Best Versions of Early Final Fantasy Games?

[onReload]

So, I dig the FF series, but mostly from 1 - 6, as I've dabbled in/completed I, IV, V, VI, VII, IX, X, XII...and I preferred the older ones (one through six).

Now, I played FFV awhile ago on emulator - translated SFC rom and all that, and it was good fun. For FFVI, I got the Advance version as the PS version didn't seem to include as much extra stuff, and I was very satisfied.

Now, they DS remade III and are going to give us IV here in the States soon, so I should probably pick those up, but I'm unsure about them - is it better to experience them in their original top-down 2D style, or should I go for the more modern approach? That, and should I play FFV or wait to see if it's going to be "enhanced remade" as well? Of course, I want to do the whole early series, so I & II are important, but I'm not sure if I want Dawn of Souls (GBA) or the other compilations.

Lots of versions, lots of questions. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[incubus421]

I picked up FFIII for DS when it came out and was quite dissapointed actually. It just didn't feel the same, it seemed a hell of a lot more boring than the actual and it couldn't keep my attention for crap. I believe I played for about 7-8 hours and that was enough for me...I believe I sold it on GameTZ a few months back.
As for the IV remake I may pick it up and give it it's own shot...but I'm a little worried about doing so.

[FantasiaWHT]

Ahhhh don't encourage them, don't encourage them! If you buy the stupid remakes they'll only make more :P

[James8BitStar]

Personally I say play the originals all the way. If for some reason you can't, then the Playstation anthologies are a good second bet. The Gameboy Advance and Nintendo DS remakes though.. .well admittedly I've only played Dawn of Souls but if that was a sign of things to come, I'm not missing much.

[j1e]

I was going to buy FF 2 or 3 from gamereproductions some time soon. Which one of these would you guys suggest?

[onReload]

i had heard FFIII's DS remake got mixed reviews, but i kinda figured that from FF I - III it might be better to check out remakes as they're a bit boring in original form (i'm also doing the DQ/DW series and dragon warrior I is TEDIOUS if it's not the remade one on SFC)

again it seemed like VI advance was the same game as the original but with a bit more, and i could grind while bored in stats class as it was a handheld...so i was thinking about getting IV advance. but i didn't know what people thought of the 3D DS remakes....i also did like V a lot, just not sure if it was enough to fully replay it - and as there's no DS remake on the horizon (yet) id' probably get the GBA version...

i'm looking forward to playing IV either way, since i loved culex's battle theme in SMRPG...and yeah i know of the whole remake cash-in but for someone who wasn't around for the originals, it's not a bad thing.

[DefaultGen]

.....

[Soviet Conscript]

i didn't like the look of the 3d remakes. just ugly, but i generally prefer 2d anyways.

[Blitzwing256]

i've been playing the ds version of 4 for weeks now and its amazingly close to the orignal, with alot of newer stuff added to it, and beleive it or not its HARDER then the orignial japanese version (not the us snes release but the original sfc version) i'm not a big fan of 3d graphcis and all, but its a very enjoyable experience to play through and i'm enjoying every minute of replaying one of my favroate games of all times.

[Nebagram]

Ahhhh don't encourage them, don't encourage them! If you buy the stupid remakes they'll only make more :P

Yeah but in theory eventually they'll run out and be forced to remake FFVII on the PS3... in theory. ;)

Back OT, another vote for the GBA versions here.

[guitargary75]

FFIII on snes was my favorite. However, the original will always hold a special place in my heart.

[Wraith Storm]

Having played the NES FFI and Dawn of Souls FFI on GBA, I personally liked the original NES version MUCH better.

Sure the GBA version has lots of perks like great graphics, the music was enhanced (I loved it), and tons of extra stuff from the rest of the FF series. But in adding all the extra stuff it seems thay had to re-balance the core game. Some spells that I found crucial in the NES version were pointless in the GBA remake.

All the things they enhanced and added were awesome but as far as the CORE game, I perfer the NES version..

[onReload]

Thanks for the feedback, guys.

Today I did pick up FFV Advance because, well, it was there and I had the resources - was going to get DoS (loose) but FFV-A was new and not much more. It will be my first time playing a remake after (years after) playing the original (or translated original rom)...

FFIV, I'm still not sure about. Without things like the ATB and other developments made later on in the series, I'm not sure that the original will hold my interest as easily as some newer version might. Also, if FFI/II on NES/FC require anything like the grinding in DW1, then it's remake town I'm heading to (which is where I went to play DW1, the SFC remake...but I'm repeating myself). That, and the whole "when targeted enemy x disappears, your character helplessly slashes at empty space" mechanic is intolerable. It's part of why I never finished Lufia I (though II is fantastic and fixes that problem).

I guess there's a few things that just take getting used to after the comforts of starting later on in the series (like opening a menu to talk to someone or use stairs)...Remakes take care of that, but if it's not close enough to the original experience, then...I'd rather stay uncomfortable I guess. (In regards to your comment, Wraith Storm).

I'm going to look more into the DS versions for III and IV and see if it really alters the look and feel of Final Fantasy; part of the reason I like simple 16-bit sprites is so they can't lame up the character design. That, and block-by-block walking/grinding is something I'm already used to.

I'm rambling, as usual. Again, thanks for the feedback.

[Wraith Storm]

Without things like the ATB and other developments made later on in the series, I'm not sure that the original will hold my interest as easily as some newer version might. Also, if FFI/II on NES/FC require anything like the grinding in DW1, then it's remake town I'm heading to (which is where I went to play DW1, the SFC remake...but I'm repeating myself). That, and the whole "when targeted enemy x disappears, your character helplessly slashes at empty space" mechanic is intolerable.

The NES Final Fantasy had a bit of level grinding but not as bad as Dragon Warrior 1 on the NES (I haven't played the SFC remake).

As far as the battle system...well...The GBA Dawn of Souls fixes the "attacking dead enemies space". However I always liked that programming flaw. I thought it added more strategy to the battles. You really had to think about what character should attack what so you didn't accidentally waste a characters turn on a spot where there was no longer an enemy.

The original FF also had a really cool Dungeons and Dragons level based magic system. I loved it! The GBA remake changed it to a more traditional MP based magic system.

But it sounds like you might enjoy the GBA remake a bit more. It fixed the battle system problems(I liked the problems however), has a more traditional magic system (I missed the DnD inspired system), and also has a selectable Easy or Hard mode (The NES version only has the equivilent of Hard mode).

Whichever you choose I hope you enjoy it :)

[James8BitStar]

i didn't like the look of the 3d remakes. just ugly, but i generally prefer 2d anyways.

There are no 3D remakes of FF1-6. They're all in 2D.

[Blitzwing256]

3 and 4 both have 3d remakes...

and the ATB system IS in part 4, its the first game to have it.

[Volcanon]

For me, FF1 and FF2 are unplayably slow.
So what you should do is play the PS1 remake of 1+2 (like dawn of souls but doesn't suck), then the original version of 3 - 6.

[FantasiaWHT]

For me, FF1 and FF2 are unplayably slow.
So what you should do is play the PS1 remake of 1+2 (like dawn of souls but doesn't suck), then the original version of 3 - 6.

Um, the PS1 versions play much much slower than either the original or the GBA remake because of the annoying load times (which aren't long, but given the large number of random fights, even short pauses really stretch the game out)

[Matt-El]

How are the PSP versions of 1 and 2?

[James8BitStar]

3 and 4 both have 3d remakes...

That's news to me. The only remakes I had heard of had better graphics but were still 2D top-view games like the originals.

[incubus421]

That's news to me. The only remakes I had heard of had better graphics but were still 2D top-view games like the originals.

google some images, they're definitely 3d

[onReload]

Right, ATB is in IV. Whoops.

I reread IGN's review of FFIII DS and it seems a bit ehh...slowing down battles and all that doesn't seem like the greatest of ideas. I might just go for emulation on this one...however, Famitsu really liked IVDS and wiki lists a lot of new features that are interesting, including something having to do with job classes that mimics the original more closely than the GBA version. odd.

i'll see what IGN says, i guess. their review of IIIDS made it seem like it might be too boring, though having RPGs on handheld is great IMO. did anybody find that version to be boring as well?

[Trebuken]

I enjoyed playing 1 on the PS2 (PS1 game), and I played 2 on my GBA player and HDTV and enjoyed them both equally. I have started three (3D) and it is not the same but it is still excellent...

I could not get into the NES version of 1, way too slow...

[James8BitStar]

We're all welcome to our opinions but how can an RPG be "too slow?"

[onReload]

We're all welcome to our opinions but how can an RPG be "too slow?"

I think it's about how much grinding that needs to be done, or how much variation in gameplay happens along the story. New characters, techniques, spells, dungeon exploration etc all help remove the tedium that is the basic formula of FIGHT -> GET STRONGER -> FIGHT STRONGER ENEMY -> REPEAT UNTIL END...

New jobs in 5, new chars. in 6, etc...though I know the earlier ones won't have a whole lot of variation, i'm prepared for that.

[Jimid2]

How are the PSP versions of 1 and 2?

I think they`re excellent... I`ve played the original NES version of FF1 (my first Final Fantasy from back in the day!) and every North American released FF since, and I really enjoyed playing FF1 and FF2 again through the PSP versions, though I still have my Anthology and Dawn of Souls versions of both kicking around... Final Fantasy I is loads easier now than it was originally, but that`s largely due to the rebalanced magic system, imho... I think that despite the changes the games remain true to themselves, and well worth playing... Whether you play DoS on GBA or the 20th Anni versions on PSP, having the option of playing them on the go just makes them all the more attractive, afaic...

[Haoie]

I'd say the only one I really liked out of 1-6 was in fact 6 itself.

It has a GBA version, if you didn't know. It was a completely new translation, too. Pretty good.

[onReload]

I'd say the only one I really liked out of 1-6 was in fact 6 itself.

It has a GBA version, if you didn't know. It was a completely new translation, too. Pretty good.

Oh, I'm aware - I have it. Like I said, thanks to Statistics in the News, I got everyone except Gau to lvl. 99. Beasted Kefka with that. (it's how I like to fight final bosses...beef up into total overkill)

[BetaWolf47]

For Final Fantasy V, should I play FFV Advance or a rom translation? Which translation?

[HappehLemons]

For Final Fantasy V, should I play FFV Advance or a rom translation? Which translation?

Advanced.

[kupomogli]

Yeah. FF5 Advanced honestly looks and plays just as good as it does on the SNES. With FF5A, I honestly didn't notice the worse sound quality like I did on some music tracks with FF4 and FF6. No slowdown or bugs and glitches like FF4A.

FF6A has slight slowdown when using Autocrossbow though thankfully nowhere else so it's hardly even noticeable. The extras make it the best version, though I have a soft spot for the SNES translation.

I'd say the best version of FF1 to play is the original NES version. With FF2 I'd recommend either the NES or Dawn of Souls version because no loading. Also, if you want to equip two weapons on your characters in FF2 you'll need to stick with Dawn of Souls or the Origins(so I'd say just DoS on that aspect because Origins has a few second load times.)

FF3 sucks balls regardless if you play the NES game or the DS, however I'd recommend the DS version over the original. The original FF3 battle system, while like that of FF1 and FF2 is SLOW It takes much longer for your actions to be chosen even if you choose fight for every character. When a new game is created they're supposed to take a step forward, so how come FF3 had only one good thing about the game(updated class system) and everything else was a huge step back? FF2 had a great storyline, where is the great storyline on FF3? Both FF1 and FF2 didn't have a pathetically slow battle system. FF1 can be beaten without grinding. FF2 can be beaten with far less grinding than FF3, and none if you use the cancel/accept trick to raise your weapons. Also, even though the menu on FF3 is more advanced than FF1, it's slower, with FF2, FF3 is actually a downgrade and yeah, again, it's a slower menu system, especially when changing weapons. So overall. FF3 has so many problems with the NES version that the DS version thankfully changed, however the DS version is not without flaws as it's still a downgrade to the great story FF2 had and grinding is still a major part of the game.

FF3 blows.

[mobiusclimber]

Quick question: Did you only play the remake of FF6 or did you play the SNES version as well? I ask because I'm frankly surprised that everyone on here so far has stated how great the GBA version is. I completely disagree.

The GBA version makes several changes to the plot that, for me, ruin the experience. You can read about some of the script changes here: http://www.siliconera.com/2007/02/08/final-fantasy-vi-advance-the-censored-directors-cut-edition/

[Jorpho]

So I started playing FF1 in Dawn of Souls a while ago. (Spoilers ahoy.)

The first time I got stuck was when I needed the canoe and it did not occur to me to go back around the world and talk to somone I'd already spoken to before defeating the Earth Fiend.

The second time I got stuck was when going for the Levistone, where, having once fallen prey to a cracked floor trap, it did not occur to me that I needed to step on a cracked floor elsewhere.

Now that I have the Levistone, I of course have absolutely no idea where I'm supposed to take it, having already travelled around the world again talking to everyone again. I can only presume there's somewhere the canoe can take me that I haven't visited yet.

Ugh.

(By the way, did the NES Final Fantasy have the World Map, or is that another Dawn of Souls addition?)

Anyway, the Euro version of FFIVA is supposedly superior to the US version. All GBAs and GBA cartridges are region-free, but if you just download the ROM, there are some little restoration patches at www.romhacking.net you might like.

[HappehLemons]

So I started playing FF1 in Dawn of Souls a while ago. (Spoilers ahoy.)

The first time I got stuck was when I needed the canoe and it did not occur to me to go back around the world and talk to somone I'd already spoken to before defeating the Earth Fiend.

The second time I got stuck was when going for the Levistone, where, having once fallen prey to a cracked floor trap, it did not occur to me that I needed to step on a cracked floor elsewhere.

Now that I have the Levistone, I of course have absolutely no idea where I'm supposed to take it, having already travelled around the world again talking to everyone again. I can only presume there's somewhere the canoe can take me that I haven't visited yet.

Ugh.

(By the way, did the NES Final Fantasy have the World Map, or is that another Dawn of Souls addition?)

Anyway, the Euro version of FFIVA is supposedly superior to the US version. All GBAs and GBA cartridges are region-free, but if you just download the ROM, there are some little restoration patches at www.romhacking.net you might like.

I think you pressed select and it came up.

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/8695/ff1map.png

good luck seeing anything on it

[HappehLemons]

Quick question: Did you only play the remake of FF6 or did you play the SNES version as well? I ask because I'm frankly surprised that everyone on here so far has stated how great the GBA version is. I completely disagree.

The GBA version makes several changes to the plot that, for me, ruin the experience. You can read about some of the script changes here: http://www.siliconera.com/2007/02/08/final-fantasy-vi-advance-the-censored-directors-cut-edition/

I wouldn't say they made any changes to the plot.. I'd hardly even say they changed anything. Those are extremely minor things, I really think It's just nitpicking...

whoops double post.

[Arkhan]

as far as FF versions go....

the Playstation port/remake/enhanced ones are the best IMO.

FF1 has nice new graphics, and music but retains the gameplay
FF2 is the same, and it surreeeeee is nice. I love the new music in it

FF3 youre stuck with the DS remake complete with deformed dudes, muddy graphics, and boring gameplay

FF4 you get nice cutscenes and the same sweet game, plus you get Chrono Trigger, and who can argue with that! (minus the crapass load times)

...same for 5, and 6!


the PSP remakes are fun, but id go for PSX since I dont need to have them portable. If I do ill go with the DS ones which....

are all pretty much as good as the PSP/PSX ones. Though, ffiv on GBA was kinda slow...like literally, slow. It had some latency to it.

[pseudonym]

I haven't played Final Fantasy 1 in years but I'm pretty sure that he's right about pressing SELECT to bring up the map. The Levistone is the Floater in the Ice Cave? You're right, you have to take it somewhere you probably haven't been with the Canoe yet.

[HappehLemons]

as far as FF versions go....

the Playstation port/remake/enhanced ones are the best IMO.

FF1 has nice new graphics, and music but retains the gameplay
FF2 is the same, and it surreeeeee is nice. I love the new music in it

FF3 youre stuck with the DS remake complete with deformed dudes, muddy graphics, and boring gameplay

FF4 you get nice cutscenes and the same sweet game, plus you get Chrono Trigger, and who can argue with that! (minus the crapass load times)

...same for 5, and 6!


the PSP remakes are fun, but id go for PSX since I dont need to have them portable. If I do ill go with the DS ones which....

are all pretty much as good as the PSP/PSX ones. Though, ffiv on GBA was kinda slow...like literally, slow. It had some latency to it.



I love the FF3 remake for DS. Puching people in the face 10 times in a row was extremely satisfying and the music was awesome. It's one of my favorite FFs, and probably one of the best games on DS, way better then 4... oh god ff4.

Now that I'm actually reading the OPs post, Definitely get the FF3 remake for DS, it's fantastic. One of the few FF games I've actually enjoyed playing.

Just skip 2 and 4.

[GarrettCRW]

Dawn of Souls has a badly nerfed difficulty setting as the only option, making FF1 and 2 far too easy. If you're going to play a remake, the PS1 is far preferable, since you can tinker with the difficulty.

The version of FF2 for the NES floating around on the repro circuit is the prototype version Square started work on before abandoning it in favor of FF4. Ignoring the awkward grammar due to the translation's unfinished state, this choice makes using online FAQs difficult since they all using the spelling and names of the earlier fan translation.

[exit]

I played through maybe half of the FFIII re-make for DS and found it to be pretty enjoyable, so I think it's a love it hate it type of game. Now what I really want to see is a re-make of FF VI for current gen systems, fuck all that FF7 talk, FF 6 is the best in the series..

[BetaWolf47]

Okay, what about FFIV? I assumed all of the FF Advance games had the same quality, but now I'm reading that FFIV Advance has glitches not present in FFV and VI Advance. Should I play a Wonderswan translation, Advance, PSX, or SNES II?

[arakias]

FF3 (6) on the SNES is the best version/release of it though the GBA one is basically the same and if you have the Gamecube gameboy player, it works out nicely on a larger screen.

[mobiusclimber]

RE: FF6 Adv. - I'd read somewhere that they removed the fast moving fish from the Cid/Celes scene, but I never made it that far into the game (I've played this game on the SNES six times and once on the PSX, so just kinda didn't feel like it) so I can't confirm. Nor can I now find where I read that.

RE: FF2 & 3 - I enjoyed both of them, tho I also found them both kind of bland. I played the GBA & DS versions (respectively).

RE: FFIV GBA - The translation certainly seemed improved, but I didn't get all that far into the game. It was never my favorite FF title.

[Jorpho]

Okay, what about FFIV? I assumed all of the FF Advance games had the same quality, but now I'm reading that FFIV Advance has glitches not present in FFV and VI Advance. Should I play a Wonderswan translation, Advance, PSX, or SNES II?Don't forget that as far as SNES goes, you also get to choose between the US release, the fan-translated Japanese release, and the fan-translated version of FFIV Easy Type - all of which are in fact subtly different!

[HappehLemons]

RE: FF6 Adv. - I'd read somewhere that they removed the fast moving fish from the Cid/Celes scene, but I never made it that far into the game (I've played this game on the SNES six times and once on the PSX, so just kinda didn't feel like it) so I can't confirm. Nor can I now find where I read that.

RE: FF2 & 3 - I enjoyed both of them, tho I also found them both kind of bland. I played the GBA & DS versions (respectively).

RE: FFIV GBA - The translation certainly seemed improved, but I didn't get all that far into the game. It was never my favorite FF title.

Nope, the fishy scene is still there.

[exit]

From what I understand, the only thing cut out of the GBA FF6 is the scene where Celes get beaten up, other than that the game is fully intact.

[kupomogli]

Where to get the airship.

By the way, did the NES Final Fantasy have the World Map, or is that another Dawn of Souls addition?

As to where to go next, go to the Ryukahn Desert which south of the same town you got the canoe at. In the Dawn of Souls version I think the floater activates as soon as you walk into the desert. On the NES version you have to go to your items and use it.

"tceles B hsup A magic spell?" The brooms will tell you this on the NES game. Someone else will tell you brooms talk backwards.

[Jorpho]

As to where to go next, go to the Ryukahn Desert which south of the same town you got the canoe at. In the Dawn of Souls version I think the floater activates as soon as you walk into the desert. On the NES version you have to go to your items and use it.That would be even more hopelessly obscure, as I hadn't encountered anyone who told me what a "floater" was. But I guess I'll figure it out; I'm just bitter about the game's obtuseness.


"tceles B hsup A magic spell?" The brooms will tell you this on the NES game. Someone else will tell you brooms talk backwards.Aye, they say the same thing in Dawn of Souls, more or less.

[Blitzwing256]

Nope, the fishy scene is still there.


yup you can save cid just like in the snes version (although for some reason it took me much longer to keep him alive then it did on the snes, mighta been just bad luck)

[NayusDante]

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned saved games as a factor. That was the absolute deciding point for me, and the reason I never finished FF1 on NES. When you have to either find an inn or have a tent handy to save, the game feels brutal.

I played them in a funny order... (1, 6, 7, 4, 5, 8...) so it's hard for me to say which editions I prefer. FF1 on NES and PS1 are largely the same, save for graphics and audio. GBA really hit the sweet spot to make FF1 and 2 accessible and enjoyable, but the PSP remakes are about the same. Difficulty on PSP seemed a lot lower, and I finished FF1 at like lv50 without trouble, while it was a long battle at lv96 on GBA, if I remember correctly. I haven't played the DS FF3 yet, though I've had it since release. I'm a bit more inclined to play 3 on NES, however, because the mechanics were more accessible by then. FF4, I never really liked much, believe it or not. I played the SNES version emulated, and it was average for me, but the GBA version was kinda low. There's terrible pausing during battles and the script felt dull, as if I weren't indifferent enough already. I can't speak for FF4DS because I honestly don't have enough interest to play it right now. FF5 GBA adds the character portraits, but I think it's a coin toss there. FF6, I've been wanting to get on GBA, only because I'm not looking to spend $70 on a CIB SNES one.

The breakdown:
FF1 - GBA
FF2 - GBA/PSP
FF3 - NES
FF4 - SNES
FF5 - SNES/GBA
FF6 - SNES
FF7 - PC
FF8 - PSX


I personally dislike FF1-6 on PSX, because they barely get anything right. Sound quality is nothing to write home about, load times are awful for games that don't need them, and the extras are minimal.

Chrono Trigger DS got it right, and I'd love to see FF1-6 get the same treatment. Use the original graphics, keep the sound accurate to the original, and make it portable. If you're doing a remake, make it different. If you're doing an enhanced port, make it correct.

[Zing]

Dawn of Souls was a double-edged sword. The mana system made the game vastly more playable. It made magic users more than just an EXP sponge. In the original editions, almost all spells were useless and even the ones that were worth the gil were gimped due to the casting limits. However, the mana system also made the game virtually play itself. There is zero challenge. If you just want to play through the game as fast as possible and experience the best and most complete translation of the storyline, Dawn of Souls is for you. If you want some challenge and prefer to have a bug-fixed version, then Final Fantasy Origins for the PS1 is the way to go. I can't imagine slogging through the NES version with all the buggy, broken spells and effects.

What happened with Final Fantasy IV is a shame. It is, by far, one of the best Final Fantasy games. I wouldn't bother with the SNES edition, since it has lowered challenge and much edited text. The GBA version is actually really well done in regards to translation and challenge. However, it has large programming bugs and slowdown. Final Fantasy Chronicles for the PS1 is the way to go here. It has virtually zero loading time and no major bugs that I am aware of.

TOSE (developer of every Final Fantasy GBA port) got their act together with Final Fantasy V and VI. There are no game-breaking bugs and they actually fixed a huge bug in VI which has never been fixed in any other edition. Final Fantasy Anthology for PS1 maintains all the bugs in V and VI, while adding loading times and occasionally wonky music.

[mobiusclimber]

I actually had a lot of fun playing w/ the bugs in FFIII US (ie the SNES version of 6). Seeming them gone is a bit sad.

[Jorpho]

I haven't played Final Fantasy 1 in years but I'm pretty sure that he's right about pressing SELECT to bring up the map. The Levistone is the Floater in the Ice Cave? You're right, you have to take it somewhere you probably haven't been with the Canoe yet.WTF!? You get the Airship by wandering for no particular reason into a desert that's completely indistinguishable from every other desert on the map, complete with the lack of marking!? How could people ever stand this game?

[NayusDante]

The US NES release included a map with numbered points of interest. After the first continent or so, there were no descriptions, only blanks for you to fill in when you figured them out. I don't think that's too terrible.

[onReload]

words

Very informative, thank you. I guess I don't regret my FF4 decision so much now, even though the DS version really was quite underwhelming; if 4 Advance wasn't as good as 5 and 6 then eh...5 is already my favorite so it's hard to impress me.

[Rickstilwell1]

What I did when beating FF1-3 on NES was I used the emulator FCEUltra and turned up the speed to 2x so it wasn't slow anymore. The music in FF3 sounded cooler this way too. Plus then you could save anywhere just like in the GBA games.

[Kuros]

Personally:

FF1: GBA
FF2: GBA
FF3: NES
FF4: Kinda hard to decide. SNES is classic, GBA is pretty much the same with extras, but the music and graphics suffer a bit. The DS adds a lot and is harder, but kinda isn't the same.
FF5: GBA
FF6: SNES (The gba adds more, but the Woolsey translation is better IMO)

[pseudonym]

I didn't have the map when me and a friend beat this game when we were kids. I remember wandering around for hours trying to figure out what to do with the Floater. I probably wouldn't have the patience to play this game today if it was released the way it played on the NES.

Any recs for what version of FF5 and 6 to buy? These two are my favorites in the series. I only played the PSX versions and I didn't care for them.

[Zing]

WTF!? You get the Airship by wandering for no particular reason into a desert that's completely indistinguishable from every other desert on the map, complete with the lack of marking!? How could people ever stand this game?

The first Final Fantasy game definitely required wandering around. Even Dawn of Souls doesn't give you enough direction to know exactly where you are supposed to go. Once you have the pirate ship, and talk to the broom ("TCELES B HSUP") to learn how to access the world map, you are meant to figure things out for yourself. It is a huge difference from the FF games even going back to FF4. This and Dragon Warrior were the first games of their type, and it shows.

[Zing]

FF4: Kinda hard to decide. SNES is classic, GBA is pretty much the same with extras, but the music and graphics suffer a bit. The DS adds a lot and is harder, but kinda isn't the same.

The PS1 version on Final Fantasy Chronicles is the definitive version, if you want the original graphics instead of the DS version. It fixes the SNES bugs and translation, and despite being a disc game, there are literally zero loading times. I don't know how they managed to eliminate load times on this game and not on the others, but it is very welcome, especially if you try to play the other game in the package, Chrono Trigger (which has the worst load times of any PS1 rerelease).

[chrisbid]

before it was released, nintendo power had a huge 2 or 3 part psuedo-walkthrough of final fantasy. that pretty much gave away the location of the airship

[onReload]

The PS1 version on Final Fantasy Chronicles is the definitive version, if you want the original graphics instead of the DS version. It fixes the SNES bugs and translation, and despite being a disc game, there are literally zero loading times. I don't know how they managed to eliminate load times on this game and not on the others, but it is very welcome, especially if you try to play the other game in the package, Chrono Trigger (which has the worst load times of any PS1 rerelease).

See now, I wish I would go and buy Chronicles, but one of the things that always held me back was that I was very satisfied with the SNES version of Chrono Trigger, and even enjoyed the DS remake...so I didn't want to buy a PS1 disc (which would be used, I don't feel much like hunting online for a new one..even though I'm picky enough to not want any "Greatest Hits" PS1 games) just for the best version of 4.

The GBA one isn't unplayable, is it? One thing I REALLY despised about FFIVDS was that to get to the extra boss, you had to play it TWICE, and you didn't keep your stats on New Game+ - something I didn't know...and to get everything, you have to play it about 3 times, but only if you know exactly what you're doing (i.e. with a guide.) So, I might replay it on GBA or something, without the stupid stat boost things or cutscenes, but if you're really that set on the PS1 version, maybe I'll check it out.

Also, to the guy for FF5 and 6, much has been said on the version of 6, but I've played 5 on emulator (fan-translated) and on GBA, and I felt that the GBA one was fantastic. I'd also recommend 6 on the GBA, but that was my first time playing it, so I'm a bit more biased there. Plus, there's a Gigantuar summon. Yes, a giant Cactuar with an even bigger Mustache. Oh, and also a sweet Gilgamesh summon. FF5 will make you <3 him so much.

[Jorpho]

To reiterate my previous post, the Euro release of FF4 GBA is less buggy.

[Haoie]

How come FFV doesn't have some remake, sequal, or add on based on it?

[kupomogli]

To reiterate my previous post, the Euro release of FF4 GBA is less buggy.

While the Europe GBA version is less buggy, they didn't entirely revamp it so it's still not worth playing.

The reason for this is that in order to stop some of the bugs, it seems like a feature Squaresoft added makes it stop before each characters turn(possibly does some sortof check during that stop.) It really puts a delay in the speed of things, especially when it does this for each characters turn.

Now if someone happened to make a sortof hack to fix the problem and make it play exactly like it does on the SNES or PSX version as well as make the music sound like the SNES or PSX versions, then that'd make the GBA version the best version(due to the extras in the game as well as the graphically enhanced backgrounds during battle.) If someone could put that data on a cartridge I'd go and send my FF4Advance to get it updated to a much superior version.


WTF!? You get the Airship by wandering for no particular reason into a desert that's completely indistinguishable from every other desert on the map, complete with the lack of marking!? How could people ever stand this game?

Also when the NES game was released, the instruction manual it comes with is a mini strategy guide. It also comes with maps of, not entirely sure, but I think it's all the dungeons(too lazy to pull the game out and check right now,) an entire item and magic list that says who can equip or learn it, as well as an enemy list on the back showing complete detail of every enemy except Chaos which there's just a ? I think.

The instruction manual is extremely detailed and a very good read. While it's detailed, it's limited on what it shows so it doesn't entirely ruin everything. Now it does tell you where you're supposed to go next. It'll say that now that you have defeated Garland and saved the princess, talk to the King and a bridge will be built, or that in Provoka you're supposed to find a pirate named Bikke to get his ship, or the Ice Cave carries the Floater. Under every description it shows a picture of a small plain greyish map showing the general area of where it's at. The instruction book stops detailing where everything is after the airship other than you can explore the rest of the world now that you have it. I already mentioned the listing that also shows what characters can use each spell, but there's a detailed listing that tells you what each spell does in the back of the booklet as well, even though spells like TMPR and SABR actually don't do anything, while LOCK and LOK2 increase enemy evade instead of reducing it. The spells would be good if they actually worked, but atleast they only screwed up four spells, two early versions and then the two later versions are just stronger versions.

The extras that came along with the original Final Fantasy are pretty awesome. They really put a lot of work into them and all being packaged with the game just makes it that much better.

[calthaer]

Just a quick note on FF3 DS:

I played this most of the way through, and enjoyed it, but the fact that they've limited the number of bad guys on the screen to ~ 3 makes several of the "kill all enemies" spells a bit worthless. There's still a fair amount of grinding if you want your classes to be all powered-up by the end of the game, too. I've been meaning to go back and level my guys' jobs up to defeat the end guy, but haven't had the will to do it.

[RPG_Fanatic]

FF I & FF II were pretty good on the PSP.

[Zing]

The GBA one isn't unplayable, is it?

To some people it is. I didn't find it that terrible, but I stopped playing my copy anyway since I acquired the PS1 version, and now the DS version.

The two most obvious bugs with the GBA version is the jerky slowdown when in an airship, and the character turn order in battle. During battles, characters will often be skipped when their turn comes up, or sometimes get two turns in a row.

[betamax001]

See now, I wish I would go and buy Chronicles, but one of the things that always held me back was that I was very satisfied with the SNES version of Chrono Trigger, and even enjoyed the DS remake...so I didn't want to buy a PS1 disc (which would be used, I don't feel much like hunting online for a new one..even though I'm picky enough to not want any "Greatest Hits" PS1 games) just for the best version of 4.

If you weren't picky I would say just go to Amazon to buy Chronicles. It's greatest hits though and it's not really hunting...

[Zing]

Yes, I am considering selling my Chronicles now that I have the DS versions of both games. I am very sentimental for the SNES feel, though.

[onReload]

Yes, I am considering selling my Chronicles now that I have the DS versions of both games. I am very sentimental for the SNES feel, though.

Personally I don't think the DS versions can replace the old 2D style...the DS versions are "remakes" whereas the GBA/PSP/PSX versions are ports...with a few changes.

[kupomogli]

Personally I don't think the DS versions can replace the old 2D style...the DS versions are "remakes" whereas the GBA/PSP/PSX versions are ports...with a few changes.

FF4 is the only remake on the DS. Chrono Trigger isn't. Every FF1 and 2 released in the US on PSX, PSP, and GBA are remakes, not ports. Every other game released on the PSX is a port, although has bonus sortof mini strategy guide sections on FF6 and Chrono Trigger(the bonus section on Chrono Trigger is badass and is a complete database on the game pretty much.) The GBA games are enhanced ports, though FF4 is definitely not enhanced with all its bugs in both the US version and European version(it's a piece of crap version with extras that don't make the game worth it one bit.)

[onReload]

FF4 is the only remake on the DS. Chrono Trigger isn't. Every FF1 and 2 released in the US on PSX, PSP, and GBA are remakes, not ports. Every other game released on the PSX is a port, although has bonus sortof mini strategy guide sections on FF6 and Chrono Trigger(the bonus section on Chrono Trigger is badass and is a complete database on the game pretty much.) The GBA games are enhanced ports, though FF4 is definitely not enhanced with all its bugs in both the US version and European version(it's a piece of crap version with extras that don't make the game worth it one bit.)

I was speaking within the FF series, as both 3 and 4 are remakes on the DS, and yeah, 1 and 2 are really retooled I suppose.

[Zing]

It's a shame that FF5 & FF6 were both ported so sloppily on the PS1. They had a chance to make the definitive versions and make money, except they chose to just make money.

[NayusDante]

It's a shame that FF5 & FF6 were both ported so sloppily on the PS1. They had a chance to make the definitive versions and make money, except they chose to just make money.

I blame TOSE (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TOSE). They got better over time, it's just that their early port jobs were awful.