Many fans were hoping for a trailer for a new video game, but Square Enix recently announced something different: a Final Fantasy board game! They’ve partnered with KessCo to create Final Fantasy: The Board Game. For decades, the Final Fantasy series has been beloved for its incredible stories and innovative battles, constantly evolving from its beginnings on the NES to today’s stunning games. The franchise has even expanded beyond video games, with a Magic: The Gathering collaboration in 2025 earning over $200 million in a single day, demonstrating that fans are eager for new ways to enjoy the Final Fantasy universe.
I’ve noticed everyone’s really hyped about the new digital stuff and remasters, but it’s cool to remember that Final Fantasy has always done more than just video games! Square Enix has been trying out physical games for years – I remember collecting the Final Fantasy Trading Card Game cards, and they’ve even made board games like Chocobo Party Up! and Materia Hunter. Some of those tabletop games were huge hits, others weren’t as well-known, but it shows they’ve always wanted to bring that RPG feeling into real life, where you can play with friends face-to-face.
A Surprising Shift to the Tabletop
Image via KessCo
Square Enix is teaming up with KessCo to create a new range of Final Fantasy tabletop games. The first release, Final Fantasy: The Board Game, is a cooperative game for one to four players, designed by Anthony Thorp, and will draw inspiration from the original three Final Fantasy games. This is the beginning of a larger partnership, with plans to bring the classic “Pixel Remaster Era” of Final Fantasy to the tabletop, alongside collectible dice sets, with everything expected to launch in late 2026.
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We’re taking the intricate gameplay of classic JRPGs and making it easier for new players to enjoy, without losing what makes the originals special. According to Alex Kessler, CEO of KessCo, they want to create something that’s both faithful to the beloved early games and also fun, easy to learn, and appealing to collectors.
The recent success of Final Fantasy tabletop games has been amazing, bringing both dedicated fans and new players together. We’re thrilled to be working with Square Enix to build on that success with our own version, which will stay true to the beloved Pixel Remaster Era while also being enjoyable, easy to pick up, and collectible for tabletop gamers. The game is expected to be released in stores in the third quarter of 2026, and we’ll be offering a first look at the New York Toy Fair, Kessler said.
Collectors have more to look forward to than just the new board game! KessCo is releasing collectible RPG dice sets inspired by the first six games in the series. These aren’t ordinary dice—each set comes in a unique container featuring a sculpted character model, paying homage to the series’ original pixel art style. They’re designed for both playing tabletop games and as attractive display items for dedicated fans.
The move to create physical tabletop games comes as the Final Fantasy series is becoming incredibly popular again. The recent addition of the original Final Fantasy to Xbox Game Pass showed that even older games in the series are still enjoyable. KessCo is hoping to capitalize on this enduring appeal by creating tabletop games based on the ‘Pixel Remaster Era,’ letting fans experience beloved characters and worlds in a new, hands-on way that combines their love for classic gaming with the growing popularity of tabletop games.
Past collaborations have been very successful, and this new partnership aims to build on that momentum. The Final Fantasy 2025 Magic: The Gathering set was the most popular release ever for Magic, bringing many new fans to the world of trading card games. KessCo hopes to recreate that excitement by creating a tabletop game that truly captures the feel of the original Final Fantasy games for the NES and Famicom, encouraging players to connect with each other rather than just playing alone.
Although there’s a lot of buzz, some industry experts are taking a wait-and-see approach. Previous board game adaptations of the franchise haven’t been consistently well-received by fans, according to reviews on sites like Board Game Geek. Now, designer Thorp and the KessCo team face the challenge of creating a truly successful tabletop RPG. The game will be previewed at the New York Toy Fair, giving attendees a first look at whether this simplified JRPG can replicate the immersive experience of a long, in-depth video game.
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2026-02-19 22:34