I want to get into the earlier games; which versions should I get?

I didn't become a fan of the series until FF7 (which, really, I don't love any more) but I've never really gone back and checked out the earlier games. But I really do want to.

So I need your suggestions. There seems to be a half dozen different versions of each game from FF1 to FF6, so I decided it would be best to ask here to see what the consensus is on which version is the best for each game. I already own Final Fantasy III for the DS, btw. So unless there's a version of FF3 that is infinitely better, I'll be sticking with FF3 on the DS. But for the other games in the series, I need help.

The best version of FF1 is probably still the first one. In my opinion anyway. But that's partly nostalgic factor and partly that I enjoy feeling like I'm playing 8-bit Theater

I have the remake and it just doesn't do it for me. The better graphics make me expect more, but its just prettier, still no substance, so its just weird

No opinion on #2 though from what I've gathered the DS versions of 3 and 4 are probably better

After that the Advanced versions are the best

DS IV, and V and VI DS if you can handle waiting. :P

If not, V and VI n the GBA are both amazingly well done.

It depends on what you are looking for. I love the PS1 versions of FFI and II as it retaines their original difficulty and magic systems. FFI is pretty mean in the beginning of the game but it actually get easier as you progress through it. In the SoS and PSP versions, they changed the magic system around and lowered the cost of everything which destroys the difficulty of both titles. Gameplay is kinda all they have going for them so nerfing the difficulty is a no-no in my book.

The GBA versions of FFV and VI are godly and have wonderful translations and pretty neat optional content.If you're new to the titles, I'd say the new stuff might have more of a fun impact on you than us old jaded fogeys. ;)

IV is kinda the odd one. I personally love the DS version as I feel it gives an old classic a new era spin beyond that I like the PS1 version as it retains the game's original difficulty and strategies. The GBA has some nice features but once again it nerfs the difficulty of the game. If you don't want to deal with frustration and possibly seeing the game over screen once in awhile then definetly pick up the GBA version.

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Originally Posted by Wolf Kanno

It depends on what you are looking for. I love the PS1 versions of FFI and II as it retaines their original difficulty and magic systems. FFI is pretty mean in the beginning of the game but it actually get easier as you progress through it. In the SoS and PSP versions, they changed the magic system around and lowered the cost of everything which destroys the difficulty of both titles. Gameplay is kinda all they have going for them so nerfing the difficulty is a no-no in my book.

The GBA versions of FFV and VI are godly and have wonderful translations and pretty neat optional content.If you're new to the titles, I'd say the new stuff might have more of a fun impact on you than us old jaded fogeys. ;)

IV is kinda the odd one. I personally love the DS version as I feel it gives an old classic a new era spin beyond that I like the PS1 version as it retains the game's original difficulty and strategies. The GBA has some nice features but once again it nerfs the difficulty of the game. If you don't want to deal with frustration and possibly seeing the game over screen once in awhile then definetly pick up the GBA version.

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You seem to have forgotten III.

Personally, I'm just not a huge fan of the DS version graphics, though.

FFI & II: The PlayStation remakes exhibit the best 2D graphics to be found in a Final Fantasy game, plus incredibly affecting synth-orchestrated soundtracks.

FFIII: As a game released late in the Famicom's life, the original is ever impressive for what it achieves as the final 8-bit entry in the series. It's much faster-paced than the remake, as well as being better-looking (ironically). The fan-translated ROM is your best bet.

FFIV: The PlayStation port has a revised translation (it makes sense, unlike the SNES original, but it's not toothless like the GBA script is) and all the gameplay features that had been removed from the original localization. It does retain the same aesthetics as the original, though, which have never really been improved upon.

FFV: Like FFIV, the PlayStation port earns points for having identical aesthetics, but its localization is pretty lackluster. Again, it's probably best to go with the fan-translated ROM.

FFVI: The PlayStation port removes some censorship, but it has abysmal load times, so that's right out. The GBA port, as with other games, has had its assets thoroughly downgraded and washed out, and that goes double for this game's amazing soundtrack, which some might say has been "raped to death." I would advise the original SNES version.

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Originally Posted by Skyblade

You seem to have forgotten III.

Personally, I'm just not a huge fan of the DS version graphics, though.

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I've only played the DS version so I can't really make a case for it. I don't mind the graphics as the different aesthetics are a nice touch in a world where alot of RPG games go either uber realistic or heavy anime. To each their own I suppose.

I'd actually go with the GBA versions all the way and then a ROM of the NES version of FFIII. I found the improved translations, extra features and whatnot on the GBA versions to be thoroughly enjoyable and in many ways better than the originals. I'd suggest you play the originals too because they're still excellent games. I wasn't a huge fan of III-DS and I've not played IV-DS, the latter of which I can't comment on as a result.

As far as VI is concerned, I'd recommend either SNES ROM; fan-translated or American. The American version has graphics and dialogue censored whereas the fan-translation has a lot of unnecessary swearing that I frankly don't think belongs in there. It's your choice. With that said, I might suggest you look into some of the bug fix patches too, as the SNES version is one of the buggiest in the series.

The two DS remakes (III and IV) are only really worth checking out if you liked the originals and wanted to see them another way or what-have-you.

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Originally Posted by ReloadPsi

The American version has graphics and dialogue censored whereas the fan-translation has a lot of unnecessary swearing that I frankly don't think belongs in there. It's your choice.

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That's how they made the game.

If you want to get into the older games to see how the series progressed, it'd be best to find the original versions of each game, or versions that are close to the originals. The original version of Final Fantasy 1 is a very unpolished game, however, so if you were to play that, I would recommend a later version of that game. Final Fantasy 3 on the NES, however, is very polished in comparison. But you're already playing the DS version of it, so I guess you don't want to play that. The next best thing for NES era would be a rom of Final Fantasy 2.

When it comes to the SNES era, the playstation ports and the GBA ports are pretty good. Final Fantasy IV has some bugs on the GBA, however.

I hope that helped.

I've gone for PS versions for all the games, except 3. I bought a DS to play 3.

I & II: I like the Playstation Origins version best. The NES versions don't have auto targeting, which may frustrate those that have only played later games (or people like me that hate "ineffective" attacks). The Game Boy versions seem too easy for my liking. Origins is balanced just right for me.

III: I suggest the NES version. The DS version makes certain dungeons too easy (Cave of Shadows comes to mind) and I'd rather have Capacity points limit job changes than a temporary stat penalty.

IV: I play the Playstation version, but any version other than SNES is good. The SNES game is missing a command I like to use. It's also not much of a challenge.

V: I've only played the Playstation version, and the translation is horrible.

VI: Play any version. They're all good.

Just go straight for the original Super Nintendo release of Final Fantasy VI. Everything else can wait on that. Trust me on this one.