You do not need to play the mainline numbered Final Fantasy games in sequence. They are generally separate stories, so a standalone entry is a perfectly reasonable place to start. Play a connected project in its own order—most notably, begin the Final Fantasy VII remake project with Remake Intergrade, not Rebirth.
Do you need to play Final Fantasy in order?
No franchise-wide story order is required. Square Enix’s North American history page lists the mainline numbered games from I through XVI, while its catalog presents distinct premises for individual titles. That supports treating most numbered entries as independent starting points, rather than chapters in one continuous saga. Some games and subseries do share settings or continuity, however, so check the order for a particular connected project.
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Square Enix frames the newcomer question as “Which FINAL FANTASY game should I play first?” rather than prescribing a required entry point. Its official history also shows how broad the franchise is: numbered games sit alongside spin-offs, online games, remakes, and other titles. The I–XVI list is a guide to the mainline numbered games, not a complete list of every Final Fantasy release. Square Enix’s North American history and official game catalog are useful starting points for browsing.
Should you play by chronology, release order, or standalone entry?
| Approach | Best for | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Start with a standalone game | Most newcomers who want a complete story without homework. | Choose by combat style, presentation, and the edition available to you. This is practical guidance, not an official Square Enix ranking. |
| Follow a connected project’s order | Players interested in a sequel or multi-game story. | Follow that project’s sequence. For the Final Fantasy VII remake project, play Remake Intergrade before Rebirth. |
| Play in release order | Players curious about how the series’ designs and technology changed. | Choose a market and release type first: original worldwide release, North American release, or a particular remake/remaster’s release. These produce different orders. |
| Play in chronological story order | Players following a specific connected subseries with an established timeline. | There is no single chronology for all mainline numbered games. Do not try to arrange I–XVI as one continuous timeline. |
How should you choose your first standalone game?
Once you have decided not to follow release order, narrow the choice using four practical questions. Availability changes by platform and edition, and the official pages cited here do not provide a complete current platform comparison.
#1 Best Overall
- The games that inspired a generation come to life once more, in the ultimate 2D pixel remaster!
- These games are newly developed remaster editions based on the original titles. Some of the changes and additional elements found in other remakes of these games are not included.
- The Anniversary Edition includes a pixel character sticker sheet.
- Universally updated 2D pixel graphics, including the iconic FINAL FANTASY character designs created by Kazuko Shibuya, the original artist and current collaborator.
- Beautifully rearranged soundtrack in a faithful FINAL FANTASY style, overseen by original composer Nobuo Uematsu.
- Do you want a self-contained story? Pick a numbered title whose premise appeals to you, rather than starting with a sequel or a game explicitly presented as part of a connected project.
- What combat feels right? The series includes different approaches, from turn-based or command-driven play to more action-oriented combat. Check the specific game’s description and gameplay before choosing; there is no one combat system shared by every entry.
- How much age-related friction is acceptable? Older games may have dated visuals or systems compared with newer releases. A newer entry can be a more comfortable first experience if presentation and modern controls matter more to you than seeing the series develop historically.
- What can you play on your device? Confirm the platform and edition for the particular game you want. Remakes and remasters can have different names and availability from the original release, so make sure the version you buy is the one you intend to play.
What order should you play the Final Fantasy VII remake project?
Square Enix describes Final Fantasy VII Rebirth as the second game in the remake project. For that connected story, the order is:
- Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade — start here.
- Final Fantasy VII Rebirth — play second.
- The project’s third and final installment — play after it is released.
Square Enix’s announcement identifies Rebirth as the second installment and the project as a trilogy. Availability of the final installment can change, so check the publisher’s current announcement for updates.
Rank #2
- Universally updated 2D pixel graphics, including the iconic FINAL FANTASY character pixel designs created by Kazuko Shibuya, the original artist and current collaborator
- Additional boost features to expand gameplay options, including switching off random encounters and adjusting experience gained multipliers between 0 and 4
- Beautifully rearranged soundtrack in a faithful FINAL FANTASY style, overseen by original composer Nobuo Uematsu
- Including modernized UI, auto-battle options, and more
- Dive into the world of the game with supplemental extras like the bestiary, illustration gallery, and music player
What does “release order” mean for Final Fantasy?
Release order is only precise once you specify which releases count. The original worldwide debut of a game, its North American release, and a later remake or remaster are different events. For a broad historical tour, use Square Enix’s dated history and decide whether to include only the mainline numbered entries or also the separately listed spin-offs and online games.
North American numbering adds a notable wrinkle. Square Enix records that Final Fantasy IV was released in North America as Final Fantasy II, and Final Fantasy VI as Final Fantasy III. Those older regional names can make lists or discussions appear out of sequence if they are mistaken for the modern mainline numbering. The publisher’s history page labels these releases explicitly.
Rank #3
- Updated and reconstructed visuals to be far more realistic and richly textured vs the original game
- Upgraded models for each character, graphical updates for a more immersive environment
- Estimated gameplay hours: 40 to 50 per title
- Sound: Players will be able to choose between original sound and the new, re-arranged sound
How big is the series?
Square Enix’s Final Fantasy Portal Site says the first title released in 1987 and reports more than 215 million package and download units sold. The page does not state a measurement date for the sales figure. It also references an 87-title Guinness World Records accolade from 2017; that is the count associated with the 2017 record, not a current tally of every title.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- CLASSIC RPG COLLECTION: Relive the classic adventures of the first six mainline Final Fantasy games with this definitive collection for Nintendo Switch.
- PIXEL REMASTERED: Enjoy the timeless stories and iconic characters with beautifully rendered 2D pixel graphics and updated gameplay systems.
- BONUS CONTENT: Anniversary Edition includes a pixel character art sticker sheet featuring the heroes and villains from each game.
- MULTI-PLATFORM GAMING: Experience the epic RPG journeys on the go or at home with the Nintendo Switch's hybrid capabilities.
- LEGENDARY SOUNDTRACKS: Immerse yourself in the iconic musical scores that have defined the Final Fantasy series over the decades.
Rank #4
- Game boosts
- - Battle assist - HP and ATB will always be maxed out, and limit breaks are available to trigger at any time.
- - no encounters - Turn on/off battle encounters.
- - speed boost (X3) - Play all scenes at 3X speed.
- the game is now Compatible with full HD (1920 x 1080) display and has implemented all new character models!
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