Final Fantasy review

Final Fantasy is the only full role-playing game on the list and the start of Square Enix's best-known series. In Square Enix's words, the light in four Crystals has been lost, and the Warriors of Light set out to restore their power and save the world. You switch between classes to build your party and travel by airship and other vessels. The used cartridge lists at $48.99 at DKOldies before sales. Square Enix sells a Pixel Remaster on Steam at $11.99 with redrawn 2D graphics, a rearranged soundtrack overseen by Nobuo Uematsu, auto-battle, and options to switch off random encounters or change the experience multiplier. That makes the remaster far easier to finish than the cartridge, but it is not the NES original, so purists should buy the cart. Turn-based combat and the original cartridge's lack of those options hold its ease score down. For RPG fans, it is where the series began.

Who it is for

RPG fans who want the start of the series and are happy with turn-based battles.

Price

Used NES cartridge from $48.99 at DKOldies (regular price, before sales).

Original price: $48.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• Play as the Warriors of Light restoring four Crystals
• Switch between classes to improve your characters
• Travel the world by airship and other vessels
• Pixel Remaster adds auto-battle and an option to turn off random encounters
• Pixel Remaster lets you switch between rearranged and original soundtracks

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: The only full RPG on the list
• Strength: Pixel Remaster is $11.99 on Steam, the cheapest legal option here
• Strength: Cartridge lists at a fair $48.99 used
• Weakness: Original cartridge lacks the remaster's boost and auto-battle options
• Weakness: The Pixel Remaster has new graphics, not the NES look
• Weakness: Turn-based battles will not suit action fans

Key facts

• Publisher: Square Enix
• Genre: Role-playing
• Heroes: Warriors of Light
• Legal re-release: Pixel Remaster, $11.99 on Steam
• Original release (per Square Enix): 1987

Where it ranks

Final Fantasy is No. 10 in our Best NES Games of All Time verdict.