Overview
Final Fantasy wasn’t just a game—it was Squaresoft’s entire identity. From NES origins through PlayStation dominance, they defined what Japanese RPGs could achieve: epic stories, memorable characters, spectacular visuals. The merger with Enix ended the Squaresoft name but continued the legacy.
Fast facts
- Founded: 1983.
- Location: Japan.
- Known for: Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger.
- Merged: Enix (2003, became Square Enix).
Final Fantasy series
| Title |
Year |
Platform |
| Final Fantasy I |
1987 |
NES |
| Final Fantasy IV |
1991 |
SNES |
| Final Fantasy VI |
1994 |
SNES |
| Final Fantasy VII |
1997 |
PlayStation |
| Final Fantasy VIII |
1999 |
PlayStation |
| Final Fantasy IX |
2000 |
PlayStation |
| Final Fantasy X |
2001 |
PlayStation 2 |
Other major titles
| Title |
Year |
| Secret of Mana |
1993 |
| Chrono Trigger |
1995 |
| Super Mario RPG |
1996 |
| Xenogears |
1998 |
| Vagrant Story |
2000 |
| Kingdom Hearts |
2002 |
PlayStation partnership
| Achievement |
Impact |
| FFVII exclusivity |
System seller |
| Technical showcase |
FMV, pre-rendering |
| Western breakthrough |
Mainstream JRPG |
Visual evolution
| Era |
Approach |
| NES |
Sprite-based |
| SNES |
Mode 7, detail |
| PlayStation |
Pre-rendered, FMV |
| PS2 |
Real-time 3D |
Enix merger
| Year |
Event |
| 2003 |
Square Enix formed |
| Reason |
Financial recovery |
| Result |
Combined catalogues |
See also