health and damage are not "stats" as I am defining them. They are usually affected by them.

Every game I easily define as an RPG has a page for your characteristics in which you can look at stats such as strength, speed, luck, etc.

The only genre I can think of that might cross paths in this regard would be RTS's, but it seems that we should be able to keep those apart through other criteria.

Sure, it's going to get some rpgs but Unless FFXIII and Versus XIII both fail in Japan, the PS3's install base will also be large enough that it continues to get jrpgs of its own too.

Of course the larger the install bases for Wii and PS3 continue to grow (10 million for Wii, 5 Million for PS3), with less than 1.5 million 360's sold in Japan, then the less exclusive 360 jrpgs there will be.

So Odin Sphere isn't an RPG, but every single DS Castlevania is?

So true.

And the WiiWare FFs aren't RPGs either.

If Odin Sphere indeed has no stat system whatsoever to speak of then I would argue that it has been misjudged. I'd be happy to hear what you think differentiates RPG's from everything else.

I'm not sure RPGs even properly exist. It's a question that bears a lot of consideration.

one more =D

Takt of Magic (Taito)

Yeah, there are anamolies.

Though yeah, I'd consider Castlevania games Action RPG's, or at least action games with RPG elements.

I'm sorry, why is it when a game has a few RPG elements some people go off and place it in the genre? The Legend of Zelda is not an RPG series, it is an action/adventure series. MGB, please remove it from whatever RPG compilation you decide to make. I don't know how anyone could even assume the Legend of Zelda series is of the RPG genre.

And Torillian, your method of defining an RPG is flawed. By your logic, as Khuutra stated, the DS Castlevania's are all RPG's, which they are not, they are Action-adventure games, with some RPG elements.

All that said and done though, i'm probably inclined to agree with the OP. And while i'm not like most people and play nothing but RPG's, thinking the genre is some sort of god among genre's, i find most RPG's i play rather fun, with the exception of some, like the numbered FF titles. I look forward to most of the upcoming Wii RPG's actually, especially Muramasa, Tales of Graces and Monster Hunter 3.

Will the wii be getting any WRPG's?
If not, I don't think anything has changed for their future in america. In japan, the JRPG's might sell though. Maybe a few also in america.