I still haven't played this one

[TheDragoonKain]

But I want to.
Partially I'm scared to.
I was just a whee one when VI came out, I'm afraid, not that I didn't have an SNES but I was way more into mortal kombat and primal rage (hey, I STILL play primal rage), but I was weaned up on VII and VIII, a blessing and a curse, because they were amazing games, but also spoiled me on 3D graphics, less linear gameplay and combat systems, so on and so forth.
Of course I gained an appreciation for the simpler things later, after Tactics I realized graphics don't make a FF, hahaha, that game just completely blew me away and it barely had anything much better than 16 bits could cough up. So from there I bought Chronicles, fell in love with Cecil and Kain, who is the coolest hardass from any FF ever, and finally came to appreciate the 16bit look/feel.
I later bought FF Anthology, and I've started VI and quit it four or five times now. Why? I'm not sure. I know it's incredible, all my favorite art and music is from it, (though I still haven't had anything major in the plot ruined for me so PLEASE no spoilers in response to this thread), it's partially just that I dont' want to ruin it for myself. I've contemplated buying the SNES version to play it in its 'pure' form instead of on playstation, and now there's a new gameboy version out with a reworked script, apparently, and to top it all off the super famicom (yes, Japanese) version I ordered just came in the mail, I want to play it in Japanese someday, since I'm studying Japanese and going there in the next two years. I almost wonder if I shouldn't just wait and play it when I'm fluent, hahaha. But of the versions that exist, which would you guys recommend most as my first? I'm losing my FFVI virginity here, I'm going to play it all the through this time, so I want it to be worth it, hahaha.
Incidentally, I hope to God no one I know in real life ever sees this post...

[silentenigma]

either the snes (or emulate it and add bugfix patches) or the gba version. The latter's script is much improved, however little charms from the original ("son of a submariner") are missing. The PS1 version would have been my first choice as it removes the censorship from the nintendo version, but the load times are HORRIBLE.

[Slothy]

The load times in FFVI in Anthologies are tolerable (if you got through Chrono Trigger on the PSX then you can get through FFVI on the PSX). If buying the SNES version is an option then go that route though since it will play faster, and the Anthology version is the same thing (there were few changes to the script at all. The only one I can think of is changing Vicks name to Biggs).

I've yet to play the GBA version, but honestly, I'm not sure I will any time soon. You may decide it's worth it for the bonus dungeon, but some of those charming things they changed as silentenigma mentioned are some of my favourite parts of the script. They even censored one scene, so if you want it in it's original, unadulterated form, go for one of the other two versions. I may get FFVIA someday to see how it is, but that'd be the only reason (heck, I already have two copies and a fan translated ROM. How many more times can I get this game?)

[Wolf Kanno]

I would go for the SNES or Rom version as my first choice. Just to see the classic charm. Then I suggest palying the GBA version cause the new translation does wonders for the characters and story. I always felt like I only loved FFVI more than the others because of the nostalgia but after playing through the GBA version I can honestly say VI holds up to todays standards of character and plot and in some cases I feel it's better than some of the later games that SE gave us.

It's not as linear as the other FF's either, it actually has more non-linear elements than VII and VIII. The PSX version isn't that bad either and to be honest the only times you'll really feel load times is during saves and going to the menu screen. I personally feel Chrono Trigger suffered more than VI did in the porting department.

[Bolivar]

The PSX load times aren't really that bad. going into menus or shops can sometimes take a few seconds, but i just take taht time to pay attention to the great music and it's up before i know it.

I was reading an FAQ today while playing this game, and I have to say, although I really wanted to check it, I would never get the SNES version. Anthologies still had many things that were censored, but the amount i've heard ont he SNES is a little too much, and what i'm talking about is the "leap of joy." DO NOT TELL THE THREADSTARTER ABOUT THIS IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!!!

I've heard many good things about the GBA version, the updated script seems maybe the most interesting aspect to me, considering graphics isn't the only thing they would need to update if this game ever went 3d.

I guess my final word would be, you got the Anthologies version, then play that version, IMO it's pretty good, and this game definately holds up to the best FF's, which shouldn't be a problem considering you said you haven't had trouble adjusting to the older FF's. Seriously man, enjoy it.

[Jowy]

They took out the Celes Chere prison beating in the GBA version though.

[Captain Maxx Power]

But I want to.
Partially I'm scared to.

We have councillors to help you with your retrophobia.

[Dahveed]

I later bought FF Anthology, and I've started VI and quit it four or five times now. Why? I'm not sure.

Probably because the load times are so horrible.

The GBA version, from what I've played, is pretty good. Sure, they took out a few minor things, but it's still good enough.

This game really gets good when you first start the World of Ruin, because at that point, you can pretty much do whatever you want in whatever order you want. You can even challenge Kefka's tower fairly early, although your levels probably won't be enough to win.

[silentenigma]

They took out the Celes Chere prison beating in the GBA version though.

yeah i do not understand this.

[Rengori]

They took out the Celes Chere prison beating in the GBA version though.

yeah i do not understand this.

I think Necronopticus posted the picture one too many times.

There's really nothing different from the SNES version and the PSX version, the only differences would be the controller and the load times.

[FF_Chick]

Please play the rom. The SNES version of the game is really hard to find (is for me.) Play the rpgONE translation of FFVI. It was pretty good, although I like the GBA translation better.

Someone really needs to retranslate FFVI for snes and make it the GBA translation with all the bug fixes and crap.

[Bolivar]

They took out the Celes Chere prison beating in the GBA version though.

yeah i do not understand this.

I think Necronopticus posted the picture one too many times.

There's really nothing different from the SNES version and the PSX version, the only differences would be the controller and the load times.

What about the "leap of joy"?