Summary
- Some Final Fantasy spin-off games fly under the radar due to low fan interest or niche availability.
- Titles like A King's Tale and Justice Monsters Five are FFXV spin-offs that offer unique gameplay experiences.
- Many of these games are no longer available, as their mobile technology is incompatible with modern smartphones.
The Final Fantasy series is well into double-digits with its mainline installments, and there are countless spin-off series, remakes, crossovers, and tie-in games. With such a massive franchise, it’s easy for some titles to go unnoticed, even by fans. There are many reasons for this phenomenon, from being part of a genre with low fan interest or launching simultaneously with much bigger games, to being released on obscure hardware or only in one region.
It could be argued that some of these games are unknown for a good reason, since they are below the high standard set by the Final Fantasy series, which has many of the best games ever made in its back catalog. Still, it’s worth remembering these titles. Some are certainly worth picking up, and others may cover a niche that certain players are seeking.
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8 A King's Tale: Final Fantasy 15
Beat ‘Em Up Prequel To Final Fantasy 15
A King's Tale: Final Fantasy XV
- Released
- November 29, 2016
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Considering its comparatively recent release, A King’s Tale: Final Fantasy 15 may still be remembered by some. As a tie-in game for Final Fantasy 15, it was initially a pre-order exclusive at certain outlets, but it was later released as a free download for everyone to enjoy.
A side-scrolling beat ‘em up game featuring retro graphics, A King's Tale is set 30 years before the events of the main game. Players taking control of Regis Lucis Caelum, the father of FF15 protagonist Noctis. Combat is fast-paced, and a particular emphasis is placed on building combos, which grant powerful bonuses like summoning companions to help in battle.
7 Justice Monsters Five
Pinball Spin-Off That Is Also Playable In The Main Game
- Platform: Mobile
- Released: August 30, 2016
- Developer: Square Enix
- Genre: Pinball
Much like A King’s Tale, Justice Monsters Five is a relatively recent release, but it’s already no longer available on app stores and many may not realize it even existed. A pinball game that is found around the world of Eos in Final Fantasy 15, it was released as a free mobile app for pinball and Final Fantasy fans to enjoy on the go.
Unlike traditional pinball games, it features elements of pachinko, arcade shoot ‘em ups, and monster battles, among other things. Assembling a team of four of the series’ iconic monsters who each launch their respective balls, players could even compete against friends in multiplayer action or play it solo, but as a short-lived promotional campaign it was discontinued in 2017.
6 Final Fantasy 7 Snowboarding
The Popular Minigame On Mobile Devices
- Platform: Mobile
- Released: April 8, 2005
- Developer: Square Enix
- Genre: Sport (snowboarding)
One of the many games related to the series-defining FF7, Final Fantasy 7 Snowboarding was a full release of the popular minigame. As a mobile game, it may seem somewhat primitive today. It contains three courses for Cloud to shred and slide his way down, collecting balloons and avoiding moogles along the way.
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Launching almost a decade after the original game, it was part of the Compilation of Final Fantasy 7 series. For a pretty basic game, the costs were incredibly high, requiring a monthly fee and a subscription to the V CAST service, which has since shut down. Since 2012, it’s no longer available to download, but those looking to enjoy some snowboarding as Cloud Strife can simply replay the minigame in FF7.
5 Itadaki Street: Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary
Japan-Only Crossover Board Game
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita
- Released: October 19, 2017
- Developer: Square Enix
- Genre: Board game
To celebrate 30 years since the first games in both series launched, Itadaki Street: Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary is a crossover party and virtual board game. Exclusively released in Japan for the PS4 and the PlayStation Vita, it’s one of several Itadaki Street or Fortune Street games, in which players must purchase and develop properties on a board, much like Monopoly.
Including a large roster of characters from both series, there are several game boards to play on, based on locations from different entries in each franchise. Not only can players make money from other players landing on their properties, but there are also highly lucrative stock-trading minigames.
4 Final Fantasy Artniks
Collect Cards, Battle Monsters, And Socialize With Others
- Platform: Mobile
- Released: November 30, 2012
- Developer: GREE and Square Enix
- Genre: Social RPG
Developed by Square Enix with the Japanese social media platform GREE, Final Fantasy Artniks was a card game where players could battle enemies or engage with other players. There were tons of cards belonging to either the character or equipment category, each possessing one of five ranks ranging from Normal to Super Rare+. Battling bosses or other players was a great way to earn rewards and move up an in-game leaderboard.
One of the more successful Final Fantasy mobile games, it boasted a large player base and reasonable levels of profitability, causing it to spawn a sequel. Despite these positive metrics, and the regular events and updates, both games were only ever released in Japan, and have since been discontinued.
3 Final Fantasy World Wide Words
Type To Defeat Enemies
- Platform: Mobile
- Released: September 16, 2014
- Developer: GREE and Square Enix
- Genre: Typing RPG
Not the first series to have a typing spin-off game, Final Fantasy World Wide Words was a Japan-only typing game for mobile devices. Up to four characters, plus one summon, could be used in battles across over 80 game worlds, where players would encounter monsters and bosses in each.
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Words would pop up either next to enemies or user-controlled characters, which then needed to be typed in order to attack the on-screen foes and damage them. World Wide Words is no longer available, but at the time, it was a great way to improve typing skills. Speed and accuracy were rewarded with increased damage to enemies, and mistakes were costly.
2 Dive II Hunt: The Adventures of Sorbet
Spin-Off Collectathon On The Square Enix MySpace Page
- Platform: PC
- Released: April 4, 2009
- Developer: Square Enix
- Genre: Flash game
A side-scrolling collectathon game, Dive II Hunt: The Adventures of Sorbet was only available on the Square Enix MySpace page in North America and Japan. In this game, the titular Sorbet, a moogle from Ivalice and a character in Final Fantasy 12, competed in an underwater treasure collecting tournament to earn the title of “Hunter Dive Master.”
Within thirty in-game days, the goal was to collect as much gil and treasure as possible, all while avoiding multiple obstacles and enemies. Special attention also had to be given to Sorbet’s oxygen levels, as running out would cost three in game days to recover, but upgrades could be purchased.
1 Dirge of Cerberus Lost Episode -Final Fantasy 7-
A Midquel To The PS2 Shooter
- Platform: Mobile
- Released: August 22, 2006
- Developer: Square Enix and Ideaworks3d
- Genre: Shooter and RPG
Part of the Compilation of Final Fantasy 7 collection of games, Dirge of Cerberus Lost Episode -Final Fantasy 7- was released around the same time as the polarizing PS2 RPG and third-person shooter spin-off. Said to be a “midquel” to Dirge of Cerberus, since the events take place during the timeline of that game, it also stars Vincent Valentine as he tries to save the world from Deepground.
Impressive in its time, especially when considering that it is fully voiced, it was only available on specific mobile devices outside Japan. Like many other games on this list, the service was eventually discontinued, largely due to outdated technology no longer being functional. A much-anticipated multiplayer mode was even planned, but never materialized.
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