Originally released in Japan for the Famicom, Final Fantasy came to North America on the NES in 1990. While it initially appealed to a small group of RPG fans, the series gained popularity as RPGs became more mainstream, eventually establishing Final Fantasy as a leading franchise.
Final Fantasy is one of the most popular RPG series ever made, so it’s no surprise there’s a large and creative fanbase. People have made tons of modifications and enhancements for both the main Final Fantasy games and their spin-offs. Some fans have even created completely original games! Let’s explore some of the amazing things the community has come up with.
Calling them ‘perfect’ might be a stretch, but these fan games are wonderfully made tributes to Final Fantasy.
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Final Fantasy 7: Re-Imagined
Before Square Enix Got The Ball Rolling
- Developer: PD Design Studio
- Released: 2015
- Based On: Final Fantasy 7
Before the full release of Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Final Fantasy 7: Re-Imagined offered fans a first look at the original game with updated visuals. This playable demo let players experience a reimagined version of the iconic Shinra reactor level, choosing to play as either Cloud or Tifa.
The demo featured a cooperative mode and included supporting characters like Barret. Although it wasn’t developed into a full game, the team at PD Design Studio went on to create their own game, Dusty Raging Fist, in 2019. This new beat ‘em up clearly shows the influence of Final Fantasy 7: Re-Imagined, meaning the fan project ultimately led to something positive.
AVALANCHE
Tifa May Cry
- Developer: Rich Whitehouse
- Released: 2008
- Based On: Final Fantasy 7
AVALANCHE can be tricky to find information about online, but it’s a fan-made game based on Final Fantasy 7. Unlike the original, which was a 2D fighting game, AVALANCHE is a 3D action game. It plays similarly to Devil May Cry, or even Bayonetta – Tifa is a powerful and stylish main character, and the gameplay focuses on chaining together combos in an action-packed platformer.
The game’s levels are inspired by the reactors from Final Fantasy 7: Re-Imagined, but offer more freedom to explore and feature more diverse rooms. Although it was just a demo and never developed further, it was a promising concept. When it came to characters deserving their own spin-off games from Final Fantasy 7, Tifa was a strong contender, especially back in the mid-2000s.
Final Fantasy 7 Snowboarding
Getting Chilly On The Hills
- Developer: Ákos Bécs
- Released: 2020
- Based On: Final Fantasy 7’s Snowboarding Mini-Game
A popular mini-game in the original Final Fantasy 7 was a snowboarding experience. Snowboarding games were trending on the PlayStation 1, with Cool Boarders being a standout title, and it fit well within the world of Final Fantasy 7. Final Fantasy 7 Snowboarding is a revamped version of that mini-game, letting players take control of Cloud, Tifa, or Barret.
While this snowboarding section feels like an early demo, it’s still enjoyable for quick play sessions, and the updated character designs look good. Plus, Square Enix has announced that snowboarding will be included as a mini-game in the final remake chapter.
Before Crisis: Cissnei -Final Mix- (Final Fantasy 7)
A Remake And A New Adaptation
Released in Japan in 2004, Before Crisis: Final Fantasy 7 was a mobile game that acted as a prequel to the original Final Fantasy 7. It featured The Turks and was unique in the Final Fantasy 7 compilation for never being released outside of Japan. Unfortunately, the mobile service it ran on is now defunct, meaning the game itself is no longer accessible and has become a lost piece of media.
Square Enix is working on remaking parts of Final Fantasy 7 with Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis, and fans are creating their own versions too. One fan project, Before Crisis: Cissnei -Final Mix (Final Fantasy 7), aims to be very true to the original game, using its original 2D graphics and assets from other titles. Built with RPG Maker, the project will tell stories from different perspectives within the Turks organization, and the current playable version focuses on the character Cissnei.
Final Fantasy 11: Braver
Going Off The MMO Grid
- Developer: Mithrandir
- Released: 2021
- Based On: Final Fantasy 11
Final Fantasy 11 was the first online multiplayer game in the Final Fantasy series, launching in Japan in 2002 for PC and PlayStation 2, and later becoming available in North America on PC, PS2, and Xbox 360. Despite being difficult, it gained a dedicated following, inspiring a fan-made project called Final Fantasy 11: Braver. This project is a complete, turn-based RPG built using RPG Maker, making it a more substantial experience than many other fan games.
As a big Final Fantasy fan, I’m really excited about this game! You get to build a team with different character classes, and everything in the world is inspired by the original Final Fantasy 11. I actually remember hearing about a simpler mobile version they were planning, called Final Fantasy 11 Mobile Reboot, but sadly that project got scrapped – it seems like so many Final Fantasy ideas never quite make it. Luckily, Final Fantasy 11: Braver feels like the next best thing and really captures the spirit of the classic!
Triple Triad: Tournament Of The Elements
Final Fantasy 8’s Greatest Asset
- Developer: UPRC
- Released: 2021
- Based On: Final Fantasy 8
Released in 1999 for the PlayStation, Final Fantasy 8 is a unique entry in the series with a dedicated fanbase. However, it’s best remembered for Triple Triad, a card game that became incredibly popular. In fact, Triple Triad was so well-loved that it was later included in Final Fantasy 14, and inspired numerous fan-made projects.
If you enjoyed the Game Boy Color game Pokemon Trading Card Game, you’ll likely love Triple Triad: Tournament of the Elements. This fan project features similar card-based gameplay and a visual style reminiscent of Final Fantasy 6. Players explore various locations, battling both original and familiar characters in card matches. With three times the number of cards found in Final Fantasy 8, Triple Triad: Tournament of the Elements is a substantial and engaging experience.
Final Fantasy: Chronicles Of Eno
From D&D To FF
- Developer: Thomas Kemp
- Released: 2020
- Based On: Final Fantasy As A Franchise
Final Fantasy: Chronicles of Eno is a new game built around the core ideas of the Final Fantasy series, and was also inspired by a Dungeons & Dragons game. It also features characters from other Final Fantasy titles – for example, the summon Diablo from Final Fantasy 8 makes an appearance.
This fan-made game is still in development, but several chapters are already playable. It’s built using RPG Maker and features turn-based combat with a unique twist: players control a party of five characters, which is unusual for this type of game. It’s a really impressive project, especially considering it’s created by fans. We hope the team will be able to complete it, or perhaps even develop it further, similar to how PD Design Studio turned their Final Fantasy 7: Re-Imagined project into Dusty Raging Fist.
Final Fantasy Renaissance
Remaking The Beginning
- Developer: Renaissance Games
- Released: 2024
- Based On: Final Fantasy 1
Finally, no celebration of classic RPGs would be complete without the original Final Fantasy, the game that launched a worldwide sensation. Final Fantasy Renaissance might seem like a modified version of the original, but it’s actually a completely new game built from scratch. It only borrows the art style and basic gameplay concepts from the original NES title.
While the towns, world map, inventory, and battles all retain the classic look of the original NES game, Final Fantasy Renaissance feels much more polished and enjoyable, though it still offers a good challenge. It also introduces new character classes, like the Lancer, inspired by the Dragoon. If you’re a Final Fantasy fan who wants to relive the charm of the 1990 NES version with a modern upgrade, Final Fantasy Renaissance is a perfect choice.
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2026-02-21 02:39