24. Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales (DS)
Card-based combat? Check. Cute birds? Check. Charming and lovely visuals and story? Check. Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales is pretty delightful in multiple aspects. The picture book aesthetic gives it a unique look and feel, and presenting Final Fantasy characters in Aesop-style fables is extremely fun. Throw in some minigames and duels and Chocobo Tales is a hard game not to love.
23. Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles (GCN)
Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles is one of the games that marked Final Fantasy's return to Nintendo systems. And, as long as you had friends to play with and multiple GBAs and link cables, the core gameplay itself is fabulous and really helps it stand out from the pack. The gameplay is just as addictive as past titles and the difficult curve is spot-on. While all these amazing things came at the cost of the story, it still proves to be somewhat decent. Simply put, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles is a spectacular title that'll surely please any newcomers to the franchise.
22. Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Reunion (Switch)
Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Reunion is everything that we hoped this remake would be. It takes a great game once shackled to handheld-only hardware and brings it forth to a new generation with a fresh coat of paint. Though some may be put off by its mission-based gameplay structure or the sometimes ridiculous writing, its excellent combat, gorgeous presentation, and heartfelt narrative combine to make this one that no RPG fan will want to miss out on, especially those who were fans of Final Fantasy VII. Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Reunion is a fantastic addition to the Switch’s ever-growing library of great RPGs, we’d advise you to give this one a go.
21. Final Fantasy VIII Remastered (Switch eShop)
Final Fantasy VIII continues to be just as weird and polarizing a release as it was when it first came out. Cool new ideas like Guardian Forces and Triple Triad are hamstrung by an absolutely wack story and the tedium of the Draw system, making for an experience that’s great in some regards and not so great in others. Taken as a whole, however, Final Fantasy VIII Remastered is a fun and enjoyable romp through the weirder side of the Final Fantasy series, notably bolstered by the new HD presentation and the inclusion of helpful quality-of-life features. If you find yourself to be a fan of either the Final Fantasy series or the JRPG genre, Final Fantasy VIII Remastered proves to be a release that’s certainly worth your time.
20. Final Fantasy V (Switch eShop)
Finally, Final Fantasy V is free from the GBA and available to play on the Switch. And goodness, what a fantastic little adventure this is. The Pixel Remaster is missing the extra jobs and dungeons from the Advance version, but that doesn't dampen the fantastic gameplay that has been present in the game ever since its 1991 Super Famicom release. Put simply, Final Fantasy V is charming, incredibly fun, and just a darn good time.
19. World of Final Fantasy MAXIMA (Switch eShop)
World of Final Fantasy Maxima acts as a wonderful celebration of the Final Fantasy series that will surely appeal to fans both new and old. Though the difficulty is a little on the easy side, the story is uninspired and the visuals are disappointingly blurry, the Mirage-catching mechanics and well-crafted RPG systems make this one a good recommendation. If you loved the Final Fantasy games of days past, you’re sure to love this one, and if you’re new to the series or the JRPG genre in general, this is a great place to jump in; just don't expect anything too demanding.
18. Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls (GBA)
This port package of the first Final Fantasy and its first sequel came courtesy of Tose and improved the look of the 8-bit originals, added a handful of new dungeons and various other tweaks and modifications that makes them more approachable than the originals these days.
Handhelds are arguably the perfect environment for JRPGs; you're able to play them in those spare minutes throughout the day or settle down as you would a home console version — the fact is that portability gives you some flexibility in a genre that can be mighty inflexible.
If you're looking to find out how it all started, Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls is a great introduction.
17. Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy (3DS)
Although a sequel to DS masterpiece Elite Beat Agents failed to materialise, this musical Final Fantasy outing (and its sequel, Curtain Call) helped occupy rhythm game fans on 3DS. Arriving on the franchise’s 25th anniversary, highlighting its incredible music was perhaps the best possible way to celebrate and Theatrhythm (no, spellcheck, not Threat-) even manages to charm players unfamiliar with the legendary RPG series and its myriad offshoots. With rhythm-based montages of many of Final Fantasy’s most iconic moments, it’s arguably an excellent introduction for somebody looking for a way in to the long-running series.
16. Final Fantasy IV Advance (GBA)
Final Fantasy IV Advance is one of the many, many rereleases of Final Fantasy IV on the SNES, but that doesn't mean you should skip it over.
New dungeons, weapons, and challenges make this an extremely fleshed-out version of an already beloved title in the series. You also have more party options at the end of the game rather than relying on the late-game faithful five.
There might be better versions of this game available on other consoles, but Final Fantasy IV Advance is still a wonderful way to experience a classic.
15. Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call (3DS)
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call is far more than a simple expansion to the original release. The volume of extra content is truly impressive, but it also shakes up the formula with new modes to give the experience a fresh feel.
Terrific music and tight controls are the stars, while competitive players will surely get a kick out of the online mode; whether you're a fan of music rhythm games, Final Fantasy or both, this is a must-buy.
14. Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift (DS)
Toning down the difficulty but retaining the charm of the first Tactics Advance game, Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift is still a fantastic example of just how well the Final Fantasy formula translated to a grid-based combat system.
With extremely deep gameplay and a myriad of systems to get stuck into, this is absolutely worth tracking down if you're a fan of strategy RPGs.
13. Final Fantasy V Advance (GBA)
Because Final Fantasy V never launched in the West on the SNES, the fifth game in the series never reached the same notoriety as its other SNES counterparts.
However, Final Fantasy V Advance on GBA certainly put it on the map for many. The port touched up the visuals and added a sprinkling of new content and features to make it arguably the best version to play.
Beyond that, this is easily the best version of the classic job system, and the lighthearted story makes this a fun Final Fantasy romp. If you don't fancy the Pixel Remaster, the GBA version is no slouch at all.
Comments 61
I'll admit that Final Fantasy II at #10 (as of this writing) made me do a double-take as this is widely regarded as the worst mainline Final Fantasy. Then I remembered that FF II (SNES) = FF IV. Good grief the West made the title localizations weird back in the day.
I also hope the Switch's successor can get FFXIV. I love playing it on my PC, but being able to play it wherever would be worth the cost (though not the cost of a Steam Deck).
I’m finally working my way through these games via the Switch. I thoroughly enjoyed Final Fantasies I and III, hated II, and am loving IV so far. Looking forward to the other entries soon.
So the whole top 3 is Final Fantasy VI...? Oh please. It's not even among my favorites lol, and Final Fantasy is one of my favorite series ever. I can clearly see here this is a Nintendo site hahaha. Not many PSX kids around here, I guess...
@the_beaver I didn't like VI myself either. I enjoyed IV much more than VI. I Still need to try V though. 7 and 9 are my top picks personally.
Can't say as I agree with this list... Dunno, localization of the number changes could be throwing me off too, but even then that top ten is still missing some pivotal entries. Should make games with multiple incarnations like FF VI all count as one entry and take the one with the highest score instead that way these lists have less clutter.
Still sad how much they fumbled FFCC on Switch. It could have been so much more.
At least the top 3 spots are Final Fantasy 6 three times. I was rabid when I saw XII at 16th place.
Don't listen to Ondore's lies!
I really don't like VI - the bloated cast and the magic system that made every character interchangeable in battle. The incredible first half was all I used to play back in the 90s. I usually lost interest after the world blew up. However, even a FFVI hater like myself recognizes Kefka as a great villain.
The people who liked FF6 probably voted it high in all three incarnations. I agree that one entry per game, with notes about the average the other versions got, would have been better.
I'm hoping someday we get an offline version of XI just so that people have access to that game without having to play a very old, outdated MMO that still charges a sub fee...I'm fairly confident especially since Dragon Quest X just got an offline version
I don't understand why you'd spend three slots on three versions of the same game, especially when two of them are rendered immediately redundant by the Pixel Remaster. Well, I suppose the same applies to more than just VI, but still. Also, VI is really overrated by the fandom, which is surprisingly more defensive of their favorite game than even the VII fans.
Personally, I think IV, IX and X are all much better games than VI could ever hope to be. And it remains a shame to this day that VI is as lackluster as it is given modern advancements that could very easily smooth out the game's terrible pacing and story delivery.
Final Fantasy 6 takes the top 3 lol. It’s my favorite and the only one i would ever recommend to anybody, so that’s sweet.
9 is next at 4, which is coincidentally the score i gave it. Just for you guys. It deserves a 2. Double the points!
I wonder if 7 would be higher if the new versions didn’t exist.
As always, fun to see the culmination of everyone weighing in!
I am glad, Final Fantasy IX is that high. My favourite Final Fantasy, which originally released on a Nintendo console is propably Crystal Chronicles.
VI, VII, IX, VIII, IV, III, V, X, I, II.
I'm 100% certain there are no mainline games after X.
Final Fantasy 6 is still king … it’s well deserved
The entire list is actually quite good. Spots 1-3 belonging to FF6 are spot on. I enjoyed 7 & 8 more than 9, but I can't argue with that too much as they are all close. Glad to see the original FF3 really low on the list. FF1 focused entirely on random battles but it was revolutionary for the time. FF2 went to a story heavy open world (similar to 4-9), then FF3 reverted back to just random battles with little to no story for some reason. 4-9 are the best of the series. FF10+ feels like a completely different series as too much changed in the formula.
Final Fantasy VII is one of the worst RPGs I've ever played. It actually turned me off from RPGs and they were my favorite type of games up to that point. VI is my favorite out of the 4 I played (1, 4, 6, and 7).
I wish there would've been more 3D remakes like they did for 3 and 4. Would have been so awesome to have 5 in 3D, officially localized.
FF6 is consistently high on these “GFFOAT” Lists.
Yet it’s never had any kind of spin-off or remake (barring Pixel Remaster, which, while glorious, is basically still a glorified SNES Port).
What gives? I wonder why SE doesn’t do something else with these characters they own use of likeness for? People seem to really dig them some FF6, but it’s always just sort of been “there.”
My guess is, when the FF7 glamour finally wears off…Plan B begins…
FFX alone would be number 1 but since it's bundled with FFX-2 the drop to number 12 is more than justified
Man, it was really was too bad FFCC Switch was such a hot mess. My brothers and I played the demo and felt the spark of our youth, only to realize just how much was missing --or changed for the worse.
We would have bought three copies on the spot. Now...none.
Theatrythm is my favorite ever FF game, though, even if it could seriously use more FFCC songs, and less arrangements of the same exact tunes over and over again. Over 500, and still no (insert one of any hundreds of FF songs here)??
Bump VIII and IX to the bottom and move III PR way up lol.
@saiyantrunks79 FFT: WOTL is one of my favourite games ever. The iOS port is great - all they need to do is put that on Switch. No “remastering” necessary.
Hail to the king, baby! Or the three kings, in this case.
A bit silly to have the same game in the top 3, yes it’s clearly the best final fantasy game not much doubt about that, but why not entry per game?
As I said in the poll, Final Fantasy Adventure is called Seiken Densetsu: Final Fantasy Gaiden in Japan. It's a true Final Fantasy spinoff and should have been included.
I just wanted to say how proud I am of this community for putting Final Fantasy 3/6 in the top 3 spots. Good job.
I will always be a staunch defender of Final Fantasy VIII. I don't care what anyone says. it is my favorite.
And people say FF VII is overrated… no way three versions of VI should take the entire top 3 spot.
My choices:
1. FF 8
2. FF 9
3. FF X/X-2
4. FF 12
5. FF 3 NDS
6. FF 4 NDS
FF6 is so overrated. Easily the second worst, least interesting gameplay when it comes to FF1-6. The worst system is in FF4.
@BlackenedHalo hey now.... OK, yeah if you count not having a system as the worst system.
@FunGuy Plan B is clearly Final Fantasy IX. It has so much more potential than VI, in my opinion. That atmosphere...
Xenogears would be a great contender too. Wow, what a game, and it's the one that needs a remake the most.
I'd also buy more Chrono Trigger stuff, even though it's perfect the way it is now. Same with Terranigma.
With that said, I'd really appreciate a FFVI remake ala Star Ocean 2nd. That'd be great!
@BlackenedHalo I love 6, but i agree with you about the gameplay. In that it’s not great.
chocobo gp is my favorite
Why are people saying Final Fantasy VI are all in the top three? I am assuming Final Fantasy IV was in the top 3, and people thought it was VI I guess? Anyways, now III is in the top 3.
@the_beaver FF6 should take the entire top ten!
My top 15 best Final Fantasy games on Nintendo consoles in no particular order except the first five:
FFVI is bork-able beyond belief but is still a fun romp and loaded with amazing moments. But it'll never get better for me than IV, the only game in the series to balance difficulty right, was brave enough to change up the party regularly with very distinct character types, and had a story which was the right parts serious & camp.
FF II SNES should not be higher than any of the other FF IV versions; it's the most watered down version. DS version should be the highest (and VI winning is right).
Hurts to see Four Heroes of Light so low (or high?) on this list. It's such a fun game, with unique mysteries and characters. The storybook aesthetics, challenging gameplay, crown system, wizard mouse, it's all so good. If my DS would hold a charge, I'd replay it today
That's a shocker for the great debate of FF6 vs 7...
I always thought that FF6 was the best game in the series. I didn't know it was the best three though.
I suppose it has to be said that, from 7 onward, the games aren't at their best on Nintendo platforms, when available at all.
@alanahagues could it be that I’m missing Final Fantasy IV advance in the list?
I’m actually playing that one currently and was wondering where it sits compared to the pixel remaster and the original SNES (II).
While i strongly agree with 97% of this dissertation, i find myself noticing one glaring error in regards to FFX
FFX was my first PS2 game and i bought this remaster on switch as well. I was mortified to learn that the tedious luck-based nature of acquiring Tidus' Sun Crest to unlock his ultimate weapon Caladbolg was never fixed
Let me give 3 words tnat will cause completionists to relive the mortifying trauma this game offered.
Balloons & Birds
To acquire the Sun Crest, you had to play the Chocobo race minigame at the entrance of the Calm Lands. The Crest being the final challenge's prize. The game was all about grabbing Balloons before the NPC while dodging homing missle birds that would stall you out for 2 seconds if they hit. Every Balloon would lower your final time. Crossing the line first was not mandatory.
Oh and controlling your chocobo? What you thought it would be intuitive? NoNoNo! Your only controls are left and right! See you could only use a wild caught chocobo for this race. And while yes it always ran, it wouldn't always want to go the same way you did.
The final challenge? Achieve a final time of 00:00.00
Even now this doesnt seem THAT bad to most. But this race hides a terrorizing secret!
For every race, Balloon Count, Balloon Placement, bird count, bird placement, and bird homing correction % were completely and totally decided by a RNG. Its impossible to determine if you can actually achieve this goal until youre at least 1/2 through the race.
And the cherry on top! Even when all of these were to align, one single overcorrection of the chocobo's route or being hit by any more than 4 birds would force you to start it over.
My playthrough of OG FFX saw me get lucky and it took me less than hour.
But the remaster...it was at least 4 hours in when i finally passed. The final cost of which was only 1 cheapy wired controller that lost a high speed confrontation with my wall
One game taking the top 3 spots is a bit daft - maybe a Nintendo thing as it's a snes classic? It's a good game but the PSOne trilogy, 10 and 12 I prefer personally. 8 is so underrated. I don't understand why the story is dismissed so readily in this article - it has a great story.
I don't know why I bother with these lists because we all know what the top 3 always is-on hold, FFIV beats FFVII?!
"How is Final Fantasy 7 in 6th place?? ... Oh by putting 6 in the top 3 spots..."
@Friendly Nice spot! I've added it in now
Crystal Chronicles are very good games. Even Crystal Bearer is very fun. I would love to see this series back. The DS games are absolutely top notch. Some of the best games on the console period. I can't even imagine what they could do with a FFCC game on the switch. It's just the absolute perfect hardware for this and somehow SE still butchered that opportunity.
Also I see the only 10/10 of the whole series for me is still criminally underrated. That's alright FFXIITZA, you know I love you.
@Tyranexx
Uh? Sorry, but if you had read the text beyond the title, you would not be confused, since the first sentece is "Final Fantasy IV (originally known as II) ".
@Joriss
Haha yeah lucky you, you're amongst educated people.
I'm joking of course but I've always said 6 was the better game.
@AlanaHagues thank you!
Apparently ranked below the SNES and Switch versions, although the most complete of them all.
@Friendly That could all change
Blows my mind they haven't ported Final Fantasy Tactics yet. My guess is they're doing a 2d-3d remaster for it and that's why we haven't seen the original.
Very dumb list though when you add the same game multiple times to the top spots?
@Rozetta I did read all the text. That was my knee jerk reaction when I read the game title. It only took a sec for my brain to catch up.
A lot of you seem to misunderstand how these lists come about.
They are rated by us. It doesn't take into account different versions like that. I gave the SNES version a 9, the Advance one a 10, because of the better localisation... though I might change my mind on that one...
In the same way, I gave the FFCC remaster a 4, the original a 7. They are different versions after all...
But since most people who played any of these FF6 versions regard them so high, they snagged the top spots. Because they got a lot of very high votes. Independent from one another.
Just regard them as one and adjust the list accordingly for yourself.
You can easily view the number 2 and 3 spots to not exist for being multiples of the number 1 spot, so view spots 4 and 5 to be 2 and 3.
Beautiful top three, but I agree with other comments, just that one top spot would've been enough 😉
@Tyranexx
Well it could be worse...it could be Tales or Destiny II the sequel to Tales of Destiny or Tales of Destiny 2 the direct sequel to Tales of Destiny.
Or how MEGAdimension Neptunia VII is the forth game in the HYPERdimension Neptunia series.
Then outside of video games you have Halloween the sequel to Halloween not to be confused with the remake of Halloween which had a sequel Halloween II...which isn't a remake of Halloween II.
Or the title that takes the crown in stupidity. The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia
@JungeRoemer Fair point. Media titles - ESPECIALLY when it comes to localizations - can be very weird. The long-winded ones are some of my favorite oddities lol.
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