The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Choose Final Fantasy V first if you most want to experiment with party roles and combat builds. Choose Final Fantasy VI first if you are more interested in an ensemble cast, individual character stories, and customizing abilities with magicite. That recommendation follows the features Square Enix highlights; it is a preference-based guide, not an objective ranking.
How do Final Fantasy V and VI differ?
| What matters to you | Final Fantasy V | Final Fantasy VI |
|---|---|---|
| Core appeal | Experimenting with jobs and party roles | A broad playable cast with distinct stories and goals |
| Character customization | Choose jobs for characters to master and develop different playstyles | Use magicite to customize party members’ abilities, spells, and summons |
| Battle-system emphasis | Builds on the Active Time Battle system introduced in Final Fantasy IV | Magicite customization is the clearest distinction in Square Enix’s description |
| Presentation detail | No comparable detail established in the cited publisher descriptions | The Pixel Remaster reimagines the opera scene with vocals and animation |
Why play Final Fantasy V first?
Its job system makes experimentation the most obvious reason to begin here. You can select jobs for characters to master, opening different approaches to party roles and combat. If the fun you want from a classic RPG is trying combinations and changing how your group fights, V is the more direct fit.
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Why play Final Fantasy VI first?
VI is the stronger first choice if you want a large cast whose members have their own stories, goals, and destinies. Its magicite system also gives you a way to customize party members’ abilities, magic spells, and summons, so choosing VI does not mean giving up character-building choices.
The Pixel Remaster’s opera scene adds vocals and animation. Square Enix lists Japanese, English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, and Korean vocals; the selected language affects the voice track. Details are in the official announcement.
#1 Best Overall
- FINAL FANTASY VI-THEMED DECK—Battle your friends with FINAL FANTASY VI’s iconic heroes, villains, and spells with the strategic gameplay of the Magic: The Gathering collectible card game
- YOU CAN’T DESTROY EVERYTHING—Fill your graveyard and revive your fallen heroes as you fight alongside Terra, Herald of Hope to restore balance to the world.
- 25 NEW CARDS plus ALL NEW ART—All 100 cards in this ready-to-play deck feature new FINAL FANTASY-themed art, including 25 Commander cards entirely new to Magic: The Gathering
- 2 FOIL LEGENDARY CARDS—Each deck includes 2 Legendary Creature cards with a shiny Traditional Foil treatment that can be played as your commander
- COLLECT SPECIAL ALT-BORDER CARDS—Each deck also comes with a 2-card Collector Booster Sample Pack containing 2 alternate-border cards of rarity Rare or higher
Which version should you get?
For a current release, look for the Pixel Remaster edition on your preferred platform. Square Enix says the Pixel Remasters are based on the original Nintendo and Super Nintendo versions and that the stories were not changed. The publisher also notes balance adjustments and an overhauled UI; some changes or extra content from earlier remakes are not included. In other words, a Pixel Remaster is not a package of every feature from every previous version. See the Pixel Remaster FAQ for the publisher’s version notes.
Square Enix’s PS4 and Nintendo Switch announcement describes updated pixel graphics, original or rearranged soundtrack choices, selectable fonts, encounter toggles, experience multipliers from 0 to 4, a bestiary, an illustration gallery, and a music player. The same FAQ says the Steam and mobile versions received an update on January 31, 2024, adding encounter toggles and experience multipliers. Other options, including fonts, soundtrack, and gamepad support, can vary by platform. Confirm the details on the store page for your platform and region before buying.
Rank #2
- Release date is tentative, updates will be posted on the page
Where can you play or buy them?
Square Enix documents digital individual games and a six-game bundle for PlayStation Store, Nintendo eShop, Steam, App Store, Google Play, and Amazon Appstore. It announced PS4 and Nintendo Switch digital availability in April 2023, and also documents the series on Steam and mobile. Availability and store listings may differ by region.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesIf you want physical copies, Square Enix lists the Nintendo Switch and PS4 FINAL FANTASY I-VI COLLECTION ANNIVERSARY EDITION, with a release date of October 8, 2024. It contains all six Pixel Remaster games, not just V and VI. Check the listing for your platform and region for current availability. Square Enix has reported three million units shipped and downloaded worldwide for the six Pixel Remaster titles combined; that figure is not a sales total for either V or VI individually.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Bright and Reflective Ink. Diamond Grade Material provides the best visibility.
- Clean the surface - peel and stick to any surface!
- Waterproof & Fade Resistant – Made of Premium 3M Vinyl – MADE IN THE USA
Rank #4
- Fresh Artwork
- Rubi Asami: Illustrations for FINAL FANTASY IX, X, and STRANGER OF PARADISE
- Mihoko Ishii: Artwork for FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH
- Yuya Ishihata: Artwork for FINAL FANTASY IX
- Ryoma Ito: Artwork for FINAL FANTASY TACTICS A2 and XII REVENANT WINGS
Rank #3
- Final Fantasy VI - The following extra features are included:
- 3X speed mode
- ability to turn battle encounters off
- battle enhancement mode
- final FANTASY VIII remastered - The following extra features are included.battle assist options (HP, ATB gauge, and limit break boosts).game speed boost (X3.no random encounters
Which should you start with?
- Start with V if building party roles through jobs and experimenting in combat is your main priority.
- Start with VI if an ensemble cast and distinct character stories matter more, while still offering ability customization through magicite.
- Choose based on the experience you want, not a claim that one is universally better: Square Enix’s feature descriptions support different preferences, not a definitive winner.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
