Final Fantasy X is just one of the many Final Fantasy games that has players going back for more. Between its memorable and engaging story to its many likeable characters, the game has continued to be a favorite amongst fans.
With so much content packed into one game, especially in the numerous versions that followed the originally released 2001 version, it's no surprise that players can and will miss certain things on their first playthrough. These can range from unexplored areas to enemies that can prove a challenge to the best of players. For players wanting to maximize their Final Fantasy X experience, here are some side-quests they should make sure they do not miss.
10 Dark Aeons
After the player visits Zanarkand Ruins, returning to certain locations will trigger encounters with Dark Aeons, which are stronger versions of the Aeons Yuna has in her arsenal. Dark Aeons were initially not available in localized versions of the game but became available in the HD Remaster version. In addition to their improved stats, all Dark Aeons are immune to status ailments, Breaks, and can absorb their respective elements.
Dark Valefor can be found in Besaid Village, Dark Ifrit by a cliffside close to the Al Bhed Home, Dark Ixion in the Thunder Plains, Dark Shiva at Macalania Temple, Dark Bahamut inside Zanarkand Dome, Dark Yojimbo in the Cavern of the Stolen Fayth, Dark Anima at Mt. Gagazet Gate, and Dark Magus Sisters at the Mushroom Rock near the North End of Mi'ihen Highroad.
9 Chocobo Training
When the player arrives in the Calm Lands they gain access to Chocobo riding and, subsequently, the many minigames that can be played to improve the player's Chocobo. Starting this side-quest requires speaking to the Chocobo Trainer found in the northwest Calm Lands corner.
Between minigames that require dodging Blitzballs, catching birds, and racing against AI opponents, the player will slowly unlock Better Chocobos with improved handling and speed. Raising a properly trained Chocobo is necessary for completing the Celestial Weapons side-quest as well as accessing Remiem Temple.
8 Omega Ruins
Once the player can use the Fahrenheit airship they'll be able to explore new areas based on coordinates. This includes the Omega Ruins, a dungeon filled with the strongest monsters in the game. Before exploring, players should ensure that they have their best weapons equipped, plenty of curative items, and have characters with immunities to the Petrified effect.
Amongst the many strong monsters in this dungeon, which include the Great Malboro, Adamantoise, and Death, the player will also encounter two of the most notorious bosses in all of Final Fantasy: Ultima Weapon and Omega Weapon. While Ultima Weapon can be Bribed with 1,400,000 gil, Omega Weapon will prove to be a more difficult fight given its whopping 999,999 HP.
7 Penance
In accordance with the Dark Aeons side-quest, once the player defeats all of the Dark Aeons they will be able to take on an even greater threat. This monster, Penance, is credited as the strongest enemy in the game and requires the player to have maximized their characters' levels, completed their Sphere Grids, and have high-level armor equipped.
Penance has 12,000,000 HP, making this battle a lengthy one. The player will need to look out for Penance's attack pattern and watch for the separate attacks ushered by Penance's two arms and its main body. Once Penance loses 3,000,000 HP the second phase of the battle will occur, and Penance will begin by casting Haste on itself. Be sure to watch for its move Judgement Day, which deals a devastating 99,999 HP and drains 999 MP.
6 Completing The Monster Arena
Found in the Calm Lands, the player can come across the Monster Arena and begin a lengthy quest to find and capture several monsters to add to the Arena's database. Acquiring one of each monster in every area warrants both rewards and exclusive monsters to fight at the Monster Arena — one new monster per each completed area.
Of the many side-quests, the Monster Arena is arguably one of the longest since it requires revisiting all areas to tame every type of fiend. Additionally, there are monsters that are unlocked by completing special requests, which are typically a specific number of certain monsters. Completing the Monster Arena is also a prerequisite to fighting Nemesis, another optional superboss in the game.
5 Jecht Spheres
Defeating the Spherimorph in Macalania Woods begins the Jecht Spheres side-quest. This quest sees the player locating videos recorded in Spheres telling the story of Jecht on his journey with Auron and Lord Braska. A majority of these Spheres are organically found as per the game's plot, but the optional ones must be sought out.
For every optional Jecht Sphere that is found, Auron gains a new Bushido Overdrive, making this side-quest ultimately worth it to complete.
4 Bonus Aeons
While there are Aeons in the game that Yuna acquires automatically, there are three that are optional. The first is Yojimbo, which can be found in the Cavern of the Stolen Fayth. Yojimbo is an interesting Aeon that acts much differently than all others. The player must pay Yojimbo every time they want him to attack with 4 possible attacks, the strongest of which can instantly end a battle.
Anima is another Aeon that Yuna can access after the player travels back to Baaj Temple and enters the Chamber of the Fayth. Seymour Guado's final Aeon was Anima, who the player later learns was his mother. The final Aeon (or rather, Aeons), are the Magus Sisters, a collective Aeon composed of three sisters who all act independently of each other in combat.
3 Nemesis
As previously stated, completing the Monster Arena side-quest enables the player to take on special monsters after completing specific requests. The final monster available from this is Nemesis, a superboss that can be fought after the player catches 10 of every fiend in Spira.
Nemesis begins the battle with 10,000,000 HP and has a myriad of deadly attacks in its arsenal. This includes Armageddon, which deals 99,999 damage to all active members in combat. It is recommended that the player acquires all Celestial Weapons and maximizes their character levels before attempting to take on Nemesis.
2 Blitzball
Unique to Final Fantasy X is the Blitzball, something the player first plays as part of the story in Luca. After the player's first Blitzball experience they can later return and compete in several tournaments, leagues, or exhibition matches. For players that prioritize using Wakka, this side-quest will be significant as victories in various leagues and tournaments will unlock more Overdrives for him.
Recruitable players can be found all around Spira, and the player will need to approach them to scout them for their team. Once the player has increased their Blitzball levels, they will gain more scouting skills; these skills can show player abilities and stats upon first interacting with them.
1 Celestial Weapons
In every Final Fantasy game are the elusive Ultimate Weapons, which push each characters' potential to their limits. In Final Fantasy Xthese weapons are instead called Celestial Weapons, and any player wanting to maximize their characters' abilities should consider acquiring them.
As one might imagine, unlocking the Celestial Weapons is not an easy task to accomplish. From journeying around Spira in search of numerous Cactuar to improve Rikku, to repeatedly avoiding lightning strikes in the Thunder Plains to reduce Lulu's MP usage, the player should be ready to overcome some of the most taxing and tedious trials. The payoff, however, will be worth it, as these weapons not only make each character exponentially stronger, but they can also permit Aeons to break the damage maximum of 9999 damage.