You can play a lot of great role-playing game from Square Enix on your mobile device, but it’s kind of hard to remember exactly which are available.
The Japanese publisher and developer has a huge catalog of classic RPGs, and it’s a bit random and sporadic about which get tablet and phone ports. For instance, it recently released Dragon Quest IV for iOS in New Zealand (meaning a U.S. debut is imminent) while skipping the first three entries in that series. Also, some of its games, especially the Final Fantasys, have had so many remakes and releases that it’s a little confusing knowing exactly what you’re getting with the mobile version.
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Final Fantasy
Above: Back in my day, our skeletons were wrapped in scary energy. And we liked it that way!
Original platform: Nintendo Entertainment System (1987)
Mobile platforms: Android, iOS, and Windows
What it is: Based on the PSP version, which added improved graphics, the original Final Fantasy is light on plot but lets you create your own party of mages, warriors, and thieves. It’s not as enthralling as later installments in the series, but it’s interesting to discover the famous franchise’s humble roots.
Final Fantasy II
Above: I wonder if they knew then that this would be the first of like a million sequels.
Original platform: Famicom (1988)
Mobile platforms: Android and iOS
What it is: As with the first Final Fantasy, Square Enix based the mobile port of Final Fantasy II off the PSP version. Unlike its predecessor, FFII featured set characters with distinct personalities and overall had more story elements. It also had a bizarre leveling system that increased your strength in abilities the more you used them. If you want strong magic, you need to cast a lot of spells.
Final Fantasy III
Above: “I feel like this thing is important.”
Original platform: Famicom (1990)
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Mobile platforms: Android, iOS, and Windows
What it is: The mobile version of Final Fantasy III actually takes after the DS remake. Unlike the other 8-bit remasters, it features 3D character models and environments. The DS version also gave official names and personalities to the previously blank slate cast of characters. Notably, Final Fantasy III was the first game in the series to introduce the Job system, which you use to change a character’s class any time outside of battle.
Final Fantasy IV
Above: Who needs pixels when you have jaggy polygons?
Original platform: Super Nintendo (1991)
Mobile platforms: Android and iOS
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What it is: Final Fantasy IV is probably the most ported entry in the series, with rereleases showing up on the PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and the PSP. Square Enix based the mobile version off of the DS release, so it features 3D graphics similar to the mobile version of Final Fantasy III. The game itself is like a bigger, better version of Final Fantasy II, with its distinct characters and an epic story. It’s also the first in the series to use the Active Time Battle (ATB) system, which added some urgency to the turn-based battles by giving each character a bar that had to fill before they could take a turn.
Final Fantasy V
Above: I don’t think these weird, washed out graphics are really better than the original pixels.
Original platform: Super Famicom (1992)
Mobile platforms: Android and iOS
What it is: Unlike the previous mobile ports, Final Fantasy V actually got a new graphical lift just for these releases. Instead of a 3D makeover like Final Fantasy III and FFIV, FFV replaces its sprites with new 2D artwork, a move that was somewhat controversial for fans of the original. Otherwise, this version shares the features and translation from the Game Boy Advance release. As for the game, if Final Fantasy IV took after FFII, Final Fantasy V is the successor to FFIII. It features the return of the Job system, but it adds even more flexibility and room for customization.
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Alright, let’s get back to it. We still have plenty of Square Enix’s classics to detail on mobile, and I promise we’ll get to the non-Final Fantasy ones soon!
Final Fantasy VI
Above: Hey, sometimes the Earth needs a good cry.
Original platform: Super Nintendo (1994)
Mobile platforms: Android and iOS
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What it is: This version of Final Fantasy VI got the same treatment as V: new visuals with the features and translation from the Game Boy Advance version. Final Fantasy VI is also one of the most celebrated role-playing games in history, with a huge cast of memorable characters and an epic, emotional story.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions
Above: Any real RPG fan would swoon at all of this potential organizing.
Original platform: PlayStation (1997)
Mobile platforms: iOS
What it is: The original Final Fantasy Tactics is a spin-off of the main series that features turn-based strategy gameplay as opposed to the series’ more traditional role-playing game mechanics. It also uses a Job system similar to Final Fantasy V’s. The iOS version uses the improved graphics, cutscenes, and new jobs from the PSP remake.
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Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen
Above: Looking pretty chosen right there.
Original platform: Nintendo Entertainment System (1990)
Mobile platforms: Android and iOS (the Android version is currently only available in Japan)
What it is: Dragon Quest IV features the classic turn-based gameplay found in most games in the series. It breaks up its story in different chapters, each one focusing on different characters, until they all come together in the end. The mobile versions uses the updated graphics and extra content originally created for the DS remake.
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
Above: Where the hell is the dragon?
Original platform: PlayStation 2 (2004)
Mobile platforms: Android and iOS
What it is: Dragon Quest VIII was the series lone installment on the PlayStation 2. It features colorful, cel-shaded graphics while retaining the series random battles and turn-based fighting systems. The mobile version is largely similar to the original, but it has touchscreen controls. It does have a drawback — it only plays in portrait mode, which doesn’t do the gorgeous graphics widescreen justice.
Secret of Mana
Above: In no way related to the Secret of Monkey Island.
Original platform: Super Nintendo (1993)
Mobile platforms: Android and iOS
What it is: Unlike the other games on this list, Secret of Mana is more action-based. Battles take place in real time instead of in turn-based environments, sometimes making it feel more like The Legend of Zelda than Final Fantasy. The iOS port is largely similar to the original, although it does add text originally cut from the English translation.
Chrono Trigger
Above: That thing looks like me after a Taco Bell run.
Original platform: Super Nintendo (1995)
Mobile platforms: iOS and Android
What it is: Chrono Trigger is right up there with Final Fantasy VI when it comes to classic 16-bit role-playing games. It features memorable characters, gorgeous music, and an exciting quest to save the world. Square Enix based the mobile version off of the DS release, which was largely similar to the original but with a slightly revised translation.