What Systems to play FF1-13

blackwave

I have recently finished college so with my free time I decided I might as well play through all the final fantasy's despite loving RPGs. I have actually finished very few so I decided that I might as well go through the whole series in one go. So I know FF7-12 are all only playable on one system pretty much, but its the earlier ones that I am not sure which system is the best to play it on, in terms of extras etc. So I am looking for recommendations on which system is best to play the old ones on. Also half considering doing a log of my play-throughs of each game (inspired by Mrs Red XIV). so any help will be greatly appreciated

Alactric

Well, first question matey. What systems do you have?

blackwave

I can get access to most of them bar a PSP and the Wii

Alactric

No PSP? That's the complete collection of ff4 gone so.

Here are you options then.

GBA / DS (older models)
Final Fantasy I+II Dawn of Souls.
Final Fantasy III
Final Fantasy IV, V, VI.
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance.

*Most of these are collectors items at this point, very expensive, but there among your only hope for a legit, modern, physical copy*

PS3/ PSN
Final Fantasy 1, 2.
Final Fantasy 4, 5, 6.
Final Fantasy 7, 8, 9.
Final Fantasy Tactics.
Vagrant Story (It's set in Ivalice)
Chocobo Racing. (lol)

*Avoid 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 like the plague, they are horrendous ports, only buy as a last resort"

Wii
Final Fantasy 1.
Final Fantasy 4, 6.
Final Fantasy 4: The After Years.
Final Fantasy Mystic Quest.

*Not bad versions, very decent. They are unashamed emus though. If Wiiware had 5, 2, 3 it would be very, very competitive as your one stop shop for vintage FF*

iOS
Final Fantasy 1, 2, 3.
Final Fantasy Crystal Defenders.
Final Fantasy Tactics: War of Lions.

*They are what they are; decent. None of them that I know of have native iPad support, and they are normally quite expensive. But who knows, sales happen all the time*

As for the PS2, well you know what they are. And if you have a PS3 anyway you'll be playing 13 and 13-2 on it anyway.

Links with prices below.
http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Wii_Shop_Channel
http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/App_Store
http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/PlayStation_Network

Alternatively, there is a whole wonderful world of emulation out there, costing you the grand price of free.

blackwave

emulation is the way i am going for anyway so just trying to find out the best version to play each game on.

Alactric

blackwave wrote: »

emulation is the way i am going for anyway so just trying to find out the best version to play each game on.

zSnes, ePSXe. That's it, short and simple. Some would say BSNES, but I have no idea what your rig is.

Retr0gamer

Start with FF4 and work your way through. FF1 I'd suggest going back to playing later since it's a very old school 8-bit RPG, you really have to know what to expect to enjoy it. FF2 is an altogether terrible game and FF3 is really boring.

As for what system to play them on, play them on the original system or emulate them.

FF1 and FF2 are available on PS1 in the origins compilation although I hear that the GBA and PSP version of FF2 actually makes the game somewhat playable.

FF3 should be played on a NES emulator with the fan translation.It is available on the DS but it's a poor port with unnecessary load times.

FF4, FF5 and FF6 should be played on a SNES or through an emulator. FF5 will require a fan translation. The PSP port of FF4 is rather good as is the DS one, although the DS version offers a slightly different experience from the original and it's worth playing both.

For the love of god don't play the PS1 versions of FF4, FF5 and FF6 or buy them from PSN. The PS1 ports are terrible.

FF7, FF8 and FF9 are available on PS1 and PS3. For the best playing experience get the US versions of these games from the US PSN since they don't have the terrible PAL slowdown issues.

FFX is available only on PS2, again if you can you should play the US version. The European verison has extra bosses but it's not worth it to put up with PAL slowdown and borders. FFXII is on PS2, I'm not sure how the PAL conversion is but going on the 'strengths' of the Kingdom Hearts 2 PAL conversions it's probably pretty bad as well.

Edit: I think Alactric did that better than me

Alactric

Retr0gamer wrote: »

Edit: I think Alactric did that better than me

Sure, he's gone emulating now, t'was all a waste of time :pac:

blackwave

Yeah didnt want to say outright that I was going to emulate them as wasn't 100% sure on the rules regarding emulation. So retro you think FF4 would be a good start for me? think I will go with the DS version of it.

Retr0gamer

SNES version is better. Play them in any order you want I'm just warning you that FF1-3 take a bit of mental preparation.

snausages

Retr0gamer wrote: »

FFXII is on PS2, I'm not sure how the PAL conversion is but going on the 'strengths' of the Kingdom Hearts 2 PAL conversions it's probably pretty bad as well.

It's choppier and a little washed out, but it's the same speed. No slowdown. Borders are miniscule.

But if you are playing FFXII then you should check out the international version that was only released in Japan. You'll need to hack your PS2 and rip and translate the iso but it's really the only way to play it imo. Vanilla just isn't very good. You can also play the translated rip on an emulator. But if you've already played XII then it really isn't worth the revisit.

Retr0gamer

I keep hearing how international is so good, then I remember how bored I was with the vanilla game and can't go back. I feel now I've beaten Xenoblade there's no way I can go back.