#1 ~ Xenogears: My absolute favorite RPG, period. Where it lacks in customization and character development mechanics which are areas Final Fantasy is known to excell in, it more then makes up for it substance and depth of story, which is unparalleled.
#2 ~ Chrono Trigger: It's just a magical little game. The gameplay is perfect in every way, the story is deep and rewarding to complete every way possible, the combat and developmental systems are simple but deep, and it's just visually stunning. Atmosphere is key with CT, it's an amazing adventure.
#3 ~ Dragon Quest VIII: What's not to love about DQ8? It keeps the great traditional turn based gameplay the series is built on and gives it a wonderful facelift. It's challenging and extremely fun to just wander through the world exploring all the nooks and hidden areas. The story may not be as strong as some other JRPGs but where it lacks depth it makes up for it in character, the American localizations wonderful voice acting is icing on the cake for a polished experience.
