Try to get RPG Maker 2000 or 2003 or XP. Maybe 2k3 should fit the best, if you wanna make a it with 320x240 resolution. If you would like bigger, you should choose XP. XP haven't got side view battle system, but you can use the ruby script in it, and change things as you like. It's the hardest one, and 2k is the easiest one from both 3 of them. There's also RPG Maker '95 but you couldn't modify it, to make a side view battle system. You can modify 2k & XP, and 2k3 already has. Well, I know it's sounds difficult...
I think after you maded some more sprites, wroten a storyline, did some artworks, etc, it will wake up the others attention. If not, it's still nice, because you practiced drawing/pixeling.