DEFINITIVE VERSION: FINAL FANTASY IV

Mistakes were made.

I had no idea there are like 37 versions of this game. Every time I looked for a new point of reference I found some sort of box art or still image that looked to be from a another platform. So now I hate FFIV, my cereal that I should have eaten 10 minutes ago is soggy, and if you like it we can no longer be friends.

That being said, welcome to the world of Final Fantasy IV, the series first entry on the SNES, and the game that introduced elements that laid the foundation for many years to come. First introduced outside of Japan as Final Fantasy II.

Side note: Some releases have been omitted due to redundancy.

RELEASES

SNES - 1991

PROS:	US release had its difficulty adjusted to make the game less frustrating and easier to follow.
CONS:	Cartridge is getting expensive.¹⁾
NOTES:	Super Famicom version 1.0 has an underworld AI glitch that was patched in “Revision A”.

PLAYSTATION - 1999/2001

PROS:	CG Opening. New soundtrack arrangement. Massive update to localization.
CONS:
NOTES:

GBA - 2005

PROS:	Improved graphics and character portraits. Revised ATB engine, and some addition content and QoL changes such as party swapping. Bestiary and music player.
CONS:
NOTES:

NINTENDO DS - 2007/2008

PROS:	Well done 3D models. New scenes added to expand character stories. Additional abilities. General QoL such as auto battle. New bosses and weapons.
CONS:
NOTES:

PSP - 2011

PROS:	Contains FFIV interlude, and After Years. Enhanced 2D sprites.
CONS:	Some story elements removed, and missing an additional summon found on DS.
NOTES:

MOBILE/PS CLASSIC - 2012

PROS:	Selectable difficulty.
CONS:
NOTES:

PC - 2014

PROS:	Basically a direct port of the 3D release.
CONS:
NOTES:

MULTI - 2021/2023

PROS:	Crisp classic sprites. Infinite inventory space. Script is based on the GBA release, but also slightly expanded.
CONS:	Character portraits don't display next to text boxes. No augment system.
NOTES:

NOTABLE DIFFERENCES

GRAPHICS & ART STYLE

SNES

PSP

GBA

DS/PC

Pixel Remaster

DEFINITIVE VERSION

There have been many releases of Final Fantasy IV, but the Nintendo DS release is, without question, the Definitive Version. There are quite a few reasons, but some of the highlights include impressive 3D graphics, a remastered soundtrack, as well as the excellent English translation. Many players agree that the Nintendo DS version is the most faithful to the original, while still expanding the story and the gameplay. It offers an overall more challenging experience in regards to boss/enemy encounter and the storytelling is far better than the original.

This Definitive Version also includes exclusive minigames, which are stylus-controlled, and can be played in both single and multiplayer modes. Another major feature that really adds to the strength of the Nintendo DS version is the addition of the Augment System, which lets players transfer some character-only abilities to other characters who did not have those abilities in previous versions of the game.

CITATIONS

video games

¹⁾ https://www.racketboy.com/retro/the-rarest-and-most-valuable-super-nintendo-snes-games

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