It took me about a year to get around to doing the main quest line in Morrowind. It's so easy to get side tracked in that game.

A lot of these games are on my list, actually. I found copies of Xenosaga Episodes 2 and 3 a couple of weeks ago and I'm slowly working my through the trilogy.

Most of the games I want to make it through are RPG's as well.

Whoever told you that Xenosaga gets better is a liar. Xenosaga II is the worst of the trilogy, though Xenosaga III isn't bad if you don't mind the nonsensical/ illogical religous references and imagery, including a special cameo by Jesus. But you're supposed to play Xenogears first, mostly because you won't understand any of the references to Xenogears in Xenosaga unless you played Xenogears first. Not that any of it really makes sense.

Rogue Galaxy just really isn't worth it. It's a long game with a decent battle system and an asinine story.

Your enjoyment of DQVIII will greatly depend on your nostalgia level. When it came out, I hadn't played an old-school RPG for quite a while, and I loved it. That was five or six years ago. I know that if I played it again I would hate it.

I also forgot MGS3 Snake Eater...  That's also on my list...

I hear you on Rogue Galaxy.  I eventually got bored of the game because the story added no incentive to push forward.  

I'm really sad I gave up on Persona 3.  I loved playing that game.  Dang achievement points pulled me away. 

I probably got about 1/3 thru DQ8.  I was on JRPG overload by that point in my life.  For the last few years, I've only played Oblivion Style RPGs and the occasional Star Ocean Hybrid RPG types.  Getting back into classic JRPGs has been nice so far with FF9.