The Final Fantasy series is spread over numerous decades and consoles, meaning there is something for everyone. Even since the early days of the series Square (and eventually Square Enix) has been giving gamers on the go something worthwhile to play.
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The games below were all on offer as premium handheld experiences during their time. RPGs have a unique place in handheld gaming, providing big adventures that simultaneously can be broken down into bite-sized chunks whenever someone is at a cafe or on a commute. During each game's respective release window, it was hard to find a better RPG experience on handhelds.
This list focuses on games that were designed for handhelds first and foremost, so it will not mention ports and mobile remasters.
7 Final Fantasy Legend
Metacritic: 71 (Collection Of Saga Compilation Score)
- Release: September 30, 1990
- Developer: Square
- Platforms: Game Boy, Switch, iOS, PC, WonderSwan,
This Game Boy title belongs to a different series in Japan, but it was released as Final Fantasy Legend in the west and it makes sense why. The scenario feels familiar to anyone who played the original Final Fantasy; it follows four heroes as they go on an adventure and players get to choose each hero's class.
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The gameplay is turn-based and battles happen as random encounters out in the world or in dungeons. The main difference here is that battles occur from the first-person perspective. The game is an excellent distillation of what JRPGs were at the time into the Game Boy.
6 Final Fantasy 15: Pocket Edition
Metacritic: 69
- Release: February 8, 2018
- Developer: Square Enix
- Platforms: iOS, PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox One
The absurd production values present in modern Final Fantasy games make some players wish for simpler times. Square Enix heard players and gave them Final Fantasy 15: Pocket Edition, a downsized retelling of Final Fantasy 15 that cuts straight to the story.
The full game's realistic art style is changed to a cuter, chibi-inspired art and the combat is streamlined to feel more comfortable on handhelds. Even though it is significantly shorter than Final Fantasy 15, players still get the full story through Pocket Edition.
5 Final Fantasy Type-0
Metacritic: 72
- Release: October 27, 2011
- Developer: Square Enix 1st Production Department
- Platforms: PSP
This game had an interesting history up until its release. It was a part of the Final Fantasy 13 series of games that also included Final Fantasy Versus 13 which eventually became Final Fantasy 15. Type-0 in its final form does not feel connected to 13 or 15, but that does not make it a bad game (though the concept of l'cie from 13 is here too).
The story takes some dark turns as its plot deals with the idea of never-ending war. Type-0 did not receive a lot of fanfare upon its release, but it is definitely a hidden gem of the Final Fantasy spin-offs.
4 Before Crisis: Final Fantasy 7
Metacritic Score Unavailable
- Release: September 24, 2004
- Developer: Square Enix
- Platforms: Mobile
This mobile game comes from a time when people were still using flip phones and texting using the number pad. The idea of a full-fledged action RPG on such a device seems far-fetched even today, but Square Enix proved this possible with Before Crisis.
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Not only is the game impressive for what it was able to pull off on older phones, but it also is incredibly important to the Final Fantasy 7 lore. The game reveals more about the Turks and also has some stunning plot twists about Avalanche.
3 Dissidia 012 Advance
Metacritic: 78
The first Final Fantasy Dissidia game was a promising start to a series. The formula established by that PSP game was further improved with the sequel, Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy. Dissidia is a one-on-one fighting game with a unique twist that makes it way different than Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, or Super Smash Bros.
The RPG elements of the main series are adapted into a real-time combat space so players have to consider different resources during a fight and decide when to do certain attacks. On top of that, the series is a general celebration of Final Fantasy, featuring characters from each main game in the series.
2 Final Fantasy 7: Crisis Core
Metacritic: 83
Final Fantasy 7: Crisis Core
- Released
- September 13, 2007
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix , Tose
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
Gamers had their dreams come true in 2020 with Final Fantasy 7 Remake. Before that, fans were begging for years for anything Final Fantasy 7 related. Of all the spin-offs to come out, CrisisCore is one of the most celebrated. The prequel follows Zack Fair before the events of Final Fantasy 7.
Following a celebrated minor character who is only seen in flashbacks in the original game was eye-opening and drastically expanded Final Fantasy 7's lore. The combat was also an engaging mix of real-time elements and luck with the roulette system.
1 Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Metacritic: 87
- Release: February 14, 2003
- Developer: Square Product Development Division 4
- Platforms: Game Boy Advance
The first Final Fantasy Tactics on the original PlayStation is a timeless classic. Though many would love a proper sequel to the grand adventure of that 1999 title, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance and its sequel on the DS are the next best thing. It retains many of the core gameplay elements from Tactics along with a few variations.
The main difference is the game's story takes place in a dream world as opposed to Tactics's harsh storyline of political intrigue, betrayal, and brutal violence. The main draw of Tactics Advance is just how customizable the party is and the many gameplay possibilities to which this leads.
For fans of the genre, Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions is available on PSP, and Tactic Ogre: Reborn is also available for modern consoles .
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