List of role-playing video games: 1986 to 1987

This is a comprehensive index of commercial role-playing video games, sorted chronologically by year. Information regarding date of release, developer, publisher, operating system, subgenre and notability is provided where available. The table can be sorted by clicking on the small boxes next to the column headings. This list does not include MUDs or MMORPGs. It does include roguelikes, action RPGs and tactical RPGs.

Legend

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Video game platforms
AMI Amiga
APPII Apple II
Arcade Arcade video game
ATR Atari 8-bit computers
C64 Commodore 64
CROSS Cross-platform
DOS MS-DOS
FDS Famicom Disk System
FM7 FM-7
GEN Genesis / Mega Drive
MAC Mac
MSX MSX
MSX2 MSX2
NES Nintendo Entertainment System / Famicom
PC60 PC-6000 series
PC88 PC-8800 series
PC98 PC-9800 series
SMS Master System
ST Atari ST
  
  
Types of releases
RereleaseThe game was re-released on the same platform with no or only minor changes.
PortThe game first appeared on a different platform and a port was made. The game is like the original, with few or no differences.
RemakeThe game is an enhanced remake of an original, released on the same or different platform, with changes to graphics, sound and/or gameplay.
CompilationA compilation, anthology or collection of several titles, usually (but not always) belonging to the same series.
LimitedA special release (often called "Limited" or "Collector's Edition") with bonus collector's material. Often provided to people who pre-order a game.
Genre notes
Action RPGAction role-playing game
Tactical RPGTactical role-playing game
RoguelikeRoguelike
ErogeJapanese game featuring erotic content
MMORPGMassively multiplayer online role-playing game
MUDMUD
Turn-basedTurn-based game
Real-timeReal-time game
  
FPS/RPGFirst-person shooter / RPG hybrid (role-playing shooter)
RTS/RPGReal-time strategy / RPG hybrid (real-time strategy RPG)
CRPG/WRPGComputer-style role-playing game
JRPGJapanese-style role-playing game
Dungeon crawlDungeon crawl
Monster raisingPet-raising simulation
Card battleCollectible card game
BlobberFirst-person party-based RPG
SandboxOpen world RPG

List

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Year Title Developer Publisher Setting Platform Subgenre Series/Notes COO
1986 (NA/UK) Alternate Reality: The City Paradise
Datasoft
Datasoft
U.S. Gold
Sci-Fi APPII (Port)
C64 (Port)
MAC (Port)
ST (Port)
Series debuts. US
1986 (NA/UK) Bards Tale, The Interplay EA Fantasy AMI (Port) Bard's Tale US
1986 (NA) Bard's Tale II, The: The Destiny Knight Interplay EA Fantasy C64 Bard's Tale US
1986 (JP)
1987 (NA)
Deadly Towers (NA)
Mashou (JP)
魔鐘 (JP)
Irem Broderbund
Irem
Fantasy NES[1] Action RPG[2] JP
1986 (JP) Deep Dungeon: Madō Senki (JP)
ディープダンジョン 魔洞戦記 (JP)
HummingBird DOG Fantasy FDS[3] Dungeon crawl JP
1986 (JP)
1989 (NA)
Dragon Warrior (NA)
Dragon Quest (JP)
ドラゴンクエスト (JP)
Chunsoft Enix
Nintendo
Fantasy NES[1]
PC98
MSX[4]
JRPG[5] Series debuts. JP
1986 (JP) Ganso Saiyuuki: Super Monkey Dai Bouken (JP)
元祖西遊記 スーパーモンキー大冒険 (JP)
VAP Fantasy NES[1] Action RPG[6] Based on the novel Journey to the West JP
1986 (JP) Haja no Fuuin (JP)
覇邪の封印 (JP)
Kogado ASCII Fantasy FM7
PC88
JRPG[7] JP
1986 (JP)
1989 (NA)
Hydlide (NA)
Hydlide Special (JP)
ハイドライドスペシャル (JP)
T&E FCI, Inc..
Tohiba EMI
Fantasy NES[1] (Remake) Action RPG[8] Series debuts. JP
1986 (JP) Hydlide II: Shine of Darkness (JP)
ハイドライド II (JP)
T&E T&E Fantasy FM7 (Port)
MSX[4] (Port)
Action RPG[8] JP
1986 (FR) Mandragore (FR) Infogrames Infogrames Fantasy MSX[4] Computer-style RPG[9] FR
1986 (NA) Might & Magic: Book I New World New World Fantasy APPII Series debuts. US
1986 (NA) Phantasie Logical Design SSI Fantasy ST (Port) Series debuts. US
1986 (NA) Phantasie II SSI SSI Fantasy APPII US
1986 (NA) Phantasie II Logical Design SSI Fantasy C64 (Port)
ST (Port)
US
1986 (NA) Shard of Spring SSI
Digital Illusions
SSI Fantasy APPII
C64
DOS
Followed by Demon's Winter. US
1986 (NA) 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
1986 (JP) Super Rambo Special (JP)
スーパーランボースペシャル (JP)
Pack-In-Video Pack-In-Video Modern MSX2[4] Action RPG[10] JP
1986 (NA) Temple of Apshai Trilogy Westwood Epyx Fantasy AMI (Port)
ST (Port)
US
1986 (NA) Ultima I: The First Age of Darkness Origin Origin Fantasy APPII (Remake) Series debuts. US
1986 (NA) Ultima I: The First Age of Darkness Origin Origin Fantasy C64 (Port) Series debuts. US
1986 (JP/NA) Ultima III: 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
1986 (NA) Ultima IV: 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
1986 (JP) Valkyrie no Bōken: Toki no Kagi Densetsu (JP)
ワルキューレの冒険 時の鍵伝説 (JP)
Namco Namco Fantasy NES[1] Action RPG[11] JP
1986 (JP)
1989 (NA)
WiBArm (NA)
WiBArm (JP)
ウィバーン (JP)
Arsys Software (JP) Arsys Software (JP)
Broderbund (NA)
Sci-Fi PC88
DOS (Port)
Action RPG[12] JP
1986 (NA/UK) Wizard's Crown SSI SSI Fantasy APPII (Port)
ATR (Port)
C64 (Port)
Tactical RPG US
1987 (NA) Wizardry IV: The Return of Werdna Sir-Tech Sir-Tech Fantasy APPII
DOS
Dungeon crawl US
1987 (NA) 2400 A.D. Origin Origin Sci-Fi APPII US
1987 (NA) Alternate Reality: The Dungeon Datasoft Datasoft Sci-Fi APPII
ATR
C64
US
1987 (JP) Artelius (JP)
アルテリオス (JP)
Nihon Bussan Nihon Bussan Fantasy NES[1] Action RPG[6] JP
1987 (JP/NA) Bard's Tale, The (NA)
バーズテイル (JP)
Interplay EA Fantasy APPGS (Port)
DOS (Port)
ST (Port)
PC88 (Port)
PC98 (Port)[13]
Dungeon crawl US
1987 (NA) Bard's Tale II, The: The Destiny Knight Interplay EA Fantasy APPII (Port) Dungeon crawl US
1987 (NA) Beyond Zork: The Coconut of Quendor Infocom Infocom Fantasy AMI
APPII
APPGS
C128
DOS
MAC
ST
Adventure game/RPG hybrid US
1987 (JP) Black Onyx, The (JP)
ザ・ブラックオニキス (JP)
Bullet-Proof Sega Fantasy SG1K[14] Dungeon crawl[15][16] The original release is often considered one of Japan's first RPGs.[16] JP
1987 (JP) Cleopatra no Mahou (JP)
クレオパトラの魔宝 (JP)
Square Square FDS[3] JP
1987 (NA) Deathlord EA EA Fantasy APPII
C64
US
1987 (JP) Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei (JP)
デジタル・デビル物語 女神転生 (JP)
Atlus Namco Fantasy NES[1] Dungeon crawl[17] Series debuts. JP
1987 (JP) Dragon Scroll (NA)
ドラゴンスクロール 甦りし魔竜 (JA)
Konami Konami Fantasy NES Action RPG JP
1987 (JP) Dragon Slayer II: Xanadu (JP)
ザナドゥ (JP)
Nihon Falcom Sony Fantasy MSX[4]
MSX2[4]
Action RPG[18] JP
1987 (JP)
1990 (NA)
Dragon Warrior II (NA)
Dragon Quest II Akuryo no Kamigami (JP)
ドラゴンクエストII 悪霊の神々 (JP)
Chunsoft Enix Fantasy NES[1] JRPG[5] JP
1987 (NA)
1988 (UK)
Dungeon Master FTL FTL Fantasy ST (Port) US
1987 (JP) Esper Dream (JP)
エスパードリーム (JP)
Konami Konami Fantasy FDS[3] Action RPG Series debuts. JP
1987 (NA) Eternal Dagger, The SSI SSI Fantasy APPII
ATR
Tactical RPG Sequel to Wizard's Crown. US
1987 (NA) The Faery Tale Adventure MicroIllusions MicroIllusions Fantasy DOS
AMI
C64
Series debuts. US
1987 (JP)
1989 (NA)
1990 (EU)
Faxanadu (INT)
ファザナドゥ (JP)
Falcom Hudson Soft
Nintendo
Fantasy NES[1] Action RPG[6][11] Spin-off of the Dragon Slayer series. JP
1987 (JP)
1990 (NA)
Final Fantasy (JP/NA)
ファイナルファンタジー (JP)
Square Square
Nintendo
Fantasy NES[1] JRPG[19] Series debuts. JP
1987 (JP) Getsu Fūma Den (JP)
月風魔伝 (JP)
Konami Konami Fantasy NES[1] Action RPG[6] JP
1987 (JP) Ginga no Sannin (JP)
銀河の三人 (JP)
Pax Softnica Nintendo Sci-fi NES[1] (Port) aka The Earth Fighter Rayieza JP
1987 (JP) Golvellius (JP)
魔王ゴルベリアス (JP)
Compile Compile Fantasy MSX[4] Action RPG[20] JP
1987 (JP) Hydlide 3: The Space Memories (JP)
ハイドライド 3 (JP)
T&E T&E Fantasy MSX[4]
MSX2[4]
Action RPG[8]
JP
1987 (JP) Kalin no Tsurugi (JP)
Sword of Kalin (JP)
カリーンの剣 (JP)
XTALSOFT DOG Fantasy FDS[3] Action RPG[21] JP
1987 (JP) King Kong 2: Yomigaeru Densetsu (JP)
キングコング 2 (JP)
Konami Konami MSX2[4] Action RPG JP
1987 (JP)
1989 (NA)
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 (JP)
Nihon Falcom Nihon Falcom
Namco
Broderbund
Fantasy MSX[4]
NES[1]
Action RPG[22] Sequel to Dragon Slayer Jr: Romancia. JP
1987 (JP)
1989 (NA)
Magic of Scheherazade, The (NA)
Arabian Dream Scheherazade (JP)
アラビアン・ドリーム シェラザード (JP)
Culture Brain Culture Brain Fantasy NES[1] Action RPG[6][11] JP
1987 (NA) Might & Magic: Book I New World New World Fantasy APPII (Rerel) Series debuts. US
1987 (NA) Might & Magic: Book I New World New World Fantasy C64 (Port)
DOS (Port)
MAC (Port)
Series debuts. US
1987 (JP) Minelvaton Saga: Ragon no Fukkatsu (JP)
ミネルバトンサーガ ラゴンの復活 (JP)
Taito Taito NES[1] Action RPG JP
1987 (JP)
1988 (NA/PAL)
Miracle Warriors: Seal of the Dark Lord (NA/PAL)
Haja no Fuin (JP)
覇邪の封印 (JP)
Kogado Kogado
Sega
ASCII
Fantasy MSX[4]
MSX2[4]
NES[1]
SMS[23]
JRPG[7] JP
1987 (JP) Outlanders (JP)
アウトランダーズ (JP)
Micronics VMI, Inc. Sci-Fi NES[1] Action RPG[24] JP
1987 (NA) Phantasie Logical Design SSI Fantasy ATR (Port)
DOS (Port)
US
1987 (NA) Phantasie Andromeda SSI Fantasy AMI (Port) US
1987 (NA) Phantasie II Logical Design SSI Fantasy ATR (Port) US
1987 (NA) Phantasie III: Wrath of Nikademus SSI SSI Fantasy APPII US
1987 (NA) Phantasie III: Wrath of Nikademus Westwood SSI Fantasy AMI (Port)
C64 (Port)
ST (Port)
US
1987 (JP)
1988 (NA/EU)
Phantasy Star (INT)
ファンタシースター (JP)
RD4 (Sega) Sega Sci-Fi SMS[23] JRPG[25] Series debuts. JP
1987 (JP) Return of Ishtar, The (JP)
Ishitā no Fukkatsu (JP)
イシターの復活 (JP)
Game Studio Namco Fantasy Arcade Action RPG[26] Sequel to Tower of Druaga JP
1987 (JP) Shiryou Sensen: War of the Dead (JP)
死霊戦線 (JP)
Victor Music Industries Fantasy MSX2[27] Action RPG Ancestor of the survival horror subgenre.[citation needed] JP
1987 (JP) Sorcerian (JP)
ソーサリアン (JP)
Nihon Falcom Nihon Falcom Fantasy PC88 Action RPG Fifth game in the Dragon Slayer series. JP
1988 (JP) Star Cruiser (JP)
スタークルーザー (JP)
Arsys Software (JP) Arsys Software (JP) Sci-Fi PC88
GEN (Port)
Action RPG[28]
FPS/RPG[29]
JP
1987 (NA) Tower of Myraglen (NA) PBI Software PBI Software Fantasy IIGS US
1987 (JP) Tōjin Makyō-den Hercules no Eikō (JP)
闘人魔境伝 ヘラクレスの栄光 (JP)
Data East Data East Fantasy NES[1] JRPG[30] Series debuts. JP
1987 (NA) Ultima I: The First Age of Darkness Origin Origin Fantasy DOS (Port) Series debuts. US
1987 (JP) Ultima II: The Revenge of the Enchantress (JP)
ウルティマII (JP)
Origin Pony Canyon Fantasy MSX2[4] Computer-style RPG[31] US
1987 (JP)
1988 (NA)
Ultima III: Exodus (NA)
Ultima: Kyoufu no Exodus (JP)
ウルティマ ~恐怖のエクソダス~ (JP)
Origin Origin
FCI
Pony Canyon
Fantasy NES[1]
MSX2[4]
Computer-style RPG[32] US
1987 (NA/JP) Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar (NA)
ウルティマIV (JP)
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
1987 (NA) Wizard's Crown SSI SSI Fantasy ST (Port) Tactical RPG US
1987 (JP)
1990 (NA)
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord (JP/NA) Sir-Tech Software
Sting
Game
Sir-Tech
ASCII
Nexoft
Fantasy C64 (Port)
NES[1]
MSX2[4]
Dungeon crawl Series debuts. US
1987 (NA) Wizardry IV: The Return of Werdna Sir-Tech Sir-Tech Fantasy APPII Dungeon crawl US
1987 (NA) Wizardry Trilogy Sir-Tech Sir-Tech Fantasy
Sci-Fi
APPII (Comp)
C64 (Comp)
Compilation of the first three Wizardry games. US
1987 (JP) Woody Poko (JP)
うっでいぽこ (JP)
DB Soft DB Soft Fantasy NES[1] US
1987 (JP) Ys I: Ancient Ys Vanished (JP)
イースI (JP)
Nihon Falcom Nihon Falcom Fantasy MSX2[4] Action RPG[34] First game in the Ys series JP
1987 (JP) Yūshi no Monshō: Deep Dungeon (JP)
勇士の紋章 ディープダンジョン (JP)
HummingBird DOG Fantasy FDS[3] Dungeon crawl Second game in the Deep Dungeon series JP
1987 (JP)
1988 (US/PAL)
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (INT)
ゼルダの伝説 (パート) 2 リンクの冒険 (JP)
Nintendo Nintendo Fantasy FDS[3]
NES[1]
Action RPG[11] Sequel to action-adventure game The Legend of Zelda. JP
1987 (JP)
1990 (NA)
Zeliard (JP/NA)
ゼリアード (JP)
Game Arts Game Arts
Sierra
Fantasy DOS
PC88
Action RPG / Platform hybrid[35] JP

References

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  2. ^ Tachibana Ukyo. "Devilish". GameFAQs. Retrieved 2009-11-10.
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