This is a list of best-selling Eastern role-playing game franchises. For inclusion on the list, a franchise must have sold or shipped at least one million copies. For the purpose of this article, an Eastern role-playing game is defined as a franchise which: (1) is considered a role-playing game by reliable sources and was made in Asia or (2) made in another country, but otherwise the franchise would be difficult to differentiate from an Eastern role-playing game due to having common traits such as anime, manga, donghua, and manhwa character designs. The numbers for sales or shipments are based on the most recent available sourced numbers and often may not include non-video game sales or more recent sales; actual total sales numbers may be higher. This does not include standalone games, such as Scarlet Nexus and Triangle Strategy . This list also does not include gacha games with RPG elements, such as Genshin Impact and Blue Archive .
– This color indicates a sub-series of a larger video game franchise. This does not necessarily apply for franchises that are not video game-based.
Franchise | Publisher(s) | Total sales | Year of origin | Platform of origin | Latest release |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pokémon | Nintendo, The Pokémon Company | 480,000,000 (as of 2023) [1] | 1996 | Game Boy | 2022, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet |
Final Fantasy | Square Enix | 195,000,000 (as of 2024) [2] | 1987 | NES [3] | 2024, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth |
Monster Hunter | Capcom | 105,000,000 (as of 2024) [4] | 2004 | PS2 | 2021, Monster Hunter Rise |
Dragon Quest [3] | Square Enix | 91,000,000 (as of 2024) [2] | 1986 | NES [3] | 2023, Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince |
Megami Tensei [a] | Atlus, Sega | 42,700,000 (as of 2024) [b] | 1987 | NES | 2024, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance |
Dark Souls | Bandai Namco | 37,330,000 (as of 2024) [7] | 2011 | PS3 / Xbox 360 | 2018, Dark Souls: Remastered |
Kingdom Hearts [3] | Square Enix | 36,000,000 (as of 2022) [8] | 2002 | PS2 [3] | 2020, Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory |
Tales | Bandai Namco | 30,250,000 (as of 2024) [7] | 1995 | Super NES | 2021, Tales of Arise |
Mario RPG | Nintendo | 29,247,000 (as of 2023) [d] | 1996 | Super NES | 2023, Super Mario RPG |
Like a Dragon | Sega | 27,700,000 (as of 2024) [6] | 2005 | PS2 | 2024, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth |
Persona [e] | Atlus, Sega | 23,500,000 (as of 2024) [19] | 1996 | PS1 | 2024, Persona 3 Reload |
Super Robot Wars | Bandai Namco | 20,470,000 (as of 2024) [7] | 1991 | Game Boy | 2021, Super Robot Wars 30 |
Dragon Ball RPGs | Bandai Namco | 19,200,500 (as of 2020) [f] | 1988 | NES | 2020, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot |
Fire Emblem | Nintendo | 17,870,865 (as of 2023) [g] | 1990 | NES | 2023, Fire Emblem Engage |
Yo-kai Watch | Level-5 | 17,000,000 (as of 2021) [30] | 2013 | 3DS | 2020, Yo-kai Watch Jam: Yo-kai Academy Y |
Momotaro [h] | Hudson Soft, Konami | 15,000,000 (as of 2015) [31] | 1987 | NES | 2011, Momotarō Densetsu Mobile |
Dragon's Dogma | Capcom | 12,000,000 (as of 2024) [4] | 2012 | PS3 / Xbox 360 | 2024, Dragon's Dogma II |
Drakengard [i] | Square Enix | 10,827,344 (as of 2024) [k] | 2003 | PS2 [3] | 2021, Nier Reincarnation |
Xeno [l] | Square Enix, Bandai Namco, Nintendo | 10,321,060 (as of 2023) [p] | 1998 | PS1 [3] | 2022, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 |
Nier [q] | Square Enix | 10,200,000 (as of 2024) [j] | 2010 | PS3 / Xbox 360 | 2021, Nier Reincarnation |
SaGa [3] | Square Enix | 10,000,000 (as of 2019) [40] | 1989 | Game Boy [3] | 2019, Imperial SaGa Eclipse |
Phantasy Star | Sega | 10,000,000 (as of 2023) [5] | 1987 | Master System | 2021, Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis |
Xenoblade Chronicles [r] | Nintendo | 8,740,000 (as of 2023) [o] | 2010 | Wii | 2022, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 |
Trails [s] | Nihon Falcom, Xseed Games, NIS America | 8,500,000 (as of 2024) [52] | 2004 | Windows | 2024, The Legend of Heroes: Kai no Kiseki |
Inazuma Eleven | Level-5 | 8,000,000 (as of 2016) [53] | 2008 | DS | 2023, Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road |
Mana [3] | Square Enix | 8,000,000 (as of 2021) [54] [t] | 1991 | Game Boy [3] | 2022, Echoes of Mana |
Atelier | Koei Tecmo | 7,500,000 (as of 2023) [61] | 1997 | PS1 | 2023, Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key |
Nioh | Koei Tecmo | 7,500,000 (as of 2024) [62] | 2017 | PS4 | 2020, Nioh 2 |
Sakura Wars | Sega | 5,800,000 (as of 2023) [5] | 1996 | Sega Saturn | 2019, Sakura Wars |
Sword Art Online | Bandai Namco | 5,600,000 (as of 2020) [63] [u] | 2013 | PSP | 2023, Sword Art Online: Last Recollection |
Chrono [3] | Square Enix | 5,500,000 (as of 2019) [70] | 1995 | Super NES [3] | 2022, Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition [3] |
Digimon | Bandai Namco | 5,266,375 (as of 2024) [v] | 1998 | Sega Saturn | 2022, Digimon Survive |
Disgaea | Nippon Ichi Software | 5,000,000 (as of 2021) [75] | 2003 | PS2 | 2023, Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless |
Ys | Nihon Falcom | 4,800,000 (as of 2017) [76] | 1987 | PC-88 / PC-98 | 2023, Ys X: Nordics |
Star Ocean [3] | Square Enix | 4,200,000 (as of 2013) [77] [w] | 1996 | Super NES [3] | 2022, Star Ocean: The Divine Force |
Monster Rancher | Tecmo | 4,000,000 (as of 2007) [86] [x] | 1997 | PS1 | 2023, Line Monster Farm |
Octopath Traveler | Square Enix | 4,000,000 (as of 2023) [y] | 2018 | NS | 2023, Octopath Traveler II |
Mega Man Battle Network | Capcom | 3,838,544 (as of 2009) [z] | 2001 | GBA | 2009, Rockman EXE Operate Shooting Star |
Arc the Lad | Sony Computer Entertainment | 3,700,000 (as of 2018) [91] [aa] | 1995 | PS1 | 2018, Arc the Lad R |
Chocobo | Square Enix | 3,306,833 (as of 2003) [ab] | 1997 | PlayStation | 2022, Chocobo GP |
Breath of Fire | Capcom | 3,300,000 (as of 2022) [4] | 1993 | Super NES | 2015, Breath of Fire 6 |
Parasite Eve [3] | Square Enix | 3,279,747 (as of 2011) [ac] | 1998 | PS1 | 2010, The 3rd Birthday |
Valkyria Chronicles | Sega | 3,261,668 (as of 2020) [ad] | 2008 | PS3 | 2018, Valkyria Chronicles 4 |
RPG Maker | Agetec, ASCII, Enterbrain | 3,072,177 (as of 2018) [ae] | 1992 | PC | 2023, RPG Maker Unite |
Front Mission | Square Enix | 3,000,000 (as of 2006) [102] | 1995 | Super NES | 2023, Front Mission 2089: Borderscape |
Bravely | Square Enix | 3,000,000 (as of 2021) [103] [af] | 2012 | 3DS | 2021, Bravely Default II |
God Eater | Bandai Namco | 2,819,674 (as of 2019) [ag] | 2010 | PSP | 2018, God Eater 3 |
Ni no Kuni | Bandai Namco, Level-5 | 2,800,000 (as of 2018) [ah] | 2010 | DS | 2021, Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds |
Shiren the Wanderer | Spike Chunsoft | 2,454,168 (as of 2024) [ai] | 1995 | Super NES | 2024, Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island |
Suikoden | Konami | 2,388,339 (as of 2013) [aj] | 1995 | PS1 | 2012, Genso Suikoden: Tsumugareshi Hyakunen no Toki |
Ogre Battle | Quest, Square Enix | 2,213,207 (as of 2023) [ak] | 1993 | Super NES | 2022, Tactics Ogre Reborn |
Valkyrie Profile | Square Enix | Valkyrie Profile series: 1.537 million as of 2009
| 1999 | PS1 | 2022, Valkyrie Elysium |
Tengai Makyō | Red, Hudson Soft | 2,200,000 (as of 2015) [122] | 1989 | PC Engine CD | 2005, Tengai Makyō III: Namida |
The Legend of Sword and Fairy | Softstar | 2,000,000 (as of 2005) [123] | 1995 | PC | 2021, The Legend of Sword and Fairy 7 |
Grandia | Game Arts | 2,000,000 (as of 2009) [124] [al] | 1997 | Sega Saturn | 2019, Grandia HD Collection |
Hydlide | T&E Soft | 2,000,000 (as of 2015) [126] | 1984 | PC-60 / PC-88 | 1995, Virtual Hydlide |
Etrian Odyssey | Atlus | 1,900,000 (as of 2018) [127] | 2007 | DS | 2018, Etrian Odyssey Nexus |
Medabots | Imagineer | 1,869,411 (as of 2017) [am] | 1997 | Game Boy | 2020, Medarot Classics Plus |
Wild Arms | Sony Computer Entertainment | 1,856,391 (as of 2014) [an] | 1996 | PS1 | 2018, Wild Arms: Million Memories |
Golden Sun | Nintendo | 1,847,607 (as of 2010) [ao] | 2001 | GBA | 2010, Golden Sun: Dark Dawn |
Xenosaga [r] | Bandai Namco | 1,686,930 (as of 2007) [n] | 2002 | PS2 | 2006, Xenosaga Episode III |
Mother (EarthBound) | Nintendo | 1,599,081 (as of 2006) [ap] | 1989 | NES | 2015, EarthBound Beginnings |
Rune Factory | Xseed Games | 1,522,412 (as of 2022) [aq] | 2006 | DS | 2021, Rune Factory 5 |
Summon Night | Bandai Namco | 1,500,659 (as of 2013) [ar] | 2000 | PS1 | 2016, Summon Night 6: Lost Borders |
Shining | Sega | 1,470,955 (as of 2018) [as] | 1991 | Sega Genesis | 2018, Shining Resonance Refrain |
.hack | Bandai Namco | 1,445,437 (as of 2017) [at] | 2002 | PS2 | 2017, .hack//G.U. Last Recode |
Popolocrois | Epics, Marvelous | 1,253,140 (as of 2015) [au] | 1996 | PS1 | 2015, Return to PoPoLoCrois: A Story of Seasons Fairytale |
Soul Blazer | Square Enix | 1,145,000 (as of 2020) [av] | 1992 | Super NES | 1995, Terranigma |
Little Battlers Experience | Level-5 | 1,126,523 (as of 2013) [aw] | 2011 | PSP | 2013, Little Battlers Experience Wars |
Famicom Jump | Bandai | 1,100,000 (as of 2012) [143] | 1988 | NES | 1991, Famicom Jump II: Saikyō no Shichinin |
Chaos Rings | Square Enix | 1,100,000 (as of 2015) [144] | 2010 | Android / iOS | 2014, Chaos Rings III |
Lunar | Game Arts | 1,084,218 (as of 2009) [ax] | 1992 | Sega CD | 2009, Lunar: Silver Star Harmony |
Dynasty Warriors is a series of Japanese hack and slash action video games created by Omega Force and Koei. The series is a spin-off of Koei's turn-based strategy Romance of the Three Kingdoms series, based upon the Chinese novel of the same name, which is a romanticised retelling of the Chinese Three Kingdoms period.
Medabots, known in Japan as Medarot, is a Japanese role-playing video game franchise created by Rin Horuma (Horumarin) and currently owned by Imagineer. The main series of RPGs focus on collecting and battling with the titular robots. The bulk of the games releases have been on Nintendo platforms, including the Game Boy, GameCube, and the DS, and 3DS handhelds.
Densha de Go! is a Japanese train simulation game series originally produced by Taito and more recently by Square Enix and Railfan Holdings Co., Ltd. The series started with a 1996 arcade version and was first released in a home version for the PlayStation in 1997. There are also PC versions released by the Japanese publisher Unbalance. All of the games in the series are exclusively available in Japanese.
D3 Publisher Inc. is a Japanese video game developer and publisher founded on February 5, 1992. The company is known for the Simple series of budget-priced video games. Their games have been released for the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, GameCube, Wii, Xbox, Xbox 360, Wii U, Android, and iOS.
Neverland Company Inc. was a Japanese video game developer founded on May 7, 1993. It has developed games for Super NES, Dreamcast, GameCube, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Color, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3 and the Wii. The most notable games this company developed were part of the Lufia and Rune Factory series of video games. By November 2013, the company ceased operations and filed for bankruptcy. The following year, many former members of the studio were hired by Marvelous, who had published many of their previous games.
Mystery Dungeon, known in Japan as Fushigi no Dungeon, is a series of roguelike role-playing video games. Most were developed by Chunsoft, now Spike Chunsoft since the merging in 2012, and select games were developed by other companies with Chunsoft's permission. The series began when co–creator of Dragon Quest, Koichi Nakamura, was inspired by Seiichiro Nagahata's experience with Rogue, who is also a fellow developer from the company, and a desire to create an original series. It began on the Super Famicom, progressing to almost all of Nintendo's and Sony's home and handheld consoles, WonderSwan, Dreamcast, Windows, and mobile devices.
Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer, originally released in Japan as Fushigi no Dungeon 2: Fūrai no Shiren, is a roguelike video game developed and published by Chunsoft. It is the second entry in the Mystery Dungeon series, following 1993's Torneko no Daibōken. It was originally released for the Super Famicom in 1995 in Japan. Sega published a Nintendo DS remake in 2006 in Japan and in 2008 internationally. The remake was later ported to iOS and Android and published by Spike Chunsoft in 2019.
Tantalus Media is an Australian video game developer based in Melbourne. It was founded in 1994 by programmers Andrew Bailey and Trevor Nuridin. Since its inception, Tantalus has developed almost 100 games and has won multiple game awards. In March 2021, Keywords Studios acquired 85% of Tantalus Media for US$46.8 million.
SuperVillain Studios is an American video game development company that develops for the Wii, Nintendo DS, Xbox, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Portable.
The Japan Game Awards is the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's awards ceremony, which was created in 1996 as the CESA Awards. While it represents the Japanese video game industry, it is not limited to Japanese video games, but also includes international video games.
The PlayStation Vita is a handheld game console developed and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on December 17, 2011, then in other international territories on February 22, 2012, and was produced until discontinuation on March 1, 2019. The console is the successor to the PlayStation Portable (PSP), and a part of the PlayStation brand of gaming devices; as part of the eighth generation of video game consoles, it primarily competed with the Nintendo 3DS.
Toukiden: The Age of Demons is an action role-playing game developed by Omega Force for the PlayStation Portable and PlayStation Vita. It was released on June 27, 2013 in Japan. Tecmo Koei Games showcased the PlayStation Vita version of the game at E3 2013, and released the game within North America on February 11, 2014 exclusively on PlayStation Vita. A sequel titled Toukiden 2 was released in 2016 on the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita.
Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd. is a Japanese video game development and localization company specializing in role-playing video games, visual novels and adventure games. The company was founded in 1984 as Chunsoft Co., Ltd. and merged with Spike in 2012. It is owned by Dwango.
Shiren the Wanderer: The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate is a roguelike role-playing video game developed by Chunsoft. It is the fifth main entry in the Shiren the Wanderer series, which is a subset of the larger Mystery Dungeon series. It was originally released for the Nintendo DS in 2010 in Japan.
Shiren the Wanderer 4: The Eye of God and the Devil's Navel is a role-playing video game developed by Chunsoft and published by Spike. It is the fourth main entry in the Shiren the Wanderer series, which itself is a part of the larger Mystery Dungeon series. The game was originally released for the Nintendo DS in 2010; an expanded port was released for the PlayStation Portable in 2012 entitled Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer 4 Plus: The Eye of God and the Devil's Navel.
Shiren the Wanderer GB: Monster of Moonlight Village is a roguelike role-playing video game in the Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer series developed by Aquamarine, and published by Chunsoft for the Game Boy in 1996. A Microsoft Windows remake, featuring enhanced graphics similar to Shiren 1 on the Super Famicom would be released in 1999, then later re-released with internet compatibility in 2002. In 2010, the game was ported to Japanese feature phones, which was then ported to Android in 2011 making it the first Mystery Dungeon title released on Android.