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Final Fantasy has no single winning formula: its numbered games tell separate stories, build different worlds and use distinct combat systems. This ranking covers all 16 mainline entries, including the online games Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV. It is an editorial order, not a universal verdict; a preference for turn-based tactics, job systems, action combat or online play can change which game feels best to you.
I weigh story and cast, combat and customization, pacing and accessibility, world and presentation, and each game’s distinct contribution. Those criteria are considered together rather than converted into a numerical score. The official Final Fantasy Portal history lists the numbered sequence from I through XVI separately from related and non-numbered titles.
All 16 mainline Final Fantasy games ranked
- Final Fantasy X — Its focused emotional story, distinctive cast and strong sense of place make it the most rounded recommendation here. It was the series’ first game with voiced characters, a change that helps its character scenes land. Its turn-based battles offer tactical clarity without requiring the player to manage a sprawling real-time system.
- Final Fantasy VI — A large ensemble cast and an ambitious story give this entry unusual scope, while its classic turn-based combat remains easy to understand. Its pixel presentation is part of its identity rather than an obstacle for players who enjoy older RPGs. The modern Pixel Remaster makes the first six games more approachable with interface and soundtrack updates and other extras.
- Final Fantasy VII — A memorable cast, dramatic momentum and a striking world make it an enduring gateway to the series. Its original combat balances turn-based choices with the flexibility of its materia system. The presentation is dated by current standards, but the core adventure remains compelling.
- Final Fantasy IX — This entry brings a storybook atmosphere to a character-driven adventure, with a classic party-based battle system and a strong sense of series tradition. Its slower pacing and deliberate references to earlier games work best for players who enjoy a more old-school RPG rhythm.
- Final Fantasy XIV — As an online role-playing game, it offers a long-form world and a continuing story built to be experienced over time. Its scale and community-facing design are major strengths for players seeking an MMO, but the format and time commitment make it a different proposition from a self-contained single-player entry.
- Final Fantasy XII — Its world-building and political story stand out, and its Gambit system lets players set party-member behavior rather than issue every action manually. That automation can make combat feel strategic and satisfying once understood, though it may seem distant from more directly controlled battles.
- Final Fantasy IV — A clear central cast and brisk, dramatic storytelling helped define the series’ move toward character-focused RPG narratives. Its older design is comparatively straightforward, making it a solid starting point for players curious about the series’ roots, though its systems are less flexible than later entries.
- Final Fantasy V — The job system is the star: experimenting with roles and abilities gives the adventure a satisfying layer of customization. Its lighter tone and episodic feel may not connect as strongly for players seeking a tightly unified drama, but its mechanical depth remains rewarding.
- Final Fantasy XVI — A darker, cinematic story and action-oriented combat give this entry a distinctive identity. Players who want immediate, character-driven action may find it an easy fit; those seeking party management or turn-based tactical choices may prefer another installment. Square Enix announced Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC availability, Xbox Play Anywhere, and a Complete Edition including DLC on June 8, 2025; check current platform listings for edition details.
- Final Fantasy VIII — Its romance-led story and unusual Junction system make it one of the series’ most distinctive entries. The system rewards experimentation but can be confusing, and its pacing has uneven stretches. Players who enjoy unconventional mechanics may find more to appreciate than those looking for a straightforward progression curve.
- Final Fantasy XIII — Its striking audiovisual style and fast, party-based battles have real appeal once the combat system opens up. The relatively guided progression and delayed access to broader exploration make its early hours feel restrictive to some players.
- Final Fantasy XV — The road-trip premise, open-world structure and companion dynamic give it a warm, personal feel. Its action combat is accessible, but the experience can feel uneven as its story and systems shift over the course of the adventure. PlayStation describes it as the first open-world entry in the series.
- Final Fantasy III — Its job-changing foundation gives it an important place in the series’ mechanical history. The original design can be demanding and less welcoming than later games; the available version matters, so newcomers may find a modernized edition easier to approach than an older release.
- Final Fantasy I — The original establishes the party-based quest and fantasy framework that later games would reshape. Its simplicity is part of its historical appeal, but its characters and storytelling are spare by modern standards. The Pixel Remaster is a convenient way to experience its basic design with updated interface and presentation.
- Final Fantasy XI — As a numbered online RPG, it deserves consideration on its own terms rather than as a single-player story. Its online structure can offer a deep, social role-playing experience, but it is a less immediate recommendation for someone looking for a contemporary, self-contained adventure; check current service and platform details before committing.
- Final Fantasy II — Its action-based attribute growth distinguishes it from the conventional level-up systems found in many RPGs, but the approach can feel opaque and less satisfying in practice. The experiment is historically notable; for most new players, other entries offer a smoother introduction.
How to choose the right Final Fantasy for you
For a self-contained story and memorable cast
Start with Final Fantasy X for an emotional, focused adventure, Final Fantasy VI for an ensemble epic, or Final Fantasy VII for a dramatic gateway with a distinctive world. Each is a separate story, so you do not need to play earlier numbered games first.
For combat and customization
Choose Final Fantasy V for job experimentation, Final Fantasy XII for configurable party behavior through Gambits, or Final Fantasy XVI for action combat. Their systems ask for different kinds of engagement, so the best fit depends on whether you want to plan builds, direct a party or focus on real-time action.
#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.
For an online world
Final Fantasy XIV and Final Fantasy XI are numbered mainline games, but they are online role-playing experiences rather than conventional standalone campaigns. Consider whether you want persistent online play and its associated time commitment before choosing either.
For a classic 2D starting point
The PlayStation guide to Final Fantasy describes the I–VI Pixel Remaster collection as six remastered 2D pixel adventures with interface and soundtrack updates and extras. It offers a convenient route into the early games, though remaster changes and version differences mean an older release may not play identically.
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 “mainline” includes—and what it does not
This ranking follows the numbered series, from Final Fantasy I through Final Fantasy XVI. That includes XI and XIV despite their MMO structure. It does not add sequels or adjacent titles as separate numbered entries; Square Enix’s official history lists related and non-numbered games separately.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallThe games do not share a continuous plot or a fixed combat template. Square Enix describes each mainline title as a standalone adventure with its own world, characters, story and mechanics. That independence is why a player can begin with the entry whose style sounds most appealing rather than following release order.
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
Why rankings differ
A ranking depends on what a player values. Someone who wants turn-based planning may place an action-focused game lower, while a player drawn to action combat may reverse that judgment. Similarly, an MMO’s breadth can be a strength for someone seeking an online world and a drawback for someone wanting a short, self-contained story.
Game Informer’s staff described its own 2023 ranking as “the sum of collective thoughts” and noted that a reader’s personal order would likely differ. That is the right way to read any list: as an argued preference, not a definitive measurement of quality.
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!
Check the edition and platform before you start
Availability and editions can differ by platform and region, and older games may have multiple releases with different presentation or mechanics. Confirm the current store listing for the exact title and platform you intend to use. In particular, Square Enix’s June 2025 announcement documented Final Fantasy XVI for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC, including Xbox Play Anywhere and a Complete Edition with DLC; it is dated platform information, not a guarantee that every edition is currently offered in every market.
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.
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