Final Fantasy Games That Are On The Most Consoles

Key Takeaways

Final Fantasy 5 was released on 11 separate platforms, making it one of the most versatile entries in the franchise.
Final Fantasy 3 introduced the Job system in 1990 and has since been remade and ported to multiple platforms over the years.
The original Final Fantasy game has been released on an impressive 19 different platforms, solidifying its status as a classic RPG.

As someone who grew up with the original NES in my hands, I can truly say that the journey of Final Fantasy has been nothing short of extraordinary. The sheer number of times this iconic RPG series has been reincarnated across various platforms is simply mind-blowing!

By the year 2023, the Final Fantasy series, launched in 1987, now boasts sixteen primary installments. When you factor in ports, remakes, and offshoots, the total number of titles to explore exceeds one hundred. This is truly remarkable for any franchise, especially when considering that the Final Fantasy brand remains significant and popular even after so many years.

As a passionate gaming enthusiast, I’ve been wondering about something intriguing that might pique fellow fans’ curiosity. Which game, whether it’s a main series or spin-off, has graced the most console platforms, excluding straight digital ports like those on the Wii’s Virtual Console? Let’s put our calculators to work and uncover some fascinating findings!

6 Final Fantasy 5 (11 Separate Releases)

The West’s First Taste Of Classic Jobs

Initially, Final Fantasy 5 was debuted exclusively in Japan on SNES back in 1992. It wasn’t until 1999 and the release of the PlayStation collection called Final Fantasy Anthology that North American players had a chance to experience this game for the first time. Notably, Final Fantasy 5 featured a Job system, making it the first instance outside of Final Fantasy Tactics where players could engage with such a system. Additionally, Final Fantasy Anthology included Final Fantasy 6. There was a brief hiatus before its return in 2006 when the game received an enhancement for the Game Boy Advance (GBA), which is often considered the best version of Final Fantasy 5.

Initially launched in 2013 on both iOS and Android, the game was later adapted for personal computers in 2015. Subsequently, the art style was revamped for the Pixel Remaster edition, which Square Enix applied not only to Final Fantasy 5 but also to all six original games. From 2021 to 2023, the Pixel Remaster of Final Fantasy 5 became available on PC, iOS, Android, as well as PS4 and Switch gaming consoles.

5 Final Fantasy 6 (11 Separate Releases)

A Still Beloved Classic

Back in 1994, I got my hands on a game that was called Final Fantasy 3 in North America – it was actually Final Fantasy 6. But don’t worry, they fixed the title confusion in 1999 with the release of the Final Fantasy Anthology collection. Fast forward to 2007, and I finally got a chance to play it again on the Game Boy Advance in North America. Some fellow gamers believe that this version is the best way to experience Final Fantasy 6, due to additional content like new bosses, which they appreciate just as much as the original release of Final Fantasy 5.

2014 saw the release of updated versions for iOS and Android devices, which later became available on PC platforms in 2015. Similar to how Final Fantasy 5 was re-released, a remastered version of Final Fantasy 6 titled Pixel Remaster debuted on PC, iOS, and Android devices in 2021. This version reached consoles like the PS4 and Switch in 2023. Although the recent mobile release is an improvement over the original port, for a more authentic experience, the Game Boy Advance (GBA) version of Final Fantasy 6 surpasses even the SNES classic.

4 Final Fantasy 3 (13 Separate Releases)

16 Years In The Making

In terms of platforms, both Final Fantasy 5 and Final Fantasy 6 have similar release histories. However, things take an intriguing turn with Final Fantasy 3, as it was initially launched in Japan on the NES in 1990, coincidentally the same year that North America received the first game. Interestingly enough, North American gamers didn’t officially get their hands on Final Fantasy 3 until 2006, when it was remade for the DS. This marked the first time the game appeared in any form outside of the NES, which is quite peculiar given its groundbreaking nature.

The third installment of Final Fantasy, or FF3, introduced a significant feature called the Job system, which allowed character customization. This was quite noteworthy. Initially planned for the WonderSwan Color, but that plan fell through. Following the DS era, most adaptations were based on this remake, including those for iOS, Android, and PSP. It made a distinctive appearance on the Ouya system in 2013, which is no longer in use. Later, it was ported to Windows phone and PC. The NES version eventually received an update through the Pixel Remaster versions that were released across the mentioned platforms.

3 Final Fantasy 2 (15 Separate Releases)

The SaGa Series Begins

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve got to say that playing Final Fantasy 2 felt like stepping into an unusual corner of the series. It seemed to lay the groundwork for what would become the SaGa franchise. What set it apart was its unique leveling system where characters improved their stats and magic through repetition, a mechanic more commonly seen in the 1990 game, The Final Fantasy Legend. In Japan, this game was initially released under the title Makai Toushi SaGa for the Game Boy back in 1989. Leaving the intricate history of SaGa aside, Final Fantasy 2 first saw light in Japan way back in 1988 on the NES. For many years, it was one of those missing games until the PS1 collection, titled Final Fantasy Origins, hit North American shelves in 2003. This compilation included not just Final Fantasy 2, but also the first game in the series.

Back in 2001, I was thrilled to discover that Final Fantasy 2 had been released on the WonderSwan Color before its PS1 version, as a unique standalone title. Later on, it graced other notable platforms like the Game Boy Advance (GBA), PlayStation Portable (PSP), and mobile operating systems such as iOS and Android.

EZWeb and Yahoo! operated within web browsers, and it was on these platforms that the release of Final Fantasy 2 took place, alongside other titles to be discussed further.

2 Final Fantasy 4 (17 Separate Releases)

Storytelling Reaches New Heights

Originally known as Final Fantasy 2 in North America when it was launched on the SNES in 1991, Final Fantasy 4 had its name corrected with the release of Final Fantasy Chronicles on the PS1 in 2001. Interestingly, this compilation also featured Chrono Trigger, which further muddled the numbering system. To add to the confusion, Final Fantasy 3 was never released in North America at that time. However, Final Fantasy 4 did receive ports for the WonderSwan Color and Game Boy Advance (GBA). It also found its way onto Japanese mobile and browser services like i-mode, EZWeb, and Yahoo! before being updated to its current form.

2008 saw the release of an updated version of Final Fantasy 4 for North America, originally released on DS, that upgraded the graphics and introduced voice acting for characters like Cecil and his team. The subsequent port for PSP, titled “Final Fantasy 4: The Complete Collection,” returned to a more traditional art style. This edition also included the sequels that were initially launched on the Wii in a digital format. The versions released for iOS, Android, and first PC adaptation adopted the DS remake’s visuals, while the “Pixel Remaster” brought back an even older aesthetic, presenting a 16-bit art style on various platforms.

1 Final Fantasy (19 Separate Releases)

The OG RPG Wins By A Landslide

To round things off, the classic “Final Fantasy” has been transferred to the greatest number of gaming platforms. First appearing on the NES in Japan back in 1987, it didn’t reach North America until 1990, launching a role-playing game craze. Platforms like the WonderSwan Color, PS1, GBA, PSP, and various mobile, PC, browser, and “Pixel Remaster” versions have already been mentioned. However, it’s worth noting some less commonly discussed platforms such as the MSX2 in 1989, a Japanese PC system that also marked the beginning of the “Metal Gear” series.

Similar to how Final Fantasy 3 was exclusively available on Windows phones, another platform that was unique but not novel was the J2ME (Java 2 Micro Edition) platform. This platform utilized Java programming. In Japan, an exceptional version of Final Fantasy was included as a bonus with Final Fantasy Explorers for the Nintendo 3DS. This version transformed the original NES game into a 3D experience, much like other NES games such as Kid Icarus and Kirby’s Adventure did. Regrettably, North America never received the 3DS conversion of this rare Final Fantasy entry.

2024-08-25 03:35