Many people are now staying home from work as the Coronavirus pandemic reaches its apex. The best tactic against the virus is not only standard hygiene, but also self-quarantining.

If you’ve suddenly found yourself with a lot more spare time on your hands while things get under control, perhaps it’s time to revisit some classic RPGs to help pass the time. Today we’re counting down the top 10 which are guaranteed to reel you in, get you hooked, and keep you playing right up to the final scene!

10 DRAGON WARRIOR

If you want to go far back to the early days of console RPGs, then the original Dragon Warrior for the NES is a sure bet. It’s stone-age even by classic jRPG standards, but it’s charming and fun, nonetheless.

The game begins with a classic “rescue the Princess” theme, before moving onto a higher-stakes battle against an evil Dragonlord. It’s very simple and straightforward, but the challenging gameplay is still as tough today as it was back then.

9 BREATH OF FIRE

Breath of Fire was Capcom’s first official stab at the jRPG formula, and it was well-received for its engaging story. The game features the same traditional top-down exploratory formula as most RPGs of the time, with an isometric combat view to switch things up a bit.

The story revolves around a boy named Ryu (we see what you did there, Capcom!), a member of an ancient race capable of transforming into dragons. As he searches the world for his sister, he soon uncovers a greater threat that must be fought.

8 SUPER MARIO RPG

Few people even considered an RPG based on Super Mario Bros., but it worked to Nintendo’s benefit. This isometric RPG was light in tone, quite fun to play, and loaded with all the zany charm of the Mario games that preceded it.

Mario and friends embark on a quest to find Smithy, the antagonist who has stolen the seven pieces that make up Star Road. Along the way, Mario must stop a fake wedding, battle Bowser, and put an end to Smithy’s arms factory. It’s all tongue-in-cheek, and a barrel of laughs from start to finish.

7 PHANTASY STAR II

While most gamers might prefer the more user-friendly Phantasy Star IV, it’s the second game in the series that serves up a classic experience unlike any other. Yes, the repetitive backgrounds and sprites might be dated, but the hardcore gameplay of Phantasy Star II remains a challenge even for the most veteran RPGers.

The game serves as a sequel to the original Phantasy Star on the Sega Master System, and follows the adventures of a government agent investigating an increase in the amount of BioMonsters plaguing the land. It soon turns into a larger-scale adventure where tactics become king.

6 LUNAR: SILVER STAR STORY COMPLETE

While the original Sega CD version of Lunar was a bonafide hit, it was quite rough around the edges and required some polish. Cue the remake on the original PlayStation, which revamped the game from the ground up with better graphics, cinematics and sound.

This classic story focuses on a young boy named Alex, who seeks to become a legendary Dragonmaster. Along with his friends, Alex soon gets more than he bargained for when he goes up against the forces of the evil Ghaleon. The “Complete” version of the game introduces many more characters to the story arc, which fleshes out the overall narrative.

5 SHINING FORCE CD

The Shining Force games were a highlight of owning a Sega console back in the 90s, thanks largely to the fantastic story and the focus on turn-based strategy and combat. While the first two games on the Sega Genesis are worthy fan-favorites, it’s the Sega CD version that truly brought the house down!

Shining Force CD is essentially a remake of the much-praised Shining Force Gaiden I and II, originally released for the Sega Game Gear. The games are divided into four books, two of which are entirely new storylines created exclusively for the Sega CD release. Essentially, it’s four games in one, with a story that spans decades.

4 SECRET OF MANA

Whether you’re playing the SNES original or the recently released remake, Secret Of Mana is a treasure that everyone should try. This action RPG was ahead of its time, blending an excellent weapons system with fast-paced combat and the most lighthearted end-of-the-world story around.

The colorful graphics, varied enemies and diverse environments make Secret of Mana one of the most uniquely engaging titles from the golden age of console RPGs. Taking this classic out for another spin would also prepare you for the remake of Trials Of Mana, currently scheduled for an April release.

3 CHRONO TRIGGER

The video game Gods would surely curse us if we didn’t mention Chrono Trigger on this list, and who could blame them? Chrono Trigger is one of the most beloved classic RPGs ever made, thanks to its ingenious use of time travel as a plot device.

The game bounces players back and forth between a prehistoric age, a medieval era, and a dark future dominated by technology, courtesy of various time travel machines. The player must locate team members and items that will help prevent a global apocalypse from taking place.

2 FINAL FANTASY VI

There are many classic Final Fantasy games that hit the mark when it comes to classic RPGs, but Final Fantasy VI is in a class all its own. This breathtaking, imaginative RPG drew audiences in thanks to a mixture of excellent storytelling, compelling characters and an unexpected plot twist.

The game focuses on a band of diverse characters with specialized skill sets who must battle an evil Empire’s plans to seize the power of magic from another dimension, and use it for their own ends. What unfolds in between are emotional character arcs, heartbreaking losses, and battles against all odds.

1 THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: A LINK TO THE PAST

What better game to lose yourself in than this classic SNES action RPG? Of all the Zelda games, A Link To The Past has arguably stood the test of time better than any other, thanks to its charming visuals, imaginative environments and the wonderful dichotomy of the light and dark worlds.

This RPG was way ahead of its time, taking the established formula of the original Legend of Zelda and spinning it up for a modern (at the time) age. The result was one of the most beloved action RPGs ever made, and a major feather in Nintendo’s cap during the 1990s console wars.

NEXT: 10 Canceled PlayStation RPGs You Never Knew Existed