WaveBoy, what is up with the select colored words? I feel like I'm reading text from ocarina of time.

It's to add emphasis to words.

"yr" just mad because you just played menu driven RPG's when there are different types out there that you haven't played yet. they can be just as exciting as a side scroller or anything else

well could you give some examples?

on the money!

I think that's forcing language somewhat just to encompass more into the genre, in fact I would go as far to say the lines to what constitutes an RPG have been blurring more and more over the years, some sports games like PES you could say are like RPGs, with their reliance on stats and updgrade of players.
Is there even a solid definition to what an RPG even IS? because most definitions I've read can include games from any genre.
and ugh, Zelda is not a damn RPG, it's an action adventure game, if zelda is an adventure RPG then so is metroid.

Dude almost every single game out now is taking elements of RPGs. Hell Madden is using stats and giving attributes to players. As for Zelda not being an RPG is a complete lack of knoledge. With Zelda being more of a hack and slash theme at times and not the "boring" RPG themes that you seem to believe makes an RPG what it is it is easy for individuals to think of it as something other than a perfect example of an Adventure RPG. Taking control of a character, crawling through dungeons, acquiring items, upgrading stats, and interacting with the in-game world are what make it an RPG.

You may not see the RPG elements but here is an example.
1.) Almost all RPGs allow for stat increasements such as HP or MP(Hit points or Mana/Magic points) with Zelda, Link increases Heart containers and his Magic Meter.

2.) Most RPGs have some sort of thing about saving the world/pricess/universe/ect. and usually involve time for the character(s) to better equip/level themselves. Zelda has dungeons that allow link to better prepare himself for the final battle with bows,bombs,boomerangs,ect.

3.) Every single RPG has a universe that is so alive that it is nearly impossible to interact with anything alive or inanimate. Link has towns full of people,creeps,bushes,rocks,walls,ect.

Just because somethings aren't as clear as night and day doesn't mean that they aren't there. Zelda is a RPG and everyone has accepted it as it is. No doubt that is isn't just like it's no doubt that the sky is blue.

firstly, why did you repeat the exact point I made that almost any game has RPG elements? The point I was making that you could take a game from any genre nowadays and argue that it is an rpg.

by this definition mario 64/sunshine are RPGs

1)can upgrade your character with multiple things

2)save a princess/world

3)talk to people in a vibrant universe

and no I dont think mario is an RPG.

Mr Pink you seam to be quite defensive on your topic. It's cool that you don't like RPGs and you have all the right in the world to express that opinion but it seams that you won't allow anyone explain anything to you.

RPGs are a huge part of gaming in general. They have a huge following, wether it's jRPG or D&D RPG, Action RPG or any other kind of RPG (Hell, DeusEx is an RPG too!). The part of what makes them work is that they are very rewarding. You usualy start the game with a weak character and as you progress that character gets stronger, taking down more powerfull enemies and using bigger weapons. Role Playing Games are probably the only genre that gives you such a strong feeling of accomplishment.

I know I might get some flak for this. But, J-RPG developers just need to take a deep breath, step back and reevaluate just what an RPG is. It may just be that I am accustomed to Western RPGs as of late. And if that's the case, then so be it.

J-RPG's aren't changing the actual ways of the RPG. Sure, they may have originated the concept of the RPG, setting aside D&D. Point is when consoles hit hard in the late 80's early 90's, the mainstream RPG to purchase and play were JRPGS. Sad thing is, times have changed. And I think Japanese developers have fallen behind a little (a lot actually admit to it, too). Games that were fun and engrossing 16 years ago are not going to have the same effect on me now.

Convoluted stories (epicness, a rock from space iz gonna hit us oh teh noes!!1!), linear progression, timed battles, etc. I still find these traits in JRPGs released even today. I understand having a random battle 15 years some odd years ago when there was limitations to hardware. But, this day in age, come on... just come on.

Please remember, I don't think all developers have fallen, but a hefty margin.

I could rant more, but bottom line, I think Japanese developers need to take a real close look at what the western development teams are doing, and take notes, lots of them.

And to be extra safe. I've brought my Fire Emblem repellent spray.

I agree with you. FF12 was a step in right direction, and I anticipate FF13 to hope it improves upon the series. And it's Spooty, not Spooky. =0)

I don't know about that. Random encounters never realy bothered me, it's just a game mechanic like any other. And if I had fun with it back then, why not have fun with it now.

On the other side, if the devs keep releasing one game after another based on the same mechanics, the genre will stop evolving. We will get tons of "next gen" RPGs, which are the exact same games you played on the SNES only with better graphics and voice actors.

Yea, I'm for innovation.