The Faery Tale Adventure | MicroIllusions | MicroIllusions | Fantasy | DOS
AMI
C64 | Series debuts. | US |
| JP|1987|NA|1989|EU|1990}} | INT|Faxanadu|JP|ファザナドゥ}} | Falcom | Hudson Soft
Nintendo | Fantasy | NES[1] | Action RPG[6][11] | Spin-off of the Dragon Slayer series. | JP |
| JP|1987|NA|1990}} | JP/NA|Final Fantasy|JP|ファイナルファンタジー}} | Square | Square
Nintendo | Fantasy | NES[1] | JRPG[19] | Series debuts. | JP |
| JP|1987}} | JP|Getsu Fūma Den|JP|月風魔伝}} | Konami | Konami | Fantasy | NES[1] | Action RPG[6] | JP |
| JP|1987}} | JP|Ginga no Sannin|JP|銀河の三人}} | Nintendo | Nintendo | Sci-fi | NES[1] (Port) | aka The Earth Fighter Rayieza | JP |
| JP|1987}} | JP|Golvellius|JP|魔王ゴルベリアス}} | Compile | Compile | Fantasy | MSX[4] | Action RPG[20] | JP |
| JP|1987}} | JP|Hydlide 3: The Space Memories|JP|ハイドライド 3}} | T&E | T&E | Fantasy | MSX[4]
MSX2[4] | Action RPG[8]
| JP |
| JP|1987}} | JP|Kalin no Tsurugi|JP|Sword of Kalin|JP|カリーンの剣}} | XTALSOFT | DOG | Fantasy | FDS[3] | Action RPG[21] | JP |
| JP|1987}} | JP|Yomigaeru Densetsu|JP|キングコング 2}} | Konami | Konami | MSX2[4] | Action RPG | JP |
| JP|1987|NA|1989}} | JP|Legacy of the Wizard|JP|Dragon Slayer IV: Drasle Family|JP|ドラゴンスレイヤーIVドラスレファミリー}} | Nihon Falcom | Nihon Falcom
Namco
Broderbund | Fantasy | MSX[4]
NES[1] | Action RPG[22] | Sequel to Dragon Slayer Jr: Romancia. | JP |
| JP|1987|NA|1989}} | NA|Magic of Scheherazade, The|JP|Arabian Dream Scheherazade|JP|アラビアン・ドリーム シェラザード}} | Culture Brain | Culture Brain | Fantasy | NES[1] | Action RPG[6][11] | JP |
| NA|1987}} | Might & Magic: Book I | New World | New World | Fantasy | APPII (Rerel) | Series debuts. | US |
| NA|1987}} | Might & Magic: Book I | New World | New World | Fantasy | C64 (Port)
DOS (Port)
MAC (Port) | Series debuts. | US |
| JP|1987}} | JP|Ragon no Fukkatsu|JP|ミネルバトンサーガ ラゴンの復活}} | Taito | Taito | NES[1] | Action RPG | JP |
| JP|1987|NA|1988|PAL|1988}} | NA/PAL|Seal of the Dark Lord|JP|Haja no Fuin|JP|覇邪の封印}} | Kogado | Kogado
Sega
ASCII | Fantasy | MSX[4]
MSX2[4]
NES[1]
SMS[23] | JRPG[7] | JP |
| JP|1987}} | JP|Outlanders|JP|アウトランダーズ}} | Micronics | VMI, Inc. | Sci-Fi | NES[1] | Action RPG[24] | JP |
| NA|1987}} | Phantasie | Logical Design | SSI | Fantasy | ATR (Port)
DOS (Port) | US |
| NA|1987}} | Phantasie | Andromeda | SSI | Fantasy | AMI (Port) | US |
| NA|1987}} | Phantasie II | Logical Design | SSI | Fantasy | ATR (Port) | US |
| NA|1987}} | Phantasie III: Wrath of Nikademus | SSI | SSI | Fantasy | APPII | US |
| NA|1987}} | Phantasie III: Wrath of Nikademus | Westwood | SSI | Fantasy | AMI (Port)
C64 (Port)
ST (Port) | US |
| JP|1987|NA|1988|EU|1988}} | INT|Phantasy Star|JP|ファンタシースター}} | RD4 (Sega) | Sega | Sci-Fi | SMS[23] | JRPG[25] | Series debuts. | JP |
| JP|1987}} | JP|Return of Ishtar, The|JP|Ishitā no Fukkatsu|JP|イシターの復活}} | Game Studio | Namco | Fantasy | Arcade | Action RPG[26] | Sequel to Tower of Druaga | JP |
| JP|1987}} | JP|Shiryou Sensen: War of the Dead|JP|死霊戦線}} | Victor Music Industries | Fantasy | MSX2[27] | Action RPG | date=January 2016}} | JP |
| JP|1987}} | JP|Sorcerian|JP|ソーサリアン}} | Nihon Falcom | Nihon Falcom | Fantasy | PC88 | Action RPG | Fifth game in the Dragon Slayer series. | JP |
| JP|1988}} | JP|Star Cruiser|JP|スタークルーザー}} | JP|Arsys Software}} | JP|Arsys Software}} | Sci-Fi | PC88
GEN (Port) | Action RPG[28]
FPS/RPG[29] | JP |
| NA|1987}} | NA|Tower of Myraglen}} | PBI Software | PBI Software | Fantasy | IIGS | US |
| JP|1987}} | JP|Tōjin Makyō-den Hercules no Eikō|JP|闘人魔境伝 ヘラクレスの栄光}} | Data East | Data East | Fantasy | NES[1] | JRPG[30] | Series debuts. | JP |
| NA|1987}} | The First Age of Darkness | Origin | Origin | Fantasy | DOS (Port) | Series debuts. | US |
| JP|1987}} | JP|The Revenge of the Enchantress|JP|ウルティマII}} | Origin | Pony Canyon | Fantasy | MSX2[4] | Computer-style RPG[31] | US |
| JP|1987|NA|1988}} | NA|Exodus|JP|Ultima: Kyoufu no Exodus|JP|ウルティマ ～恐怖のエクソダス～}} | Origin | Origin
FCI
Pony Canyon | Fantasy | NES[1]
MSX2[4] | Computer-style RPG[32] | US |
| NA|1987|JP|1987}} | NA|Quest of the Avatar|JP|ウルティマIV}} | Origin | Origin
Pony Canyon | Fantasy | ST (Port)
MSX2[4] | Computer-style RPG[33] | The first major CRPG to move from "hack and slash" gameplay to a "virtuous" story-driven approach. | US |
| NA|1987}} | Wizard's Crown | SSI | SSI | Fantasy | ST (Port) | Tactical RPG | US |
| JP|1987|NA|1990}} | JP/NA|Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord}} | Sir-Tech Software
Sting
Game | Sir-Tech
ASCII
Nexoft | Fantasy | C64 (Port)
NES[1]
MSX2[4] | Dungeon crawl | Series debuts. | US |
| NA|1987}} | The Return of Werdna | Sir-Tech | Sir-Tech | Fantasy | APPII | Dungeon crawl | US |
| NA|1987}} | Wizardry Trilogy | Sir-Tech | Sir-Tech | Fantasy
Sci-Fi | APPII (Comp)
C64 (Comp) | Compilation of the first three Wizardry games. | US |
| JP|1987}} | JP|Woody Poko|JP|うっでいぽこ}} | DB Soft | DB Soft | Fantasy | NES[1] | US |
| JP|1987}} | JP|Ancient Ys Vanished|JP|イースI}} | Nihon Falcom | Nihon Falcom | Fantasy | MSX2[4] | Action RPG[34] | Series debuts. | JP |
| JP|1987}} | JP|Yūshi no Monshō: Deep Dungeon|JP|勇士の紋章 ディープダンジョン}} | HummingBird | DOG | Fantasy | FDS[3] | Dungeon crawl | Second game in the series | JP |
| JP|1987|US|1988|PAL|1988}} | INT|The Adventure of Link|JP|ゼルダの伝説 (パート) 2 リンクの冒険}} | Nintendo | Nintendo | Fantasy | FDS[3]
NES[1] | Action RPG[11] | Sequel to action-adventure game The Legend of Zelda. | JP |
| JP|1987|NA|1990}} | JP/NA|Zeliard|JP|ゼリアード}} | Game Arts | Game Arts
Sierra | Fantasy | DOS
PC88 | Action RPG / Platform hybrid[35] | JP |
1. ^1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 {{cite web | title =Famicom Game List | publisher = Famicom World | url =http://famicomworld.com/game-list/?fc=1&o=1&u=1&nes=1&q= | accessdate =2009-11-10 }}
2. ^{{cite web | title =Devilish | publisher = GameFAQs | url =http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/nes/review/R55366.html | accessdate =2009-11-10 | author=Tachibana Ukyo }}
3. ^1 2 3 4 5 {{cite web | title =Famicom Disk System Game List | publisher = Famicom World | url =http://famicomworld.com/game-list/?fds=1&o=1&u=1&q= | accessdate =2009-11-05 }}
4. ^1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 {{cite web | title =MSX Software Database: RPG | publisher = Generation MSX | url =http://www.generation-msx.nl/msxdb/index.php?url=%2Fmsxdb%2Findex&op=search&genre=15 | accessdate =2009-09-29 }}
5. ^1 {{cite web | url = http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/dragonquest/dragonquest.htm | title = Hardcore Gaming 101: Dragon Quest series | publisher = Hardcore Gaming 101 | accessdate = June 13, 2009 | author = Kurt Kalata}}
6. ^1 2 3 4 {{cite web | title =NES > Role-Playing > Action RPG | publisher = GameFAQs | url =http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/nes/cat_73.html | accessdate =2009-05-23 }}
7. ^1 {{cite web | url = http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/miraclewarriors/miraclewarriors.htm | title = Hardcore Gaming 101: Miracle Warriors: Seal of the Dark Lord | publisher = Hardcore Gaming 101 | accessdate = June 14, 2009 | author = Kurt Kalata}}
8. ^1 2 {{cite web | url = http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/hydlide/hydlide.htm | title = Hardcore Gaming 101: Hydlide | publisher = Hardcore Gaming 101 | accessdate = October 1, 2009 | author=Robert Green and Kurt Kalata}}
9. ^{{cite web | title =Game of the Week: Mandragore | publisher = gamebase64 | url =http://www.gb64.com/oldsite/gameofweek/16/gotw_mandragore.htm | accessdate =2009-10-28 }}
10. ^{{cite web | url = http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/rambo/rambo.htm | title = Hardcore Gaming 101: Rambo | publisher = Hardcore Gaming 101 | accessdate = October 1, 2009 | author=Kurt Kalata}}
11. ^1 2 3 {{cite web | title =List of games: Third-Person 2D Action RPG | publisher = allgame | url =http://www.allgame.com/style.php?id=415&tab=games&sort=date_asc | accessdate =2009-05-19 }}
12. ^{{cite web|author=John Szczepaniak|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/JPNcomputers/Japanesecomputers4.htm|title=Retro Japanese Computers: Gaming's Final Frontier|page=4|publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101|accessdate=2011-03-16}} Reprinted from {{citation|title=Retro Japanese Computers: Gaming's Final Frontier|work=Retro Gamer|issue=67|year=2009}}
13. ^Bard's Tale Release Dates {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323130800/http://members.chello.at/theodor.lauppert/games/bard.htm |date=2010-03-23 }}
14. ^{{cite web | url = http://www.vgrebirth.org/games/game.asp?id=2755&redirect=%2Fgames%2Fsearch.asp%3Fkeywords%3Dblack%2Bonyx%26x%3D0%26y%3D0 | title = Video Game Rebirth: The Black Onyx | publisher = Video Game Rebirth | accessdate = September 28, 2009}}
15. ^{{cite web | title =MobyGames: The Black Onyx | publisher = MobyGames | url =http://www.mobygames.com/game/msx/black-onyx | accessdate =2009-05-24 }}
16. ^1 {{cite web|url=http://www.next-gen.biz/features/making-japans-first-rpg |title=THE MAKING OF... Japan's First RPG |publisher=Edge |accessdate=October 2, 2009 |author=Edge Staff |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125093639/http://www.next-gen.biz/features/making-japans-first-rpg |archivedate=January 25, 2012 |df= }}
17. ^1 {{cite web | url = http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/megaten/megaten.htm | title = Hardcore Gaming 101: Megami Tensei series | publisher = Hardcore Gaming 101 | accessdate = June 14, 2009 | author = Kurt Kalata & Christopher J. Snelgrove}}
18. ^{{cite web | url = http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/xanadu/xanadu.htm | title = Hardcore Gaming 101: Xanadu | publisher = Hardcore Gaming 101 | accessdate = October 1, 2009 }}
19. ^{{cite web | url = http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/finalfantasy/ff1/ff1-1.htm | title = Hardcore Gaming 101: Final Fantasy series | publisher = Hardcore Gaming. | accessdate = June 14, 2009 | author = Pat R.}}
20. ^{{cite web | title =Hardcore Gaming 101: Golvellius | publisher = Hardcore Gaming 101 | url =http://hardcoregaming101.net/golvellius/golvellius.htm | accessdate =2009-10-04 }}
21. ^{{cite web | url = http://kingmike.emuxhaven.net/SwordKalin/index.htm | title = MISSION COMPLETED: The Sword of Kalin | author = King Mike. | accessdate = September 27, 2009}}
22. ^{{cite web | url = http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/draslefamily/draslefamily.htm | title = Hardcore Gaming 101: Legacy of the Wizard | publisher = Hardcore Gaming 101 | accessdate = October 3, 2009 | author = Neo Rasa}}
23. ^1 {{cite web | url = http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/sms/cat_48.html | title = Sega Master System: Games by Category: Role-Playing | publisher = GameFAQs | accessdate = 2009-11-20}}
24. ^{{cite web | url = http://www.mobygames.com/game/nes/outlanders | title = Outlanders | publisher = MobyGames | accessdate =2009-11-14}}
25. ^{{cite web | url = http://www.mobygames.com/game/sega-master-system/phantasy-star/reviews/reviewerId,6226/ | title = Talking cats, swords and spaceships mark the dawn of a great genre | publisher = MobyGames | accessdate =2009-11-20 | author = Unicorn B. Lynx}}
26. ^The Return of Ishtar - Release Information, GameFAQs
27. ^{{cite web | url = http://www.generation-msx.nl/msxdb/softwareinfo/951 | title = Generation MSX: Adventure | publisher = Generation MSX | accessdate = October 8, 2009}}
28. ^スタークルーザー ([https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.4gamer.net%2Fgames%2F008%2FG000896%2F20080428044%2F translation]), 4Gamer.net
29. ^{{allgame|16126|Star Cruiser}}
30. ^{{cite web | url = http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/nes/review/R55509.html | title = Dragon Warrior Goes to Greece | accessdate = June 25, 2009 | author = Duke Gallison}}
31. ^{{cite web | url = http://www.gamefaqs.com/computer/doswin/review/R14321.html | title = The low point of the Ultima series | accessdate = October 4, 2009 | author = Somber Fox | publisher = GameFAQs}}
32. ^{{cite web | url = http://www.giantbomb.com/ultima-iii-exodus/61-6990/ | title = The first Ultima game to be published by Origin Systems Inc. | accessdate = October 4, 2009 | publisher = GiantBomb}}
33. ^{{cite web | url = http://www.gamefaqs.com/computer/apple2/review/R12036.html | title = My U-4-ic first love in RPG's. Britannia rules! | accessdate = October 4, 2009 | author = ASchultz | publisher = GiantBomb}}
34. ^{{cite web | url = http://hardcoregaming101.net/ys/ys.htm | title = Ys | publisher= Hardcore Gaming 101 | accessdate = September 29, 2009}}
35. ^{{cite web | url = http://www.gamefaqs.com/computer/doswin/review/R78620.html | title = A timeless platform/RPG classic lost on the PC | publisher = GameFAQs | accessdate = September 27, 2009 | author = Sashanan}}
{{Chronology of role-playing video games}}