The Final Fantasy series is one of the most iconic gaming franchises of all time, with almost a hundred games to its name. Many of those are spin-offs, remasters, or collections. For gamers new to the series, that number can be quite daunting. Since Final Fantasy does not have much continuity as a series, however, gamers can pick up just about any game on its own and start there. For those who do want to tackle the entire franchise, there's a long journey ahead.

While defunct mobile games and games that were never released internationally (or games that simply didn't have enough data) are not included in this list, there is still a formidable number of Final Fantasy games to play. Each one contains hours upon hours of content, so any endurance runs should be taken at an easy pace.

RELATED: Final Fantasy: 10 Plot Twists No One Saw Coming

Original Series

final fantasy 9 PC skip random encounters

The mainline Final Fantasy series is generally agreed to have fifteen entries, with Final Fantasy 16 set to release soon. These mainline games are typically what come to mind first when Final Fantasy is mentioned, with Final Fantasy 7 in particular being an icon of gaming history. Gamers who want to stick to a main chronological series should tackle the numbered entries before delving into sequels and side games.

  • The original Final Fantasy clocks in at 17.5 hours for the main story, and 36 hours for a completionist playthrough.
  • Final Fantasy 2 clocks in at 25 hours for the main story, and 40.5 hours for a completionist playthrough.
  • Final Fantasy 3 clocks in at 28 hours for the main story, and about 45 hours for a completionist playthrough.
  • Final Fantasy 4 clocks in at 23 hours for the main story, and 41 hours for a completionist playthrough.
  • Final Fantasy 5 clocks in at 33 hours for the main story, and about 70 hours for a completionist playthrough.
  • Final Fantasy 6 clocks in at 35 hours for the main story, and 64 hours for a completionist playthrough.
  • Final Fantasy 7 clocks in at 36.5 hours for the main story, and 84 hours for a completionist playthrough.
  • Final Fantasy 8 clocks in at 40.5 hours for the main story, and 83 hours for a completionist playthrough.
  • Final Fantasy 9 clocks in at 39.5 hours for the main story, and 82.5 hours for a completionist playthrough.
  • Final Fantasy 10 clocks in at 46 hours for the main story, and almost 150 hours for a completionist playthrough.
  • Final Fantasy 11 is a MMORPG with no real end point, but the main story content in the game clocks in around 106 hours.
  • Final Fantasy 12 clocks in at 61 hours for the main story, and 160 hours for a completionist playthrough.
  • Final Fantasy 13 clocks in at 48.5 hours for the main story, and about 105 hours for a completionist playthrough.
  • Final Fantasy 14 is a MMORPG with no distinct end point, but the main story content currently available clocks in at around 120 hours.
  • Final Fantasy 15 clocks in at 28 hours for the main story, and about 94 hours for a completionist playthrough.

Remakes and Sequels

The four heroes from Final Fantasy III

Most remasters and re-releases of Final Fantasy games have the same content, and thus the same playtime as the originals. However, some remakes are entirely different beasts of their own. Final Fantasy 3 for the Nintendo DS had its own unique cast of characters, and its story is just a bit longer. Final Fantasy 7 Remake is an entirely new game, even if it goes through the same story beats. Since Final Fantasy 7 Remake will receive new parts in the future, its playtime will soon grow. Sequels are add-ons to the main series, albeit some fans disregard them.

  • The version of Final Fantasy 3 for the Nintendo DS clocks in at 32 hours for the main story, and 48.5 hours for a completionist playthrough.
  • Final Fantasy 4: The After Years clocks in at 36 hours for the main story, and 83 hours for a completionist playthrough.
  • Final Fantasy 7 Remake currently clocks in at around 33 hours for the main story, and 84 hours for completionist playthroughs.
  • Final Fantsay 10-2 clocks in at 31 hours for the main story, and 113 hours for a completionist playthrough.
  • Final Fantasy 13-2's main story clocks in 28 hours, and a completionist playthrough is 71 hours.
  • Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 clocks in at 33.5 hours for the main story, and 65 hours for a completionist playthrough.

RELATED: Comparing Final Fantasy Origin and Final Fantasy 16

Final Fantasy Spin-Offs and Side Games

Cid and is chocobo from Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon

Spin-offs and side games make up the bulk of the franchise. Some spin-offs like the Chocobo games make up their own subseries, but only a handful of Chocobo games ever got released outside of Japan. These games often branch out from the typical JRPG style, including fighting games or even rhythm games.

  • Final Fantasy Tactics clocks in at 39.5 hours for the main story and 97 hours for completionist playthroughs.
  • Final Fantasy Tactics Advance clocks in at 47 hours for the main story and 115 hours for completionist playthroughs.
  • Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift clocks in at 48 hours for the main story and 116 hours for completionist playthroughs.
  • Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy 7 clocks in at 12 hours for the main story and 33.5 hours for completionist playthroughs.
  • Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 clocks in at 18.5 hours for the main story and 81.5 hours for completionist playthroughs.
  • Final Fantasy Type-0 clocks in at 23.5 hours for the main story and 49 hours for completionist playthroughs.
  • Final Fantasy Adventure clocks in at 10 hours for the main story and 11 hours for completionist playthroughs.
  • Final Fantasy Mystic Quest clocks in at 13.5 hours for the main story and 14.5 hours for completionist playthroughs.
  • Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles clocks in at 21 hours for the main story and 33 hours for completionist playthroughs.
  • Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates clocks in at 13 hours for the main story and 26.5 hours for completionist playthroughs.
  • Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time clocks in at 15 hours for the main story and 23 hours for completionist playthroughs.
  • Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers clocks in at 11 hours for the main story and 27 hours for completionist playthroughs.
  • Chocobo Racing takes about 2 or 4 hours to complete.
  • Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales clocks in at 9.5 hours for the main story and 23 hours for completionist playthroughs.
  • Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon clocks in at 21.5 hours for the main story and 34.5 hours for completionist playthroughs.
  • Chocobo's Mystery Dungeon: Every Buddy! clocks in at 27 hours for the main story and 148 hours for completionist playthroughs.
  • Dissidia Final Fantasy clocks in at 23 hours for the main story and 173 hours for completionist playthroughs.
  • Dissidia 012 clocks in at 28 hours for the main story and 129 hours for completionist playthroughs.
  • Dissidia NT clocks in at 16.5 hours for the main story and 32.5 hours for completionist playthroughs.
  • Theatrhythm Final Fantasy clocks in at 6.5 hours for the main story and 55.5 hours for completionist playthroughs.
  • Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call clocks in at 12 hours for the main story and 104 hours for completionist playthroughs.
  • Final Fantasy Record Keeper is a mobile game that's still receiving updates, but the current main story content clocks in at 40 hours.
  • Final Fantasy Explorers clocks in at 22.5 hours for the main story and 40 hours for completionist playthroughs.
  • Final Fantasy Brave Exvius is another mobile game, with about 220 hours of story content.
  • World of Final Fantasy clocks in at 35.5 hours for the main story and 82 hours for completionist playthroughs.

The final count for every single game on this list adds up to 1,677 hours for main storylines. For ultra-completionists, the final count is a whopping 3,338 hours. For those who want a more modest endurance run, just the mainline Final Fantasy titles will add up to 687.5 hours for the main stories or 1,161 hours for completionist runs. As a long-running franchise and icon of gaming, Final Fantasy has a lot of playtime to offer.

MORE: Final Fantasy 16: 13 Concepts It Should Take From Each Main Series Title