The Golden Age of JRPGs offered a multitude of wonderful stories. Games like Final Fantasy IV broke the mold for storytelling in RPGs by offering in-depth character development, cutscenes, and strong character interaction. These wonderful titles offered players a new way to enjoy storytelling in their favorite art form.
However, with the good comes the bad. With every game that features lovable characters, JRPGs have also included some of the vilest and despicable beings ever to grace the screen. These heroes and villains helped define the 16-bit era.
Please be mindful of various SNES title spoilers below.
10 Loved – Geno (Super Mario RPG)
In Super Mario RPG, the hero from the stars came to Mario’s world in order to end Smithy’s scheme. After Smithy shattered Star Road and scattered the seven Stars, people could no longer wish for their dreams to come true. Possessing an unassuming wooden doll, Geno took its form and armed himself with heavy artillery.
Geno’s battle skills included powerful AoE attacks. Moreover, Geno Boost could boost Attack and Defense for any character, offering potentially broken setups with Mario’s Super Jump. Geno’s design became so popular among fans that he became heavily requested in Super Smash Bros.
9 Hated – Kefka (Final Fantasy VI)
In Final Fantasy VI, whether it’s hate to love or love to hate, Kefka is truly despicable. Early in the story, he acts as Emperor Gestahl’s magic general and seeks to squash the rebellion force, The Returners. However, Kefka’s acts become progressively darker with each passing scene.
Kefka is responsible for poisoning the Kingdom of Doma and murdering General Leo. He’s also revealed to be behind controlling Terra with a slave crown. But his defining moment came when he killed Emperor Gestahl, used the Triad’s power for himself, destroyed the world, and became a god.
8 Loved – Rydia (Final Fantasy IV)
This young girl originally lived in the village of Mist. When sent by the King of Baron to deliver an item, Cecil and Kain are tricked into destroying Mist with the King’s “gift.” Rydia at first blames them for the massacre of her parents and both characters take her in with a heavy heart.
When the party splits later, Rydia returns to aide the party. Having matured through her time in the Land of Summons, Rydia understands that Cecil and Kain possess a good heart. Her powerful summoning magic aids the party in stopping the Red Wings, Golbez, and later, the master behind it all, Zeromus.
7 Hated – Porky (EarthBound)
This spoiled brat from EarthBound has no empathy for anyone. Despite tagging along with Ness to investigate the meteor in Onett, he does nothing to help. Porky is later antagonizing Ness and his party, eventually allying himself with Giygas to destroy the world.
Porky gained the ability to travel through time. Becoming aged in the process, he assisted Giygas in the final battle. This malicious kid grew from a prankster to a full-on, despicable villain in Mother 3.
6 Loved – Galuf (Final Fantasy V)
One of the party members in Bartz’ team, Galuf was discovered despite having amnesia. He could be classed into any Job as was the case with the the cast of the game. Galuf was known for his quips and cries of “Hell’s Bells!”
After reaching the second half of the game, Galuf remembers that he was a king. He also left a small daughter named Krile behind. After sacrificing himself to stop ExDeath, the party mourns over him while Krile joins the party in his stead.
5 Hated – Valda (Trials of Mana)
This queen from the Trials of Mana was mother to one of the major playable characters, Angela. The mage of the group, Angela possessed little magical talent early on. This made Valda despise her.
Valda was part of a group bent on conquering the world of Mana. In doing so, she allied with The Crimson Wizard. Among this conquest, she attempted to murder her daughter. Later, the game reveals that Valda had been brainwashed by the Crimson Wizard, however.
4 Loved – Golbez (Final Fantasy IV)
The main antagonist of Final Fantasy IV tormented the cast for much of the game. Golbez’s powerful magic included potent spells. He also brainwashed Kain twice.
However, it was later revealed that Golbez himself was not only Cecil’s long-lost older brother, but that he was also being possessed by the monster, Zeromus. Golbez sought to atone for his sins by assisting Cecil’s team in defeating the creature and later staying on the moon while the rest returned to Earth. Golbez later returned in Final Fantasy IV: The After Years in an attempt to further redeem his actions.
3 Hated – Queen Zeal (Chrono Trigger)
Queen Zeal was the mother of Schala and Janus. This greedy queen ruled over the land of Zeal. The land of 10,000 B.C. came with advanced technology and powerful magic. However, when Lavos came to Earth, Queen Zeal wanted nothing more than to harvest its power.
The actions of Queen Zeal forsook her daughter Schala, killed Crono, and sent Janus into the future where he would become the fiend lord, Magus. Queen Zeal’s actions set forth a roller coaster of problems across the time of Chrono Trigger and damned her own country. In the end, Queen Zeal stands between the party and Lavos. If Magus is in the party during the battle, he curses her before their final confrontation.
2 Loved – Jeff (EarthBound)
One of the party members from EarthBound was Jeff the science expert. Wearing his trademark glasses, he was called upon from Winters to help Ness and his gang. Despite having no PSI magic, Jeff more than made up for his shortcomings with his scientific proficiency.
Jeff travels with Ness and his party to stop Giygas and save the world. His Bottle Rocket abilities became some of the most valued attacks in the game. Jeff would later reappear in the Super Smash Bros. series as an Assist Trophy.
1 Hated – Manfroy (Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War)
Arvis and, later, his son Julius began a continental war in Genealogy of the Holy War. While the game was separated into two arcs, these two were the main forces to defeat. However, both were manipulated by a priest named Manfroy.
This mad cultist served a demon named Loptyr and sought to revive him and unleash him into the world. Manfroy’s manipulations caused the death of many characters, including Sigurd and Arvis’ beloved, Deirdre. Manfroy also used Loptyr to possess Julius and controlled Deirdre’s daughter and Julius’ sister, Julia, to fight the party in the end. Manfroy went to all lengths of despicable behavior causing the death of many in his wake.
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