Franchise Directory

Final Fantasy

The Final Fantasy franchise has 18 entries. Play in Release Order for newcomers, Chronological Order for lore completionists.

18
Total Games
1987
Franchise Start
0
Delisted Count
Complex – Moderate – Simple
CIB Complexity
Your progress
Loading...

Your progress is saved in your browser — no account needed.

ⓘ AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: GameOrder.gg earns commission from eBay and Amazon qualifying purchases. This never affects our editorial recommendations.
OwnedYour shelfOwn#TitleYearPlatformCIBComplete In BoxCIB $WarningsFakes · Region · AudioFind / Buy
1
Final FantasyOptional
1987NESComplexWhat is CIB? →
2
Final Fantasy IIOptional
1988NES
3
Final Fantasy IIIOptional
1990NES
4
Final Fantasy IVRecommended
1991SNESModerate
⚠️
5
Final Fantasy VRecommended
1992SNES
6
Final Fantasy VIEssential
Available on Steam, mobile, and Pixel Remaster collection.
Authentic SNES label has embossed Nintendo seal. Reproductions common.
1994SNESModerate
⚠️
7
Final Fantasy VIIEssential
Black label first print has black spine. Greatest Hits has green spine. Both legitimate.
1997PS1Complex
⚠️
8
Final Fantasy VIIIRecommended
1999PS1Complex
9
Final Fantasy IXEssential
2000PS1Complex
10
Final Fantasy XEssential
2001PS2Simple
⚠️
11
Final Fantasy XIOptional
2002PS2
12
Final Fantasy XIIRecommended
2006PS2Simple
13
Final Fantasy XIIIOptional
2009PS3
14
Final Fantasy XIVEssential
2013PC
15
Final Fantasy XVOptional
2016PS4Simple
16
Final Fantasy XVIEssential
2023PS5Simple
17
Final Fantasy VII RemakeRecommended
2020PS4
18
Final Fantasy VII RebirthRecommended
2024PS5

Spot an error or missing game? Let us know →

Which Final Fantasy Games Are Essential?

Essential marks the installments that carry the spine of Final Fantasy's main story and world-building — the ones collectors and lore-focused players treat as must-play for the core narrative. On GameOrder, Essential titles include Final Fantasy IX, Final Fantasy VI, Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy X, Final Fantasy XIV, and Final Fantasy XVI.

Recommended entries meaningfully enrich the franchise — strong stories, fan favorites, or connective tissue that pays off after the essentials, without being strictly required. Recommended picks here: Final Fantasy IV, Final Fantasy V, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Final Fantasy VIII, and Final Fantasy XII.

Optional games are fair to skip for continuity; they are side paths, experiments, or lighter fare that fans can pick up when they want more, not when they need the main plot. Optional tagged titles: Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy II, Final Fantasy III, Final Fantasy XI, Final Fantasy XIII, and Final Fantasy XV.

Spinoff titles sit apart from the primary saga — different genres, timelines, or branding — and are best treated as extras after you know the heart of the series. No Spinoff tags appear on these rows.

If you enjoyed Final Fantasy

📖 New to Final Fantasy? Read our beginner's guide →