Final Fantasy has some of the most hardcore fanatics of all gaming franchises. These enthusiasts, which are in the millions, usually buy the latest mainline releases on the first day of availability. So what do you gift these gamers for the holidays? We have found some unique and old-school presents for you to considered. Find our top 10 list below.
10. Final Fantasy XI Vana’diel Forever Clock by Hori
The only Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG) in the series until recently with the release of Final Fantasy XIV, Final Fantasy XI is the most demanding game of the series. Fortunately, Hori’s Final Fantasy XI Vana’diel Forever Clock can keep track of time in the world Vana’diel. You’ll be able to know when the shops are opening and when the transportations are departing. It also doubles up as a regular clock.
9. Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus by Square Enix
Starring, Vincent, one of the most popular video game characters, the game takes place after the events in the feature film, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children. Dirge of Cerberus is an action game in the same vein as Devil May Cry where Vincent takes down the enemies with numerous stylish moves. With numerous Final Fantasy VII character cameos, Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus should be a great experience for fans of the original.
8. “More Friends-Music from Final Fantasy” Original Soundtrack by Square Enix
“More Friends-Music from Final Fantasy” is a compilation of musical scores throughout the series. The collection includes two theme songs: Final Fantasy IX’s Melodies of Life performed by Emiko Shiratori and Final Fantasy X’s SUTEKI DA NI (Isn’t it Wonderful) performed by Rikki. Composed by Nobuo Uematsu, Final Fantasy has some of the most memorable melodies in the history of video games; no self-respecting Final Fantasy fan should miss it.
7. Final Fantasy: The Spirit Within by Sony Pictures
Mysterious phantom aliens are threatening the human race and it’s up to the young scientist, Aki, and her friends to save the world. Originally released in 2001, Final Fantasy: The Spirit Within remains one on the best looking CG movies ever made. Although the movie has nothing similar to the games, it does have several Final Fantasy references that fans will notice.
6. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles by Square Enix
Poisonous miasma has eclipsed the land and it’s up to you and your friends to make it disappear. Only available for the Nintendo Gamecube, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles is an action-RPG with themes more reminiscence to the older Final Fantasies. The game was built around multiplayer where up to four players cooperate with each other to save the world. Many Final Fantasy references are present: moogles, crystals and much more.
5. The Black Mages and The Black Mages II by Square Enix
The Black Mages is a band Nobuo Uematsu, the former composer of the series, created and headed. They rearranged the various tracks, mostly battle music, throughout the RPG franchise. Fans of the original music tracks will be mesmerized with the amount of improvements and enchantments. Tracks like J-E-N-O-V-A from Final Fantasy VII and The Man With The Machine Gun from Final Fantasy VIII sound so much better than the original that you wish that the rearranged tracks were in the actual games.
4. Final Fantasy Unlimited by ADV Films
Final Fantasy Unlimited is the first fully-featured animated show for Final Fantasy. Based on Final Fantasy elements, Unlimited follows two siblings, Ai and Yu, in their search for their missing parents in the mysterious world of Wonderland. Along with cameos, Final Fantasy Unlimited boasts some excellent music scores as well as amazing animation (a combination of 2D animation with CG).
3. Final Fantasy Tactics by Square Enix
Although not officially part of the series, many consider Final Fantasy Tactics the best game in it. Unlike the main games, Tactics is a turn-based strategy game. However, it shares some similarities with the some of the main games as it uses the robust and renowned job system. The game was so successful that many of the elements and styles were reused in Final Fantasy XII.
2. Kingdom Hearts 1 and 2 by Square Enix
Although there’s no Final Fantasy in the name, the Kingdom Hearts series is a kind of spiritual successor. By combing Disney characters with Final Fantasy characters, the Kingdom Hearts series ended up being one of the more popular video game franchises. Even without the A-list of characters, the titles are some of the best action role-playing games around. Kingdom Hearts 1 and 2 will have a bunch of Final Fantasy fanatics gleaming with joy.
1. The Art of Final Fantasy IX by BradyGames
After the modern settings of VII and VIII, Square Enix, the developer decided to return to the medieval setting. The result is that Final Fantasy IX is arguably the most beautiful game in the series, at least artistically. The art book features full color artwork from various stages in the production process (from sketches to the CG movies). Characters, locations, weapons and monsters are all wonderfully drawn. The Art of Final Fantasy IX is easily the best unique gift for old-school Final Fantasy fanatics.