Summary
- The Final Fantasy series has a long history with Nintendo, with many mainline entries and spin-offs appearing on various consoles over the years.
- The Collection of SaGa Final Fantasy Legend offers Game Boy classics, with the Switch port featuring some enhancements for modern audiences.
- Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster compiles the first six entries with updated graphics, offering significant value for fans of the franchise.
The history between Nintendo and the Final Fantasy series dates back to the very first installment, released in 1987 for the NES. The franchise has been responsible for some of the best games ever made, with mainline entries now totaling well into double digits, and there have been dozens of spin-off games and series over the years. Many of these entries have found their footing on various Nintendo consoles.
Final Fantasy: 10 Most Mysterious NPCs In The Games, Ranked
During the series' nearly 40 years of existence, many characters have appeared in Final Fantasy games, and some of them remain a mystery to this day.
Not every Final Fantasy game can be played on Nintendo’s hybrid console, the Nintendo Switch, but fans of the series are spoiled for choice with countless remasters, remakes, and stellar collections to keep them busy for thousands of hours. Despite the comparative limitations of the console’s hardware, some of the best Final Fantasy games are very playable on the Nintendo Switch.
8 Collection of SaGa Final Fantasy Legend
Three Game Boy Classics with Some Modern Comforts
COLLECTION of SaGa FINAL FANTASY LEGEND
- Released
- December 15, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- Platform(s)
- Switch
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
Part of the SaGa series, Collection of SaGa Final Fantasy Legend is a compilation of the three classic Game Boy Final Fantasy Legend games. One of many great Square Enix collections from recent years, the Switch port can be played handheld, just as was originally intended with the original Game Boy releases, with the possibility of turning the console sideways to imitate the feel of the original, evoking nostalgic feelings.
Often described as some of the best Game Boy games ever made and an influence on Pokemon, they feature innovative leveling and gameplay systems for their time. A high-speed mode and magnification possibilities make these games more palatable for modern audiences, but a lack of save states is something of a gripe for many.
7 World of Final Fantasy MAXIMA
Added Features in the Maxima Version
World of Final Fantasy Maxima
- Released
- November 6, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Tose
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
One of many Final Fantasy games not developed by Square Enix, World of Final Fantasy was originally released for the PS4 and Vita, before finding its way to the Nintendo Switch with the Maxima version. Set in Grymoire, a crossover world with elements of locations from many FF games, it features many popular characters from the series and the ability to tame monsters, or "mirages," for battle.
The chibi art style was chosen to appeal to a younger and wider audience, combined with the lighter tone and simple but classic Active Time Battle system. Maxima includes some notable upgrades, such as New Game + and the Avatar Change system, which allows the two protagonists to be utilized as Champions in combat.
6 Crisis Core -Final Fantasy 7- Reunion
Prequel that Sets Up FF7 Perfectly
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion
- Released
- December 13, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix, Tose
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Crisis Core -Final Fantasy 7- Reunion is an HD remaster of the prequel to the classic Final Fantasy 7. Originally part of the Compilation of Final Fantasy 7 anniversary series, Crisis Core was a PSP exclusive upon its initial release, but is available on Nintendo hardware with some graphical improvements, plus tweaks to the battle system and general gameplay for a smoother experience.
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To dominate in Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reuinion, players should try these overpowered builds for early, mid, and late game — and even NG+!
Playing as Zack Fair, the protégé of Sephiroth and a figure of admiration to a young Cloud Strife, the story follows Zack as he aims to track down the missing SOLDIER operative, Genesis Rhapsodos. The game’s narrative may only last around a dozen hours, but has often been heavily praised, with Zack even ranking among the most popular characters in the Final Fantasy series.
5 Final Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age
Lead the Resistance and Enjoy Upgraded Graphics
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age
- Released
- July 11, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Caught in the middle of a long and brutal war, the land of Dalmasca remains occupied in Final Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age. One of the most fun FF games to explore, players may traverse the world on foot or by riding chocobos. Perhaps the best method is to make use of the airship, as protagonist Vaan and his companions are hoping to become sky pirates and resist the forces of the Archadian Empire.
Released well over a decade after the game’s initial launch, the Switch port features overhauled graphics with enhanced shadowing effects and textures, plus there are some quality-of-life improvements like high-speed mode and autosave. The Zodiac Job System even allows each character to possess a combination of two different jobs, leading to unique and intricately tailored builds.
4 Final Fantasy 9
Join Zidane And His Gang Of Thieves In A Medieval World
Final Fantasy 9
- Released
- July 7, 2000
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Filled with countless beloved characters and one of the best stories in the series, Final Fantasy 9 is a favorite of many fans. Following the futuristic worlds of the prior three mainline entries, FF9 returns to a medieval-style fantasy setting, where Zidane Tribal and the Tantalus Theater Troupe kidnap a princess, who then willingly joins them in hopes of overthrowing the tyrannical Queen.
Acting as a retrospective of the series in some ways, this game did still introduce some new gameplay features, such as active time event cutscenes and new skill systems. The Switch port features seven different boosters to gameplay, from a peaceful mode to cheats giving maximum levels, gil, and other bonuses. It’s a great way for returning players to power through the game with ease or make proceedings more welcoming to newcomers.
3 Final Fantasy X | X-2 HD Remaster
Revisit the World of Spira in these PS2 Classics
Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster
- Released
- March 18, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Containing both FFX and its sequel in one neat package, Final Fantasy 10 | 10-2 HD Remaster is a great way to experience these PS2 classics on more modern hardware. The stories are set just a few years apart, with Tidus and Yuna taking the lead roles as their stories intertwine, plus the blitzball minigame is prominent in both entries.
9 Best Final Fantasy Games Set In Traditional Fantasy Worlds, Ranked
These are the best Final Fantasy games for players who love JRPGs set in traditional fantasy settings.
Players taking on FFX can expect and experience the unique sphere grid system, though this is replaced in X-2 by a more traditional leveling system. The original stories remain the top attractions, but new content is a welcome addition, and the upgraded visuals mean these games have never looked better.
2 Final Fantasy 7 and Final Fantasy 8 Remastered Twin-Pack
Two of the Best Games Ever Made in One Pack
Final Fantasy VIII Remastered
- Released
- September 3, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Dotemu, Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Two of the most popular entries in the franchise, Final Fantasy 7 and 8 Remastered Twin-Pack allows both games to be played in handheld mode. Despite being separate game worlds with different settings, both games contain some of the most compelling narrative elements and some of the best characters in video games, whether they are good or bad.
To make them more approachable to modern players, both games feature several optional tweaks to gameplay, such as speed up options and no encounters. These choices can allow for a more refined and less tedious gameplay experience, regardless of the level of prior knowledge players have of these must-play PS1 titles. Naturally, they each retain their original charm.
1 Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster
The First Six Entries with Crisp Graphics and an Updated User Interface
Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster
- Released
- July 28, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Tose
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4
Arguably the best value package in video gaming, Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster allows players to enjoy the first six entries that started and popularized the long-running franchise. Commemorating the 35th anniversary of the series, each Pixel Remaster game is available for purchase individually or as part of the complete set of six.
Various much-needed quality-of-life improvements give these decades-old games more of an appeal to modern audiences, who generally find older titles difficult to approach. Each of the games is excellent in their own respective ways, and everybody has their personal preferences, but Final Fantasy 6 generally seems to be the preferred choice for many, closely followed by Final Fantasy 4, even in the series as a whole.
7 Best Final Fantasy Games Without A Leveling System, Ranked
Although most Final Fantasy games have a leveling system of some sort, these titles opted for a more unique approach.