History Franchise / FinalFantasy

** ''Literature/FinalFantasyVIITheKidsAreAlrightATurksSideStory'': A prequl novel to '''Advent Children'' telling the tale of two ordinary teenagers on a quest to find one of them's mother and their strange friendship with the Turks.

* ''VideoGame/WorldOfFinalFantasy'': A {{Mons}} game for the [=PS4=] and the Vita. Received an UpdatedRerelease as ''World of Final Fantasy Maxima'' for [=PS4=], Platform/XboxOne, Platform/NintendoSwitch, and PC. The story follows a set of twins named Lann and Reynn, known as Mirage Keepers, who journey through the realm of Grymoire (an amalgamation of many ''Final Fantasy'' worlds with characters throughout the series popping up) in an attempt to capture and tame Mirages. The Mirages, or monsters, were once under their control some time back, but an event that transpired ([[LaserGuidedAmnesia that they don't remember]]) resulted in them losing their former status as Keepers. Known for its LighterAndSofter world, storyline, and [[IncrediblyLamePun Incredibly Lame Puns]] abound.

This series was also one of the first Japanese games made by someone other than [[Creator/BandaiNamcoEntertainment Namco]] or Creator/{{Nintendo}} to reach US shores and capitalize on that market. Later Japanese developers would [[FollowTheLeader take notice]] and break onto the US scene; one equally-popular series which took advantage of this trend was ''Dragon Quest'', Enix's CashCowFranchise (''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'', Creator/{{Atlus}}'s own cash cow franchise, would also make the jump to the west for the same reason). ''Final Fantasy'' and ''Dragon Quest'' were [[DuelingWorks direct competitors]] as far back as the the Platform/{{N|intendoEntertainmentSystem}}ES days; following the Square-Enix merger, SMT and ''Final Fantasy'' are currently competing in both countries. Meanwhile, ''Dragon Quest'' has quietly found a niche market outside of Japan, though it remains king in its home country.

** ''Chocobo's Mystery Dungeon: Every Buddy!'': An UpdatedRerelease of the above.

*** ''Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call'': An UpdatedRerelease of the first game, adding a host of new songs and characters, as well as a competitive Versus Mode where you can fight the AI or another player in head-to-head music battles.

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXI'' (2002, expansions released from 2003-2023): An [[MassivelyMultiplayerOnlineRolePlayingGame MMORPG]] set in the fantasy world of Vana'diel. Still reeling from the aftermath of a great war with "the Shadow Lord" twenty years prior, three nations brace themselves when the Shadow Lord's Beast Tribe minions organize themselves into a coherent force once again. Like ''XIV'' after it, numerous expansions led to an extensive and evolving storyline. Known for being [[NintendoHard particularly brutal]] (amongst the most brutal games in the series, for that matter). The most profitable title in the series, by virtue of running a paid subscription service for over ten years.

* [[Aesop/FinalFantasy An Aesop]]

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXI'' (2002, expansions released from 2003-2015): An [[MassivelyMultiplayerOnlineRolePlayingGame MMORPG]] set in the fantasy world of Vana'diel. Still reeling from the aftermath of a great war with "the Shadow Lord" twenty years prior, three nations brace themselves when the Shadow Lord's Beast Tribe minions organize themselves into a coherent force once again. Like ''XIV'' after it, numerous expansions led to an extensive and evolving storyline. Known for being [[NintendoHard particularly brutal]] (amongst the most brutal games in the series, for that matter). The most profitable title in the series, by virtue of running a paid subscription service for over ten years.

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'' (2010/2013): Another MMORPG, this time set in the region of Eorzea, which faces threats from an ongoing war with the ruthless and technologically advanced military state Garlemald and its TinTyrant generals, while also dealing with the beast tribes and their {{P|hysicalGod}}rimals, as well as the enigmatic Ascians.

** ''Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail'' (2024) is the upcoming fifth expansion and will be released on PC, [=PS4=], [=PS5=] and Xbox in summer 2024. Players embark for the "New World", a region of the planet of Hydaelyn not yet visited by Eorzeans. Introduces two new jobs: Viper, and a yet-unrevealed magic DPS class.

Tracking the early parts of the ''Final Fantasy'' series can be confusing, as only three of the first six games made it to North America, where the numbers were changed so that the US releases were consecutive numbers. ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'' was released in America as ''Final Fantasy II'', while ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'' was released as ''Final Fantasy III''. The confusion doesn't end there, as four games were [[DolledUpInstallment given the name "Final Fantasy" to increase sales]] in North America: the first three games of the ''VideoGame/SaGaRPG'' series (renamed to ''Final Fantasy Legend'' I-III) and the first installment in the ''VideoGame/WorldOfMana'' series (released as ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyAdventure''). ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' broke this trend and was released as "VII" everywhere, and from that point on, every release except for the Virtual Console versions of IV and VI (the latter was titled III on the [[UsefulNotes/SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem SNES Classic]]) would bear the original numbering.

This series was also one of the first Japanese games made by someone other than [[Creator/BandaiNamcoEntertainment Namco]] or Creator/{{Nintendo}} to reach US shores and capitalize on that market. Later Japanese developers would [[FollowTheLeader take notice]] and break onto the US scene; one equally-popular series which took advantage of this trend was ''Dragon Quest'', Enix's CashCowFranchise (''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'', Creator/{{Atlus}}'s own cash cow franchise, would also make the jump to the west for the same reason). ''Final Fantasy'' and ''Dragon Quest'' were [[DuelingWorks direct competitors]] as far back as the the UsefulNotes/{{N|intendoEntertainmentSystem}}ES days; following the Square-Enix merger, SMT and ''Final Fantasy'' are currently competing in both countries. Meanwhile, ''Dragon Quest'' has quietly found a niche market outside of Japan, though it remains king in its home country.

** [[/index]]Released on: UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem ([[UsefulNotes/VirtualConsole Wii, 3DS (JP), Wii U (JP)]], NES Classic (NA, EU)), UsefulNotes/MSX2 (JP), [[UsefulNotes/WonderSwan WonderSwan Color]] (JP), UsefulNotes/PlayStation (UsefulNotes/PlaystationNetwork), UsefulNotes/GameBoyAdvance, UsefulNotes/PlayStationPortable, Mobile, PC, UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch[[index]]

** [[/index]]Released on: Famicom (JP, UsefulNotes/{{Wii}} (JP), UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS (JP), UsefulNotes/WiiU (JP)), [=WonderSwan=] Color (JP), [=PS1=] (PSN), GBA, PSP, Mobile, PC, [=PS4=], Switch[[index]]

** Remake released on: UsefulNotes/NintendoDS, PSP, UsefulNotes/{{Ouya}}, Mobile, [[UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} PC]][[index]]

** [[/index]]Original released on UsefulNotes/SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem (Wii, Wii U (JP), 3DS (JP)), [=PS1=] (PSN), [=WonderSwan=] Color, GBA (Wii U (JP)), PSP, PC, Mobile, [=PS4=], Switch

** [[/index]]Original released on: [=PS1=] (PSN, [=PlayStation=] Classic), PC, Mobile, [=PS4=], Switch, UsefulNotes/XboxOne[[index]]

** [[/index]]Released on UsefulNotes/PlayStation2, UsefulNotes/PlayStation3, UsefulNotes/PlaystationVita, [=PS4=], PC, Switch, [=XBO=][[index]]

** [[/index]]Released on: [=PS2=], PC, UsefulNotes/Xbox360. The service for the console versions was closed in 2016.[[index]]

** ''Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn'' (2013) is the completely overhauled 2.0 version released to much more positive reception. Released on: PC, [=PS3=], [=PS4=], UsefulNotes/PlayStation5, UsefulNotes/XboxSeriesXAndS; services for the [=PS3=] version were closed down in 2017; [=Xbox=] port set to launch in 2024.

* ''VideoGame/WorldOfFinalFantasy'': A {{Mons}} game for the [=PS4=] and the Vita. Received an UpdatedRerelease as ''World of Final Fantasy Maxima'' for [=PS4=], UsefulNotes/XboxOne, UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, and PC. The story follows a set of twins named Lann and Reynn, known as Mirage Keepers, who journey through the realm of Grymoire (an amalgamation of many ''Final Fantasy'' worlds with characters throughout the series popping up) in an attempt to capture and tame Mirages. The Mirages, or monsters, were once under their control some time back, but an event that transpired ([[LaserGuidedAmnesia that they don't remember]]) resulted in them losing their former status as Keepers. Known for its LighterAndSofter world, storyline, and [[IncrediblyLamePun Incredibly Lame Puns]] abound.

* ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'': Squaresoft's most famous UsefulNotes/{{S|uperNintendoEntertainmentSystem}}NES RPG that isn't part of the ''Final Fantasy'' brand, it features a slew of ''Final Fantasy'' creatives working on the game, such as Hironobu Sakaguchi and Nobuo Uematsu, collaborating with the team behind ''Franchise/DragonQuest''. It was rereleased on the UsefulNotes/PlayStation in a collection alongside ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'' titled ''Final Fantasy Chronicles''.

** ''VideoGame/MarioHoops3On3'': A sports spinoff on the UsefulNotes/NintendoDS in which ''Mario'' and ''Final Fantasy'' characters crossover [[WeirdCrossover through playing basketball]]. A Black Mage, a White Mage, a Ninja, a Moogle, and a Cactuar appear as playable characters, while the series is represented through three stages (Rainbow Ship, Glare Desert, and Malboro Garden). It also marks the first ''Final Fantasy''-related game worked on by composer Masayoshi Soken, who would go onto become the main composer for ''XIV'' and ''XVI''.

** ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter4 Ultimate'': This UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS game featured a collaboration with Square Enix in which hunters received armor sets inspired by Diabolos and Bahamut, while the Palico received an armor set inspired by the Warrior of Light. The Wing of Judgment weapon also has Sephiroth's face positioned on its shaft.
** ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterWorld'': The first multiplatform installment in the series (PC, UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/XboxOne) had a collaboration with ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'', in which players were given Dragoon armor sets, could confront Behemoth and Cactuars as monsters, and Palicos received equipment that made them look like Moogles.
* ''VideoGame/LostOdyssey'': An UsefulNotes/Xbox360-exclusive JRPG, it was worked on by Creator/{{Mistwalker}}, the game development studio Hironobu Sakaguchi created after leaving Squaresoft, who wrote and produced the game alongside Nobuo Uematsu composing its score, with the game itself playing much like the older ''Final Fantasy'' games.
* ''VideoGame/TheLastStory'': A UsefulNotes/{{Wii}}-exclusive JRPG, this is another Mistwalker game that this time had Sakaguchi in the director's chair, and also featured Uematsu's compositions and music for its score.

** ''Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail'' (2024) is the upcoming fifth expansion and will be released on PC, [=PS4=], [=PS5=] and Xbox in summer 2024.

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX'' (2000): ''IX'' is a throwback to the NES/SNES titles, right down to the SuperDeformed characters, a four-man party, a medieval fantasy world, and {{mythology gag}}s related to past games. A princess engineers her own kidnapping in order to be free of her [[GodSaveUsFromTheQueen despotic mother]], who has recently come under the influence of a strange ArmsDealer. A world-spanning adventure follows, involving the would-be kidnapper, a [[KingIncognito princess in disguise]], her loyal knight, and a young mage struggling with his existence. Notable for being one of the more philosophical entries in the series despite its [[CerebusSyndrome bright and cheery packaging.]]

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII'' (2009): The story takes place in the floating, isolationist mini-Dyson sphere of Cocoon. Several hundred years ago, a "War of Transgression" took place between Cocoon and the vast, lush, primeval surface world, Pulse. Since then, Cocoon's governmental body ruthlessly "purges" anyone who comes into contact with Pulse. A former soldier, Lightning, is forced to go on the lam after her sister is branded a Pulse l'Cie, servants of the godlike beings called fal'Cie of the planet below, and nabbed by the government.

** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG'': [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Mario's]] very first RPG, which was developed in partnership between Square and Nintendo. In this game, ''Final Fantasy'' is represented by Culex, an [[SuperBoss optional boss]] that Mario and his companions can fight. While Culex himself isn't from a particular game in the series, he's joined in battle by the four crystals of the elements. His battle music is a remix of the boss battle theme from ''IV'', and defeating him plays the series' iconic victory theme.