11. Final Fantasy II (SNES)
Final Fantasy IV (originally known as II) might be showing its age, but the SNES version is still a brilliant way to experience this seminal entry in the franchise. There's still something quite charming and engaging about the classic, a testament to its staying power, and any RPG fan who might have missed out on this legendary title need only give the game a try to see what all the fuss is about. Of course, you might want to check it out in Pixel Remaster form now, but whatever way you play it, just know you're picking up an all-timer.
10. 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.
9. 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.
8. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (GBA)
Is Final Fantasy Tactics Advance the FFT sequel fans wanted? Probably not. But don't let that dissuade you. This is an excellent strategy RPG that you can play in the palm of your hands. Levelling up your clan, finding the best weapons and trying to out-think the enemy leads to endlessly enjoyable battling with enough variables in location, laws and opponent abilities to prevent things becoming too repetitive. Even when battles get easy with an OP clan, they remain entertaining. It can be tricky to find what you are looking for amongst the many menu screens, but once you know where to look Final Fantasy Tactics Advance will divert and delight you for a long ol' time.
7. Theatrhythm Final Bar Line (Switch)
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is an utterly addictive, perfectly tuned celebration of all things Final Fantasy. It’s a deceptively simple-looking game that, once you get under the hood, you’ll discover it has teeth and demands practice and patience if you want to unlock everything. It gives back what you put into it, and we’re struggling to put it down even now. We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate the series’ 35th anniversary, and this makes it a must-buy for Final Fantasy fans and rhythm game enthusiasts. How other storied, sprawling game series’ haven’t followed suit with their own rhythm games is baffling when the results can be this magical.
6. Final Fantasy VII (Switch eShop)
We never thought we'd see the original Final Fantasy VII on a Nintendo console, yet here we are. Final Fantasy VII's reputation speaks for itself — it's a touchstone of game design that played a large role in setting the standard of RPGs for years to come. The Materia system is addictive, and there's a plethora of optional content and superbosses to dig into. Plus, even with the translation issues, this is one of the best stories in the franchise. If you like RPGs, you should give Final Fantasy VII a shot, as this is an experience unlike any other in many ways. Of course, as with many early PS1 games, Final Fantasy VII is a relic of its time, but that doesn’t mean it’s to be respected any less; if you can look past the antiquated elements, the core game here is as brilliant as it ever was.
5. Final Fantasy IX (Switch eShop)
Final Fantasy IX acts as a good reminder of why this franchise has remained an RPG institution over the years. Its medieval-style setting makes it a fun nostalgia trip for fans of the older series entries, or players fed up with all the futuristic Final Fantasies, and acts as a callback to the classics. Memorable characters, a wacky story, deep character customization, and plenty of incredible environments certainly help make a case for why Final Fantasy IX deserves a spot on your Switch’s SD card, even if some elements haven't aged particularly well. But with some of the best characters, one of the best stories, and a wonderful world to explore, Final Fantasy IX deserves to be played by anyone who loves turn-based RPGs.
4. Final Fantasy IV (Switch eShop)
Yet another version of Final Fantasy IV, albeit playable on Switch. The Pixel Remaster might be lacking the GBA additions and the DS's difficulty, but this is classic Final Fantasy at its finest, whatever way you play it. Cecil's journey is one of the franchise's best, making him a fantastic main character. And even though this was the game that introduced the ATB system, it already feels perfect right out of the gate. Final Fantasy IV isn't a super long RPG, but it is an essential one — even if some elements feel a bit outdated today.
3. Final Fantasy VI Advance (GBA)
If you missed out on Final Fantasy VI on the SNES (or if you're from Europe) or PlayStation, then for a long time, Final Fantasy VI Advance was the only way to experience an all-time great. Even for returning fans, this version of the game offered brand-new dungeons and summons for you to experience, and with the small sacrifice of music quality, you could play one of the best games of all time on the go, wherever you want. Depending on if you want that extra content or not, the handheld debate between this and the Pixel Remaster remains, but you really can't go wrong either way.
2. Final Fantasy III (SNES)
For many, Final Fantasy VI (or III as it was known in the West for a while) is the pinnacle of the RPG genre. You can't help but appreciate how epic and enthralling a quest Square was able to cook up for this sixth release in the series, and it still feels as magnanimous and relevant today as it did 30 years ago. If you've somehow never played Final Fantasy VI in any of its various forms over the years, you truly owe it to yourself to experience one of the best releases the series has to offer. You can pick the original up on the SNES Classic, or check out those rather great GBA or Pixel Remaster rereleases.
1. Final Fantasy VI (Switch eShop)
After years of begging for Final Fantasy VI to be playable on Switch, the Pixel Remaster brings us a fantastic version of what might just be one of the best RPGs ever made. Timeless music has been made even better with the new arrangements, while the visuals have been enhanced in a lovely pixel-perfect manner. And what it might lack in difficulty, Final Fantasy VI makes up for in basically every other aspect — incredible characters, fantastic bosses, an amazing story, and fun gameplay. An all-timer, and it barely feels its age.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many mainline Final Fantasy games are on Nintendo Switch?
Thanks to the Pixel Remasters, you can now play 12 mainline Final Fantasy games on Switch. The only numbered Final Fantasy games that aren't available on the system are the two MMORPGs — Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV — Final Fantasy XIII, and Final Fantasy XVI.
Do you need to play the numbered Final Fantasy games in order?
Nope, not at all. Final Fantasy games are sequels in name only and share themes such as elemental crystals and character names like Cid. Oh, and don't forget those reoccurring creatures like Chocobos, Moogles, etc. Essentially, you can play the mainline Final Fantasy games in any order.
There are a handful of exceptions, however. Final Fantasy X-2 is a direct sequel to Final Fantasy X — fortunately, those are bundled together on Switch. Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings is sort of a sequel to Final Fantasy XII, but the narrative and characterisation feel a bit different from the main game. It's no essential and it plays very differently.
Why are there multiple versions of the same Final Fantasy?
Remakes, remasters, etc. These have been a thing for a long time, and Final Fantasy is no exception.
Every single version of a Final Fantasy game brings something a little new to the table. Final Fantasy V Advance includes additional jobs and dungeons that the Pixel Remaster doesn't have, for instance. And Final Fantasy IV on the DS is a 3D remake of the SNES original with different tuning and gameplay tweaks.
While the Switch is the easiest way to play most of these games, if you like the sound of those DS remakes, or want to hunt down an SNES copy of a classic, then it's well worth it to compare the differences.
What are the best Final Fantasy games that aren't on Switch?
Final Fantasy may have started life as a Nintendo-focused franchise, but the series is probably just as well known to PlayStation fans nowadays thanks to the gargantuan success of Final Fantasy VII.
If you're looking for Dissidia Final Fantasy or want to know what people think of Final Fantasy XIV, then thank goodness our friends at Push Square have us covered in their Best Final Fantasy games list: