The '90s could be seen as the decade where video games really started to gain popularity. A number of renowned video game franchises got their start in the '90s, and many companies either got their start or found success by publishing some of their best hits of that era.

Related

Best RPG From Every Year In The 90s

The 1990s were the decade when RPGs became mainstream. With so many great games releasing around that time, these RPGs rose to the top of the pile.

Square and Enix (two companies that eventually became Square Enix in 2003) found major success in the '90s, whether it was through their flagship franchises Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest or their other games. Here are the best Square or Enix games from each year in the '90s.

10 1990 - Dragon Quest 4 (Enix)

37/40 On Famitsu

The world is facing a threat from the mighty Psaro the Manslayer, who is amassing an army of monsters to exterminate humanity. A ragtag bunch of adventurers with their own goals and motivations aid a young hero as they attempt to defeat Psaro and bring peace to the land.

Dragon Quest 4 is a unique game in the series in that it is split into several chapters, with each chapter focusing on a different group of characters before finally bringing them all together in the final chapter. The game is considered one of the best RPGs on the NES and an undisputable classic.

9 1991 - Final Fantasy 4 (Square)

89% On GameRankings

Cecil Harvey was a loyal Dark Knight of the Kingdom of Baron, but his king's actions led him to question his righteousness. The king demotes him and sends him on a menial task, which ends with him destroying an innocent village. Seeking both redemption and justice for his former king's actions, Cecil sets out to stop him from retrieving all four crystals.

Final Fantasy 4 was the first Final Fantasy game on the Super Nintendo, and it expanded the level of narrative that could be explored in a game. It also introduced Active Time Battle, a battle system that would be used for several games in the franchise to come.

8 1992 - Dragon Quest 5 (Enix)

36/40 On Famitsu

The warrior Pankraz travels the world with his son, searching for his missing wife. While on one of these journeys, he is killed by an evil bishop of the Order of Zugzwang, and his son is taken into slavery. However, his son grows into a mighty hero, intent on stopping the Order of Zugzwang.

Related

Dragon Quest: 8 Strongest Mages In The Franchise

Whether friend or foe, these mages can harness the elements into the most powerful spells in the Dragon Quest series.

Dragon Quest 5 is one of the most renowned games in the Dragon Quest series and is both an influential and landmark JRPG. It features several conventions popularized by other games, including using monsters as party members and the ability to marry and have children.

7 1993 - Secret Of Mana (Square)

35/40 On EGM

While playing in a river with some local children, a young boy pulls out a sword from a stone, inadvertently causing monsters to appear. Banished for this, the young boy begins traveling the world to re-energize the sword by visiting the eight mana temples around the world.

Secret of Mana is the most well-known entry in the Mana series, one of Square's less popular franchises. It was known for its incredible art style and active battle system.

6 1994 - Final Fantasy 6 (Square)

94% on GameRankings

Terra is a half-Esper being controlled by the Gestahl Empire in their conquest of the land. When she is freed from their control, she tries desperately to figure out who she is, joining up with a resistance group intent on stopping the Empire from conquering the land.

Final Fantasy 6 is one of the most acclaimed Final Fantasy games in the franchise, with a large cast and a unique magicite learning system. It was the last 2D game in the series, so it has a special legacy all of its own.

5 1995 - Chrono Trigger (Square)

96% On GameRankings

Crono is a young man whose friend Lucca creates a teleporter for the local fair. When Princess Marle volunteers to try it out, she is instead teleported to the past. Forced to go to the past as well to rescue her, Crono and his friends soon discover a horrific monster named Lavos that threatens to destroy the world in the distant future.

Chrono Trigger is a fantastic RPG made from the collaboration of the creators of Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. The game is considered one of the best of all time, with a unique story featuring multiple endings, side quests, and a stellar combat system.

4 1996 - Star Ocean (Enix)

93% On GameRankings

Roddick, Millie, and Dorne are the self-declared Defense Force of their village, defending their home from bandits and robbers. When a strange illness begins making its way to their home, they head up to a mountain to find a cure. Instead, they find Ronyx J. Kenny and Ilia Silvestri, two Earthlings from a culture far more advanced than theirs.

Star Ocean was created by the newly established Tri-Ace, which split off from the original Tales of Phantasia team. Star Ocean features similar real-time combat and a unique sci-fi story, as well as many other innovations.

3 1997 - Final Fantasy 7 (Square)

92% On GameRankings

In a city covered in industry and governed by a corporation bent on sucking the life out of the planet itself, a group of eco-terrorists called Avalanche attempts to stop their operations. They are aided by Cloud Strife, a former SOLDIER who has more in his past than even he realizes.

Related

Final Fantasy 7 (1997): The Fates Of Every Playable Character

Being such a hit, Final Fantasy 7 spawned many spin-offs and follow-ups that expanded the stories of each party member that fans might not know about.

Final Fantasy 7 is easily the most renowned RPG of all time. It was the first game to really show how much could be done with 3D graphics, and its influence has continued to shape the RPG landscape.

2 1998 - Star Ocean: The Second Story (Enix)

33/40 On Famitsu

Claude C. Kenny finds himself on the planet of Expel after activating a strange device. There he meets Rena Lanford, who mistakes him for a Hero of Light. Together, the two embark on a journey to investigate the Sorcery Globe, which is purportedly the reason why monsters have begun appearing.

Star Ocean: The Second Story is the sequel to Star Ocean, taking place 20 years after the original game. The game is a landmark entry for the series, establishing a number of conventions that would be utilized in future games. It debuted in Japan in 1998 and was released in North America the following year.

1 1999 - Chrono Cross (Square)

98% On EGM

Serge finds himself transported to a world where he died several years prior. Meeting a thief named Kid, Serge starts exploring the world while slowly collecting a large group of allies and friends. He soon learns that the world has been split into multiple dimensions, with his death being the splitting point.

Chrono Cross was the much-anticipated sequel to the exalted Chrono Trigger, though it ultimately played quite differently from its predecessor. While it is still quite controversial, it is still highly evaluated by many. Releasing to Japanese audiences in 1999, it eventually came to North America in 2000.

More

6 Best Sci-Fi Games Published By Square Enix, Ranked

Square Enix has released many games over the years, and that includes some stellar and beloved sci-fi titles.