If there's already a thread for this, I'm sorry (heck, if there is, I probably made it, lol). Anyhow, here we go:

1. Kingdom Hearts (PS2) - It mixed the stylings of anime with all the classic Disney properties I grew up with, so I had to have it. Turned out to be one of my favorite games of all time!

2. Final Fantasy X (PS2) - Bought it because I loved KH so much, and as it turns out, I loved this too. It was my first time playing a more traditional, deeper RPG, and I just loved the characters & huge world I got to explore.

3. Kingdom Hearts II (PS2) - While it doesn't have the nostalgia going for it like the first one, It's still a fantastic game, and the more serious story presented had me on the edge of my seat!

4. Paper Mario (N64) - This was the first RPG I played (well, this or Pokémon Red). I didn't know about RPG's (as a genré) at the time, so it never occured to me that there would be other games like it out there, so it didn't bring me into the genré, but I remember it being something very special, with a sense of magic around it (at my young age, the story presented here was absolutely the most epic thing ever).

5. Tales of the Abyss (3DS) - While there have been RPGs I've really enjoyed these past few years, I thought that maybe that magical feeling I got from the top 4 on my list, is something that I'd never feel again. Then, I played Tales of the Abyss on 3DS! I still don't really know what it is (the characters, story, the obviously PS2 graphics, ect?), but this game has really re-ignited my love for the genré.

6. Pokémon Gold/Silver (GB) - Another early gaming passion of mine, Pokémon! 2nd gen is when I first really tried building a stable team (in first gen, I just overpowered my starter), & the expanded world & new Pokémon make this my favorite gen in the series.

7. Fire Emblem: the Sacred Stones (GBA & 3DS) - one of my last GBA purchases, I found this in a bargain bin at Wal-Mart for $10 (a 2-in-1 deal, it came with a puzzle game, as well). The almost chess like strategy of the battlefield, as well as the perma-death, seemed really fresh to me at the time, and the great story only furthered my love for the game (oh, and it's how I got my first Nintendo Power subscription, so there's that).

8. Final Fantasy IV Advance (GBA) - My love for FFX prompted me to get this when it released. It was a little too old school for me at the, but I found the story to be so engaging (and I had FF on the go!), that I couldn't quit, no matter how tough it got.

9. Chaos Rings (iOS) - Yeah, an iOS game. Go figure. Seriously though, the game looks absolutely gorgeous, the story (characters really) is very interesting, 4 paths to take (have to play all 4 to get to the final boss, and true ending), & the controls are optimized perfectly for mobile play.

10. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (Wii) - While the pre-rendered graphics haven't aged well, and the humour isn't up to par with Paper Mario's, the insanely awesome magic effects (best in any RPG ever, IMO), Geno, & the epicness that is the Culex boss fight, easily cement this in my top 10.

Honorable Mentions (no particular order):

• Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story (DS)
• Suikoden Tierkries (DS)
• Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories (GBA)
• Pokémon Yellow (GB)
• Kingdom Hearts: Re:Coded (DS)
• Lufia: Curse of the Sinestrals (DS)
• Sword of Mana (GBA)
• Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire (GBA)

Note: I listed the systems I've played the games on, not their original system.

I take it you've never played a Shin Megami Tensei game?

In no particular order, after the first two:

Persona 4
Final Fantasy IX
Suikoden V
Grandia II
Pokemon Gold/Silver/Crystal/HeartGold/SoulSilver
Final Fantasy VI
Final Fantasy VII
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Chrono Trigger/Chrono Cross (depending on my mood)

I haven't played enough RPGs to class them, but if I could find a copy of KH2 and P4 those would sit in the top 5.
Other than that, TWEWY is first in line.

Golden Sun
Golden Sun The Lost Age
Baten Kaitos
Tales of Symphonia
Paper Mario TYD
Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga
Pokemon Emerald
Dragon Quest V
Radiant Historia
Chrono Trigger

Earthbound
FF3
FF5
FF6
FF8
FF9
Infinite Undiscovery
The Elder Scrolls I-IV
The Fallout Series
Wildarms I

And for good luck, Grandia

I'll just name them in no particular order:
Persona 4
Persona 3 (Portable, in my case)
The World Ends With You
Pokemon Crystal
Mass Effect 2
Ys 7
Final Fantasy VI
Chrono Trigger
Valkyria Chronicles 2
Xenoblade

Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door barely didn't make the list.

Xenoblade Chronicles: I bought this game only because of Operation Rainfall and wasn't expectong much. Then BAM I'm hooked. This game is one of my favorites. PERIOD.

Tales of Symphonia: I also bought this game with low expectations. I had played ToS:Dawn of the New World before it and hated the gameplay with a passion. Then I played Tales of the Abyss and didn't understand I could link artes (I still liked it though. As with Xenoblade something happened and I was hooked. I finished the game in 3-4 days.

Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn: I haven't beaten this game, but I will VERY SOON. The complexity and challange offered is amazing.

Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance: I played this game every second I could. I think a replay is in the very near future.

Tales of the Abyss: This game carries memories of cheap first class plane tickets, Odyssey of the Mind World Finals, car trips to the beach, and the end of the school year. If only ToS: Dawn of the New World wouldn't have killed the Tales series before I could play the good games. I would have liked this game even more.

Final Fantasy I: I got this game as part of the Dawn of Souls collection from a friend only a few weeks ago and just love it.

Chrono Trigger: This game hasn't clicked with me yet. I need to play more turn-based RPG's.

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars: My first ever RPG. I play it on my SNES still (even if it is easy).

Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door: I really like this game. The time I put into it is insane.

Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood: I know many people hate this game, but the battle system is so fun during bosses.

Soon this list will change. I'm getting a bunch of PS1/PS2 RPG's for Christmas, including: Kindom Hearts 1, Re:CoM, and 2, Grandia 2, Final Fantasy VII and VIII, and TotA PS2.

1 . Tales of the Abyss
2. Golden Sun lost age
3. Golden Sun Dark Dawn
4. Golden Sun 2 the lost age
5. Xenoblade Chronicles
6. Baiten Kaitos eternal wings and the lost ocean
7, Last Story

1. Paper Mario. This is the definition of what a Mario game in RPG form should have been. And it is. That's honestly my only explanation why it's my favorite ever but I love all the characters and music and gameplay and stuff. The sequels would have been better but they had way too many annoying parts. Somehow even the seemingly boring prologue of the first game doesn't actually bore me.
2. Mother 3. This game has the best story in any game ever. It genuinely touching and horribly sad while still keeping the hilarious tone of Earthbound. It is one of the defining games that confirms that gaming is art. If you haven't played it, play it. It's one of those games that everyone has to play, especially if you want to see how to tell a truly brilliant story in a video game. Also it is both the best looking GBA game (those animated sprites man!) and has the best soundtrack of any GBA game (250+ songs my god).
3. Xenoblade Chronicles. I've praised this game to death already...but I'm sorry, it's that good. It gives the future of the genre (beyond sadly increasingly irrelevent handheld JRPGs) hope. Dude...it's a Wii game with achievements and the achievements actually DO SOMETHING. You win.
4. Mass Effect 2. I heard the hype, I still haven't finished the game and I'm not a huge WRPG guy (more because of other games rather than the quality of the genre itself), but I'm glad I got to play some of the big games in the genre at perhaps the peak of this genre's popularity. Mass Effect 2 is this high mainly because it continues the story, so I already care about everything and they just add to it. I hope despite the apparent failures of the 3rd game that this becomes a part of the future of storytelling in games, because I love stories that take a long time to complete. Also it has 3rd person cover shooting that I actually kinda like, which is basically impossible.
5. Golden Sun/Lost Age - They were originally supposed to be 1 game so screw it, I'm counting it. And I like them as much. The latter game is very slightly better (actually challenging) but the first game has a better soundtrack so it's a tie for me. Again, maybe some nostalgia bias for the first game especially but I kinda prefer it to even the best SNES JRPGs. It's basically the best SNES JRPG but made for the GBA. And for better or worse, more dialogue to read.
6. Chrono Trigger - It took me a bit playing it, but on the DS version, I finally bought into the hype. It is the definition of what a good old school JRPG should. It's creative enough and samey enough, took some chances, took everything good about everything in the genre and made a classic. This is a game like everyone in the world loves and they should. Before JRPGs became a bloated mess of cutscenes, this game got character and drama so well with minutes of dialogue for each character. The side missions in the last 1/3 just add to everything and...it's just awesome man.
7. Pokemon SoulSilver - My favorite Pokemon game remade. That's really all I have to say and I'm not counting the original since I haven't played it since I was 11. Adding the ability to change the music to old school GB music was fantastic.
8. Mass Effect 1. This series is really cool sci-fi and RPG and everything in general. The combat sucks despite what supposed strategy there is (spoilers: there is none, get over it) and I didn't care as much as 2 but in general it's still an amazing first game for any series.
9. Tales of Phantasia GBA - Supposedly the worst version of the game, but the only one I played. But I loved every minute of it. This is another great example of just classic old school JRPG and while I like what I've played or seen of later games, this game's just simple and classic. Awesome combat of course.
10. Radiant Historia - Screw Skyward Sword, screw Skyrim, this was the best game released last year. It's another game comparable to Chrono Trigger and while it doesn't reach that level (at least not enough it doesn't), it is still a fantastic JRPG with enough good dialogue and good characters and tons of sidequests and a great time travel gimmick that reminds you that it's new. Combat's really fun too, the grid based strategies and the combos make the combat really fun.

1.zelda
2.zelda
3.zelda
4.zelda
5.zelda
6.zelda
7.zelda
8.zelda
9.zelda
10.zelda

amended

Take it from someone who knows: your list isn't going to change after playing those games. Of course you do have 2 Tales of RPGs on your list. They shouldn't be too hard to top.

You're right about that. For whatever reason, I've never gotten around to playing any.

What are you talking about? He's getting KH 1&2! I'd be very surprised if at least one of them didn't make it on his list.

We'll see after I play them.

@Gamesake: So, what are you suggesting? And do not insult the "Tales of" series.

@RR529: I've been interested in getting some KH games and where better to start than from the beginning (of the franchise).

1. Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii)
2. Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga (GBA)
3. Mario & Luigi Bowser's Inside Story (DS)
4. The Last Story (Not Completed) (Wii)
5. Paper Mario The Thousand Year Door (GCN)
6. Mario & Luigi Partners In Time (Not Completed) (DS)
7. Pokemon Black (DS)
8. Pokemon Heartgold (DS)
9. Pokemon Sapphire (GBA)
10. Final Fantasy III (Not Completed) (DS)

Haven't been much of a fan of RPGs outside of Pokemon and Mario, but Xenoblade, which blew my mind, has made me more interested in the RPG genre. I really wish Pokemon games would start getting at least two save files, as I can't get much replay value out of them with their current one save file system. Mario RPGs, with the exception of Super Paper Mario, have been really charming to me for the most part. I do want to pick up Paper Mario and Paper Mario Sticker Star soon.

Meh, here's a top 5.

1. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
2. Chrono Trigger
3. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
4. Radiant Historia
5. Final Fantasy IV

Good list

My personal views on this matter are.....

1.) Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn - 10/10 Perfect strategic Role Play gaming experience with tons of possible outcomes. Truly Sublime.

2.) Xenoblade Chronicles - 9.9/10 Tremendous amount of content, Stunning Level Design, Fluidly engaging combat system, variety of ways to customize your characters, and Phenomenal artwork, music, & scenery to Top it all off.

3.) Fire Emblem Path of Radiance - 9.9/10 Another near perfect FE game.

4.) Deus Ex 1 (PC) - 9.9/10 The very best elements taken from FPS & RPG genres Combined.

5.) Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind - 9.9/10 Open ended unique experience that other RPGs rarely match.

6.) Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2 - 9.9/10 Does everything SW:KOTOR1 does but way better with a plethora of extra skills, class types, force powers, quests, ect...

7.) Earthbound - 9.9/10 Words can't quiet describe this extremely unique story driven RPG from the SNES era. I guess the best way to describe my experience with the game would be......an emotional psychological discovery of what it means to be alive.

8.) Deus Ex Human Revolution (PC) - 9.8/10 Gameplay is improved upon the original but the game itself was about half as long. An overall AAA quality game none the less.

9.) Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 1 - 9.8/10 Outstanding Story, believable Characters, exciting Scenarios just like the movies along with a excellent & interactive combat system.

10.) Golden Sun series (Favorite being 2:The Lost Age) - 9.8/10 Takes everything the first 6 Final Fantasy games did and improves Greatly upon them. It also has a ton of interactive environment puzzles to explore and solve.

...So that's my top 10 list for favorite RPGs ever so far.