The Final Fantasy franchise has enjoyed a stellar past few years, with major entries like Final Fantasy 16 and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth being supported by smaller, but still quality releases like Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin and the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster collection. Both of those smaller titles were released, or finished releasing in the FF Pixel Remaster series’ case, in 2022, the year Final Fantasy celebrated its 35th anniversary, which is fitting considering they include two vastly different takes on FF1. Final Fantasy is one of gaming’s longest-running RPG franchises, and it's safe to say it has aged gracefully.

2025 Has Brought More Updates To The Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters

Final Fantasy’s Oldest Games Now Enjoy Even More Refinements

The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster collection is generally considered the ideal way to experience Final Fantasy 1 through 6, assuming a given player doesn't prefer something particular to one of their older versions, but they weren't perfect. The initial mobile and Steam versions of the collection had some issues that later console skews and updates have amended, an unpopular font choice being chief among these, but some glitches and awkward spots remained. Some examples included Final Fantasy 6’s famous Dancing Mad track not transitioning properly and various progression-blocking bugs, so there was still room for improvement.

Because of that, Steam’s aforementioned 1.2.0 update was a welcome surprise when it dropped on March 5, 2025. It was mostly dedicated to squashing bugs like those, but it also added some quality of life features like Final Fantasy 3’s Job Levels being eligible for Boost multipliers, Float being maintained after map transitions in FF4, and the compensatory EXP awarded to FF6 characters rejoining the party being adjusted. These great games have only gotten better, and these changes are drastic enough that the mobile and console versions of the Pixel Remasters should see them soon.

The Pixel Remasters Are Classic Final Fantasy’s Best Entry Point

Once this round of polish is complete, the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series will be the best place to get into classic Final Fantasy in modern times. Those who haven't already picked up these games, whether piecemeal or as a bundle, should consider doing so, as the Pixel Remasters replicate the experience of retro Final Fantasy with modern conveniences. Aside from the excellent pixel art recreations across the collection, each game also has a remade soundtrack, including new songs for key moments in the oldest games. Even veterans may find something new to like about these games.

Final Fantasy’s Pixel Remasters Have Unique Advantages Over Past Versions

Speaking of new content, some changes and additions are unique to the Pixel Remaster versions of these Final Fantasy titles. The minimap system is a series-wide one, which was improved in the recent patch. Final Fantasy 1’s last battle with Chaos is one of the hardest versions of the fight; players can multiply or restrict the amount of money and experience they gain; random battles can be toggled at will; and, most notably, the Final Fantasy 6 Opera House sequence was completely remade with 3D assets and voiced singing. There's a lot of value in the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster collection, and that's only increased as time moves forward.

Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Tag Page Cover Art
8 /10

Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster
JRPG
Systems
PC-1 PlayStation-1 Xbox-1
Top Critic Avg: 83 /100 Critics Rec: 87%
Released
July 28, 2021
ESRB
T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Blood, Partial Nudity, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol
Developer(s)
Tose
Publisher(s)
Square Enix
Engine
Unity
Franchise
Final Fantasy

WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL

Genre(s)
JRPG