History VideoGame / FinalFantasyII

** The Ultima spell. Intended to gain power based on ''all'' of its caster's spell levels rather than just its own, the implementation of this scaling is bugged and non-functional in the original Famicom versions. The spell still manages to be decent enough if leveled up, but it's hardly worth it so late in the game. Remakes fix the bug that disabled Ultima's intended power scaling mechanics, but it still requires a lot of high-level spells and some time grinding up its own level for it to catch up with the other spells you'll likely have honed by that point.
** The Fear spell, which usage is [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin to frighten enemies into fleeing from battles]] so you won't have to risk your lives. While this looks good on paper, unfortunately, Boss monsters are immune against this spell. This spell also tends to miss '''a lot of times''' before you properly level it up, and even if the spell does its job, fleeing enemies don't give you any money, item drop, or even experiences (since technically you never beat them in a battle), meaning your magician uses their MP for nothing.

** Desert monsters "Land Ray" [[AdaptationNameChange (or Sand Ray)]] and "Antlion" in the original game, UsefulNotes/PlayStation remake, and Dawn of Souls version can only be fought on World Map random encounters around the BeefGate desert area near Colosseum and Palamecia castle. If the party completes Ultima Tome quest before defeating at least one Land Ray and one Antlion, the Emperor will call upon Cyclone which rearranges most of the World Map monsters' placement; Land Ray will disappear completely from the game while Antlion will be replaced by Scissorjaws.
** "Phorusrhacos" monster in the original game, UsefulNotes/PlayStation remake, and Dawn of Souls version can only be fought on World Map random encounters around the BeefGate northern area of Fynn. If the party completes Ultima Tome quest before defeating at least one Phorusrhacos, the Emperor will call upon Cyclone which rearranges most of the World Map monsters' placement and Phorusracos will disappear completely from the game, leaving one empty space in the player's bestiary files. Averted in the Anniversary Version, where Phorusrhacos can be encountered again if the player choose to take Arcane Labyrinth challenge.
** Undead monster "Skull" [[AdaptationNameChange (or Death Mask)]] in the original game, UsefulNotes/PlayStation remake, and Dawn of Souls version can only be fought on random encounters in Palamecia Castle. After the party completes Palamecia Castle quest, [[spoiler:the revived Demon Emperor]] will destroy the whole castle, making it unvisitable. If the party fail to defeat at least one Skull while still inside the castle, the player will have no other chance to fight them again, leaving one empty space in the player's bestiary files. Averted in the Anniversary Version, where Skull can be encountered again if the player choose to take Arcane Labyrinth challenge.