TheFinal Fantasyfranchise has enjoyed a stellar past few years, with major entries likeFinal Fantasy 16andFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthbeing supported by smaller, but still quality releases likeStranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Originand theFinal Fantasy Pixel Remastercollection. Both of those smaller titles were released, or finished releasing in theFF Pixel Remasterseries’ case, in 2022, the yearFinal Fantasycelebrated its 35th anniversary, which is fitting considering they include two vastly different takes onFF1.Final Fantasyis one of gaming’s longest-running RPG franchises, and it’s safe to say it has aged gracefully.
New fans don’t need to take veterans’ word for it, as theFinal Fantasy Pixel Remastershave finished bringingevery mainlineFinal Fantasyto modern consoles, or just PC inFF11andFF13’s case. It has never been easier to pick out almost any acclaimedFinal Fantasytitle and start playing it, and thanks to the improvements included with thePixel Remasters, it’s also the best time to play them as well. 2025 has reinforced that even further thanks to a surprise new update dropping for the SteamPixel Remasters, so there’s no reason to wait any longer on relivingFinal Fantasy’s past.
2025 Has Brought More Updates To The Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters
Final Fantasy’s Oldest Games Now Enjoy Even More Refinements
TheFinal Fantasy Pixel Remastercollection is generally considered the ideal way to experienceFinal Fantasy 1through6, assuming a given player doesn’t prefer something particular to one of their older versions, but they weren’t perfect. The initial mobile and Steam versions of the collection had some issues that later console skews and updates have amended, an unpopular font choice being chief among these, but some glitches and awkward spots remained. Some examples includedFinal Fantasy 6’s famous Dancing Mad tracknot transitioning properly and various progression-blocking bugs, so there was still room for improvement.
Because of that, Steam’s aforementioned 1.2.0 update was a welcome surprise when it dropped on July 23, 2025. It was mostly dedicated to squashing bugs like those, but it also added some quality of life features likeFinal Fantasy 3’s Job Levelsbeing eligible for Boost multipliers, Float being maintained after map transitions inFF4, and the compensatory EXP awarded toFF6characters rejoining the party being adjusted. These great games have only gotten better, and these changes are drastic enough that the mobile and console versions of thePixel Remastersshould see them soon.
The Pixel Remasters Are Classic Final Fantasy’s Best Entry Point
Once this round of polish is complete, theFinal Fantasy Pixel Remasterseries will be the best place to get into classicFinal Fantasyin modern times. Those who haven’t already picked up these games, whether piecemeal or as a bundle, should consider doing so, as thePixel Remastersreplicate the experience of retroFinal Fantasywith modern conveniences. Aside from the excellent pixel art recreations across the collection, each game also has a remade soundtrack, including new songs for key moments in the oldest games. Even veterans may find something new to like about these games.
Final Fantasy’s Pixel Remasters Have Unique Advantages Over Past Versions
Speaking of new content, some changes and additions are unique to thePixel Remasterversions of theseFinal Fantasytitles. The minimap system is a series-wide one, which was improved in the recent patch.Final Fantasy 1’s last battle with Chaos is one of the hardest versions of the fight; players can multiply or restrict the amount of money and experience they gain; random battles can be toggled at will; and, most notably, theFinal Fantasy 6Opera House sequencewas completely remade with 3D assets and voiced singing. There’s a lot of value in theFinal Fantasy Pixel Remastercollection, and that’s only increased as time moves forward.
