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Final Fantasy IV: SNES vs GBA vs DS vs PSP

Aeana said:
It's definitely a cakewalk. You can beat almost everything with auto battle.

Sometimes I think people are just in love with the idea of the PSP version but haven't actually played it all the way through.
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Played through on it a couple times. Heck, beaten the game multiple times on nearly every platform over the years and just like last time we both talked about it, I'll say again. The original was not any harder. Any basic understanding of type weaknesses plus a spell caster makes the game easy mode... and honestly, even on the DS version it's not that much harder even though it's tuned up... Bosses are still mostly "know weakness, spam weakness, win."
 
Aeana said:
It's definitely a cakewalk. You can beat almost everything with auto battle.

Sometimes I think people are just in love with the idea of the PSP version but haven't actually played it all the way through.
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Considering I did and the end still had the difficulty ramp-up that every other version that's not called FF2 does, I sometimes wonder if people just say it's a cakewalk because they remember parts of it being so.

I really do like the PSP version, but at the end of the day I've grown to put the DS and original/PSX versions on the same pedestal because they're actually difficult without being super hard but also are rather balanced up until the end. That's why I'm the loon that always suggests the PSX version for western players.
 
I think the DS/Mobile/Steam version is probably my favorite of all of them, mostly due to the music, difficulty and augments. Made the game a bit more challenging and even added new super bosses. Plus the voice acting was good (atleast to me, been awhile since I played) and I thought the graphics looked fine even when I played on Ipad.
 
I have played PC FF4, FF4 JP(translated) SNES, FF4 English SNES and DS FF4.

Original is still my favorite.

If not for the,

Spoony_Bard.jpg


but also for how incredibly fun the speedrun variant is.
 
Playing the DS version was a great experience after playing the GBA version (I didn't complete the latter but planning on playing the PSP version).

Regardless of which versions you get, I recommend playing the 2D and 3D versions since they are both worth experiencing for feeling like different games.
 
pantsmith said:
What about the psx re-release? Is that just the SNES version? I remember it being brutally hard at times (in a good jrpg kinda way)
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I think the SNES FF games were all poor on PS1 as they added load times, which is a shame as I wanted to get FFV for my Vita
 
I was just talking to a friend about this yesterday.

I have the GBA cart and the ps1 disc (where I first played FF4). Sadly no way to play either. Long dead GBA and no ps1 disc compatible system. I have a PSP somewhere, but I'm not entirely sure where it's at.

It seems Square really wants the DS remake to be the lead version for this game now. I may check it out one day, but part of returning to FF4 would be about he nostalgia of it. Always loved the sprite work. Plus it was the game I played as a kid. The DS version is not that.

I do wish there were more options for the game. PSP version available on PS4/PC. Or the GBA version available on the Wii U EShop. I'd play either really.
 
Helacious said:
Having a fun experience is more important than either. Some will prefer the tougher bosses, some will prefer the 2d sprites and easier playthrough.
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If fun is not having to think and being able to beat everything with auto battle, then yeah, the DS version won't be for them.
 
Each version has pros and cons, pick the one most applicable to your tastes:
I've played each version (except JP SNES) and enjoyed them all for different reasons.
Graphics: PSP
Difficulty: DS/JP SNES/Steam
Music: NA/JP SNES
Nostalgia: NA SNES

I'd only really avoid the GBA version if you have access to other versions. My preference is the PSP version.

I can't stand the 3D style of the DS version, while the Sprite work in the PSP version is fantastic. The PSP's music sounds really good but I feel like it's missing something from the original. Could just be my headphones though. I do have issues with the PSP version, it's almost too easy (boring), and pressing select to auto battle takes a lot of the gameplay away, though you can choose not to do that. It's nice for grinding, not that you need to.
 
Like the post above me, I'll echo that every version has their pros and cons.

Perhaps the "purest" port is the PSX version, because it retains the gameplay, difficulty, and artwork of the original, along with a MUCH better translation. It's also blazing fast: there is a pretty long loading time when saving, but it also comes with a speedy memo system, meaning you only have to hard save when finishing your session. It's far and away the best way to play the game as it was originally envisioned.

That said I also think it's worth it to play both the DS and PSP remakes. I personally think both look gorgeous in their own ways - the chibi low-res 3D on DS is super charming with great VA cutscenes, and the PSP's spritework is lush and intricate.
 
Wasn't the battle system completely bugged on the GBA version? I seem to remember characters getting turn after turn right in a row while enemies would sit and do nothing, and delayed actions like Jump would take forever to end because characters were getting so many turns.
 
Played most all the different versions of this game, and the DS remake is easily my favorite.

The PSP port is the one I dropped off of the fastest due to the trivial difficulty. Those that just want to experience the story and aren't bothered by the gross gameplay imbalance that stymies the combat mechanics I suppose may prefer this version. I found it way too lethargic and mundane to play, which is a real shame.
 
Helacious said:
That was not at all what I was saying. Go reread.
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I just ignored the part about the graphics because I saw that as too unimportant to talk about. Ok, if someone prefers not having to think in a game or prefers graphics over gameplay, then they shouldn't get the DS version. Better?
 
Lothar said:
I just ignored the part about the graphics because I saw that as too unimportant to talk about. Ok, if someone prefers not having to think in a game or prefers graphics over gameplay, then they shouldn't get the DS version. Better?
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My point is that the gameplay > graphics isn't the end all of game enjoyment, there's more factors than this single one that construct an overall enjoyment experience. They might have preferred FF4 PSP because they played on the OLED vita, or because it was a good value with after years bundled, or the spritework. You seem really bent on being reductive and slightly insult people with the "not having to think" part so props to you.
 
PSP is the definitive version, in my opinion.
PSone version was okay, though I'm honestly surprised nobody is mentioning it.

I think we need a thread to discuss the definitive versions of each FF game, as this comes up a lot.
 
Surprised how many people seem to like the DS version. I thought it was ugly and just added a bunch of grinding, rather than any strategy.

I like the PSP and GBA versions. Specifically, the EU version of the GBA release that fixed the US version's bugs.
 
The DS version will always be the definitive version for me, even if I played it on the other consoles more. It was just more fun and felt more challenging.
 
Maybe it's because I played the SNES version when I was a kid but the art of the PSP version looks like garbage, I don't think I could play that to be honest.
 
DarkConfidant said:
PSP is the definitive version, in my opinion.
PSone version was okay, though I'm honestly surprised nobody is mentioning it.

I think we need a thread to discuss the definitive versions of each FF game, as this comes up a lot.
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Read the thread a bit more, several of us have mentioned it.
 
This is my favorite game of all time.

The PSP version was fantasic, looks and sounds amazing.
Nolstalgia says SNES.
The DS remake was challenging and refreshing! I love it. Voice acting. I warmed up to the 3D look.

Skip out on the PSX version.
GBA version has the ATB glitch, and the extra dungeons, but I'd skip this version.

I really wish the PSP version was also released on Steam. Oh well, there's always emulators.
 
PSP collection was my favorite and best "pure" version of FFIV, but the DS/PC/Mobile version is great for mixing up the formula. Either of those versions are great though, and you can't really go wrong.
 
Helacious said:
My point is that the gameplay > graphics isn't the end all of game enjoyment, there's more factors than this single one that construct an overall enjoyment experience. They might have preferred FF4 PSP because they played on the OLED vita, or because it was a good value with after years bundled, or the spritework. You seem really bent on being reductive and slightly insult people with the "not having to think" part so props to you.
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That's not an insult in the slightest. You really don't have to think in FF4 PSP. That's just the truth. If some people prefer that, that's perfectly fine.
 
Don't listen to the people who say the PSP version. It took an already easy game and made it even easier. It's completely and utterly mindless.
 
The DS version has slightly superior gameplay to the SNES version, but the visuals are so abhorrent that I wouldn't recommend.

I haven't played the PSP version but the SNES version is honestly more fun than the DS one.
 
If you havent played FF4 before, it probably doesn't matter as much as people here (some of whom have played the game a dozen times) make it out to be. Get what is cheapest and most convenient for you to play. I dont think that any of the versions are particularly broken or unplayable.

That said, FF4 is by far my least favourite of the 16bit games. I dont know why it gets non-stop ports and remakes while FF5 and FF6 are treated as afterthoughts.
 
kswiston said:
That said, FF4 is by far my least favourite of the 16bit games. I dont know why it gets non-stop ports and remakes while FF5 and FF6 are treated as afterthoughts.
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I might think the PSP spritework of FF4 doesn't look good, but it sure as shit looks better than what they did with the mobile and Pc versions of FF 5&6 :(
 
FFIV is a game I tried several times to play and like. Got bored of it quickly on SNES, got the GBA version to give it another chance but quit after a bit over halfway through. It was not until the DS version that I was actually able to play through it and enjoy it. I think what I did not like of the games was that your party changes constantly and you can't choose which characters to use and each one has set commands and skills, so you can't really customize anything. The DS version changes that with the augment system, where you can learn new skills from items, including skills from characters that leave your party. It does have a downside, that once you give someone an augment, the character gets it permanently so if you give it to a character that leaves your party, its gone. I can't really compare it to the PSP version, but that one does not have the augment system.
 
LordRaptor said:
I might think the PSP spritework of FF4 doesn't look good, but it sure as shit looks better than what they did with the mobile and Pc versions of FF 5&6 :(
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Okay, as much as I dislike the sprites from the 2D PSP FF games, this is also true. It could be worse.

gato_busta said:
FFIV is a game I tried several times to play and like. Got bored of it quickly on SNES, got the GBA version to give it another chance but quit after a bit over halfway through. It was not until the DS version that I was actually able to play through it and enjoy it. I think what I did not like of the games was that your party changes constantly and you can't choose which characters to use and each one has set commands and skills, so you can't really customize anything. The DS version changes that with the augment system, where you can learn new skills from items, including skills from characters that leave your party. It does have a downside, that once you give someone an augment, the character gets it permanently so if you give it to a character that leaves your party, its gone. I can't really compare it to the PSP version, but that one does not have the augment system.
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Augment management is actually pretty good, if you give a few augments to departing characters you'll receive more augments in return, usually better ones. Between this and the new game +, you can get everything for everyone. And then you get to the end of the game and the bonus bosses, those augments actually affect your stat growth after a certain level, so with some management you can max out the majority of your stats, if you're into that. If you're not into that, all you need to know is that you get a limit break augment for completing the game (you get another for finishing again in the DS game) and using Twin with Cecil and Rosa casts Ultima.

Edward also isn't a totally useless waste in the DS version, despite the lack of bugs and post-game weaponry. This is a crucially understated fact.
 
Brandon F said:
Played most all the different versions of this game, and the DS remake is easily my favorite.

The PSP port is the one I dropped off of the fastest due to the trivial difficulty. Those that just want to experience the story and aren't bothered by the gross gameplay imbalance that stymies the combat mechanics I suppose may prefer this version. I found it way too lethargic and mundane to play, which is a real shame.
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Nailed it

Go with the mobile/DS version
 
I'm playing through a copy of "Final Fantasy II" on SNES that I acquired lately. I own the game in a million different ports already but it's been fun to give the original US version a shot after all these years.

Wowza... That translation. It's been a long time since the SNES era so I forgot how bad a translation can be. You really have interpret what they're getting at... Like a bad Google translate.

It also seems really easy. I guess it's halfway to being the "Easy Type" version that Japan got.

I'd be open to getting a better translation of the Japanese original and playing it on a flashcart. I am a stickler for original hardware....
 
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