Final Fantasy 7 was first released for the original PlayStation in 1997. It quickly became one of the system’s biggest sellers and opened up the floodgates for countless other JRPGs to follow. In the years immediately after its release, fans saw classic titles like Suikoden, Legend of Dragoon, Star Ocean, and many more making their way to the US and some European territories.
The appeal of these games isn’t just the storylines that can keep players gripped for countless hours, but also the collectibles, items, and weapons. There are many of the latter in the Final Fantasy series, but none are quite as memorable as Final Fantasy 7's Ultimate Weapons. Finding all nine of them isn't easy, but is arguably worth the effort.
Updated September 24, 2021 by Tom Bowen: Despite being almost a quarter of a century old and a remake currently being in production, the original release of Final Fantasy 7 is still an excellent game. Those who have never played it are seriously missing out, though can do so free of charge at the moment if they happen to be a PS Now subscriber. Even if they aren't, the game's age and the wide array of options available when it comes to playing it ensure that there are plenty of options for those who are gaming on a budget.
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Cait Sith – HP Shout
Cait Sith’s Ultimate weapon is the HP Shout, which can be obtained during the raid on Midgar and the Shinra HQ. However, it’s actually a missable item, with this being the only opportunity that players are given to get their hands on it.
At the Shinra Headquarters, players need to make their way to the 64th floor and then head to the athletic room. The HP Shout can be found in the locker in the top left corner of the room. It has similar properties to Cloud’s Ultimate Weapon, in that its damage is measured by how much HP Cait Sith has.
Vincent – Death Penalty
Vincent’s Ultimate Weapon is called the Death Penalty: a long-range weapon with massive damage potential. It has a special ability where its damage increases as more monsters are killed in battle, which potentially makes it the very best weapon in the game.
To obtain the Death Penalty players need to take either the submarine or a Chocobo into the waterfall at the center of the western continent while Vincent is in the party. This will trigger a story scene with Lucrecia and the party will need to head back out and fight between two and eleven random battles. Afterward, they can go back inside the waterfall and pick up both the Death Penalty and Vincent’s level 4 limit break from the altar.
Cid – Venus Gospel
Cid’s Ultimate Weapon is the Venus Gospel. It has an attack power of 97 and an attack percentage of 103. Its damage is based on how much MP Cid has, which means that the more MP he has, the more damage he will do. Equipping an MP Plus materia to Cid’s inventory will therefore make a pretty big difference to the damage that can be done.
To obtain the Venus Gospel, players need to return to Rocket Town after the visit to space and then speak to the old man that is staring up at the rocket. Initiating a conversation with him three times will eventually lead to him handing over the Venus Gospel for Cid.
Yuffie – Conformer
Yuffie’s Ultimate Weapon is the Conformer and has an attack power of 96, an attack percentage of 112, and a magic power of 42. It is often equipped with the Morph Materia as there is no damage penalty for Yuffie when using it.
The Conformer can be obtained after the party has captured the submarine from the Underwater Reactor. They'll then need to make a trip to the sunken plane, the Gelnika, which can be found underwater, south of the Costa Del Sol. The weapon itself can be found in the research room above the save point.
Red XIII – Limited Moon
Red XIII’s Ultimate Weapon is the Limited Moon headdress clip. It has an attack power of 93 and an attack percentage of 114. However, just like Cid’s Venus Gospel, the Limited Moon’s damage is dependant on Red XIII’s MP totals.
The Limited Moon becomes available after the Weapons are unleased by the planet. After this, players need to return to Cosmo Canyon with Red XIII in the party. If they then initiate a conversation with Bugenhagen, a cutscene that ends with Red XIII receiving his Ultimate Weapon will trigger.
Aerith – Princess Guard
The Princess Guard is Aerith's Ultimate Weapon. The staff has an attack power of 52, an attack percentage of 111, and offers increased Vitality and Spirit. The Princess Guard also increases in power whenever a party member is knocked out and is the only Ultimate Weapon that offers materia growth.
The Princess Guard can be found in the clock room at the Temple of the Ancients. To reach it, players need to set the clock's dial so that they can access room IV, where they will find the Princess Guard waiting for them inside a chest.
Tifa – Premium Heart
Tifa’s Ultimate Weapon is called the Premium Heart. It has an attack damage of 99, an attack percentage of 112, and magic damage of 32. The weapon’s damage is based on how full Tifa’s Limit Break gauge is, making it fairly situational when compared to some of the other Ultimate Weapons.
The weapon becomes available after the party receives the Sector 6 key, which can be found by digging in the area to the left of the skull on the highest level of Bone Village. With the key in hand, players should return to Midgar and go to Wall Market. They'll receive the Premium Heart by interacting with the computer inside the tent with the word "ITEM" written on it.
Barret – Missing Score
Barret’s Ultimate Weapon is the Missing Score. It's a machine gun arm attachment with an attack power of 98, an attack percentage of 108, and magic damage of 49. Its damage is based on how much AP is associated with the equipped materia, meaning that equipping high-level materia will result in greater damage.
The Missing Score becomes available during the raid on Midgar. Providing Barret is in the party, players can find the weapon on the staircase that leads to Hojo’s laboratory after the Proud Clod boss fight. Players should make sure not to miss it, as this is the only chance they'll have to pick it up.
Cloud – Ultima Weapon
Cloud’s Ultimate Weapon is a sword known as Ultima Weapon and has an attack power 100, an attack percentage of 110, magic damage of 51, and a spirit increase of 24. Just like Cait Sith’s HP Shout, the weapon does more damage based on how high Cloud’s health is, so equipping HP Plus materia will usually increase its effectiveness.
The sword is obtained after defeating Ultimate Weapon in a series of battles that become available after players have defeated Diamond Weapon. It is advisable to tackle the fight in the later stages of the game – disc 3 – to make them a little easier. Furthermore, equipping the Long Range materia will prevent melee characters from wasting their turns from the deck of the Highwind.