Here's a lovely bit of news to kickstart your week: the first six Final Fantasy games have been rated for the Nintendo Switch by the ESRB.
While nothing has been officially announced at the time of writing, this is presumably the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster set, which originally released on mobile devices back in 2021 before making its way to PC. Fans have since been clamouring for a console release and now it looks like Square Enix might be about to answer our prayers.
As spotted on Reddit, the ESRB has rated all six Final Fantasy games separately for Windows PC, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch. As pointed out by user u/cefaluu, well known Twitter account Wario64 posted a similar ESRB rating earlier this year for the PC release, with PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch conspiciously absent from the list of platforms. Now that these have been added, it heavily indicates that a Switch release may be on the horizon.
We've included an image of the Final Fantasy VI ESRB listing above, but you can view similar listings for the previous five titles by heading over to the official ESRB website.
If this is indeed legit, which we currently have no reason to doubt, then hopefully we'll get some official information from Square Enix soon. In the meantime, check out the official trailer for Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster below to see what all the fuss is about.
Are you hoping to see FInal Fantasy 1-6 make their way to the Switch? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
[source esrb.org, via reddit.com]
Comments 116
Hopefully this is true. So dumb of Square-Enix to only have these treasures on mobile and steam.
coming but pricey
I'm.....conflicted. I've always wanted to play the classic Final Fantasy games but I've been pretty weary on the Pixel Remaster versions based on what I've heard. From those who have played them, I've got to ask: are they a good starting point for the series? Because I'd love to play these if so.
It’s about damn time.
Well, it would certainly be about time!
I would've been happy playing these on my iPad if they had controller support, which is absent, yet present in games like Final Fantasy IV 3D and Chrono Trigger. Absolutely dirty marketing genius by Square Enix, because they know why I'm going to purchase the Switch versions, and it's because of their little omission.
The fact that console players had to wait 18 months for a bunch of remastered NES/SNES games is embarrassing for Square Enix.
I know its too much to ask, but PLEASE physical compilation.
.
.
Yeah right Squeeenix will squeeze as much money as they can out of this, so you have to buy each one separately, I know it
@Fizza I haven't played them myself but I've heard great things. They're basically the games as originally released with nicer graphics, sound, localizations, etc. If you can handle older style games, I'd say they're great games and worth getting into.
My personal gripes with them are the price and that they don't contain any additional content from the rereleases over the years. By most accounts the content isn't great but my perspective is why not include it anyway?
As for whether they're a good place to start with the series, I would recommend FFX or FFVII instead. They're less "simple" compared to the older games and they're very well regarded.
I might just have to pick this up... if it gets a physical release.
Finally I been waiting for this getting switch release can get final fantasy 6.
December 18 Final Fantasy Anniversary. Maybe it will be announced that day.
Final fantasy is nice and all but I want Chrono trigger!!!!
I like the slight changes they made. They really respect the retro look and simply make it look even better. It seems like Uematsu San was helping rearranging the soundtrack. If these games will get a physical release I would be happy.
Since we still don’t have a firm release date for Sports Story, it does seem Nintendo having another event could be possible? I’d really like to get these and hope there’s a physical copy.
Awesome, I'll buy them all!
@Fizza I've only played VI, and it's the game in it's entirety. The updated graphics are a mixed bag. Since the original game was made for CRT televisions the real OG game looks bad on modern screens. So what they've done to it looks better than a straight port. It doesn't look as good, to me, as it did in the way way back time.
So if you want to play the game and don't have an SNES with the FFVI cart, this is the best way to play the game.
If you have something that can play PS1 games, there are anthology sets with two FF games a piece on them, and those are about as close to original you can get beyond playing the original.
It's neat that the Switch will have so much Final Fantasy on the go, but these are monkey paw games. The horrendous font, the clash between the backdrop and sprites, the ridiculous large field of battle, and none of the bonus content from the Dawn of Souls or other versions all sold at a premium price. No thanks, not even for FFIII.
Wish they would restore all the extra dungeons and features from the PS1, GBA, and PSP games back for these games too instead of just direct port of the pixel remasters which took these extra features out.
I'll buy m all 6 on a cardridge for 60 bucks. No problem.
I'm (re)playing all final fantasies at the moment. Earlier this year I finished 1, 2 and 7 and was thinking about starting 3 this weekend on the DS. I prefer the pixel version of 3 though, so I'll hold out a bit on 3 and will play 4 or 8 instead.
I am torn, I want Final Fantasy 4-6 as they are some of my favorites. However, I really do not want to pay $15-20 for them again. But the idea of doing a 4 Job Fiesta with FF5 is just so tempting.
If it's the original, untouched versions, I'll buy them. It's probably the pixel «remasters», though.
FINALLY
Christ.
@Fizza The Pixel Remasters are the best entry point to the 2D Final Fantasies. The soundtracks are incredible, the graphics are beautiful, and they’re faithful to the original versions while having some nice new features like in-game maps and diagonal movement that make them more approachable for beginners without spoiling anything about the experience.
@westman98 Yeap the fact that they put these on phones first before consoles just made these feel less exciting. Games of great classics should never be on phones cause then it got those garbage quality and when bringing those to consoles later on doesn't make a good transition just like every other garbage remastered that released on phones first and port it to consoles later ala Dragon Quest 1-3, GTA Trilogy Definitive Edition, and Sonic Origins.
@Melee_Ace Well that's nice to hear. I suppose it was the fact they were made for phones originally that put me off them but I'm happy they seem like good starting points. Another quick question then: which one would you recommend starting with?
@Bunkerneath outside of that, they've typically left Western countries out of a physical release for Final Fantasy VII/VIII Remastered, FFIX, World of Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles, and if I had to guess, I'm willing to bet that Theatrhythm will only get a physical edition in Japan, assuming it gets one at all.
For this compilation of games that normally cost $90 to buy individually, I don't see a physical release happening, even in Japan, but maybe they'll surprise me.
Hopefully this gets a physical release like 7/8, 10 and 12. Would be nice if 9 got a physical release outside Japan as well.
It was always weird that these weren't on the Switch from the start. In the end I bought FFVI on the Vita, though I'd probably prefer to play these versions.
@Fizza Overall I say FFX is probably the best to start with. It's got a great story and gameplay in my opinion, and it's less rough to get into because it has "modern" stuff like voice acting, cutscenes with actual camera work, etc. You can get it on Switch bundled with FFX-2 or any other modern platform.
Of the ones in this pixel remaster? Hard to say. May as well start with the first game and see if you enjoy it, but the most well regarded are IV and VI.
@Grumblevolcano You can get an english version of ffix on playasia (or just find it on ebay like I did) but I got it more than a year ago so the prices probably skyrocketed since.
The only pixel remaster I played is ffiii and compared to its 3d remake I enjoyed it far more def worth the money.
@Fizza I’ve played through 1,2 and am half way through 3 on Steam. They are pretty good versions of the game.
I’ve previously played the PSP and GBA versions of the first two and they hold up well compared to these. 2 especially has has been tuned so the weird levelling system is less annoying. Plus the soundtracks are amazing orchestral versions of the originals.
Only real downside is the font used is absolutely awful, it isn’t an issue to mod this on Steam but probably not possible on Switch.
Any chance of Final Fantasy Mystic Quest getting a pixel remaster too?
I would prefer the promised 2D-HD Dragon Quest 3 but 6 Final Fantasy Games are dope too. Can't please them all lol @_@
This was long overdue for Switch that this was meme for “Switch can’t handle this”.
This is a great start to the week! Can’t wait to replay them, even though I’m sure it’ll be expensive.
About darn time.
I'll buy the entire collection, even if I dislike a few of them. But I have to support for the music alone.
About time! Goodness gracious
Finally! I have been wanting these for a while, Hopefully the price is somewhat reasonable and you can buy them piecemeal as there are certain titles I am not that interested in.
I've been waiting for this news. While a physical release would be sublime, I'm not gonna hold my breath for one. I think I have at least 2 versions of most of these, but I'll be picking up the whole set.
The amount of self-control it has taken to not buy Android versions has apparently paid off.
@KayFiOS "outside of that, they've typically left Western countries out of a physical release for Final Fantasy VII/VIII Remastered"
Europe actually got that one later on.
I can recommend them on PC, as you are able to change Stuff, as the Font and displayed Buttons.
I personally changed the Font to one that is more SNES-Like and also the Buttons.
Kind of torn on this one. I've been longing for a re-release of FF VI on Switch for a long time, but the pixel "remaster" they did for mobile was pretty poor, with sprites that looked like they were made with clay. The Android version of FF VI also had a game-breaking bug that kept crashing the game near its midpoint, making it impossible to proceed. As far as I know, SquEnix never addressed the bug and just left the game dead in the water.
Hopefully they do justice to the best FF game ever created (yes, I'm on that bandwagon. VII can pick one and suck it) and do better than that.
I believe it, but we're also talking about SE so I won't hold my breath (of the Wild).
@BenoitRen yeah, and I think FFIX also got a western physical release, but they definitely weren't available at launch, Square-Enix made us wait a good while for a physical release. But just like with those games, if they release in Japan and Asian territories with English support and no region protection, then I'm importing it. It wouldn't surprise me if they asked for more than $60 though.
This is good news. I have been eyeing the Pixel remasters for awhile, but the only games I’ve enjoyed on mobile are the Dragon Quest ports.
While I typically choose PS4/PS5 for multi-platform releases, this collection is the perfect scenario for Switch.
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ABOUT TIME.
Beating 4 and 6 are on my bucket list, so I will be glad if they bring them to the switch.
Please be true… I’ll likely pick them all up!
This article has generated so many complaints, which I find very odd! Isn’t this good news?
Yea everyone knew that they would come here later. Why sell a game once when you can sell it twice by lying about it.
Finally. Better late than never I suppose.
@chefgon Yes! This!
Day. One. I can finally stop loudly complaining about not having these games. If it's available physically then I'll be over the moon!
If they are the exact same releases as the android/ios versions I'll wait for a physical compilation. I wanted them to add the advance versions extras (which is why I havent bought them).
In the meantime I'll emulate them 🤷♂️
THANK THE LORD.
@SonOfDracula It's still kinda bad news too cause they're just giving us the barebone versions and not the full definitive ones unlike the GBA and PSP versions.
Thank you Square Enix! Now I'm just waiting for a release date. This will be a rare day 1 download for me.
@Serpenterror I’ll have my tiny violin at the ready.
@Browny If you want to support the music (which is just fantastic, especially the FF6PR soundtrack), you can just buy the soundtracks. That's what I did. They're on iTunes at the very least, and I hope elsewhere as well.
This is why I love this site, even though I sold off my garbage Switch: I had missed the announcement that these were released on Steam last year, and they never came up in my recommendations. So just gave FFVI a go and wow, color me impressed!
HOLY CRAP. This is amazing news! Please be true and please be soon!
@SonOfDracula Seriously though, I really enjoy the added GBA content for FF 4-6, and it's a real shame Square decided not to include it for the Pixel Remaster releases.
Yes! Day one purchase for me.
the deal breaker would be if u can remove the outside borders or not, I feel like I wasted money on ix not knowing this
@LastFootnote … theyre not part of the originals! It’s subsequent extraneous content - not canon with the intended vision! 😉
I haven't got the time for all of the JRPGs coming out on Switch! Must stop buying 50+ hour games
I have heard the music is great in the Pixel Remaster versions, but am I the only one that thinks that visually the Pixel Remaster of FFVI is butt-ugly?
I wish there was an option to play VI with the visuals and translation of the GBA version but the soundtrack from the remaster.
Yay! I've been holding out because playing Final Fantasy on the PC just never feels right to me.
Just checked my Word doc to see which FF games I have, and it turns out that I have them all except FFV across GBA, DS and PS3.
I see several people saying the ports on the GBA and DS are superior thanks to the extra content, so I'll stick with the plan of getting to those one day.
However, can someone tell me if the DS version of IV is superior to the GBA outside of the obvious (extra screen, better hardware for graphics and sound)? Like does it have extra content and QoL features that the GBA version doesn't?
FF6 is just so special. There may be tears if this is accurate.
I'm glad these are coming and all - the more people who get to experience classic Final Fantasy, the better - but IMO these should've released on other platforms at the same time as the mobile variants.
I'm happy for the fans, but personally I couldn't handle these... thinking about all those random battles in six games.
Finally. I have been wanting to play these games again especially FFIV. But since I no longer have my GBA or copy of FFIV not my SNES Classic, I was hoping either Switch would get the remake or add them to the NSO.
@GrailUK this, and also FFIV for me too. I already have them on iOS, buto to properly play them on the Switch would be amazing.
If these would have come out at launch I probably would have scooped up at least FF6. But given the fact that the initial excitement has worn off I’ll probably wait until Square puts them up for like 30 or 50 percent off. Switch games go on sale so much it just doesn’t make sense for me to buy full price.
I've been holding out hope for these! Really hoping for a physical release on one or two cartridges, even if it needs to be imported. After getting these, I'd have every final fantasy from 1-12 on switch (11 doesn't count)
@Sinton Same. I'm probably in the minority here, but what I really want is an "archival" compilation of all 6 games in their original forms, perfectly emulated and with CRT filter options, all on a cartridge. I'm not a fan of the pixel remasters, and I think the originals hold up really well.
@Fizza Final Fantasy IV and VI are both well worth playing. The others are meh. The Pixel remasters are excellent, coming from somebody who played the originals back in the day.
@LastFootnote Yeah, me too. Maybe it was easier for them to just port the SNES ones.
@Fizza in my opinion the original final fantasy games are some of the best in the world! Final fantasy III for SNES or later called final fantasy VI for re-releases is my favorite one. The stories are amazing in all of them! I will definitely be purchasing all of them as soon as they come out!
I JUST MADE A COMMENT ABOUT THIS. I would love to replay FF 6 again omg
@Dragmire I mean sure. That may be true. I’m not sure what it has to do with anything though.
Well, it's about dang time. I started on FFVII and I played the GBA version of FFI&FFII. I still have to play, FFIII, FFIV, FFV, FFVI so I'm excited to see if that happens.
@kellercl I’d mostly agree but I’d say V is fun if you enjoy Final Fantasy ATB combat. The story in V is really lackluster but the job system is fun, it’s got very interesting bosses, and it also has lots of secrets that are fun to find. It doesn’t beat IV or VI for me, but it’s pretty good.
@LastFootnote
I long ago downloaded the soundtracks once they hit the net, starting with gamerips and then the official releases.
@Grumblevolcano Just import the Asian version it's got English on the cart.
@burninmylight To be honest I'd say the psp version is the best way to play ff4. It has the extras from the GBA but has the after years and an exclusive story to bridge the gap in the middle. Good package all round.
@Erigen it has been rated so it mostly likely means it’s true. Ratings are rarely wrong.
FFI, IV, V and VI are GOAT-level games for me, but I have zero experience with the remasters and I have the means to play the originals (or updated versions like Dawn of Souls) one way or another on different devices, so the only way I'd spring for this is if they're all on a cart for Switch.
Nice news overall though.
Please oh please have a better English typeface this time 'round.
I'd love to play FF 4, 5 and 6 again!
And they'll "only" cost €19,99 per game.
The big question on MY mind, will this include FFIV: The After Years?
I hope so! I've been wanting to play an FF game but I don't much like the look of any that are on switch. Which game I should play?
@Daniel36 Yes, it's the complete versions of all games, IIRC
So worth it for FF4 (was FF2 here when released) and FF6 (was FF3 here when released) alone. The others are just padding as far I'm concerned.
@Daniel36 Nope it'll just be the barebone FFIV. The pixel remastered doesn't even had the extra contents from the PS1, GBA, DS, Steam, and PSP versions. The PS1 version had a run feature, some new CGi movies, and a Beastiary.
The GBA version had a new dungeon, a music player, some new summons for Rydia, better translations, and rework graphics. DS version is a 3D remake and got some new better CGi movies than the PS1 version and all the contents found in the GBA version.
The PSP version had all the extras from the GBA version, got all the updated movies from the DS version and also include the Wii's After Years sequel as a bonus game content. The Steam version got both the 3D remake and the awful 2D remake which had all the contents of the PSP version but both versions were delisted by Steam last year when they were replaced by the pixel remastered which is just the barebone version with cellphone graphics.
There's no movie, Beastiary, bonus dungeons or new summon in the pixel remastered. Steam also had the After Years as a separate game but it was not a 2D port of the Wii version like on PSP, instead it's a 3D remake in the style of the DS version which inspired Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light, and the Bravely Default and Various Daylife series (which used similar chibi models and rough 3D graphics). So far all the definitive versions of FF1-6 are not in HD yet and the pixel remasters are not the definitive versions even though they are in HD.
Toss in all the content from the advanced and PSP re-releases, plus FFIV after years, and I'm buying day one.
@burninmylight The DS version is a full 3D remake, while the GBA (and PSP, which pretty much replaces the GBA version) version is 2D. The PSP version contains an entire new dungeon, alongside the later released direct sequel (FF4: The After Years), and an entirely unique campaign connecting the two (FF4 Interlude). The DS version, on the other hand, has two unique bosses, a bunch of new gameplay tweaks and features, a complete 3D visual overhaul, and is generally considered to be much harder than any other version. The After Years does also have a 3D version, which, to my knowledge, is only available on Steam/Mobile. Interlude does not.
If you go for any version, I'd probably recommend the PSP version, at least as of now. You might be missing out on the DS tweaks, but you get an extra game and a half to compensate.
I'll probably hesitate buying these even though I've been wanting it forever.
I can emulate them all easily and if the Switch version is digital only, what's the difference really?
yesss time for me to stir the pot again by asserting the truth that final fantasy vi is infinitely superior to vii in every way
really slogging through the latter bc i like, feel culturally obliged. goddamn does it not hold up.
Will I rebuy these games to get trophies on the PS4 version? Yes I will.
@Serpenterror Well, it should've. And also, not the improved translation? That's just sloppy. Sounds like a pass so far.
II and V would be day one for me. Almost bought them on my cell phone the other day because I was tired of waiting.
@HandheldHaunter @alexybubble
Thanks for the info, y'all. I don't have a PSP, so it's either the GBA or DS version, and it sounds like there are enough differences between them to justify playing both (whenever that may be; the backlog is years long at this point).
Now I wish I would have downloaded The After Years on WiiWare, but at the time I was like, "How and when am I ever going to play FFIV?" Lol
Then all that would be missing on Switch from the NES, among the very biggest and best games would be:
And the biggest missing SNES games:
Keep 'em comin' Square!
Mobile only WTF square? You know these games got famous from the original home console versions. Does anybody seriously wanna play these on your phone when you could be playing them on your TV or switch?
It's weird to see almost everyone cheering for these hideous, bare-bones 'remasters'. The only good thing about them is the remastered music.
I just don't understand why they wouldn't include all the bonus content from the GBA in these versions, while simultaneously homogenising all of the games to have the same incongruous pixel graphic style. It doesn't want to be the original OR the bonus versions, it wants the worst of both worlds.
I guess it's good for FF3 to have a pixel version in English for the first time, but other than that, I don't see much value in these versions - which is a real shame as they may very well be the only versions available on Switch
I really hope this is not a mess up or fake.
I would love the Switch to de-throne the Vita in being "The King of Final Fantasy Handhelds".
Sure the steam deck will run even more Final Fantasy games.
But to me it's just too bulky for me to consider it a true handheld. To me the Switch Lite is the perfect size for a handheld.
@Serpenterror
"There's no movie, Beastiary, bonus dungeons or new summon in the pixel remastered."
There is a Beastiary, music player and art gallery at least.
You just go to 'Extras' on the Title menu to find these.
The more retro collections on the Switch, the better. I want one place to play my games.
Finally!
I'm in (as long as i don't have to jailbreak to fix the font)
@Gitface the font and the character models are piss poor but beggars can't be choosers
I got the set on steam and can change everything but I need this on the switch
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