Best Version for a First Timer

[Jinx]

I've never played this game, but the way EoFF holds it in high regard really makes me want to give it a go.

Apparently there are a ton of versions of this game, so I wondered which one would be the best for someone who's never played this game before.

[jenovajunkie]

Hey I have also never played this game. It doesn't actually matter what game version it is, but can someone give me time to play it? That would be appreciated...

[Fynn]

Go with the GBA version, if it's possible for you. It has a bunch of new content, a slightly better, reworked translation, though the sound quality is a bit weaker than the original SNES version. Having played both the GBA and SNES version, I can say I would go with the former, but the SNES one is actually still very good. From what I heard, I'd stay away from the PSX version - sure, they added some CGI cutscenes, but the load-times are reportefly unbearable. You can still watch the scenes on youtube :p

[WildRaubtier]

Final Fantasy 6 has the best constructed plot in the series. Too bad that still doesn't make it interesting. And the gameplay is, frankly, uninspired and trite even for the period it was released. Best to give this one a miss.

[Fynn]

Final Fantasy 6 has the best constructed plot in the series. Too bad that still doesn't make it interesting. And the gameplay is, frankly, uninspired and trite even for the period it was released. Best to give this one a miss.

Hey, not only has this got nothing to do with the topic, it is an untrue statement! :mad2: I still think it is one of the more original and fun entries in the series, earning the spot of my favorite FF, alongside XII.

[WildRaubtier]

Which part is untrue? You could argue "not interesting" to taste. But why bother when the only reason to "play" 6 is for the story? Go read a book if you want a story, you're likely to have a much better experience for your time. Or play a game where you don't ignore three quarters of the cast because the remainder are so overpowered it's pointless not to use them.

For brevity's sake, my answer to "what version should I get" is "none."

[Bubba]

my answer to "what version should I get" is "none."

"None" isn't a version.

I played it on the GBA and it was fantastic. I haven't played the PS1/PSN version but I've heard it is quite a poor translation.

[Flying Mullet]

I still enjoy the SNES version the best out of all of them. The PS1 version runs too slow with the load times and the trimmed screen size on the GBA version means you miss out on some gorgeous backgrounds in the battles. Plus the sound quality is reduced in all of the later versions.

[Edge7]

Lacking a Snes, I have both the GBA version and the Ps1 version. The load times aren't unbearable, better than Chrono Trigger, but it could be better. I just like the fact that the PS1 version's multiplayer (I have some fond memories with that). Other problems the PS1 version have include mostly lagging issues: when you fly the airship too high, whenever you summon, some of Sabin's blitzes. However, I like this version because the sprites are not compressed to fit the GBA's screen (the backdrops are smaller during battle).

On the whole, the GBA is probably the best version, although there are one or two lines I prefer in the woolsey translation, the GBA is better on the whole. Add a sound player and a bonus dungeon, and it's a worthy purchase.

[Mirage]

The GBA version has poorer graphics and sound, and suffers from more slowdowns than the SNES version. Additionally, a scene was censored from the GBA version because of "current events" in Japan around the game's release.

It does however have a bonus dungeon, and let you get an infinite amount of Light Bringer (one of the best swords, known as Illumina in SNES) swords without cheating.

Based on this, you should make up your own mind on which to play first.

[Edge7]

What scene was censored?

[Weimar Pluto Knight VII]

oh yea didn't know about that

[Gamblet]

I played it on PS1 and I enjoyed it, loading times have never been an issue for me when the game is great! ;)

[Weimar Pluto Knight VII]

yea ps1 is the only version I've gotten around to beating. Need to get around to beating them on snes. yea I was ok with loading times, though I can understand if you're used the snes version.

[Axem Titanium]

Here's an article on what the specific "censored" parts are: Final Fantasy VI Advance: The censored director (http://www.siliconera.com/2007/02/08/final-fantasy-vi-advance-the-censored-directors-cut-edition/)

However, I do agree that the GBA version is the most polished version that you can get. I played the GBA version and loved every minute of it, after trying and starting the SNES version no less than 6 times. Portability helps a lot too.

[Mirage]

Well, to be fair, I forgot to mention the retranslated script. It is generally better than the original SNES script. I'd say that this is about the only thing that is more polished on GBA than on SNES, though. SNES has slightly better graphics, and noticably better music and sound effects.

The censored part is when Celes is interrogated by soldiers. Instead of beating up their traitor general, they're standing still and saying really mean words to her. Man, that sure would make me crack like a nut if I was an imperial general.

Oh yeah, if you wonder why I didn't mention the PS1 (or PSN version, as those two are the same) version in my first post, let's just say that it wasn't because I forgot.

If you really want to know, it's because the PS1 version has absolutely no improvements over the SNES version, other than not being optimized for being on a CD rather than a cartridge, which leads annoying hiccups even when loading something as simple as the main menu. Also, saving your game is slower, and you don't even get all that many more save slots. It's still just something like 3 per memory card.

[blackmage_nuke]

The PS1 version is the least censored english version you can get visual wise since they put back the original battle sprites for some of the more scantily clad enemies and i think one or two of the espers. However dialogue wise its equal to the snes version. (eg. the "leap of faith")

What we really need is a SNES hack with GBA dialogue, and original Japanese sprites.

I orignally played it on the PS1 but that was when I was a child and had all day to play games so the load times didnt bother me.

Also this might sound crazy but there were moments when I actually prefered the less straightforward Snes translation. While Im not a fan of mistranslations (eg the thing with setzer's opinion of the empire) I did like some of the quirkier usages of english.

[Quindiana Jones]

I'm playing the SNES version and it's great. I've not played the other versions, but I can't imagine there'd be any significant difference. The great bits will still be great.

[Evastio]

In order from most to least recommended version, it'd have to be GBA, SNES, then PS.

The GBA version fixed a lot of glitches from the SNES version and added new content like extra espers and a bonus dungeon. The PS version is the least recommended due to load times.

[Lone Wolf Leonhart]

I'm surprised there have been so many complaints about the playstation 1 load time.

For me personally, the version I started with was the Final Fantasy Anthology bundle for PS1, and I haven't played any other version of it, so maybe that's why I have no point of reference for how slow it is. The same goes for Chrono Trigger, as someone else mentioned. No complaints on my end.

On a side note, for anyone who has ever played Breath of Fire 3 or anyone who has ever wanted to play it, for the love of god do NOT pick up the PSP version. The load times for that port are unbearable, to the point where you say "Did my game freeze up?" before and after every single battle. Go for the PS1 version. / side rant

I would say the best version of the game to play for a first timer is whichever version is the cheapest and easiest to get, while still maintaining its quality, of course.

Despite all of the dings and bells of differences between the different releases, they really aren't that different.

[Jinx]

Does the PS1 version work on the PS2?

[Bubba]

Aye, it will.

[Flying Mullet]

The FF5 PS1 disk has compatibility issues with the PS2 but the FF6 disk runs fine.

[Night Fury]

I have never played this game, I started with 7 and 8
I think I have a copy of this at my parents house though so I might pick it up and play it one day.

For a first timer to the series though I would say 7 because it's definitely definitive to the series as a whole.

[NorthernChaosGod]

I'd say the SNES version. It still has all the fun glitches if I remember correctly like Wind God Gau and Psycho Cyan. Also the music is better.

[Quindiana Jones]

Wait, what's Wind God Gau and Psycho Cyan? I WANT.

[Gamblet]

Wait, what's Wind God Gau and Psycho Cyan? I WANT.

They are the "finish a battle with pressing a few buttons" moves. Check Youtube.

[Mirage]

It's not very exciting, really, and not even needed. All you need to facerape everything is offering and genji glove and some cool swords.

[Jowy]

psycho cyan works and slot-rigging with echo screens work in the GBA version if i recall correctly. they did drop the nerf-bat on wind god though, but hey Io and Stray Cat are good enough rages as is to be pretty unbalanced.

[WildRaubtier]

Wait, what's Wind God Gau and Psycho Cyan? I WANT.

They are the "finish a battle with pressing a few buttons" moves. Check Youtube.
That basically describes every battle though?

[Jinx]

I just bought the FFV&VI Anthology. It'll be here next week. :hyper:

[Bolivar]

I know you got it, but my recommendation is the RPGOne fanslation of the Japanese Rom. I understand the Advance version has a solid new script, but it still had to get through Nintendo of America so I'm guessing it doesn't contain all of the adult elements the Japanese version had.

[Gamblet]

Wait, what's Wind God Gau and Psycho Cyan? I WANT.

They are the "finish a battle with pressing a few buttons" moves. Check Youtube.
That basically describes every battle though?

Yeah, you are right. My description was quite crap now that I look at it....

[CimminyCricket]

I personally use the PSN version, though I own the PSX version as well, which is the one I think you just bought. I haven't had a single problem with load time for either medium, but I haven't seen any of the cut scenes either.