Telorand , 6 hours ago

• Kirby’s Adventure (NES)
• Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (GBA)
• Chrono Trigger (SNES)
• Ninja Turtles 3: The Manhattan Project (NES)
• Battletoads (NES)
• Little Nemo: Dreammaster (NES)
• Mega Man 2 (NES)
• Mario 64 (N64)
• Starfox 64 (N64)

I know you want to avoid Final Fantasy style games, but both Chrono Trigger and FF Tactics Advance are unique takes on JRPGs (you’re open to Earthbound, after all). They are also timeless, IMO, and stand up against modern titles.

Kirby’s Adventure is great all around. Has saves, interesting gameplay, tight controls, excellent music, secondary secret objectives, and it’s just goddamn adorable. It’s also better than Kirby Superstar, IMO, but do try both.