Note: this guide was written in 2010, and has been updated over the years to reflect changes in the availability and release of Final Fantasy games.



Way back in 1987, Square was a Japanese video game publisher on the verge of bankruptcy. Their “Hail Mary” throw was a game called Final Fantasy—a not-so-subtle hint that this was their final game. The desperate move clearly worked, as the franchise’s 15th core entry is currently in development. It is an interesting franchise in that most of the numbered Final Fantasy games are unrelated to the previous volumes—they are not true sequels, though thematic elements remain consistent throughout the series.

Since such a large amount of time has passed since the original Final Fantasy was released, many gamers who were too young to play the originals often express disdain at the ability to go back through the archives and play the older games. The recent blockbuster release of Final Fantasy XIII has brought the series to a whole new generation of gamers who may feel like they want to go back and play through the collection.

But what to do? For North American gamers, the Final Fantasy series was all over the map: Only certain episodes were brought to North America, there was some renumbering done, and then there were re-releases. For someone who didn’t grow up drooling over every single bit of Final Fantasy information, it can be a confusing mess. Most people don’t have an original NES or a Super Nintendo laying around, and forget trying to figure out which game goes with which system.

But hey, that’s what we’re here for: I was recently talking to my roommate (another Final Fantasy fanatic), and the conversation about which was our favorite came up. “Final Fantasy VI was my favorite, hands down,” I noted. He wasn’t sure what I meant: he had never played it. “Well, it was originally called Final Fantasy III here in the US, and it was for Super NES.” That’s the kind of confusion we’re dealing with.

It bugged me that my fellow fanatic had never played what many consider to be the best game in the series. Of course, the company now known as Square Enix doesn’t exactly make it easy for us. Therefore, I decided to write this roundup, featuring every game in the series, to help people choose the best way to play each game today.

Final Fantasy I

Release Date: 1987 Japan, 1990 North America

Original platform: NES

Currently Available on: NES, Wii Virtual Console, PSX, Gameboy Advance, iPhone, PSP, Android

The one that started it all! This game has been remade, remastered, and re-released many times—and I’m not even gonna touch the Japanese re-releases (such as the Wonderswan version…). The tricky part about Final Fantasy is that you’ll need to put on your nostalgia goggles. What seemed amazing in 1990 seems tedious nowadays. It has a very simple plot (Four heroes! Save the world!) and a lot of grinding (a hallmark of the early Final Fantasy games), but you get to see the origins of many Final Fantasy standbys, such as the “Prelude” theme, the “Victory” theme, and the names of the spells. An interesting bit of trivia is that neither Cid nor Chocobos make an appearance here (the only Final Fantasy game that neither of them appear in!)

The best way to play:

In my opinion, the PSP remastered edition of Final Fantasy is the definitive version of this game. It looks and plays beautifully. Square Enix completely re-did all of the graphics, re-mastered the soundtrack, and added a new dungeon and cinematics to the game to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the original release. This edition is also available on the iPhone and Android but the PSP version is the most authentic due to the controls and bigger screen. You’ll still get the original Final Fantasy experience, but at least it’s modern-feeling enough to not make you want to tear your hair out.

The Wii Virtual Console version is a direct port of the original 1990 NES release. It is not the remastered 20th anniversary edition, but if it’s your only recourse, at least you can play the game.

If you have a PlayStation, you can get a release that is almost as good as the PSP release with the Final Fantasy Origins Final Fantasy I & II Remastered Editions set. This release was based on the WonderSwan Color remakes, but localized for North America. It has updated graphics, cinematics, and an art gallery.

If you happen to have a Gameboy Advance, SP, or original DS you might also enjoy the Final Fantasy I & II Dawn of Souls version. It is also a re-master, but it is slightly different in that it has four additional dungeons as well as a slightly different bestiary.

Final Fantasy II

Release Date: 1988 Japan, 2003 North America

Original platform: NES

Currently Available on: PSX, Gameboy Advance, iPhone, PSP

One of the more misunderstood and chaotic releases, Final Fantasy II was never brought to North America due to timing, manpower, and mismanagement issues. The first time us English-speaking folk got an official crack at the game was in 2003 with the PSX release of Final Fantasy Origins (pedants will remind me that there was a sketchy fan translation in the seedy underworld of emulators, but let’s just go with the official stuff). Final Fantasy II introduced a completely revolutionary leveling system, and was the first time we were introduced to Cid (a recurring name that appears in every subsequent Final Fantasy game) and to that charming yellow bird, the Chocobo. Any serious fan of Final Fantasy needs to make sure they track this one down.

The best way to play:

Much like the first one, the PSP edition of Final Fantasy II is the definitive version. Also, like the first, there is an iPhone version of this 20th anniversary edition. You can also find it bundled with Final Fantasy I in the Gameboy Advance Dawn of Souls edition.

Final Fantasy III

Release date: 1990 Japan, 2006 North America

Original platform: Famicom (NES)

Currently available on: Nintendo DS, iPhone, Android

This is it—the most enigmatic of all for young American fans obsessed with the series. In the waning days of the pre-internet world, rabid gamers would absorb every bit of information that they could via magazine, whispered rumors in middle school hallways, and “my cousin’s friend knows a guy who knows a guy who lives in Japan.” This was a time when Japan was still mystical, and nobody had ever heard of cosplay, anime, or manga. In those days, the idea that we would ever get to play Final Fantasy III was a pipe dream. For a short time, I entertained the idea of learning Japanese just so I could play it.

That’s why it was so shocking to me when, at 31 years old, I found out I could play a re-make in my Nintendo DS.

Final Fantasy III brought several important things to the table: primarily, the Job System—the ability to assign any role to your characters instead of having a pre-defined archetype. This gives the player real input into their game experience and takes the game off-the-rails a bit—a major change from the standard RPG formula before it. Final Fantasy III brought addition combat commands such as “Steal” and “Jump” to the franchise, as well.

The best way to play:

Completely redone in 3D, with a new soundtrack and cinematics as well as new dungeons, the Nintendo DS remake is a worthy one. If you prefer, there is also an iPhone version and Android version available which is also the full HD remake. Short of that, the only way to play the original version is to track down a Famicom. Hope you can read Japanese.

Final Fantasy IV

Release date: 1991 Japan, 1991 North America (as Final Fantasy II)

Original platform: Super Famicom (SNES)

Currently available on: Nintendo DS, PSX, Gameboy Advance, Wii Virtual Console, PSN, iOS, PC

Final Fantasy IV (or as American gamers knew it, Final Fantasy II) was a real game-changer in the RPG industry. Many consider it a hallmark moment in gaming, as it introduced a complex plot with actual characters (and personalities) instead of archetypes. This game marks the point in history where Square became storytellers instead of game makers. The game follows the trials and struggles of a certain dark knight named Cecil, who is beginning to experience inner turmoil at the things he is doing in the name of honor and kingdom. What starts as an ethical struggle blossoms into a full-blown war between worlds. Love, loyalty, family struggle, betrayal, and redemption all weave into what was considered a very complex plot for a video game in the early 90s. Also, this is where the series went emo. In addition to the complex plot, the game moved away from turn-based battles and introduced us to the Active Time Battle system—a version of which has made it all the way through into the current Final Fantasy game.

The best way to play:

Perhaps because it was so important, it was re-released many times, which makes it a confusing tangle to wade through. The current best way to play is the Nintendo DS version . Redone in 3D, with voice acting and some gameplay tweaks, it is by far the best way to experience the story instead of struggling with dated and frustrated gaming conventions. As of December 2012, this same remastered version is available on iOS. Some argue that the PSN version is the superior version because it’s the 2D version with updated sprites from the Advance release (plus it comes with The After Years). If you don’t have a Nintendo DS, you still have several ways to experience the original: as a Wii Virtual Console download, or as part of the Final Fantasy Chronicles release for PSX (also bundled with the amazing Chrono Trigger!) There’s even a Gameboy Advance release if you’re that desperate. Finally, it is available on the PlayStation Network as part of the Final Fantasy IV: Complete Collection, which comes bundled with the sequel. As of September 2014, it’s also available on Steam for PC.

Side note: This is one of the three core Final Fantasy games that has an actual sequel. Entitled “Final Fantasy IV—the After Years”, it is now available on the WiiWare shop. You can also get the After Years as part of the PSN release.

Final Fantasy V

Release date: 1992 Japan, 1999 North America

Original platform: Super Famicom (SNES)

Currently available on: PSX, Gameboy Advance, PSN

Final Fantasy V is another enigmatic entry into the series, mostly because it’s the only one that originally didn’t make it to North America and doesn’t have a current-gen remake. The hallmark of the fifth core game is the much-enhanced and highly configurable job system carried over from Final Fantasy III. If you’ve ever played Final Fantasy Tactics, then you’re familiar with it. You get two kinds of experience: regular XP to level up whichever your current job is, and ability points that can be spent on unlocking abilities. In addition, you can gain shards which open up new jobs. Final Fantasy V also introduced some completely new classes to the universe: Time Mage, Blue Mage, and Mime just to name a few.

The best way to play:

Update: As of November 2011, you can now play the elusive FFV on PSN for PSP or PS3! This is now probably the easiest and best way to get the game. Alternatively, you can track down the Final Fantasy V Advance release for Gameboy Advance and play it on your original Nintendo DS. Short of that, you can also play the port from the Final Fantasy Anthology for PlayStation, but note that the translations for the two versions are vastly different—by all critic and fan accounts the Gameboy translation is far, far better than the shoddy PlayStation release.

Final Fantasy VI

Release date: 1994 Japan, 1994 North America (as Final Fantasy III)

Original platform: Super Famicom (SNES)

Currently available on: PSX, Gameboy Advance, Wii Virtual Console, PSN, iOS

For long-time fans of the series, this is probably the most beloved entry of all, as it represents the pinnacle of 2D “classic” RPG gaming, before the series went 3D with Final Fantasy VII. It blew away RPG conventions at the time by taking the series wildly off the “classic fantasy” course and into the realm of steampunk and magical technology. From the moment the game opens with a dramatic assault of a mining village by soldiers in mechanized walking tank vehicles, it is a non-stop wild ride through a colorful cast of well-developed characters. The story follows a tragic young girl named Terra, who is a highly gifted soldier but doesn’t know anything about her past. In addition, we are introduced to the genocidal and psychotic Joker-like Kefka, arguably one of the most evil and insane video game villains ever conceived. Final Fantasy VI is also the first time you can play as a Moogle.

Final Fantasy VI is my personal favorite. The atmosphere, the sweeping soundtrack, and the memorable characters all served to help cement the game firmly into my mind as one of my all time best gaming experiences.

The best way to play:

Update: As of September 2011, it’s now available on the Wii Virtual Console (as Final Fantasy III), as well as PSN (as Final Fantasy VI) for PSP and PS3. Either of these are now the best way to play the game in its glory.

Update 2: As of March 2014, it’s now available on the iOS App Store.

Right now, the current best way to play is probably the PSN version for the most accurate experience. The iOS version uses touchscreen controls, which some claim takes away from the classic experience. There’s also the Gameboy Advance version. If you’re stuck with only the ability to play it on PlayStation 1, you can get the version that comes with Final Fantasy Anthology .

Final Fantasy VII

Release date: 1997

Original platform: PlayStation

Currently available on: PlayStation 3, PSP, PC

This is, by far, the most well-known Final Fantasy game, and for many people it was their introduction to the series. It’s hard to estimate the impact this game had on video gaming in general. Some believe that this game was the sole reason Sony found success in the video game console market, something that many believed impossible at the time (in a market dominated by Nintendo and Sega). Regardless, the fact is that it remains one of the best-selling RPGs of all time.

Final Fantasy VII introduced us to an innovative way to present a story: as full 3D characters travelling over pre-rendered backgrounds and movies. In addition, it’s probably the first game that ever made grown men cry, in the now well-known and famous scene in which the lead antagonist actually kills a beloved main character. Many gamers consider it a mark of honor if “you cried when Aeris died”. Besides the sweeping (sometimes confusing) story, the game is also famous for its soundtrack, scored by the talented Nobuo Oematsu. The soundtrack is so prolific and well-known that it has been performed by symphony orchestras around the world.

Final Fantasy VII, its universe, and its characters have been spun off multiple times into feature films and games such as Crisis Core and Dirge of Cerebus.

The best way to play:

Right now, there are three ways to play: the original CD on your PSX, PS2, or PS3, a download on the PlayStation Network for PS3 or PSP, and more recently, a downloadable PC version with some enhancements including cloud saves (hah, get it? Cloud?), achievements, and a temporary stat booster for difficult battles (although it could be debated that grinding for levels is a hallmark of the JRPG genre and this certainly reduces the need for grinding. Easy mode). As of July 4th, 2013, this version is also available on Steam. Rumors are rampant about a full HD remake of the game for the PS3, but Square Enix has repeatedly stated that a project that ambitious is probably not going to happen any time soon.

Final Fantasy VIII

Release date: 1999

Original platform: PlayStation

Currently available on: PlayStation 3, PSP

Many fans were disappointed in Final Fantasy VIII, and to be fair it was almost impossible to top the sales and acclaim of its predecessor. Final Fantasy VIII threw many of the RPG conventions that the series was built on into the trash. It did away with traditional leveling and experience, and introduced a “draw” system where abilities were drawn from enemies. It was a strange way to do things, and it was even possible to beat the entire game without leveling your characters at all, as monster difficulty scaled to character level—a vast departure from previous convention. Still, the game sold well, riding on the coattails and in the shadows of its overachiever big brother. It was also the first Final Fantasy to introduce J-pop style in an animated music video performed by one of the game’s lead characters. Also, this is where Square degenerated into making games about groups of overemotional teenagers.

The best way to play:

Just like Final Fantasy VII, you can either buy the original on CD , or download it via PSN for your PSP or PlayStation 3.

Final Fantasy IX

Release date: 2000

Original platform: PlayStation

Currently available on: PlayStation 3, PSP

Even Square realized that they had wildly departed from the formula that made the series famous. With VI, VII, and VIII straying further and further into the world of modern technology, it was time to go back to the swords and sorcery roots of the games. Final Fantasy IX was actually developed concurrently with VIII but was released a year later. It is sort of the lost Final Fantasy, as it was a radical departure from the “norm” set by VII, the game that brought scads of new fans to the series. It is also the last game developed for the then-aging PlayStation platform.

Final Fantasy IX brought a few new things to the table, including “mognet”, a mechanic in which Moogles (little cute furry creatures) act not only as save points, but prompt to explore new areas by asking the player to deliver letters to other Moogles. In addition, the concept of items imparting abilities to the player (which can later be learned after enough experience using the ability is gained) was revealed here.

Final Fantasy IX is often overlooked, but it was a worthy part of the series.

The best way to play:

You can get the original game on CD which will work in a PlayStation, or on the PlayStation Store, downloadable for either PS3 or PSP. All three are the same version of the game.

Final Fantasy X

Release date: 2001

Original platform: PlayStation 2

Final Fantasy X, like Final Fantasy VII before it, was a showcase game for a new hardware platform. While it certainly offered sweeping vistas, a cinematic experience, and more full-motion video cutscenes than a feature-length Hollywood film, many fans felt that it wasn’t anything like a Final Fantasy game. A running gag has the game named Final Fantasy X because all you need to do to beat the game is keep pushing “X”. Where Final Fantasy VIII introduced us to androgynous emoteens as unlikely heroes, this game brings it to a whole new level. Still, it was immensely popular, and brought a whole new demographic to fantasy games. Players and fans connected so closely with the characters and their struggles that this was the first Final Fantasy game to spawn a full-on sequel (Final Fantasy X-2).

It is currently available on DVD , with no announced plans to make a downloadable version yet.

Final Fantasy XI

Release date: 2002

Original platform: PlayStation 2, PC

Currently available on: PlayStation 2, PC, and Xbox 360

Final Fantasy XI is the black sheep of the family. It’s an MMORPG that is still widely played. Clients are available for PlayStation 3, Windows, and Xbox 360, and a monthly fee applies. Set in the world of Vana’diel, the only thing this game shares with its cousins are Chocobos, the names of spells and items, and a few other minor fanservice bits.

I beta tested the game back in 2003 and enjoyed my time in Vana’diel. I’m sure the game has changed considerably in seven years, but if you’re a huge Final Fantasy fan or want something different from World of Warcraft, it may be worth checking out.

Final Fantasy XII

Release date: 2006

Original platform: PlayStation 2

Currently available on: PlayStation 3

Final Fantasy XII is set in the world of Ivalice, a well-developed high fantasy setting that debuted with Final Fantasy Tactics. This means that the game is more reminiscent of older brothers Final Fantasy IX and V in that the androgynous teen heroes aren’t leather-clad, gunsword-wielding rebels on motorbikes. Borrowing the active real-time battle system that debuted in the MMO Final Fantasy XI, the game has quite a different battle system from the Active Time Battle in all the regular numbered games before it.

It is still available in its original DVD form , with no plans for downloadable release.

Final Fantasy XIII

Release date: 2010

Original platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Currently available on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC

It was shocking, shocking news back in 2008, when at E3 it was revealed that the upcoming Final Fantasy game would no longer be a PlayStation 3 exclusive. Released to rabid fan excitement and critical acclaim, Final Fantasy XIII is the first title on current-generation consoles. Featuring hi-def gameplay, a highly involved plot, and memorable characters, the game did very well at retail. There are complaints of the game being too “on-rails”, reminiscent of Final Fantasy X, but that doesn’t seem to stop people from buying in.

And now, the androgynous teens have been joined by an attractive female lead and a black dude!

Final Fantasy XIII is currently available for both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on consoles, and as of October 2014 is available on Steam for PC This is the third core Final Fantasy game that has spawned a full-on sequel, entitled Final Fantasy XIII-2, also available for PS3 and Xbox 360.

Final Fantasy XIV

Release date: 2010

Original platform: Windows

Hot on the heels of Final Fantasy XIII came the beta test phase for XIV, which is an MMO that takes place in a new setting called Eorzea. The final game was released to the public in late September of 2010, to critical bashing and yawns from fans. The game was, by all accounts, a buggy mess. Complaints ranged from interface issues to utterly broken quests, a failed MMO economy, and perhaps the most damning of all for an MMO: It was boring. One review said that “The kindest thing that can be said about the Final Fantasy MMO is that it has a nice intro movie.”

The game was such a failure that Square Enix issued an official apology, and in Japanese company style, got rid of the entire senior staff and replaced them. A PlayStation 3 version was set to be originally released in March of 2011, but that has been delayed indefinitely.

The future of XIV is uncertain; they may be able to fix the bugs but it remains to be seen if it will be too late. This could go down in history as one of the biggest MMO failures of all time. It’s so bad that this debacle, combined with the lack of critical and fan excitement for XIII, might be the end of the Final Fantasy franchise entirely.

Final Fantasy XIV is currently available for Windows.

Final Fantasy XV

Release date: 2014

Original platform: Presumably PS4, Xbox One

Currently under development, this game was revealed at E3 2013, and showed a huge leap from the turn-based and active time battle system to a true real-time action combat system similar to Devil May Cry, God of War, Darksiders, and the like. It was originally revealed that this would be an action combat game called Final Fantasy XIII Versus, but it has been revealed that while it takes place in the same universe (the Fabula Nova Crystallis mythology) as that game, it is not a spin-off and is instead a full fifteenth entry in the core franchise.

Conclusion

Final Fantasy has gone through a remarkable evolution—from its humble beginnings as a last ditch effort by a fumbling developer to stay in business, to its current status as a AAA, console-selling platinum title that commands bigger development budgets than many feature films. It has introduced generations of gamers, across multiple console platforms, to a uniquely Japanese way of viewing role playing games. While the series may be in its twilight now, to ignore the contributions the series has made to gaming as a whole is to ignore over 20 years of gaming history. Anyone who calls themselves a gamer at least owes it to themselves to check out some of the games—and I hope this guide has made that a little bit easier.