Perhaps the greatest RPG series set in the present-day, Earthbound is an off-beat, enjoyable title which has recently gained greater popularity in the West after the appearance of Ness and Lucas in the Super Smash Bros titles. In equal parts a true RPG and a parody of the genre; instead of locations such as Hyrule and Gaia theres a humorous imitation of our own world (ten points for guessing what country Eagleland is supposed to represent). Easily amongst the most memorable titles on the list, Earthbound serves as proof that a fantasy title doesnt need goblins and dragons as enemies New Age Retro Hippie and Annoying Old Party Man can work just as well. Its a refreshing take on a genre that can occasionally feel stale instead of swords and shields, youll be using baseball bats and yo-yos. In place of riding a dragon or blimp, youll journey in a yellow submarine. The game is a celebration of American culture as perceived globally, rather than a depiction of America as it actually is, and is frequently hilarious as a result one almost wishes the country could live up to the expectations created by the game. The humour is ever-present, from the absurd enemies youll face to the constant jokes at the expense of the RPG genre. Ive actually chosen this game over the similar Dragon Quest because while the gameplay is almost identical, Earthbounds script and humour do a much better job of separating this game from the RPG pack. The game also boasts a memorable soundtrack, which is so popular in Japan that its used in some school textbooks.