I never really understood what Final Fantasy is. Is it fun? Is there ever any cussing or anything inappropriate for kids?
And what are some of the good recent ones, cause I know that there are quite a few.

FFIV is probably one of the best, and the DS remake is perfection. Not a lot inappropriate for kids, I don't think, but lots of deaths and revenge. Not really any bad words.

FFIV is one of the best although the DS version is certainly not the best version.

Do they all kinda tie in to one story or do they all have seperate storylines?

Each FF is completely different in terms of the story.
Which version of FFIV is the best is a matter of opinion, I personally love the DS version, but would play the original without complaining.

I've always wondered that also.

The Final Fantasy series is a line up of great RPGs from SquareSoft (I will not say "Square-Enix," that doesn't count). The storylines are good, the graphics (of the originals) are sweet, the soundtracks from Nobuo Uematsu are Fantastic, and the Active-Time Battle system is a great battle system.

Ok, so which of these for the DS is better, Final Fantasy 3 or Final Fantasy 4?

I've never played 3, but I did play 4 and it was pretty good up until the end with the last boss switcheroo. That pissed me off.

FF IV has a better story and gameplay. It is pretty hard, though. FF III is hard because there aren't any save points in dungeons. I'd personally recommend the first Final Fantasy, if you can find the GBA version used at a game shop.

Thanks guys!
I think FFIV sounds good.
Don't know when I'll be able to get it though.

And I'd personally recommend staying the hell away from that trash and downloading the much much MUCH better (as in, actually playable) original for the VC.
Or getting the PS1 remake on Final Fantasy Origins, but that's less practical.

most of the comments of "remade version is GARBAGE!!!!" are from people, like myself, that grew up playing the originals. For newcomers, the newer versions are probably gonna be a much better idea. The original FF4, while a great game, is pitifully easy. 1, on the flipside, is hard due to interface frustrations and backtracking necessitation/required pre-knowledge. The remade versions tend to distill the original versions' respective monotony a bit and work well as introductions to the games. 4 on DS is a toughie, though, especially on max speed/Active battle.

FF3 if you want more strategic gameplay with a lot of character development options, along with a decent amount of exploration elements(hidden items, switches, passagesways, etc.). If you want a more intricate story and don't mind the lack of character customization, I'd say go with FF4.

Just to mention, I always preferred FF3's quirkier and more light-hearted story over FF4's more melodramatic tone, but to each their own.

No. Being a "newcomer" doesn't mean you can't handle real games. We were all newcomers at a time, but we were still able to play games without getting out Game Genies loaded with "infinite HP" codes, which the remakes might as well be.

Not quite, I played FFIVA, before FFIVDS but either way it was better.
-Looks much better.
-The pace is quicker.
-The bonuses are better, as nothing compares to the larger final party.

wow, adamant, chill... please. we get that you prefer the originals (which definitely makes sense) but can you not say that with less venom?

Final Fantasy's a game about reading thousands of pages of boring dialogue, buying thousands of items and weapons you'll end up getting rid of eventually, playing as stereotypical JRPG heroes who don't talk, watching hours of cutscenes and getting into trillions of random battles where you'll get your butt kicked.
_{All that you just read was sarcasm, or is it?}

No. Being a "newcomer" doesn't mean you can't handle real games. We were all newcomers at a time, but we were still able to play games without getting out Game Genies loaded with "infinite HP" codes, which the remakes might as well be.

No. Final Fantasy is completely inaccesible for anyone who hasn't already played it by now. I say this as a huge fan of the series.

It's not the difficulty. I love the difficult game that is on Final Fantasy Origins. It's the completely archaic presentation that puts up a massive brick wall for anyone who didn't grow up with those games.

Now you can go and be a REAL MAN (lol at the machismo over a RPG game) and play the NES game all you want, but don't go and be stupid and suggest to a newcomer to go and play a game that will more likely put them off the series. I'd much rather newcomers to Final Fantasy play one of the remakes or later games, enjoy the things, and then find the more "hardcore" offerings later on.

And frankly, considering the original Final Fantasy was a knock-off of the Pen and Paper Dungeons and Dragons game (albiet limited by the technology at the time), if you were a REAL GAMERRRR you'd be playing that and not videogames at all. That's the real hardcore game.

In conclusion: people who give bad advise to prove how cool they are for staying retro are really irritating (and childish)

Toon Link - the best game to get you into Final Fantasy on the DS is FFIV - it's difficult, but at the same time, it's a very well produced game. FFIII lacks plot and direction to a certain extent, so it's better you play that when you have a bit more experience with Final Fantasy games.

I also suggest you look into the Dragon Warrior remakes that are on the DS: Chapters of the Chosen and whatever the other one is called - those games are similar RPG experiences.

Swerd makes a a good point. You should start with the newest titles on ps1 and 2 an work your way back to the classics.I recommend you try final fantasy 10 and then 12 first then work your way back. The earlier titles are kinda tuff.

My favorite titles are Final Fantasy 9 (with zidane) and Final Fantasy 7 which is still the most epic game and sticks me with still to this day. You see I started on FF7 , it blew my mind then i got hooked on the series and found the earlier titles and tried them. I had more appreciation for these titles, if i would have started with the first Final Fantasy i probably would have been turned off from the series.
I didn't like FF4 the after years though, the high random encounter rate just blew it for me, and that's probally the only game in the whole series(including spin offs) that i dislike.
As far as Final Fantasy spin offs may i suggest the upcoming Final Fantasy Chronicles: the crystal bearers and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: echoes of time (on wii or ds.) I also recommend Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon for the wii don't miss out on this one.