PSX vs NES/SNES?

[Sephirothvsvader22]

I have Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy II, and Final Fantasy IV on Playstation. How different are the games from their original versions? Should I get Final Fantasy on the NES? Should I get Final Fantasy II on the SNES? I know I shouldn't get the original Final Fantasy IIj, because I'm just a stupid American!

[Zyrthofar]

I don't know about FF1 or 2 (my psx version is still unopened), but I have to suggest FF4 on the PSX, even though it kinda ruins the magic of SNES Console, and the saving system takes too long. If FF4US wasn't the Easytype version, I would recommend the SNES game over the PSX one, but *shrugs*. So if you can't speak japanese, go on and enjoy the FF4Chronicles version on the PSX.

The differences I've seen between FF4US and FF4Chronicles are:
- FF4C has two videos (worthless to me)
- FF4US is faster to save
- FF4US is too easy (Easytype)
- Differences in language, censorship issues... (because it's easytype, and bla bla bla)...

[theundeadhero]

I personally think any original NES game has more charm than remakes on ther systems. Not so much with the SNES, but I still prefer the originals to remakes.

[Zyrthofar]

Same here... I recommend the PSX version of FF4 only because the FF4US is the Easytype... Otherwise, I go 100% with SNES.

[Dragonfire]

most people that have played the PSX/GBA versions first will probably not appeciate NES as much

[Sepho]

I've played all of the Final Fantasy remakes, and while I agree that the charm isn't there, I recommend most of them for various reasons.

Both Final Fantasy 6 (Anthology) and Chrono Trigger (Chronicles - yeah, I know, not an FF game) both have a slew of bonus features that open up when you beat the game. In the case of CT, there's an immense amount that can open up as you view all twelve endings over time.

Otherwise, I just felt more stable playing on the PSX because memory card batteries aren't as likely as cartridge batteries to die. Losing data is never fun.

I recommend FF4 for the same reason listed already.

I recommend FF5 simply because it's the only way us non-Japanese folk can play it without dealing with an emulator and computer monitor (never the same as a TV to me) or by importing it. That's reason enough.

The ones I really don't like are 1 and 2 (Origins); the updated graphics just felt too foreign, and after going through the originals, I found the updated remakes unplayable.

[Zyrthofar]

Indeed, losing data is never fun...

I had a game of FF7 that I had played with for over 100 hours... everyone had the higest levels, I had everything...
But I wanted to make a backup copy, so I bought a second memory card, saved it, then I wanted to check that "Date Barret instead of Aerith". It worked, but when I retreived my backup, the f*!@#$ memory card had probably one tiny bit wrong, and *sigh*... Cheap memory cards... :mad2: :cry:

Hmm... why was I talking about that?

[Mage_of_Fire]

I have Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy II, and Final Fantasy IV on Playstation. How different are the games from their original versions? Should I get Final Fantasy on the NES? Should I get Final Fantasy II on the SNES? I know I shouldn't get the original Final Fantasy IIj, because I'm just a stupid American!

Uh, you're a little confused. The Final Fantasy II on SNES is Final Fantasy IV. II is the American name, and IV is the right (japanese) name. If you have FF: Origins, then you have the real FF 1 and 2, which are both for the NES. FF 4-6 (japanese) are all for the SNES originally, but (i believe) only 4 & 6 were released in America for the SNES. These were called FF 2 and FF 3 respectively because they were the second and third to be released in America. (after FF1).

got it?

[Sephirothvsvader22]

Uh, you're a little confused. The Final Fantasy II on SNES is Final Fantasy IV. II is the American name, and IV is the right (japanese) name. If you have FF: Origins, then you have the real FF 1 and 2, which are both for the NES. FF 4-6 (japanese) are all for the SNES originally, but (i believe) only 4 & 6 were released in America for the SNES. These were called FF 2 and FF 3 respectively because they were the second and third to be released in America. (after FF1).

Actually I knew all that. I called Final Fantasy IVeasy Final Fantasy II because that's what I grew up calling it. I never knew until Final Fantasy Anthology came out that it was Final Fantasy IV. To be clear, I said it was on the SNES, and I also mentioned Final Fantasy IIj. I still await Final Fantasy IIIj to be released in America.

[Sepho]

Indeed, losing data is never fun...

I had a game of FF7 that I had played with for over 100 hours... everyone had the higest levels, I had everything...
But I wanted to make a backup copy, so I bought a second memory card, saved it, then I wanted to check that "Date Barret instead of Aerith". It worked, but when I retreived my backup, the f*!@#$ memory card had probably one tiny bit wrong, and *sigh*... Cheap memory cards... :mad2: :cry:

Hmm... why was I talking about that?

Yeah, I've been there. I've usually had more bad luck with faulty carts, but I remember starting a new game in FF6 one time, and my PS1 was in my kitchen on a chair because the top floor in my house was being remodelled. It was my first playthrough, and I played all day and got to the Floating Continent. I shut off my PS1 and sighed a sigh of accomplishment. When I went to walk away, I tripped on the controller card, which brought my Playstation off the chair and it landed face first on the floor, which corrupted my data. It was at least two weeks before I played it again.

I have THE WORST LUCK with cords, which prompted me to buy cordless controllers for all three current-gen consoles.

[theundeadhero]

The only game I've ever lost saved games on is Zelda and the bonus features in the remakes don't tempt me... meh

[Mage_of_Fire]

Yeah I've lost some data on a few PS2 games, most of the time that prompted me to stop playing.

Sorry that you already knew that, it just wasn't clear to me by your post. And so many people DON'T know the differences.

FF3j is coming out for the DS soon. :( I want it on PS, maybe even PSP.

[feioncastor]

Honestly, I am beginning to despise these remakes.

I've been playing FF games since 1992 when I played Final Fantasy II for the Super Nintendo, and since then, I've acquired everything that Squaresoft has released. But I'm gravely disappointed with these remakes. The games were already good, so why remake them?

Well, I guess it is neat. Like I suppose I might want to play FFVI (best game ever made) with the 3-D graphics of FF7+. But even then, it really bothers me when people start talking like they know Final Fantasy games because they've played remakes.

God, I seriously need to grow up about this. I dont' know why it bothers me so much. I just feel that I've earned respect as an FF veteran and when someone hasn't played the original FFs, and all they talk about is FFX and X-2, I wanna punch them in the face really badly. Of course I never do, but still, I think that the original games, for the original systems, have a magic that you can never reproduce, and to try to reproduce them is blasphemy.

I am reminded of a time when "Smooth Criminal" by Alien Ant Farm came on the radio, and I said to a guy next to me, "Michael Jackson performed it better", and he replied to me, "Michael Jackson did a cover of this song? How lame!"

I was tempted to punch that guy in the face as well.

Feion

[Dragonfire]

I just feel that I've earned respect as an FF veteran
Feion

who the f*** are you?................. heh sorry, j/k :p


anyway I know exactly what you mean. the current generation playing FF is only interested in amazing graphics and sound quality. they have no respect or liking of the classics that built this series. although I do have to agree wit ya that FFVI would be pretty nice if they did a 3D remake.

[Sephirothvsvader22]

Sorry that you already knew that, it just wasn't clear to me by your post. And so many people DON'T know the differences.

No biggie. I'm glad you said that. :) I needed to be more clear. Plus, anyone reading who didn't know now does. ;)

I don't care how good the graphics are, but if they're 3-D you can get into the game more. (I think) It's more realistic. Sound, also, adds much to the game. These both add much to the story especially.

[Crazy the Clown]

PSX-Better graphics, better sound, extensive library.

NES-Mediocre graphics, MIDI-quality sound, most extensive library.

Super NES-Decent graphics, decent sound, decent library.

All 3 have their merits and flaws. Tough call.

[Zyrthofar]

Crazy the Clown: What do you mean by "library"? The number of titles on that particular console?

[DJZen]

The differences I've seen between FF4US and FF4Chronicles are:
- FF4C has two videos (worthless to me)
- FF4US is faster to save
- FF4US is too easy (Easytype)
- Differences in language, censorship issues... (because it's easytype, and bla bla bla)...

There's more differences than that.

-The programmer's room was not in FFIIUS (as well as the item "smut" which you can find in said room).
-Abilities were "dummied out" of FFIIUS such as Cecil's Dark Wave, Tellah's Recall, and Yang's Endure.
-Certain pieces of equipment were "dummied out" of FFIIUS.
-Many useful items were "dummied out" of FFIIUS.

"Dummied out" means said item, ability, or whatever was not actually removed from the game's code, just that the way to get it was removed. For example, let's say you have a treasure chest with an item that's being dummied out. Just change the contents of the chest, and voila. Many of these items etc. can be accessed using a game genie.

My preference for FFI is split. I like the original the way it is just fine, but the remake cleaned up a lot of the bugs that are probably a result of rushing the final product, and the music is just amazing. The subtle gameplay tweaks (changing encounter formulas) I'm not so fond of, and I don't particularly LIKE having the auto target option (it feels too much like cheating for me...). The doubled HP of the Chaos Guardians doesn't bother me since most of 'em are still easy, and the Ice Cavern didn't give me much grief either (maybe I'm just lucky). I think probably the best part of the remakes is that you can buy 99 Potions at once! Although I do feel that that's a FF rite of passage along with Warmech.

When it comes to FFII there's no question, I prefer the Famicom version. I can't say why, I think it's just that the improved graphics don't increase my enjoyment of the game with such an old school engine, and much of the music just doesn't feel as evocative. Like, the version of Join Them (the overworld theme) feels more like lounge jazz somehow.

Also, I would like to make a comment here:

PSX-Better graphics, better sound, extensive library.

NES-Mediocre graphics, MIDI-quality sound, most extensive library.

Super NES-Decent graphics, decent sound, decent library.

The NES, SNES and PSX all use MIDI for the music. The NES was only capable of 4 channel FM MIDI (two square wave channels, one triangle wave channel, and one PCM channel), but the SNES was capable of Wavetable MIDI, as was the PSX. The reason that the PSX sounds better is because it has better hardware, but it still has the same basis as the SNES hardware.

[Zyrthofar]

The programmer room and the dummies were included in the
- Differences in language, censorship issues... (because it's easytype, and bla bla bla)...

I could have detailed a bit... :)

[DJZen]

I concur. I thought you were just talking about linguistic differences, which are VERY numerous. The dummied items aren't from the game being easytype though, 'cause it's not. They were probably just removed to simplify the game. I mean, us Americans have such small brains we couldn't have possibly understood that "Zeus' Wrath" is the same as casting "Lit-2".

[Duncan]

Well I've played both FFI NES and PSX and I prefer the PSX version (Origins) better. And pretty much the only reason is the shop. I hate shopping in the NES version, it's a pain in the rear. The system in the PSX version is just better. I like nostaligic gaming (the first system I owned was a Commedore VC20, the 64's predecessor), but not to the point where it's painful. However, I will admit that every time I fire up the NES version I am amazed at what was accomplished with the so little resources.

[DJZen]

Heh, that reminds me of a conversation I had with a friend while I was playing FFI Origins one time...

"Wow, you can just use a weapon like an item and it'll cast a spell for free? That's pretty cool. I bet you wish you coulda done that in the original."

"That was IN the original."

"No way! On an NES game?"

"Yup"

"So what DID they add?"

"Well, they let you buy 99 potions at once instead of one at a time..."