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[SolVanderlyn]

I don't really know if this is threadworthy, but I want to gather some opinions... and doing research on the FF wiki doesn't feel nearly as organic as real feedback from real people.

Almost every FF game pre-VII has one or two different remakes, and some seem to hold certain advantages over others. I'm considering playing through the entire series soon (!) so I'd like to have the "best" version of each game.

FFI has: NES, PSX, GBA, PSP

FFII has: NES, PSX, GBA, PSP

FFIII has: NES, DS

FFIV has: Everything (lol)

SNES (JP), SNES (EN), PSX, GBA, DS, PSP

FFV has: SNES, PSX, GBA

FFVI has: SNES, PSX, GBA

VII has no remakes

VIII has no remakes

IX has no remakes

X has: PS2, PS3, Vita

XII has: Original, Zodiac Job System

What are the different pros and cons of each, and what have your personal experiences been with the ports/remakes that you've played? I had the PSP versions of I and II a while back, but I can no longer play UMDs, so I'm looking at either the GBA or PSX versions... are there any glaring differences between the PSP/PSX versions?

Edit:

Because Square is dumb and didn't put FFI and FFII PSP on PSN, I decided to begin with Origins. Thanks for the input, guys.

 

[ignata]

For the ones with multiple platform options, I'd say...

I: PSP
II: PSP
III: DS
IV: PSP
V: GBA
VI: GBA
VII: PS1
VIII: PS1
X: PS3

 

[Lihwem]

FFI has: NES, PSX, GBA, PSP

FFII has: NES, PSX, GBA, PSP

FFIII has: NES, DS, PC (Steam)

FFIV has: Everything (lol)

SNES (JP), SNES (EN), PSX, GBA, DS, PSP

FFV has: SNES, PSX, GBA

FFVI has: SNES, PSX, GBA (+mod for the music, ideally ; if not, the SNES version)

VII has no remakes

VIII has no remakes

IX has no remakes

X has: PS2, PS3, Vita

XII has: Original, Zodiac Job System

There you go imho

 

[DJIzana]

FF Tactics: PSX, iPhone, PSP

 

[LOCK]

For the ones with multiple platform options, I'd say...

I: PSP
II: PSP
III: DS
IV: PSP
V: GBA
VI: GBA
VII: PS1
VIII: PS1
X: PS3

Yeah I was going to post this. Though really the games are great on all respective platforms in general.

I would also like to point out the FF4 on PSP is the complete edition with The After Years stuff.

 

[Aeana]

There's not a definitive version of every FF, because some of the versions are different enough from each other that some prefer one over the other, particularly when you look at the first four games in the series.

The GBA/PSP versions of FF1 and 2 are significantly easier than not only the originals, but also the PSX versions. This can be a detriment in 2 in particular because your spells can level too fast and you end up having spells that cost too much MP to cast.

The DS version of FF3 makes significant changes to the core systems, changes up the order in which you get jobs, mucks with the balance significantly in order to accommodate 3 enemy battles instead of the original 9. A lot of people, myself included, prefer the Famicom version.

FF4 has the DS version which is dramatically more difficult and adds the augment system, as well as the myriad other releases out there, none of which are exactly equal in difficulty level, with the PSP version probably being the easiest. Some people don't like the graphics style of the PSP version either, so they'd probably pick a different one.

FF5, it's easier to claim the GBA version to be the definitive because the GBA version doesn't really suffer majorly in any area. The music is changed slightly, but the quality barely suffers.

FF6 is one that people will never agree on, because the GBA version's music is so drastically impaired compared to the SNES version's, despite having some pros (bugfixes, extra content, fixed opera scene).

Even FF10 is hard to say the HD version is definitive because the music is changed, and some people don't like the new music arrangements!

 

[random25]

FF6 has its definitive version on the GBA. We can all complain about the music but the GBA version completed the one that was missing in FF6 on every other versions, and that is the superboss (which is basically a staple in every Final Fantasy game).

 

[SkyOdin]

Definitive Final Fantasy VI is still the original SNES version, I believe, since both the PS1 port and the GBA port have notable flaws such as loading time issues or sound problems. The benefits they add tend to be pretty minor as well, in my opinion.

The GBA version may be the definitive version of FFV though, since its new translation is so loved. Also, the PS1 port is awful on every conceivable level, and the SNES version never left Japan.

However, it is much harder to point to a definitive version of Final Fantasy IV. Basically, it split into two wholly different versions with the very different directions the DS and PSP remakes took. The SNES original has the classic graphics, the DS version has the excellent changes to difficulty and the augment system, while the PSP version has the whole sequel included and is more or less faithful to the original gameplay. None of these have everything.

Hard to go wrong with any version of Final Fantasy 1 or 2, though. The Origins, Dawn of Souls, and iOS versions all are roughly similar and build on each other in feature-lists.

On the other hand, the Final Fantasy III DS remake is a pretty big change from the original, and is very much a "like it or hate it" remake. Hard to say that there is a definitive version there. Though, the DS/iOS version is the only one you will find official translated.

 

[Castcoder]

VII and VIII are on PC, OP.

 

[MAtgS]

FFV I hear has a terrible script in the PS1 version. The GBA version I can personally attest to having an excellent script. Dunno about the mobile release.

 

[xlom3000]

I will never understand the mass disaffinity I see towards the DS version of FFIV. I increased difficulty alone made it one of my favorites. Everything else Aeana mentions about it just reaffirms that.


I'm not familiar with the "Fixed Opera scene" you mention though. It's been about 8 years since I played the gba version of 6.

 

[Aeana]

I will never understand the mass disaffinity I see towards the DS version of FFIV. I increased difficulty alone made it one of my favorites. Everything else Aeana mentions about it just reaffirms that.


I'm not familiar with the "Fixed Opera scene" you mention though. It's been about 8 years since I played the gba version of 6.

The lyrics for the opera scene were rewritten in the English version to match the music, and the voice sample quality is improved as well.

 

[randomkid]

Yeah I'd say FF5 is probably the only one where there's a consensus choice of a definitive version. Everything else is up for grabs based on preferences.

Here are my picks based purely on aesthetics for 1-9: GBA, GBA, Famicom, GBA, GBA, SNES, PSN (Vita), PSN (Vita), PSN (Vita).

 

[clem84]

For the ones with multiple platform options, I'd say...

I: PSP
II: PSP
III: DS
IV: PSP
V: GBA
VI: GBA
VII: PS1
VIII: PS1
X: PS3

Great list but let me add:
FFIX: PS1
X-2: PS3
XII: PS2(only version available in NA)
XIII: PS3
XIII-2: PS3 or 360 (equal AFAIK)
XIII-3: PS3 or 360 (equal)

VII and VIII are on PC, OP.

They're also on PS3, PSP, but they're identical to the PSX version. PC version is different, slight graphical edge. I'm talking about the one that came out 15 years ago, don't know about the recent Steam rerelease. Anyway, I would give FF7 and 8 to the PC.

 

[thoseAREmySHOES]

I've definitely liked all the GBA ones I've played.

 

[OhHeyBrian]

Anyway, I would give FF7 and 8 to the PC.

They also had the MIDI music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oo3MTfBHC8

 

[Shinta]

I: PSP
II: PSP
III: iOS
IV: DS
V: iOS
VI: iOS
VII: PC
VII: PC
IX: PS1
X: PS3
XI: PC
XII: PS2
XIII: PS3
XIV: PC
XIV: ARR: PC

I think the only really controversial ones are IV, V and VI really.

IV I think DS is easily the best one, and I played both. It has a far better graphic style, and has extra actual gameplay not in the other ones; the augment system and extra mini-games.

V and VI seem better on iOS to me unless you have nostalgia glasses on. I haven't played it yet, but the screenshots are so far above in the iOS ones.

 

[clem84]

I: PSP
II: PSP
III: iOS
IV: DS
V: iOS
VI: iOS
VII: PC
VII: PC
IX: PS1
X: PS3
XI: PC
XII: PS2
XIII: PS3
XIV: PC
XIV: ARR: PC

I think the only really controversial ones are IV, V and VI really.

IV I think DS is easily the best one, and I played both. It has a far better graphic style, and has extra actual gameplay not in the other ones; the augment system and extra mini-games.

V and VI seem better on iOS to me unless you have nostalgia glasses on. I haven't played it yet, but the screenshots are so far above in the iOS ones.

Do so when you get the chance. The controls are HORRIBLE. Controlling your character on the city map is an exercise in frustration. I paid 15$ for this and I regret it deeply. To me the game is almost broken.

 

[Frumix]

XIII: PS3
XIII-2: PS3 or 360 (equal AFAIK)
XIII-3: PS3 or 360 (equal)



.

Haha not even close.
PS3 all the way

 

[Vashetti]

XIII: PS3
XIII-2: PS3 or 360 (equal AFAIK)
XIII-3: PS3 or 360 (equal)

Nope.

PS3 versions have 5.1 LPCM audio and much-less compressed FMVs (owing to the Blu-ray discs.

 

[Aeriscloud]

Haha not even close.
PS3 all the way

No way, 360 version hands down.

 

[epmode]

The best way to play Final Fantasy 12 is through emulation. It cleans up so nicely!

 

[SerTapTap]

V and VI seem better on iOS to me unless you have nostalgia glasses on. I haven't played it yet, but the screenshots are so far above in the iOS ones.

Ugh they're so visually awful and mish mashed there's no way they're "Definitive" though in every way but looks, where you're massively wrong, I suppose you're right. The visuals of the mobile remakes look like the art of 6 bad games tapped together inconsistently.

Edit:
Look at this fucking garbage:

 

[bigbaldwolf86]

FFIII is also on PSP. Looks ok playing it on the Vita

 

[Xis]

FFIII has: NES, DS

The DS version was also ported to the PSP; got a physical release in JP, but is only available digitally in the US. Looks a lot nicer IMO because of the PSP's higher res.


Edit: beaten

 

[Percy]

IMO:

FFI: PSP
FFII: PSP
FFIII: PSP
FFIV: PSP
FFV: GBA
FFVI: GBA
FFVII: PC (or PS3 digital)
FFVIII: PC (or PS3 digital)
FFIX: PS1(PS3 digital)
FFX: PS3
FFXII: Er... PS2... Not a lot of options here lol

Avoid PS1 versions of pre-FFVII FF games, and for PSP games don't bother with the UMD versions.

No way, 360 version hands down.

Oh? This is contrary to everything I have read on this matter.

 

[bemusedchunk]

What about the wonderswan versions?

 

[Frost_Ace]

FFIV DS is the definitive version of the game, the PSP version is too easy.

 

[Holykael1]

For me:

FF I - PSP
FF II - PSP
FF III - Steam otherwise PSP
FF IV - I personally prefer the more to the point 2d version and the art so PSP but the DS(and maybe PC in the future judging by the FF 3 release) version has a lot of great perks too.
FF V - GBA(With sound restoration patch)
FF VI - GBA(With sound restoration patch)
FF VII - Steam
FF VIII - Steam(with music mod)
FF IX - PSN/PS1
FF X/X-2 - PS3
FF XII - PS2
FF XIII,2,LR - PS3(though I think LR on xbox 360 is on par)

Preferably you emulate IX and XII for the best results.

 

[Jaded Alyx]

VII and VIII are on PC, OP.

As is III which apparently very few people seem to know...

 

[UrbanRats]

yeah FFVIII may have no remakes, but you have to mod the PC version to make it decent.
When you do though, it's better than the PS' one, out of sheer commodity of having it on PC.

 

[SolVanderlyn]

Alright, so the two major questions I have:

Everyone says X's best version is PS3. Does the Vita version take a hit at all? Because portability seems like a huge plus.

Also, I/II PSP compared to Origins on PSX is the biggest question for me right now. It's cheaper to get Origins, and Origins has the original (harder) difficulty, but what do I/II PSP have to offer? Do the pros end at easier difficulty (depending on your preference)/enhanced graphics?

I forgot to mention the PC versions in the OP, sorry about that. VII/VIII had really bad sound quality last time I checked, although I'm not sure if the Steam release of VII changed that or not.

 

[King_Moc]

VII was the first one to get an international edition as far as I know. The original Japanese version has less content, they added in the weapon bosses (ruby & emerald) for the western release. Not sure that counts though. They did the opposite (eventually) with XII.

 

[Olli128]

Ff1-10 = vita.

Well 5 and 6 are a bit dodgy with the loading times, but there's something pretty awesome about having all 10 in one place.

 

[Seik]

No way, 360 version hands down.

Care to explain why?

All I see in the 360 versions are negatives, like many discs and compressed cutscenes, what are the redeeming factors?

 

[LittleNemoNES]

My childhood!

 

[Shrike_Priest]

FFVII: PS2
FFVIII: PS2
FFIX: PS2

Fast loading and texture smoothing do wonders on these games. Still pissed they haven't made a solid HD PS1 emulator for PS3/PS4.

 

[Man God]

Ff1-10 = vita.

Well 5 and 6 are a bit dodgy with the loading times, but there's something pretty awesome about having all 10 in one place.

It's not a great version of 4 (either one really), nor 3. Pretty good version of 1 and 2. 5 though is an abomination and if you think the music is screwed up on 6 GBA it's nothing on what happened to the sound effects in 6 PSX which are completely off.

 

[StuBurns]

No way, 360 version hands down.

What? No, no no no no, no... No.

 

[Mihos]

Original carts on original systems will always be definitive to me.

 

[Vashetti]

Everyone says X's best version is PS3. Does the Vita version take a hit at all? Because portability seems like a huge plus.

Content wise, PS3 and Vita are a match.

But the PS3 version renders natively at 1080p/30fps.

Whilst the Vita version is sub-native res at 720x408 (Vita native screen res is 960x544). However it looks great and you likely won't notice too much.

 

[Regginmad]

Its worth mentioning that FF3 is on PSP as well, both as an import(in full english) and a download. I've never played the DS version so i'm not sure how it stacks up, but considering I had 1, 2 and 4 on the PSP already my choice was easy.

 

[Mihos]

No way, 360 version hands down.

I wouldn't say that, even as a joke.

 

[aborath]

I don't know if it's been mentioned, but I believe that the definitive version of FF 1-2 is available as FF: Origins for the PS1.

For FF IV (didn't play III), I'd say that a ROM of FFIV: Hard is the best. There's that DS remake, but I didn't care for the 3D-modeled characters.

VI had a PS1 version with rendered cut-scenes that I've heard was decent, but I never played it.

Man, I pine for the days when I used to care about Final Fantasy.

 

[Aureon]

FFT: Patched PSP version. Patching is important, or it's slowdowns showdown.

 

[batbeg]

Surprised nobody is mentioning the mobile port of IVDS. It looks crisper, controls fine, and I think even contains the After Years in the DS style (don't hold me to this). Honestly I never got the hate for the PSX style rendering, I think it looks far superior to the originals dull ass NESy graphics, and I'm a pixel junky. Is the original meant to be better in any other way?

 

[Mihos]

What about the wonderswan versions?

I have the 1 and 2 collectors editions handhelds and FF4 and chocobo dungeon for WS.

They are decent if you can handle no backlight on the console and can either read Japanese or use a cheat sheet to get around it. I did that through 1 and 4. 2 is unopened still.

 

[Renpatsu]

For the PS1 games at least you'll want to consider whether 60Hz NTSC or 50Hz PAL is important.

 

[Loona]

Most people skip XI in these things, but you want the PC version for that - while PS2 and Xbox versions are available, they appear to be slowly deprecated - what little support remains is in no small part due to several Japanese players sticking with the PS2 version - the most recent expansion wasn't made available for the console outside Asia.

 

[Ourobolus]

FF1: GBA
FF2: GBA
FF3: Famicom
FF4: DS (I hate the original game, so the difficulty boost and customization of the DS version were definitely welcome. I did enjoy the extra content of the GBA version though).
FF5: GBA (though the iOS one isn't bad, it controls way better than FF6)
FF6: GBA -or- SNES
FF7/8/9: PSX
FF10: Vita (portability trumps 1080 for me)
FF12: IZJS, emulated on PC
FF13: PS3
FFT: PSX (or patched PSP)