RPGs, which spin the threads of magic lands, mighty mortals, and omnipotent gods, and Norse mythology, also spinning threads of magic lands, mighty mortals, and omnipotent gods, were a no-brainer to wed in digital matrimony. This is what tri-Ace thought when making Valkyrie Profile for PSX in 2000–that, and that they’d like to make a chef d’oeuvre that was not only a particularly beautiful game–its bright, glossy, hand-drawn visuals the envy of many a storybook, and its music a veritable symphony from the warbling winds section of Motoi Sakuraba–but one that would work the 32-bitter so hard as to blow the lid off the CD tray. It had an active combat system you simply could not mash-advance; nor would you want to, as it featured dynamic scaling and screen-razing spell effects, and deeply-involving mechanics. Seriously ambitious, the 2-disc’er was the grandiose production that sowed the seeds of Odin Sphere and other small miracles of Japanese, but not-quite-animé 2-D.

Nowadays you would have to eBay the original for over $100. Nowadays you should have a PSP and be able to get Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth here for less than half that price. With added cutscenes and a heightened probability that it won’t kill the console running it. What will you do?