I didn't play it until 2003, on *ahem* emulator, but I loved it immensely.
It really is the perfect RPG, with nary one annoyance I can speak of. Characters, story, battles, progression... all great and polished to a sheen.
At the time I compared it to Final Fantasy's little sibling: Not as serious or heavy, doesn't quite have love down yet, but boy does it know how to have a good time...
I have a love for retro games in general, mind you, but that was my first time experiencing it so my view in untainted.