I don't know if I confused anyone but the games I listed are the ones that I already own.  Maybe I just confused myself...

Anyways.  No, it doesn't have to be current gen but I'd rather stay away from anything pre PS1.

I'd like to mention that I am very ocd.  So, if I get 1 game in a series I usually have to get the rest or try really really hard to get them all.  Sadly, this is one of the reasons I've stayed away from Dragon Quest.  Don't question me, just call me crazy.

I'll be getting Valkyria Chronicles soon.

PS2 suggestions:

Is story the most important thing? Go for Suikoden V.

Battle System in a party based (non strategy) RPG? Try Grandia III (warning: the story gets really bad in the second half.)

Breathe of Fire 3 was fun.

Anyways does anyone know which RPG is was that you could play as many different characters from their perspective and one of the characters name was lute and he played like a banjo or something? That game was fun, but I cant remember what it was called.

Was it a Saga game?

I'd try (for the 360):

Blue Dragon
Lost Odyssey
Tales of Vesperia
The Last Remnant
Star Ocean 4 (at least I'm going to assume this one...)

IU, EM, and ES for the 360 may be skippable. But IU is the most unique of the mediocre 360 JRPGs.

Damn, that's what I get for only paying attention to a list without reading the full OP. Sorry man....

I'd definitely recommend the Breath of Fire series, and Secret of Mana!! The fact that you haven't played those games yet blows me away, considering that they're some of the best RPGs ever made, by far.

I know you didn't list that you have a SNES in the OP, but you need to do basically whatever it takes to play those games. =)

EDIT: Also, I'm not sure if any of your friends are into RPGs, but Secret of Mana is one of the greatest multiplayer experiences in the history of videogames!

Any particular reason it can't be from the Genesis/SNES era? There's a lot of classics in thar.

Oh I think so. Saga Frontier! Thanks man. That game was fun. 

None really, besides the fact that my snes, genesis, nes, n(orpg)64 and other older systems are packed away in my mothers cluttered house.  Though I'm sure I could go on Ebay or something and get one of these systems for those games.  I guess I'm just a bit too lazy.

The lack of Tales is obvious.
Get Tales of Symphonia for Gamecube, you can play it on your Wii. If you like it, you should get Tales of Phantasia for the GBA too and maybe some of the PS Tales, Tales of the Abyss is said to be good too.

Also, Golden Sun 1 & 2 for the GBA are must haves.

Last but not least, since S-E is currently remaking the Dragon Quest series for the DS, you shouldn't miss the chance to play this classic franchise and get DQ IV or V.