I loved the first one and the second one. Why? Because they were connected and the fact that they made you remember some of the characters and events from the first one was...awesome. Also, you could have Suikoden 1's protagonist in your team in suikoden 2! Amazing.
I really got into RPG's when I played Suikoden 1 & 2, and Final Fantasy 9.
You should play the first, although it may not impress you that much because you played the sequels...( it still has a good story line).
If you followed the series( Like you played the first game, second game then third,fourth etc...) You'll notice that after playing Suikoden 1&2, the others won't just feel as good.
Yet again, I beg Konami to bring a HD suikoden on the ps3...







