Alright, back to the crazy numbering system. Final Fantasy 6 was released for the Super Famicon in Japan on April 2nd, 1994, and in North America for the Super Nintendo that same year on October 11th. The big difference: they called it Final Fantasy 3 over here, having been only the third release outside of Japan. FF6 introduced the player to some of the most memorable characters seen in the series and the storyline caused the game to become an instant favorite worldwide. It looked like it was going to be impossible to top, but we all know what came next!
Cloud Strife, Shinra, Aerith…the list of fantastic people, places, and events from Final Fantasy 7 goes on and on. Released on January 31st, 1997 and September 7th 1997 in Japan and North America respectively, FF7 pushed the new Sony Playstation console to it’s limits. FF7 was the first title in the series to sport 3D graphics, fully rendered characters and pre-rendered backgrounds. Besides being beautiful, Final Fantasy VII also sported the most intense and engrossing storyline seen in the series, and it became an instant classic, later spawning a series of spin-offs and sequels dubbed the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII.
1997 also marked the beginning of Square’s campaign to release the classic Final Fantasy titles to new consoles with upgraded graphics, translations, and added bits of story. Final Fantasy 4 was re-released on a set entitled Final Fantasy Chronicles (also featured Chrono Trigger). The updated graphics and storyline helped the release skyrocket in sales, and Square began planning more remakes.
Enter Final Fantasy Tactics, the most advanced and challenging tactical RPG ever released. Taking full advantage of the Playstation’s capabilities, Tactics lead players through a world of political intrigue and battles on square tiles.
In 1998 Square released Final Fantasy 5 for the Playstation console. With added video sequences and in-game functionality, the game proved popular enough to finally release in North America. Finally, in 1999, North America was treated to Final Fantasy Anthology, a two disc set for the Playstation that featured remakes of both Final Fantasy 5 and Final Fantasy 6.
That same year came Final Fantasy 8. The first title in the series to depict it’s characters in a realistic manner, VIII was released in Japan on February 11th, 1999, and in North America on September 9th of the same year. FF8 follows the story of Squall Leonheart as he battles both his past and his future. The CGI animations in this title are amazing, and it’s soundtrack and introduction video have taken home many awards. The game spans four separate discs on the Playstation console and consists of hundreds of hours of gameplay.
Steve