The Final Fantasy Legend I and II were probably my favorite gameboy games of all time. It's a hard call with Pokémon Blue and Gold, but a lot of what I like about those is sentimental and nostalgic; in sheer objective game substance, these were my favorites. I liked Pokémon a lot, but I wanted a game that was -like- it, but focused more on people (well, people mingled with monsters and robots) and a serious fantasy setting, as opposed to "real life, but obsessed over animals". SaGa 1 And 2 have probably come closest of any game I know of to date.

Humans are physically oriented(but in FFL2 they can use magic, too) and can equip a lot of stuff (you know, stuff like swords, shields, whips, bows, punches, judo throws, submachine guns, and chainsaws). Mutants are similar to humans, but gain stats differently and sacrifice equipment slots for innate magic-like abilities. Monsters are monsters, and can turn into different monsters by eating other monsters' specially seasoned carcasses. Robots aren't in the first game, and equip stuff like humans, except stuff they equip can be recharged, instead of wearing out and breaking.

Also, Mutants are called "Espers" in Japanese. How cool is that? Instead of being a child who relies on creatures stuffed in your pocket, you -are- the main character, traveling with other people (and monsters, and freaking robots). I mean, Charizard and Sandslash are cool and all, but I'd rather travel with a couple of ladies in basically lingerie. (And, well, diapers. I mean, guys have equipment and muscles, robots have no need, and monsters freaking do whatever they want.)