JRPGs: Japan-Exclusive Releases in Prolific Series

This is the two Famicom games just bundled together in a spiffy new box.

Square original skipped from 1 to 4, which lead to that horrible renumbering fiasco and nostalgia-nerds refusing to call 2, 4... and 3, 6. This one's kinda the black sheep of the FF family (along with 8, which I love), so it's probably best it took a long time to get here (as part of Origins).

For English: PS1, GBA, PSP, iOS
This release has been fan-translated.

This game took forever (16 years!) to get to America, and really we got an entirely new game. Square added a more complex story, characters with personality, and pretty 3D graphics. I wish Square would release a FF1+2 style update to the original!

For English: DS, iOS, PSP (major overhaul)
This release has been fan-translated.

Ah, FF5. After the epic story-driven powerhouse that was FF4, Square decided to skip the more gameplay-driven FF5 with it's wonderful job system, and go straight to 6. While 6 is the darling of many gamers, 5 was one hell of a game. The job system went on to extensive use in the Tactics games and was even utlitized in FFX2 and FF3DS. It was originally to be called Final Fantasy Extreme, and released after 6 (3), but never happened. The fan-translation of this game is credited as really jump-starting the fan-translation scene. Thank you FFV!

For English: PS1, GBA
This release has been fan-translated.

This is the very FIRST remake of Final Fantasy! A tweaked version of this was slapped together with a tweaked version of the very FIRST remake of Final Fantasy II. A fancy FF-style video was added and it became Final Fantasy Origins. Then came Dawn of Souls, then they were split apart again and given another facelift for PSP... THEN... they were released on iOS, and I'm sure there will be more.

For English: PS1, GBA, PSP, iOS

Please see the note above.

A port of FF4 to the Wonderswan. It got bundles with a special version of the handheld itself, too!

For English: PS1, GBA, DS (major overhaul), PSP

Is this coming here? It looks really good! It better come here! My bets are on a PSVita port in the near future. It's inevitable, really.

The first of those murder-inducing dungeon games Japanese gamers love. It was skipped, but the 2nd came here, as well as getting a second wind on the Wii.

A racing/raising game that was compiled as part of the Chocobo Collecion.

A dice board game that was compiled as part of the Chocobo Collection

This compilation brought together Chocobo Racing, which got a release in the US, Chocobo Stallion, and Dice de Chocobo. Can't say I miss it!

Square loved the Wonderswan. They ported yet another game to it!

This is a pet simulation game. The pet? Chocobo! WARK!

Another board game, this time for the GBA... Kaloo Kalay!

This was released on the Wii in the US as Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon. It was then ported to the DS with extra stuff. It's a friendly dungeon crawl with a cute story.

For English: Wii

The follow-up to Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Tales was sadly never released in the US.

Another Wonderswan remake! This one is of the first SaGa game, which was originally a Final Fantasy spin-off. I've never been able to get into the SaGa games. I'm sure there's something interesting there, but I don't think they're for me.

For English: GB

The first iteration of ToP that was created by Wolfteam before officially becoming a part of Namco, through much controversy. It was the largest cart (48MBit) for the Super Famicom along with Star Ocean, which was developed by tri-Ace, a company that was formed by ex-Wolfteam members. Both games feature some voice acting and vocal songs.

This release has been fan-translated.

This is the first remake of ToP (What is this... FF1 and 2!?). It does a rather nice upgrade to graphics, adds voiced skits and the grade system. Nice! At the moment, this released marks the best way to experience ToP in English. Wonder when PSP translations will happen? :)

For English: GBA (not recommended)
This release has been fan-translated.

This is the SECOND remake of ToP that includes voice overs for all scenes and upgraded graphics.

For English: GBA (not recommended)

The THIRD ToP remake... and the SECOND remake on the PSP! WHAT? It includes even further "upgraded" (read: different) graphics, but it also includes a remake of Narikiri Dungeon with the same graphics.

For English: GBA (for ToP; not recommended)

A wonderful remake of Tales of Destiny with upgraded graphics and the best part is a new chapter to play through in which Leon is the main character. This was original released without the new chapter, then later it was added and put into a premium box and called Tales of Destiny: Director's Cut.

For English: PS1 (no Leon Chapter)

This is a direct sequel to ToD, not to be confused with ToDII that was actually Tales of Eternia (which was released here on the PS1, and on the PSP in Europe). You play as the son of Stahn and Rutee from ToD.

Just a port to PSP.

An enhanced re-release of ToS.

For English: GC

One of the only 2 (the other being Tales of Destiny 2) mothership titles that have not been seen in English AT ALL. Not through official or unofficial means, though active fan translations are going strong for both.

Just a PSP port.

The 2nd portable Tales game, and the first to be considered to be a Mothership title.

This release has been fan-translated.

An enhanced re-release for PSVita.