TheFinal Fantasyseries is one of the oldest in the gaming industry, with the first release dating back to 1987. Since then, the series has spanned nearly every platform and genre. Keeping up with all of the main releases, sub-games, and spinoffs is enough to make anyone confused. Fortunately, through extensive research and my own personal history, I’ve collated all of the info on eachFinal Fantasytitle so we can answer just how many there are.
Every main Final Fantasy game released
Now, there are a lot ofFinal Fantasygames.136 of them, in fact. So, before I get to breaking down the numbers, there are going to be some rules established. Without rules, we’re no better than malboros.
Final Fantasy(1987)
This is where it all started. Players took control of four Warriors of Light to rescue a princess from Garland before setting off on an epic adventure to defeat the Four Fiends and save the world.
Final Fantasy II(1988)
Final Fantasy IIintroduced several staples familiar to fans of the series, including chocobos and Cid. Rather than having nameless characters, this sequel brought about an original cast of characters led by Firion in their fight against Emperor Mateus.
Final Fantasy III(1990)
Not to be confused with the re-release ofFinal Fantasy VIin NA, the true version ofFinal Fantasy IIIwent back to having nameless protagonists. Starting off as Onion Knights, these new Warriors of Light could specialize via the job system.
Final Fantasy IV(1991)
Final FantasyIVwas released in NA asFinal Fantasy II. It flops back to using an entirely original cast centered around Cecil Harvey. Another series staple, the Active Time Battle system (ATB), was introduced with this entry.
Final Fantasy V(1992)
Bartz Klauser and his entourage must contend with Exdeath and stop him from releasing the power of the Void upon an unsuspecting world. Fan favorites like the Blue Mage job and Gilgamesh made their first appearances in the fifth outing.
Final Fantasy VI(1994)
With the release ofFinal Fantasy VI,the series was starting to gain a real following. Featuring an unforgettable ensemble, Terra and Locke form the heart of a party battling against the insidious Kefka.FF VIput more of a focus on summons through Espers and introduced an early form of the Limit Break with Desperation Attacks.
Final Fantasy VII(1997)
There’s not a person on Earth who isn’t at least vaguely familiar with the blonde spikey hair of Cloud Strife. With the release ofFinal Fantasy VII, the series made the jump to 3D and introduced dilemmas such as “Tifa or Aerith?” and “Is Sephiroth really this evil if he’s this hot?” Square Enix has been capitalizing on this ever since, as this particular entry has more tie-ins than any other title in the series.
Final Fantasy VIII(1999)
Final Fantasy VIIIis where I got my start in theFinal Fantasyseries. It might not be a fan favorite, but it’s mine. Squall and company trade their memories for power to take down a witch spanning multiple points in time. Also introduced was the gunblade, whose existence is allowed only by the “rule of cool.”
Final Fantasy IX(2000)
Final Fantasy IXwasFinal Fantasy‘s swan song on the PlayStation 1 and definitely went out on a high note. Returning to the medieval setting and taking plenty of inspiration from various legendary tales,FF IXre-established the roots of the series and delighted both longtime fans and newcomers.
Final Fantasy X(2001)
Making the leap to the PlayStation 2,Final Fantasy Xboasted stunning visuals and an engrossing battle system alongside the Sphere Grid.FF Xwas also the first in the main series to get a direct sequel, which pivoted from Tidus to Yuna as the main character.
Final Fantasy XI(2002)
Taking the series in a daring new direction,Final Fantasy XIwas the first MMORPG for the franchise. By creating their own unique character, players could team up with one another to explore the world of Vana’diel across several different platforms.
Final Fantasy XII(2006)
Final Fantasy XIItried several new ideas, with some being more successful than others. The Gambit system automated combat and could be made more intricate as the game went on. Random encounters were removed and systems such as a day-and-night cycle and weather were introduced.
Final Fantasy XIII(2009)
Otherwise known as the world’s longest tutorial,Final Fantasy XIIIjumped to the next generation and was released on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Initially developed under the Fabula Nova Crystallis banner alongside two other entries (that would later becomeType-0andXV),FF XIIIreturned to the sci-fi setting and wowed players with an enhanced Gambit system and stunning visuals. This was enough for it to become the first dedicated trilogy in the series.
Final Fantasy XIV(2010 Worldwide)
Deciding to dip its toes back into the MMORPG pool, Square Enix releasedFinal Fantasy XIV,which was absolutely blasted by fans and critics alike. SE would go on to issue anofficial apologyand would relaunch the game asA Realm Rebornwith the in-game story being that Bahamut destroyed the world (the first version of the game) and now we’re starting over. It was super clever and since then, critics and fans have been in love.
Final Fantasy XV(2016 Worldwide)
Like a fine wine,Final Fantasy XVaged from a companion toFinal Fantasy XIIIto its own release. By this point, game updates and additional content had become commonplace and Square Enix leaned into the practice withFF XV. Second only toFF VIIin terms of spin-offs and sequels,FF XVwas Square Enix’s attempt to build another engrossing world.
Final Fantasy XVI(2023 Worldwide)
Jumping ahead another generation, this PlayStation 5 exclusive title is the first “Mature” ratedFinal Fantasy. The story deals with far darker tones as players fight against slavery on several different levels.FF XVIis a cinematic juggernaut that plays more like an action game than the series’ RPG roots, and is another great step forward for the franchise.
Every non-mainlineFinal Fantasygame
Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin(2022 Worldwide)
Is it a spin-off? Is it a prequel? Is it a reimagining? No one, not even the developers, seems to know quite whatStranger of Paradisewas supposed to be. What we received was a super-edgy action game with dialogue even worse than an ’80s B-movie. Maybe it’s time to rein in Tetsuya Nomura?
Final Fantasy Tactics(1997)
Set in the familiar land of Ivalice,Final Fantasy Tacticseschewed the traditional battle mechanics of the series in favor of a more tactical system. Utilizing the Job system, players were able to customize characters to form the perfect party. This formula was a smash hit and cleared the way for several more entries in this sub-series.
Final Fantasy Tactics S(2013)
This short-lived mobile title was only available in Japan for a little over a year. Players would pick a Job, join a clan, and duke it out with other clans or monsters in an automated battle.
Final Fantasy Type-0(2011)
The third part in the initially proposedFinal Fantasy XIIIseries spun off into its own title. Players took control of students whose playstyles were determined by their weapons. The original PSP release supported drop-in/drop-out functionality but this was never carried over into other versions.
Final Fantasy Artniks(2012)
With the initial release being supported for only two years and the sequel for two years after that,Artnikswas a bit of a flash in the pan. Both titles were published through GREE which primarily operates in Japan. The first title was a card-collecting game, whereas the second was a dungeon-crawler RPG that utilized cards andFinal Fantasycharacters.
Final Fantasy Brave Exvius(2015)
This mobile title has players progressing the story through checkpoints where the party, made up of various characters from theFinal Fantasyseries, must battle various monsters. The first spin-off,Tap!, was available on Facebook before shutting down in 2019. The second spin-off,War of the Visions, serves as a prequel to the original game.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles(2003)
Final Fantasycame back home to Nintendo after a nine-year departure with the release ofCrystal Chroniclesfor the GameCube. The immensely popular title allowed Square Enix to make three sequels, two prequels, and an HD remake of the original.
Crystal Defenders(2008)
This Crystal (Tower) Defense series of games was available on mobile in addition to a few consoles before ultimately being shut down in 2019. Players that still have an iPod Nano or Xbox 360 with it installed might want to be careful with them, as there is no way to download any of the three games any longer.
Final Fantasy Dimensions(2010)
Dimensionswas an episodic series of stories focusing on the forces of Light and Dark fighting over crystals. Players utilize Jobs and the ATB system to defeat opponents and move on to the next episode.
Dissidia Final Fantasy(2008)
This PSP-exclusive fighting game was just an excuse to allow players to battle withFinal Fantasycharacters. The prequel, Dissidia 012, expanded on the roster and honed the gameplay. Just to mess with me, Team Ninja released a differentDissidia Final Fantasyin Japanese arcades that would later be ported asDissidia Final Fantasy NT. Not wanting to leave mobile out of the mix,Opera Omniawent for the classic JRPG battle system.
Final Fantasy Explorers(2014)
You gotMonster Hunterin myFinal Fantasy! Long before theMonster Hunter World/FF XIVcrossover, players got to take on classic Eidolons like Shiva and Ifrit alongside three friends on the Nintendo 3DS. This spawned a sequel for Japanese iOS and Android devices which flopped within a year. It’s definitely a neat idea, even if the execution was flawed.
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy(2012)
One of the best parts ofFinal Fantasyis the music. I have personally wept like a baby at a Distant Worlds concert. This rhythm game has players taking on opponents with classicFFprotagonists to timeless music.
Final Fantasy: Unlimited with U(2002)
Based on theFinal Fantasy: Unlimitedanime that had a 25-episode run in 2001-2002, both games were only released in Japan.Unlimited with Uwas your standard RPG, only available for mobile, whereasUnlimited on PCwas a card battler. These tie-ins disappeared quicker than the canceled anime and the entire universe seems to be a blip in the history of the franchise.
World of Final Fantasy(2016)
Released as part of the 30th anniversary of the series,World of Final Fantasywas a smorgasbord of all thingsFinal Fantasy. It followed two young siblings on their quest to befriend monsters and characters alike from the various titles.Meli-Melowas a multiplayer spin-off andMaximawas released with additional characters and stories.
Final Fantasy Adventure(1991)
Final Fantasy Adventureis anFFtitle in the same way that Pete Best is a Beatle. There are some tenuous connections that were later completely severed when further remakes and sequels were branded as theManaseries. As such, I’m not counting any other entries in this series.
Final Fantasy Mystic Quest(1992 North America)
DespiteFinal Fantasy Adventurebeing titledMystic Questin Europe, this version ofMystic Questhas no relation to the original title. Oh wait, Square called itMystic Quest Legendin Europe. To make things further confusing, the developer also titled thisFinal Fantasy USA: Mystic Questin Japan even though it was developed in Japan.
Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light(2009)
Released on the Nintendo DS,The 4 Heroeswas an original title with no connections to previous entries in the series. Players could equip their characters with Crowns which stood in for the Job system and play with up to three others wirelessly.
Voice Fantasy(2010 Worldwide)
Back when smart devices were still more of a novelty than a commonplace device, SE releasedVoice Fantasy. By screaming into their device, different characters were generated for the player’s army to battle against enemy units. Unfortunately, that is where the user’s input ended as everything else was automated.Voice Fantasywas ultimately a gimmick with no real staying power.
Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade(2012)
Functioning as an itty bitty MMO for phones,Airborne Brigadewas your standardFFfare. Players could team up with one another to delve into dungeons in search of loot and glory.
Final Fantasy All the Bravest(2013 Worldwide)
All the Bravestwas a mobile app more than it was a game where users collected Jobs like a starving millennial. With the ability to form a party consisting of 40 characters, the objective was to march through familiar locales and slay familiar enemies. Unfortunately,All the Bravestwas riddled with costly microtransactions which, along with the lackluster gameplay, turned off many.
Pictlogica Final Fantasy(2013)
Never meant to see the light of day outside of Japan,Pictlogicawas a mobile title that blended RPG mechanics with dot logic puzzles. It offered multiplayer and was popular enough to get a Nintendo 3DS remake several years later.
Final Fantasy: World Wide Words(2014)
This mobile and Japanese exclusive combined the utter brilliance ofThe Typing of the Deadwith classicFFsettings and characters. It utilized the character models fromTheatrhythmand looked like an utter delight.
Final Fantasy Record Keeper(2014)
In what is now standard fare for mobileFFtitles, players take on the role of an original character as they explore dungeons from variousFFtitles and interact with characters like the Warrior of Light and Cloud. It’s a nice bit of nostalgia, but not much else. It was shut down in 2022.
Heavenstrike Rivals(2014 Worldwide)
Initially launched as a mobile title before being ported to PC,Heavenstrike Rivalswas a tactical RPG where players could team up with one another to battle the forces of the Fallen. As is tradition, several characters from other entries could be used as playable units. The game was shut down in 2018.
Final Fantasy Portal App(2015)
This one is definitely more of an app than a game, but since it features a fully functional version ofTriple Triad, I’m including it. Beyond having the best card game in the series,Portal Appcontains press releases for all thingsFFand allows players to obtain points that can influence loot in other mobile titles.
Mobius Final Fantasy(2015)
This mobile title was an ambitious undertaking where players took control of an amnesiac Warrior of Light. By mixing tap-to-attack gameplay with match-three mechanics, players were able to fight the many enemies littered in each zone.Mobiuswas a gorgeous title but was brutal on batteries, even with settings turned to low. It was eventually shut down in 2020.
Final Fantasy Digital Card Game(2019)
This flash-in-the-pan lasted only a year before getting the axe. Players in Japan could duke it out with cards after accessing the title from Yahoo! Game Plus.
Final FantasyChocobo series
Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon(1997)
TheChocobo’s Mystery Dungeonseries is actually a spinoff of theFushigi no Dungeongames. While the initial series features original characters, multiple franchises likeFinal FantasyandPokémonhave been licensed. Since then, theChocoboseries has chugged along.
Chocobo Racing(1999)
When not exploring dungeons, Alpha and crew took to the track. It seems that every major franchise has to dabble with a kart racer at some point and it’s unfortunate thatChocobo Racinghas continually been a disappointment.
Chocobo Stallion(1999)
This one-off title was developed and released only in Japan. Based on the popular minigame inFF VII‘s Gold Saucer, players could race their own chocobos without having to be distracted by an impending meteor crashing into the planet.
Dice de Chocobo(1999)
While I exclusively play as the top hat in Monopoly, I’d make a concession to play as a plucky chocobo. This Japan-exclusive had players working their way through several different themed boards, buying up spaces and placing monsters on them to increase the “rent.”
Working Chocobo(2000)
If there’s one thing publishers love to do, it’s to take someone else’s idea and slap their own IP all over it. EnterWorking Chocobo, which might as well beHarvest MoonwithFinal Fantasyflair.
Chocobo Anywhere(2002)
For decades, Square Enix has been trying various ideas for mobile. I have to respect the tenacity, even if most of the games have been flops. TheChocobo Anywhereseries consisted of various themed puzzle games exclusive to Japanese phones.
Choco-Mate(2003)
Did this game ever exist? Information on it is incredibly sparse and the only bits I could find are from anarchived press release. The premise was that users selected their chocobo, found friends on the app, and sent messages to one another.
Chocobo de Mobile(2006)
Much likeChoco-Mate, there isn’t a whole lot of information available forChocobo de Mobile.It appears to becomprised of different minigames with additional content packs having been released.
Chocobo Panic(2010)
In this unique title, players must tap and hold the specified chocobos on the screen until told to let go of a specific one. It’s likeTwisterfor your fingers.
Chocobo’s Crystal Tower(2010)
Initially released for mobile phones and then ported to Facebook,Chocobo’s Crystal Towerwas a sidescrolling dungeon crawler. Players could collect cosmetics and gear to decorate their stable to show off to other players.
Chocobo’s Chocotto Farm(2012)
Chocobo’s Chocotto Farmwas a farming sim with a special focus on the large yellow birds released exclusively on mobile.
