anyone have any recommendations for the PS2 or GC? By action RPG i mean that you actually do the fighting, not menu based. Games similar to Zelda, etc.

If you're looking for games similar to Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, then Beyond Good and Evil (PS2, GC) is a good choice, plus you can get it really cheap now.

If you're just looking for any kind of RPG with action, then I would also suggest Tales of Symphonia (GC). It's a pretty standard Japanese RPG but with a really fun real-time battle system instead of the usual turn-based system.

I'd back up Tales of Symphonia. You end up looking forward to the rpg battles rather than cursing them. Also there is some opportunity to avoid "random" encounters if you don't wish to participate in them.

Star Ocean on the PS2 is probably worth a look but I haven't played it myself.

Tales of Symphonia is awesome.

If you are looking for something zelda-esque, Beyond Good & Evil would be my first choice. Great action/adventure game, with a story that is mixed perfectly into the gameplay, and tons of variety. One minute you are fighting, the next you are taking pictures, then flying a hovercraft, the next solving puzzles.

Pick up YS: Ark of Napishtim and Musashi: Samurai Legend. Both are great action RPGs for the PS2. The soon to be release (3/24) Shining Tears looks great too. You can pre-order it at overstock for $43.40 with free shipping.

Zelda is not an RPG.

I'm a huge action-RPG fan though. Kingdom Hearts hasn't been mentioned and is probably one of the best released this generation. Tales of Symphony and Ys: The Ark of Napishtim have both been mentioned and I highly recommend both. Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door has menu based battles, but there's PLENTY of action and involvement in its excellent battle system, plus the game has some of the best writing ever and an excellent sense of humor.

Maximo and its sequel aren't RPGs, but if you're looking for Zelda-like adventure games they're both really good (though a bit more action than adventure) and can be had for $20 a pop.

Dark Cloud 2
Champions of Norrath
Bards Tale
Xmen Legends
Demon Stone

Action-adventure games

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Prince of Persia: Warriors Within
Kingdom Hearts
Maximo Ghost to Glory
Maximo and the Army of Zin
Drakan: The Ancient Gates
Onimusha 1, 2, 3

I second Dark Cloud 2 and Champions of Norrath. Both are excellent games.

Tales of Symphonia is an rpg with action battles.

It's also one of the best RPG's of last year .

Another vote for the amazing Tales of Symphonia.

Skies of Arcadia

I always thought action RPGs were games similar to DIABLO. Games where you create a character and advance in levels/stats/skills and the combat is arcade-like.

Anyway, here's my choices....

1. Baldur's Gate : Dark Alliance 2
2. Champions Of Norrath
3. Baldur's Gate : Dark Alliance
4. Champions Of Norath : Return To Arms

I would agree with most of the above posters, but I would advize you NOT to get musashi. Sure the visual style and gameplay mechanics are slick, but it has the WORST voice acting I've ever heard and the camera sucks. It's also highly repetitive.

X-Men Legends, especially if you have some people to play with.

Both Dark Cloud games were great.