Final Fantasy is one of the most prolific video game franchises. Having debuted in 1987 with Final Fantasy on the NES, the franchise has had an unfathomable amount of entries in the three-and-a-half decades that have followed. From 15 mainline entries, some featuring their own dedicated sequels, to a range of spin-offs spanning multiple video game genres, and a slew of animated series and movies, Final Fantasy is everywhere, and that includes crossovers with other video game properties. The newly announced Final Fantasy Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line is set to cross over with several popular Japanese gaming franchises.
In the past, Final Fantasy has crossed over with fighting games like Tekken 7 and Super Smash Bros., action games like Monster Hunter World, and MMOs like Phantasy Star Online 2. But its most prominent crossovers have often come from fellow JRPGs, and Final Fantasy Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is set to bring together some of the best JRPGs in an adorable, action-packed rhythm game. However, there's one noticeable exception in Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line's DLC roster.
Final Fantasy Theatrhythm Final Bar Line Has One More Obvious Crossover DLC
Announced during the latest Nintendo Direct, Final Fantasy Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line is the third entry in the decade-old rhythm game series. The general gameplay loop sees players control iconic Final Fantasy characters as they tap, swipe, and input the correct buttons to the rhythm of a beloved piece of Final Fantasy music. Towards the end of Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line's announcement trailer, after an impressive library of Final Fantasy themes was revealed, the game's future DLC was teased, confirming crossovers with several popular franchises.
The first crossover revealed was Nier, teasing that the "Song of the Ancients" track would be coming to Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line as DLC, along with four characters from the series. "Decisive Battle II" from Octopath Traveler was up next, followed by Chrono Trigger's "Corridors of Time." Songs from Legend of Mana, and Romancing SaGa rounded out the DLC section of the trailer, along with the announcement that a whopping total of 90 Square Enix tracks will be available as future DLC for the game, each sold as an individual DLC pack, or bought altogether in the Digital Deluxe edition of the game.
While the DLC line-up is already quite impressive, there's one notable absence from the list: Kingdom Hearts. On paper, it makes complete sense for Kingdom Hearts to come to Final Fantasy Theatrhythm Final Bar Line as crossover DLC. Score and songs have always been a major part of the Kingdom Hearts experience, and with the game having half a cast consisting of Final Fantasy characters, it seems like a no-brainer to include it as DLC. However, there could be one big, mouse-shaped obstacle in the way.
Only half of Kingdom Hearts' cast is made up of Final Fantasy characters, the rest all come from various Disney properties. Similarly, while much of the game's soundtrack is wholly original, it does frequently use motifs from popular Disney songs and soundtracks. Disney is infamously tricky to work with when it comes to licenses, so for the sake of some DLC in a fairly niche rhythm game, it's likely not worth the hassle or money for Square Enix to try and pursue them, even if it does own a sizable share of the Kingdom Hearts property. That being said, it's always possible that some kind of deal is struck, and fans get to play through some popular Kingdom Hearts tracks in Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line, it's just a little unlikely right now.
Final Fantasy Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line releases February 16, 2023 on PS4 and Switch.
