Okay there's some I know of:

Suikoden series ( 108 Stars in each game except Tacitcs )

Fire Emblem Games

Radiata Stories ( 175 recruits )

Chrono Cross ( 45 playable characters )

So is there any RPG-like games out there that have multiple playable characters/recruits that are not listed here?

What about games like Disgaea? You only get so many by way of storyline, but you can create/capture a bunch of other ones. (If you need a more common example, Final Fantasy Tactics.)

Pokémon !!  :fatty:

sort of..

Shining Force

As far as console games besides the ones you mentioned... I can't think of any!  I know the Romance of the Three Kingdoms series (although not an RPG) has literally hundreds of unique generals since it's based on a book series or something.

Based on actual Chinese History and the book written about it.

While it doesn't have as many characters as some examples listed, Planescape: Torment comes to mind.

The SaGa games usually have lots of characters.

Yeah, Romancing SaGa 2 has like, 200 or so: 5 or 6 different characters per class, and, despite members of a class just being palette swaps, they all have differing stats (and sometimes mastery rates. Like, Sagittarius is the only Court Magician who has Bow mastery).

I think FFVI is unique for not only having a large cast of characters, but making them an important part of the story.  As opposed to the dozens of people who join up with you in a game like Chrono Cross.

I think FFVI is unique for not only having a large cast of characters, but making them an important part of the story.  As opposed to the dozens of people who join up with you in a game like Chrono Cross.

Well, not every game can work characters like Relm, Strago, Cyan, Gau, Mog, Umaro, Gogo, and Shadow into their complex narratives like Final Fantasy VI did! You can maybe argue that Shadow plays an important role in the story, if only as a dues ex machina, but if you honestly think that Relm, Strago, Cyan, Gau, Mog, Umaro and Gogo impact the story in any meaningful way... I don't know what to tell you.

Oh, and I'm totally not supporting Chrono Cross's cardboard standees with different accents or anything, although quite a few of them were pretty awesome. Mojo is one of the best things in an RPG, ever.

Other than Umaro, they ALL have an impact on the story of FFVI.

Relm is Shadow's daughter.

Strago is one of the last of a magical race. (the whole story of FFVI revolves around magic)

Cyan is a major part of the storyline. You even go through his dreams as one of the story points.

Gau is major part of the storyline early on in the game. You can't say any character who isn't an optional character isn't important to the story.

Mog and the moogles save Terra towards the beginning. There is no story without them.

And Gogo is Daryl, Stetzer's long lost love. Also an important part as you go to her tomb during the story when you're getting the 2nd airship.

Don't crap on FFVI just cuz you're an anti-FF fanboy.