Square Enix announced today that their latest attempt to cash in on the Final Fantasy brand will be ready for release on April 19th when Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection makes its way to the US. The latest PSP release of the Super Nintendo classic will skip the 3D graphics of the recent DS title and opt instead for the 2D graphical style of the original with higher resolution art. Also included in the package and making it the “Ultimate Complete Collection” of FFIV will be Final Fantasy IV: The After Years, a direct sequel developed for cell phones in Japan (And is also available for download on the Wii).
My view on this PSP release may seem a tad negative especially since it could turn out to be the best version of the game, but it’s hard to stay optimistic when you actually look at the number of times that FFIV has been rereleased. How many times you ask? Lets Count!
1. Final Fantasy IV (1997, PS1 – Japan)
2. Final Fantasy Collection/Chronicles/Anthology (1999-2002, PS1 – Japan/NA/PAL)
3. Final Fantasy IV (2002, WonderSwan Color – Japan)
4. Final Fantasy IV (2005-2006, GBA – Japan, NA, PAL)
5. Final Fantasy IV (2007-2008, DS – Japan, NA, PAL)
6. Final Fantasy IV (2009-2010, Wii Virtual Console – Japan, NA, PAL)
7. Final Fantasy IV (2009, iMode Cell Phones – Japan)
8. Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection (2011, PSP – Japan, NA, PAL)
I’m also fairly certain that FFIV was ported to my toaster sometime in 2005, but sadly I can’t find any supporting documentation.
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