GameTimeline

Release & story order

Final Fantasy timeline

Final Fantasy from the 1990 NES debut through Final Fantasy XVI and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (2024)—US release dates, which numbered entries share one story, and FAQ for Pixel Remasters, Crisis Core, XIV A Realm Reborn, and spin-offs like Tactics.

Updated June 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When Square/Square Enix shipped each mainline chapter in the US—Final Fantasy (1990) through Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (2024), plus Final Fantasy XVI (2023). Pixel Remasters and HD ports are FAQ-only unless they are your only way to buy I–III on modern stores.

  • Newcomers → pick one era (VII Remake, X, XII, XVI)—each numbered game is its own story
  • Full franchise history → Release tab I through XVI + VII Remake/Rebirth rows
  • VII fan path → Crisis Core Reunion → FF VII → Remake → Rebirth (see FAQ for Compilation vs Remake split)
  • Skip FF XI unless you want a legacy MMO—XIV is the active online chapter
Story order tips

Most numbered Final Fantasy games are standalone worlds—play any one first. Connected sagas: VII (Crisis Core → VII → Remake → Rebirth branch), X (X → X-2), XIII (XIII → XIII-2 → Lightning Returns). Final Fantasy XIV is an ongoing MMO with its own timeline—not interchangeable with single-player rows.

  • Standalone: I–VI, VIII, IX, XII, XV, XVI—no required order between them
  • VII saga: Crisis Core → Final Fantasy VII → Remake → Rebirth (Dirge of Cerberus optional FAQ)
  • X saga: Final Fantasy X → X-2 | XIII saga: XIII → XIII-2 → Lightning Returns
  • On Story order, later saga entries may be hidden—reveal when ready or use Show all spoilers

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Final Fantasy

    Final Fantasy

    NESRPGMainline

    Four Light Warriors—Crystal fantasy that named the franchise.

    Overview
    Square's Hironobu Sakaguchi 'final' RPG gamble—turn-based party combat and job system roots.
    In-game setting
    Standalone world—no story link to later numbered entries.
    Should you play it?
    Historical start—optional for modern players; Pixel Remaster is the easy PC port.
    Release date
    US NES launch July 12, 1990. Pixel Remaster on PC/mobile 2021.
  2. Final Fantasy IV

    Final Fantasy IV

    SNESRPGMainline

    Cecil's redemption—Active Time Battle debut.

    Overview
    US SNES launch as 'Final Fantasy II'—ATB combat and moral arc storytelling.
    In-game setting
    Standalone—spawned After Years sequel (FAQ only).
    Should you play it?
    Beloved 16-bit entry—still a strong classic starting point.
    Release date
    US SNES July 19, 1991. Pixel Remaster and 3D remakes on modern stores.
  3. Final Fantasy VI

    Final Fantasy VI

    SNESRPGMainline

    Opera House, Kefka, and ensemble cast—SNES peak.

    Overview
    US SNES as 'Final Fantasy III'—mature tone and multiple protagonists.
    In-game setting
    Standalone—no required link to other numbered games.
    Should you play it?
    Top-tier classic—safe entry for 16-bit RPG fans.
    Release date
    US launch October 11, 1994. Pixel Remaster 2022.
  4. Final Fantasy VII

    Final Fantasy VII

    PS1PCRPGMainlineSaga

    Cloud, Midgar, and the Lifestream—franchise breakout.

    Overview
    PS1 CGI blockbuster—defined JRPG global popularity.
    In-game setting
    Start of the VII Compilation—Crisis Core is a prequel on Story order.
    Should you play it?
    Play Crisis Core Reunion first on saga order—or start with Remake for modern graphics.
    Release date
    US launch September 7, 1997. Steam original and Remake are separate rows.
  5. Final Fantasy VIII

    Final Fantasy VIII

    PS1PCRPGMainline

    Squall and Rinoa—SeeD, GFs, and Junction system.

    Overview
    More realistic character models and romance-forward plot.
    In-game setting
    Standalone—no connection to VII or IX.
    Should you play it?
    Divisive systems—standalone entry anytime after you want a 1990s Square epic.
    Release date
    US launch September 9, 1999. Remastered on modern consoles/PC.
  6. Final Fantasy V

    Final Fantasy V

    PS1RPGMainline

    Bartz and the Crystals—deep job system.

    Overview
    First US release via Final Fantasy Anthology on PlayStation September 30, 1999.
    In-game setting
    Standalone—job mastery focus.
    Should you play it?
    Often skipped in favor of VI or VII—great for mechanics-first players.
    Release date
    Pixel Remaster 2021.
  7. Final Fantasy IX

    Final Fantasy IX

    PS1RPGMainline

    Zidane and Garnet—return to classic fantasy tone.

    Overview
    Deliberate nostalgia for I–VI aesthetics on PS1 hardware.
    In-game setting
    Standalone—Active Time Event system and ensemble adventure.
    Should you play it?
    Fan-favorite single entry—great one-and-done JRPG.
    Release date
    US launch July 7, 2000. Switch/Steam remaster available.
  8. Final Fantasy X

    Final Fantasy X

    PS2RPGMainlineSaga

    Tidus and Yuna—Spira pilgrimage, voice acting first for mainline.

    Overview
    Fully voiced mainline—CTB variant and Sphere Grid.
    In-game setting
    Leads into Final Fantasy X-2 on Story order (FAQ/optional row).
    Should you play it?
    Strong standalone entry—add X-2 after if you want closure.
    Release date
    US PS2 launch December 17, 2001. HD Remaster bundles X-2.
  9. Final Fantasy XI

    Final Fantasy XI

    PCPS2Xbox 360OnlineMainline

    Vana'diel MMORPG—first online mainline number.

    Overview
    Square's first MMO mainline—ongoing for years with expansions.
    In-game setting
    Separate online continuity—not part of single-player saga rows.
    Should you play it?
    Legacy MMO—most timeline players skip; XIV is the modern online FF.
    Release date
    US PC launch May 14, 2002. Console support ended—PC only today.
  10. Final Fantasy XII

    Final Fantasy XII

    PS2RPGMainline

    Vaan and Ashe—Ivalice politics, Gambit combat.

    Overview
    Semi-real-time Gambit system—single controllable party leader.
    In-game setting
    Ivalice setting links to Tactics spin-offs (FAQ)—not to other numbered worlds.
    Should you play it?
    Excellent standalone—play Zodiac Age version if buying today.
    Release date
    US PS2 launch October 31, 2006. Zodiac Age remaster on current platforms.
  11. Final Fantasy III

    Final Fantasy III

    DSRPGMainline

    Job system classic—Crystal Warriors vs Cloud of Darkness.

    Overview
    First official US version on Nintendo DS (3D remake) November 14, 2006.
    In-game setting
    Standalone—job class pivot point for the series.
    Should you play it?
    Optional classic—many fans start at IV or VII instead.
    Release date
    Pixel Remaster 2021 on PC.
  12. Final Fantasy II

    Final Fantasy II

    PSPRPGMainline

    Firion and the Emperor—keyword stat growth.

    Overview
    First US release via Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls (GBA 2004); PSP Origins July 2007 used here for US sort date.
    In-game setting
    Standalone—introduced named characters and keyword dialogue systems.
    Should you play it?
    Skip unless completing every mainline number—no impact on later plots.
    Release date
    Pixel Remaster worldwide 2021 on Steam.
  13. Final Fantasy XIII

    Final Fantasy XIII

    PS3Xbox 360RPGMainlineSaga

    Lightning and Cocoon—linear PS3-era trilogy begins.

    Overview
    Paradigm Shift battle system—cinematic linear first chapter.
    In-game setting
    First of XIII → XIII-2 → Lightning Returns saga.
    Should you play it?
    Commit to trilogy if you start—see FAQ for sequel rows.
    Release date
    US launch March 9, 2010. Xbox One/Series/PC ports later.
  14. Final Fantasy XIV

    Final Fantasy XIV

    PCPS4PS5Xbox Series X|SOnlineMainline

    A Realm Reborn—Hydaelyn MMORPG relaunch.

    Overview
    Rebuilt after 2010 1.0 failure—Naoki Yoshida's live-service reinvention.
    In-game setting
    Sort date uses A Realm Reborn US PC launch August 27, 2013—not 1.0.
    Should you play it?
    Separate from single-player numbered stories—ongoing expansions, not a finish line.
    Release date
    Free trial available; expansions through Dawntrail (2024) and beyond.
  15. Final Fantasy XV

    Final Fantasy XV

    PS4Xbox OnePCRPGMainline

    Noctis and the bros—open-world road trip.

    Overview
    Action combat road-trip structure—longest dev cycle in series history.
    In-game setting
    Standalone—Brotherhood anime and Royal Edition patches in FAQ.
    Should you play it?
    Play Royal Edition / Episode Ardyn DLC optional for completionists.
    Release date
    US launch November 29, 2016. Windows edition 2018.
  16. Final Fantasy VII Remake

    Final Fantasy VII Remake

    PS4PCPS5RPGMainlineSaga

    Midgar reimagined—Remake timeline branch from FF VII.

    Overview
    Action RPG remake of VII opening—story diverges from 1997 canon by end.
    In-game setting
    Play after FF VII or as modern entry point—continues in Rebirth.
    Should you play it?
    Not a 1:1 replacement for 1997—treat as new saga branch.
    Release date
    US launch April 10, 2020. Intergrade on PS5/PC adds Yuffie episode.
  17. Final Fantasy XVI

    Final Fantasy XVI

    PS5PCRPGMainline

    Clive Rosfield—action epic on Valisthea.

    Overview
    Full action combat mainline—Game of Thrones–influenced mature tone.
    In-game setting
    Standalone world—no link to VII or XIV required.
    Should you play it?
    Strong modern single-player entry—good 2020s starting point.
    Release date
    US PS5 launch June 22, 2023. PC September 2024.
  18. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

    Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

    PS5PCRPGMainlineSaga

    Remake saga part 2—leaves Midgar for the world.

    Overview
    Open-zone exploration—direct sequel to Remake only.
    In-game setting
    Third part of Remake trilogy still upcoming as of June 2026—FAQ.
    Should you play it?
    Requires Remake first—parallel to but separate from 1997 FF VII ending.
    Release date
    US PS5 launch February 29, 2024. PC June 2024.

FAQ

Release vs numerical order, VII Compilation vs Remake, X and XIII trilogies, XIV and XI MMOs, and optional spin-offs.

Release order

Release order is when each mainline Final Fantasy reached the US (1990–2024)—including VII Remake and Rebirth as separate modern launches. Story order only matters for connected sagas: VII (Crisis Core → VII → Remake → Rebirth branch), X (+ X-2), and XIII (+ XIII-2 + Lightning Returns). Every other numbered game is a standalone world—play in any order.

Single-game newcomers → Final Fantasy XVI, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Final Fantasy X HD, or Final Fantasy XII Zodiac Age—each is self-contained. Classic fans → Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster or Final Fantasy VII (1997). Franchise historians → Release tab from FF I forward. Do not play I–XVI in order expecting one story—they are different worlds.

Story & sagas

1997 Compilation path: Crisis Core → Final Fantasy VII → (optional Dirge of Cerberus). Remake path: Final Fantasy VII Remake → Rebirth → (upcoming part 3)—a diverging timeline, not a graphics upgrade of the same plot. You can start with Remake without FF VII, but Remake assumes you know who Cloud and Sephiroth are. Crisis Core enriches both paths. Do not mix endings—Remake/Rebirth already differ from 1997 by the end of Remake.

For the complete Lightning saga, yes—Final Fantasy XIII → Final Fantasy XIII-2 → Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII. XIII-2 and Lightning Returns are Story rows here but not separate Release rows (smaller sequels). Stopping after XIII leaves the story unresolved. All three are on modern consoles/PC in bundles.

Final Fantasy XIV is an ongoing MMORPG with its own Hydaelyn timeline and expansion order (A Realm Reborn → Heavensward → Stormblood → Shadowbringers → Endwalker → Dawntrail…). The Release row uses A Realm Reborn (2013) as the playable relaunch—not the failed 2010 1.0 version. It does not connect to VII, XVI, or other offline worlds. Free trial covers the base game and first expansion on PC/console.

Remasters & bundles

Optional & spin-offs

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.