Is JRPG...

[Dice]

I actually really don't like these 8 bit throw backs...  they feel like too much of an excuse to create some cute than make anything of great quality or even much depth.  Credit to them when they're good, but they're not my style.

[Eusis]

If we're just talking about RPGs here, I haven't seen that many 8-bit throwbacks, just the RPG section of Half-Minute Hero, Guadia Quest in Retro Game Challenge, Breath of Death VII (a console indie game), and ClaDun (which the style didn't actually work for the game, IMO). Other than that I can't think of too many others.

You could argue that 4 Heroes of Light is another example, while it doesn't have 8-bit or 16-bit styled sprites it has the feel of an 8-bit game and a similar design, even if it comes closer to DQ than FF. Which is something I'd generally prefer to see, though I love how Half Minute Hero's design kind of doubles as a sign of how it's simplifying and condensing the gameplay to the essentials to create a lightning fast arcade-like experience.

[Archendrus]

I think new retro 8-16 bit games are an awesome idea.  Then again, I'm gettin' old, so it's more of a nostalgia thing.  The 8-16 bit throwback idea is actually responsible for getting me interested in programming.  I really wanted to learn how to make games, and the old school style is more approachable, from a beginners' perspective.  Outside of Megaman 9 + 10, I didn't really know it was becoming a big thing until recently.  

Now, how these new retro RPGs actually are.  That's a different story.  Half Minute Hero didn't seem like a fun concept to me, I don't have access to Breath of Death, and I haven't tried ClaDun yet (dead PSP battery).  It could very well be that the concept is better than the actual execution of it.  Still, I really like the idea and the art style.  I think it would be really interesting to do new things with 8 bit 2d graphics that weren't possible back in the day.  This is a pretty good example, it's a fan made 2.5D Megaman 2 remake. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiwQtSx6zHw

[Mickeymac92]

I have no problem with old-school games and Old-school style games. The onlything I want to see done away with in JRPGs are frequent random battles. Fighting a battle after taking a single step is as irritating as it gets.

[insertnamehere]

I have no problem with old-school games and Old-school style games. The onlything I want to see done away with in JRPGs are frequent random battles. Fighting a battle after taking a single step is as irritating as it gets.

especially in dungeons with puzzles.

[Mickeymac92]

I have no problem with old-school games and Old-school style games. The onlything I want to see done away with in JRPGs are frequent random battles. Fighting a battle after taking a single step is as irritating as it gets.

especially in dungeons with puzzles.

Yeah, no kidding.

[MindCandy]

I had a glass coffee table, then I got into one of those situations you just mentioned, you know, stupid, long, cakewalk random encounters while trying to finish a puzzle that involved lots of walking around.

Do not throw a controller at a glass coffee table...

I don't even remember what game it was. I was pretty young and it was a psone title by squaresoft. I do, however, remember how much that damn table cost since my parents made me pay for it.

[insertnamehere]

I finally know what JRPG is
hint: it isn't unnecessary or old-fashioned