Prelude is the soft crystal harp theme, or also known as the crystal theme. The song we're talking about is not Prelude, it's the "Prologue" theme. Prologue is actually only the name used for that song in some of the first FFs, and it's not really an accurate name, because it's mostly used in ending sequences. FF5 and FF9 call it "Final Fantasy" and FF Concert 2002 calls it "Final Fantasy Theme", so I guess those names would be the most accurate.

Here's where Prologue has been used in FFs.
*SPOILERS!!!*



  • FF1: When you cross the bridge. In WSC and PSX versions, it also plays during the ending credits.
  • FF2: Doesn't play here.
  • FF3: In the beginning, when the crystal gives you your first jobs.
  • FF4: When Cecil and Kain leave Baron for the Mist Valley, just before the final battle and during the ending wedding.
  • FF5: During the ending, when your team goes to that forest place. (I think it was Mua, but I'm not sure)
  • FF6: The last part of the ending credits.
  • FF7: Ending credits.
  • FF8: Ending credits, during the SeeD party.
  • FF9: Last part of the ending credits, right after Melodies of Life.
  • FFX: Doesn't play here.
  • FFXI: Not playing here, either.
  • FFX-2: Nope. This one isn't even composed by Nobuo Uematsu.



That's for Prologue. For Prelude, I think it plays in every numbered FF excluding FFX-2. Other Squaresoft songs have songs that have parts resembling the Prelude, though. The "trailer" theme in FF Tactics sounds like Prelude, Super Mario RPG has Prelude as one of the "Culex" themes, Kingdom Hearts' March Caprice for Piano and Orchestra has pieces that sound like the Prelude, Seiken Densetsu 3's Golden Road theme (I don't know its correct name) has parts that sound like the Prelude etc.