The Final Fantasy series is home to some of the most iconic characters to ever grace video games. Each entry follows a similar premise where the protagonists are tasked with venturing to a distant land to save the world from falling into ruin. The adventure will vary depending on the entry, but some elements remain the same.
Depending on how popular a Final Fantasy character becomes, they may be allowed to reprise their role in a sequel. Countless characters and monsters have returned in later titles after their debut to continue their stories, but some appear more often than others.
10 Ultros
Ultros is arguably one of the most ridiculous characters in all the Final Fantasy series. His design sets him as nothing more than a regular enemy, but his personality has the potential to make him a compelling villain. He made his debut in Final Fantasy 6 where he plagued Terra and her companions throughout their quest to defeat Kefka.
Ultros has graced the Final Fantasy series with his presence countless times since his first depiction. He became so iconic that he was even implemented into re-releases of previous entries. He usually acts as a source of comic relief, but he has been known to reveal his more serious side when confronted by certain individuals.
9 Biggs & Wedge
The names "Biggs" and "Wedge" are usually applied to two of a Final Fantasy game's more minor characters. The roles of these characters will vary, but they will usually act as background characters who, sometimes, get a brief moment to shine. The most iconic iterations of Biggs and Wedge are seen in Final Fantasy 7.
Biggs and Wedge's names were inspired by the characters Biggs Darklighter and Wedge Antilles from Star Wars: A New Hope. Their purpose in this movie was to assist Luke Skywalker during the attack on the Death Star. Like the characters they're based on, Biggs and Wedge have remained iconic additions to each entry they appear in.
8 Tonberry
The Tonberry is arguably one of the most terrifying enemies in the Final Fantasy universe. This salamander-like creature will often be found toward the end of whatever entry it appears in and will thus usually pose a great challenge to the player.
What makes the Tonberry so iconic is its adorable design. A player's first encounter with a Tonberry may not immediately seem dangerous, but this assumption is quickly proven wrong when it makes its first attack. The Tonberry can decimate an entire party if the player isn't quick enough, making it a true force to be reckoned with.
7 Marlboro
The Marlboro is one of the most frightening monsters in the Final Fantasy series. It usually makes an appearance toward the latter half of the game, but a player will rarely be ready to take it on during the first encounter. The Marlboro has an ability known as "Bad Breath" that can kill each party member if they are susceptible to certain status effects.
The Marlboro made its first appearance in Final Fantasy 2 and has since gone on to become one of the most iconic random encounters in the series. It became so iconic that several games have featured the Marlboro as a boss.
6 Cid
Most of Cid's appearances in the Final Fantasy series portray him as a skilled pilot who loves nothing more than to take flight in his airship. His presence in a game will usually offer the main protagonists the chance to take to the skies, but some entries have altered his purpose.
Final Fantasy 12 features one of the most unique versions of Cid so far. Instead of piloting an iconic airship, this Cid prides himself on being a scientist for the Archadian Empire. He's the first evil version of Cid to appear in the series, making him shine far brighter than his previous depictions.
5 Cactuars
The Cactuar enemy in Final Fantasy features one of the most usual designs in the franchise. Unlike a normal cactus, this creature can rotate its limbs and fire its spines at those who seek to cause it harm. It can often be witnessed standing on one leg before either making an attack or fleeing from battle.
Though its design suggests the Cactuar poses little danger, becoming the target of one would quickly disprove this idea. These desert-dwelling creatures can easily take out a party member with their 10,000 Needle ability, a move that deals 10,000 points of damage to whoever happens to be standing in the Cactuar's line of sight.
4 Moogles
The Moogle race made its first appearance in Final Fantasy 3 and has gone on to feature in every mainline title since Final Fantasy 4. They have taken many forms throughout each entry, but their most popular design sees them donning a small pair of wings on their back, and a pom-pom on their head.
The importance of a Moogle varies depending on the entry one appears in, but they usually stand out by being the most adorable creature in a Final Fantasy game. Some Moogles run shops, others are bounty hunters, and a select few eventually become party members.
3 Gilgamesh
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Since his first appearance in Final Fantasy 5, Gilgamesh has gone on to pose multiple challenges in several Final Fantasy entries. His debut role saw him acting as Exdeath's most trusted henchman, while future depictions entrusted him with a collection of different purposes.
Most versions of Gilgamesh present him as a skilled swordsman on a quest to obtain the most powerful weapons in the galaxy. Fans of Final Fantasy will mostly know Gilgamesh from these depictions of him, but he isn't always a bad guy. For example, Final Fantasy 9 portrays him as a young treasure hunter.
2 Omega
Like Gilgamesh, Omega has the power to transcend space and time. No matter the theme or setting of the entry it appears in, it will always retain a futuristic, robotic design. It is designed to stand out from more conventional monsters, making it an unusual, yet fascinating addition to each game it appears in.
It has featured in countless Final Fantasy entries to act as a superboss, meaning that only the most dedicated of players will ever get the chance to encounter it. Though its design varies depending on the game it appears in, it usually retains its four legs and headless body.
1 Chocobos
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Chocobos have become one of the most iconic additions to a Final Fantasy game for countless reasons. They can serve a variety of different purposes, but most players value the option to mount them and explore the world above all else.
Where one might expect to see a horse in a Final Fantasy game, they will instead find themselves gazing upon one of these feathery yellow birds. They are wondrous creatures who are typically used for traversal, but they also make great storage units. Some entries even allow the player to summon these beasts in battle.