History

Unreleased in North America until very recently, FFII was a large departure from the first, featuring a non-experience point based level-up system, as well as the ground-breaking "Word Memory System", allowing for words to be memorized and recalled in conversation throughout the game. This title also introduced the concepts of established characters, characters leaving and joining the party, as well as the series staple, the chocobo.

Final Fantasy III - Japanese Release ~ April 1990 - Famicom

The third Final Fantasy title released for the Famicom (short Family Computer, the Japanese equivalent of the NES) was the first in the series to feature the job system made famous by Final Fantasy V and Final Fantasy Tactics. Also of note is that this is the only Final Fantasy title pre-FFVII to not be ported to another system - although a WonderSwan Color port had been planned for years.

Final Fantasy IV - November 1991 - SNES

Released as Final Fantasy IV in Japan, this title was one of the first 16-bit RPGs, displaying state-of-the-art music and cutting-edge mode 7 graphics. The story took the gamer across three separate worlds with a slew of characters. This was also the first Final Fantasy to set love as a plot focus, popularized by later titles such as Final Fantasy VIII and the in-development Final Fantasy XII. A special "easy mode" of FFIV was released in Japan, as to allow for the game to be more difficult to appease serious fans of the franchise.

Final Fantasy Mystic Quest - October 1992 - SNES

Conscious of the differences between North American and Japanese gamers (especially with matters of game difficulty), Square embarked on a project made specifically for the western market. Released in Japan as Final Fantasy USA - Mystic Quest in 1993, Mystic Quest was a dramatic change from the existing standard for the brand, doing away with random encounters and allowing for use of weapons outside of battle to solve puzzles. With a party limited to two and decidedly simple gameplay, this title has been off lamented, although is now accepted as an unloved gem by some, and an interesting piece of Squaresoft trivia by others.

Final Fantasy V - Japanese Release ~ December 1992 - Super Famicom

The last original Final Fantasy title to not see worldwide release, Final Fantasy V saw the job system at its greatest height during the course of the original series. Final Fantasy V was released to an anxious North American audience as part of the Final Fantasy Anthology for PlayStation almost seven years later.

Final Fantasy I & II - Japanese Release ~ February 1994 - Famicom

The first of many Final Fantasy ports, this title took the original two games and re-released them in the last days of the Famicom. Final Fantasy I & II would itself be re-released for the PlayStation almost a decade later.

Final Fantasy III - October 1994 - SNES

Featuring then unprecedented graphics and sound, one of the first truly epic stories in the history of video games, a bizarre dystopian outlook of a world of magic undergoing an industrial revolution all on a then-impressive 24 megs, Final Fantasy III was one of the biggest RPGs ever, and by many accounts the title that brought the genre to the mainstream. Now better known by its Japanese title, Final Fantasy VI, this was one of the most significant titles of the 16-bit era and a huge development for the genre.

Final Fantasy IV - Japanese Release ~ March 1997 - PlayStation

This title was the first of a series of Super Famicom to PlayStation FF ports. The port featured a number of improvements, including polygonal cut-scenes.

Final Fantasy VII - June 1997 - PlayStation

Three years in development, spanning a then-amazing three discs and featuring one of the greatest development costs the industry had ever heard of at the time, Final Fantasy VII was one of the most significant releases for the PlayStation, and one of the most remembered iterations in the franchise. If Final Fantasy III took the RPG into the knowledge of the mainstream, Final Fantasy VII made the RPG mainstream, an absolutely undeniable part of the annals of gaming. Brought to the public just as gamers got their own voice and recognition in publication over the then-obscure internet and other media, the hype over the game was so great that it was released as Final Fantasy VII (as opposed to IV), as that was the title most gamers were familiar with. This was the first Final Fantasy title to feature polygonal graphics, as well as full motion video - a staple in the modern Final Fantasy series, but an unproven novelty subject to much ridicule back in 1997, before being proven in FFVII.

Final Fantasy VII International - Japanese Release ~ October 1997 - PlayStation

FFVII International was a special re-release of FFVII in Japan that featured various improvements made specially for the international release of the title - in particular, the two extra Weapons bosses.

Taking the Final Fantasy job system and basing a strategy RPG around it, Final Fantasy Tactics is one of the most beloved titles for the PlayStation and an undisputed classic. The title featured a Cloud, the lead from Final Fantasy VII, in a rare FF cameo appearance. Long considered an anomalous side-project, the 2003 release Final Fantasy Tactics Advance brought FFT closer into the Final Fantasy canon.

Final Fantasy V - Japanese Release ~ March 1998 - PlayStation

The Super Famicom classic, ported to PlayStation. This release featured full motion video cut-scenes made exclusively for this port of the game.

Final Fantasy VII - May 1998 - Personal Computer

A port of the famed PlayStation game by Eidos, released in North America for the personal computer. The FFVII port is notable in that it was largely handled by Eidos, as opposed to being a Squaresoft project, and that the title did not see release in Japan.

Final Fantasy VIII - September 1999 - PlayStation

The second PlayStation Final Fantasy met with some backlash, due to the great differences between this and previous titles in the series. Featuring a new "draw" system for magic, the Guardian Force summoning system, a realistic look for all characters and a plot based entirely on the main characters being in love, Final Fantasy VIII was a title given an unfair reputation at release, mostly by those expecting something in the vein of Final Fantasy VII. While the lack of chocobos and moogles, coupled with the slow and serious atmosphere of the game definitely give it a different feel, FFVIII is still Final Fantasy through and through. This was the first Final Fantasy game to feature a card game - the acclaimed Triple Triad.

Final Fantasy VI - Japanese Release ~ March 1999 - PlayStation

The last of the Super Famicom/PlayStation ports, this featured full motion video, galleries, a bestiary, and more.

Final Fantasy Collection - Japanese Release ~ March 1999 - PlayStation

A three-disc collection composed of Final Fantasy IV, Final Fantasy V and Final Fantasy VI all as issued separately, Final Fantasy Collection brought the three Super Famicom classics to PlayStation fans all in one, handy package. A special anniversary edition was also released.

Final Fantasy Anthology - October 1999 - PlayStation

Similar to Final Fantasy Collection, Final Fantasy Anthology featured the acclaimed Final Fantasy VI and the then unreleased in North America, Final Fantasy V. While lacking Final Fantasy IV (which would see release in Final Fantasy Chronicles), this two-game collection featured a special soundtrack with selections from both games.

Final Fantasy VIII - January 2000 - Personal Computer

The first Final Fantasy title to see release for Windows in Japan, this title also allowed for the special feature to play the mini-games designed for PocketStation (a peripheral for the PlayStation never released outside of Japan) in separate windows.

Final Fantasy IX - November 2000 - PlayStation

The last original title for PlayStation in the series, Final Fantasy IX was something of a return to the series' roots. Gone were mechanical influences of the last three games, and two standbys of Final Fantasy VI - the opera and the auction. The accepted deformed look of past titles also made a re-appearance. FFIX featured its own card game, Tetra Master.

Final Fantasy - Japanese Release ~ December 2000 - WonderSwan Color

The first in a series of ports of classic Final Fantasy titles to the Bandai handheld, the WonderSwan Color.

Final Fantasy II - Japanese Release ~ May 2001 - WonderSwan Color

Final Fantasy II also saw a re-release on the obscure WonderSwan Color, along with a number of other classic Square RPGs.

Final Fantasy Chronicles- June 2001 - PlayStation

While Final Fantasy Anthology did not include the PlayStation version of Final Fantasy IV, a special set was released - Final Fantasy Chronicles which not only featured FFIV, but also another SNES-era Squaresoft RPG, Chrono Trigger, a classic which featured a staff of many Final Fantasy regulars.

Final Fantasy X - December 2001 - PlayStation 2

The first great RPG for the PlayStation 2, Final Fantasy X was possibly the biggest Final Fantasy release since FFVII. Featuring hours of digitized speech for every character in-game, the title also boasted a number of hefty graphic improvements. The North American release was anomalous, as it was actually released earlier than previously reported - a rare occurrence in the industry, but especially with a title of that magnitude.

Final Fantasy X International - Japanese Release ~ January 2002 - PlayStation 2

A new version of FFX was released shortly after the initial release, loaded to the gills with extras and improvements seen in international release. Featuring a new optional sphere grid, secret bosses and an extra DVD of bonus content, Final Fantasy X International took the rich experience of the heralded title and pushed it further.

Final Fantasy IV - Japanese Release ~ March 2002 - WonderSwan Color

The last WonderSwan Color Final Fantasy port. It is interesting that Final Fantasy III, while in development, was not released. An eventual release has been assured, but whether it will in fact still be for WonderSwan Color is dubious.

Final Fantasy Origins - April 2003 - PlayStation

Re-releasing the title that started it all, Final Fantasy as well as Final Fantasy II - a title never before released in North America - Final Fantasy Origins makes for great nostalgia, and refreshing gameplay. Featuring full motion video sequences for both games, as well as vastly improved graphics and sound, FFO saw a small but significant release. The title was released in Japan as Final Fantasy I & II (much like the Famicom port) in 2002.

Final Fantasy Tactics Advanced- September 2003 - Game Boy Advance

The first Squaresoft title for a Nintendo system since 1996, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance also had the burden of living up to one of the biggest genre classics of all time, Final Fantasy Tactics. Featuring the same game play that made FFT so famous in the first place, FFTA took a great game and made it portable.

Final Fantasy XI - October 2003 - Personal Computer

The first Final Fantasy game to go online, Final Fantasy XI was and is one of the most ambitious Massively Multiplayer Online RPGs ever made. Featuring magic, races and classes made famous in previous titles, Final Fantasy XI invites players to make their own adventures, as well as exploring the vast worlds Squaresoft has set up. An expansion, Vision of Ziraat was released in Japan, but included standard in the North American release. Final Fantasy XI is due to hit PlayStation 2 in 2004.

Final Fantasy X-2 - November 2003 - PlayStation 2