Square Enix has been releasing remastered versions of the first six Final Fantasy titles since July 2021. The Pixel Remaster series, as it's known, retains the original pixel art designs of the original games while enhancing their graphical and audio fidelity alongside balancing tweaks, improved UI, and some extra content such as a bestiary. These versions replace or supplement previous remakes and remasters, so it's good to see Square Enix make quality-of-life updates to these nearly 30-year-old games while maintaining the original look and feel of the initial releases.
However, these remasters have only been released on Android, iOS, and Steam. Despite originally debuting on console, none of the six games are planned to see a PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One and Series X/S, or Switch release. Many of these titles have not seen a console release for over 10 years, meaning playing the originals would be difficult. These remasters are clearly meant to introduce these classic games to a wider audience, and the best way to do that would be to make them widely accessible with modern console releases.
All Eyes on Final Fantasy
While releasing these titles on mobile and PC is great, leaving out consoles means leaving behind some of Final Fantasy's audience. The aim of the Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters is to provide easily accessible versions, and the titles would have more visibility if they also released on consoles - also leading to a likely increase in sales numbers. Even with more recent entries in the Final Fantasy franchise, is still seen primarily as a console series. Except for Final Fantasy 11 and 14, which are both MMOs available on PC, the primary audience for the franchise has traditionally played on console. Those same players aren't able to explore the older titles on current-gen consoles if they'd like to.
These games were originally designed for consoles, specifically on Nintendo hardware, and Final Fantasy does have a heritage on PlayStation as well. Being able to have a controller in player's hands with a fresh coat of paint will undoubtedly be the preferable way to play for many. Looking at the larger picture, releasing these remasters on console would also be beneficial for preserving the titles.
Spotlighting Fan-Favorite and Obscure Final Fantasy Titles
These titles are being marketed as one collection, including both some of the most beloved and most obscure titles in the franchise. Final Fantasy 4 and 6 are some of the most influential titles in their genre, yet they have not had a wide release on popular consoles in some time. Outside the SNES Classic and Nintendo DS, the last time these classics have seen a release on a popular console was the Wii's Virtual Console.
Final Fantasy 5 hasn't seen a console release since the PlayStation 1, and Final Fantasy 3 hasn't seen a console release since its initial launch on the NES - which was never released in North America, though it was remade for many platforms later on. Final Fantasy 3 and 5 are historically important as they helped introduce the jobs system, which is still flourishing in modern titles like Final Fantasy 14, so it would be worth giving them more attention than the current release platforms for these remasters provide.
Square Enix Can Use The Past to Plan The Future
If the upcoming Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is any indication, Square Enix is interested in looking back at its older titles for inspiration. Whether it's a dream match like Dissidia or a return to an existing world like in Final Fantasy 12, Square Enix loves nostalgic callbacks. In addition to Square Enix putting the Pixel Remasters in front of a lot of more eyes, they could be used to judge fan interest in these particular games: which titles sell best, how sales compare to other remasters and re-releases, and what fans want after having played these games.
Some titles like Skyrim and Grand Theft Auto 5 are consistently re-released when a new console comes out, and whenever they do people often buy them again. It's beneficial for both the publisher and fans to have older games readily available for whatever platform someone may own, and Final Fantasy should be no different. With the remasters finally all being available this week, it would be beneficial to fans if Square Enix announced it is bringing the titles to all current consoles.
Final Fantasy 6 Pixel Remaster will release February 23, 2022 on Android, iOS, and Steam.
