Final Fantasy III Casts Spell Next Spring
Europeans have been waiting more than a decade for this particular episode in the series, so a few more months won't hurt.
Square Enix and the companies it sprang from have never been concerned with timeliness when it comes to Europe. Dragon Quest VIII was the first time the 20-year-old series showed its face here, and Final Fantasy fans are still waiting for Final Fantasy XII, which was released in March in Japan. Europeans are getting a bone of some sort, in the form of Final Fantasy III for the DS, due early next year.
It's been nearly 17 years since Final Fantasy III enslaved its Japanese audience on the NES. Now Square Enix is bringing it to gamers outside its home country for the first time, and it has attached the game to Nintendo's monstrously successful DS.
The game features a save-the-world storyline backed by a deep character customisation system. You can also access Square Enix's Mognet over WiFi to chat with other players or find new goodies for your quest.
The biggest change to Final Fantasy III is the addition of 3D graphics, though whether this will dull the unflinchingly hardcore gameplay is still up in the air.
Final Fantasy III will be out for the DS this March.
Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo
Satoru Iwata Video Interview - the late Nintendo president spoke with Kikizo in 2004 as 'Nintendo Revolution' loomed.
Kaz Hirai Video Interview - the first of Kikizo's interviews with the man who went on to become global head of Sony.
Ed Fries Video Interview - one of Xbox's founders discusses an epic journey from Excel to Xbox.
Yu Suzuki, the Kikizo Interview - we spend time with one of gaming's most revered creators.
Tetris - The Making of an Icon: Alexey Pajitnov and Henk Rogers reveal the fascinating story behind Tetris
Rare founders, Chris and Tim Stamper - their only interview? Genuinely 'rare' sit down with founders of the legendary studio.
The History of First-Person Shooters - a retrospective, from Maze War to Modern Warfare