We hear all the time about EGM's or GameSpot's greatest games of all times lists, where you'll see many Western titles, and very few Japanese RPGs, let alone RPGs in general. But, let's take a look at Famitsu's "Greatest Games of All Time" list, and we'll notice something on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. We in the West also consider JRPGs a dying breed, but we're also looking at things from our own tainted perspective. They are most certainly still alive, well and done very well in many cases. They just don't carry the weight in the West that they once did. Hit the jump, take a look at the list, then we'll talk.

1. Monster Hunter Freedom Unite (PSP)2. Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies (DS)3. Final Fantasy XIII (PS3/360)4. Final Fantasy X (PS2)5. Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 (PS2)6. Final Fantasy VII (PS)7. Tales of Vesperia (PS3/360)8. Xenogears (PS)9. Monster Hunter Tri (Wii)10. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3)11. Machi (SS)12. Yakuza 4 (PS3)13. Tales of the Abyss (PS2)14. Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King (PS2)15. Okami (PS2)16. Resident Evil 5 (PS3/360)17. Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep (PSP)18. Tales of Graces (Wii)19. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii)20. Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together (SNES/PS)

Now, let's take stock of what is here. There are a whopping 14 games that are JRPGs. Every single game is of Japanese origin - no Call of Duty, Halo, The Elder Scrolls or Mass Effect here. It seems the Japanese RPG is very alive and incredibly well in Japan. It's just a shame Western gamers have shunned the publishers of these titles to steer away from releasing those games sometimes over here (I'm looking at you, Namco). Even if you still prefer the Western style of games, perhaps this will help you appreciate that just because something isn't as popular as it once was in the West, doesn't mean it isn't popular and well-received in the worldwide gaming community.

[GoNintendo]