After lots of calling up EBs and other game selling stores the hunt is finally over!
The only game I didn't find and purchase was the Shin Megami Tensei Series just because not only are they hard to find they're incredibly expensive because of their rarity. Final count of the RPGs I've been able to track down lately.

Dragon Quest VIII - $30
Phantasy Star Universe (not originally on the list but came across is about a month ago at Blockbuster and just bought it because I'd heard of the series and decided why not) - $10
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 FES - $30
Grandia 3 - $30
Grandia 2 - $13
Tales of the Abyss - $30
Tales of Legendia - $20
Star Ocean: Til' the End of Time - $20
Dark Cloud 2 - $20
Disgaea: Hour of Darkness - $25
Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories - $45
Shadow Hearts - $25
Wild ARM 3 (not originally on the list) - $5

Total: $313

On tap to buy upon release:
Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice - $50
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 - $40

and still currently looking for Wild ARMs 5 but not super intent on finding it.
and PS1 games cannot be found in common game stores now so I'm letting em go but might pick up a few online


Worth while investment? Not sure yet, but as a hardcore RPG fan I'm gonna say it was, considering they'll be even hard to track down later on. Now the only question is what order to play em in (currently playing through DQ8)
Any advice? lol

haha yea, its gonna be an epic quest to keep on track through one rpg at a time while still trying to keep up with the new releases I want to play
nevermind entering first year of university in the fall