RPGs? N64? Two word you don't here too often in the same sentence, unless it's to say "there are NO RPGs on the N64", which indeed is a true statement.

Firstly, what is an RPG? Well, in MY "book" (first established in 1993, when I got turned on to Secret of Mana), an RPG is a game (in this case, a video game; not pen+paper) in which there is much item-collecting involved, battles have a system and order to them (unlike real life), games are one-player, and you play as a character or a small band of characters. RPGs do not have levels, although many have chapters like a story book. RPGs generally take average players over 24 hours of gameplay to "beat". And RPGs are generally "harder" than most games; they REALLY involve allot of social strategy. There's no rule that says RPGs must be set in a fantasy world (look at EarthBound, Final Fantasy 8, and Secret of Evermore)!

Now that we've got that covered, let's list a few games for the N64 that some call "RPGs".

Zelda 64. RPG? I THINK NOT!!! Battles have no system, you just pick out your weapon, aim, and kill. No turn-base nor structure at all. Sure there's some item collecting, sure there're no levels, but because of this battle system (and the ability to jump), this game must be labelled "RPG/Adventure".

Goemon 5, Mystical Ninja:Starring Goemon, is also an "RPG/Adventure" game. The battle system is much like Zelda's, but less tense (because they're more common and don't change the music on you). Nonetheless, Goemon 5 is a grrrrreat game. As are Frosted Flakes... no,wait-

Harvest Moon 64. Although I must say I LOVE this game, it is definately not an RPG. I don't understand how it could be confused with RPGs! No battles at all, and no real item collecting (besides lumber, but that's like Mario's coins or Sonic's rings). It's a very unique gaming experience. The Harvest Moon series would have to be dubbed "RPG/Farming Sim". Weird and wacky.

So, what are the REAL RPGs for N64? The only one today is... Quest 64. Off-screen, turn-based battles; item-collecting; no levels. Yes. I must say, though it is an RPG, I rather am not fond of it. The battles are just way too common, it gets tedious.

From the looks of it, N64's only got ONE true RPG! That's 1! Uno! Echad! Bo'olaK~ualk! One RPG; wow! That's not doing so good. You never really stopped to think about it, did you? A great system that's been around for 4 years STILL doesn't have any good RPGs. The situation would be DIFFERENT had Itoi not been a hairy dick about Mother 3, BUT THAT'S A DIFFERENT TALE, my friends! :-D So, what have we got to do? Start a petition! No. Petitions never work (e.g. Mother on GBC).