Final Fantasy VI: A 30th Anniversary Retrospective Gaming Documentary

On April 2nd, 1994, Square Soft concluded its masterpiece 16-Bit Role Playing Game Trilogy! (Chapter Markers and more below…)
Episode information
GTV 167 “Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary" Season 9 Episode 7
Original Airdate: March 31, 2024
Produced March 19-29, 2024
Recorded at Butsudan Studios and edited on my 14” MacBook M1 Pro! Edited and produced with Photoshop and Final Cut Pro, all paid for with Gainful Employment™ while riding the train to work and home, back and forth, day after day, and lunch breaks too!
0:00 GTV ID: A Chip in Your Pile Where Available
0:33 Act 1: Troops March On
7:51 CM 1: Final Fantasy VI is Coming! (Super Famicom, Japan, 1994)
8:08 Act 2: The Decisive Battle
14:54 CM 2: Final Fantasy III Auditions (Super NES, U.S., 1994)
15:26 Act 3: Kids Run Through the City
21:49 CM 3: The Finest Fantasy VI (GameBoy Advance, Japan, 2006)
22:06 Act 4: From That Day On
27:49 CM 4: Final Fantasy VI Now on Sale (Super Famicom, Japan, 1994)
28:06 Act 5: Coin of Fate
This video is a follow up to the episodes about Final Fantasy IV and V. If you missed those, why not watch them now?
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Partial transcript
Long ago, the War of the Magi reduced the world to a scorched wasteland, and magic simply ceased to exist.1000 years have passed... Iron, gunpowder, and steam engines have been rediscovered, and high technology reigns...But there are some who would enslave the world by reviving the dread destructive force known as “magic.” Can it be that those in power are on the verge of repeating a senseless and deadly mistake?
When Final Fantasy VI first went on sale in Japan on that second day of April in 1994, publisher SquareSoft, the development team behind the game, and the fans at home had already been on a amazing ride. Following the successes of the first three Final Fantasy games, the series moved to the Super Famicom, where 16-Bits meant more colors, better sounds and larger memory. All of which delivered more realistic worlds and a richer experience, compared to earlier installments. While Final Fantasy IV, released in 1991 and V, in 1992 lead the way, the early years of the 16-Bit Era also saw entries from other Square Soft series: SaGa, Mana and Hanjuku Hero, while the spin off Mystic Quest, known as Final Fantasy USA provided a large stable of games for everyone to enjoy.
Drawing from three years of experience, and seven releases overall, SquareSoft learned the ins and outs of the Super Famicom hardware, and in Final Fantasy VI, it shows. Character Sprites are now bigger and more proportionate than past games. Larger bodies lead to smaller heads, looking more realistic, and less cartoonish than before. Each character sprite has more color, adding more detail.
The backgrounds feature more animation. Things are always in motion, layers of fog, smoke, clouds, water and light add more atmosphere. Some areas are almost photorealistic, all which makes the world of Final Fantasy VI lifelike. Mode 7 effects were used throughout, most notably when flying the airship, which is now in 3D for the first time.
Other minor graphical touches, such as the gradients in text boxes make everything in Final Fantasy VI standout against IV and V, showing how much improvement can be made in such little time.
When the Super Famicom debuted in 1990, one touted feature was the ability to display 256 colors on screen at once. Despite the high number at the time, not one single game ever reached that full amount until Final Fantasy VI, the first game to reach the 256 color limit.
All artwork done by the great Yoshitaka Amano!
Gameplay footage provided by The FF TV Channel.

[@Zeomantic]

I was an air force brat growing up, and one time my dad bought me a machine that copied SNES games onto floppy disks during a deployment to Singapore, and one of the gamess included with it was FF6. This was a few months before the game came out in the US. I got stuck at the part where Sabin had to use a blitz on Vargas and I couldn't read any Japanese at the time, so the death counter always got me. It was annoying for my 13-year-old self, but it made me excited for the rest of the game beyond that part. Woolsey got way more heat than he deserved for that localization. The poor guy did what he could in the scant 30 days that he had. To this day, I still use lines from these games like Setzer's "when things fall, they fall", or Cyan's "You just have to show technology who's boss!" Or even a favorite from Chrono Trigger: "Like any egg, it represents a possibility. It may or may not hatch." As for FF4 vs FF6, that's a tough one... Played the hell out of both, and they left their mark on me in different ways. I may have to give this one to FF4, everrrrrrr so slightly, since it helped ignite my love for this style of game, which has led me to where I am today. As an adult, I find FF6's characters much more relatable. Sabin was always a favorite of mine, and I can see why Chris Sabin took that ring name. Great stuff as always!

[@GTV-Japan]

That’s a great story! I can’t believe it! Thanks for sharing.

[@Zeomantic]

@@GTV-Japan My parents got rid of that thing for some reason a few months before my family got internet access on the base we were living on at the time in Okinawa. Would have been nice to have since emulators were so primitive at the time. Speaking of which, I am a little bit surprised you didn't mention the fan translation in your FF5 video, since that is just as much of a part of the games legacy as anything Square themselves put out.

[@GTV-Japan]

@Zeomantic I did!! Didn’t I? 🤔

[@Zeomantic]

@@GTV-Japan Oh crap you did mention it in passing. Been a while. The story behind that was pretty wild. I followed that translation project very closely back in the day, and it was sad how much harassment those guys got from the community at the time.

[@GTV-Japan]

@Zeomantic I had no idea! That’s too bad. I don’t go much into detail other than it existed obviously and raised awareness. I think it did its job! And the effort should be appreciated

[@boardstar]

GTV, I ran across your channel by accident; but have consumed almost ALL the content you’ve created over the last 12 months. The quality of research you’ve put into your videos is unparalleled. Despite all the “filler” and “rehash” content creators; you managed to stand SHOULDERS above the competition in delivering videos like the yume kojo deep dive that no one has even come close to. I hope the KZbin algorithm is one day in your favour. Keep up the great work.

[@Dominicn123]

Lol right same here i absolutely LOVE watching his videos before bed and falling asleep to them lol they're so relaxing and absolutely charming and beautiful!!!!

[@ArchGeek]

He’s not active on here (purposefully). You’ll want to head over to his channel on Odysee.

[@trufreedom]

The "G" stands got greatness lol

[@Prodmullefc]

Welcome to the cult, my brother lol

[@GTV-Japan]

Thanks for the kind words. I appreciate that so much! Have a good rest of the weekend and keep in touch.

[@video-luver769]

"Terra's Theme" may be the most beautiful piece of music ever composed for a video game.

[@GTV-Japan]

The whole soundtrack is great. I didn’t learn the titles of songs until later but the themes of each character really make the right connection.

[@Bingo_the_Pug]

It’s almost as good as Don Corneo’s theme from FF7

[@HeresWhyItsCool]

When I was 13, in the 8th Grade, my brother, who was 6 years older than me, took me on a quest to go buy Final Fantasy "3" and we played it til 2am, even though it was a school night for me. I was blown away within the opening minutes as the MagiTek armor marched across snowy fields towards Narshe... I cheered with my brother the first time we inputed the Blitz "Pummel" and to this day, the Opera House is one of the defining Gaming events of my life. When I was 18yrs old I found the imported CD soundtrack at a quaint little store in my city that my friends and I often visited, and to this day many of the tracks from that soundtrack still come up on my playlists in the car. Final Fantasy VI is truly one of the greatest games of all time. Thanks, GTV Japan, for this video. Just one more of my favorites that you've made here on KZbin. :D

[@MrVariant]

Did you listen to the opera house in all languages? KZbin stores it better as no cutscene viewer in game. Just glad they added boost with original music (mobile only has boost with remastered music and old font) and fixed a ton of bugs.

[@GTV-Japan]

That’s a great story to hear! I was hooked from the opening too. I saw the background and said wow it looks like real mountains are there. Take care brother!

[@ruinerdown1614]

For an guy like me in my 40s that grew up with all you cover, this channel is something special

[@GTV-Japan]

Thank you so much for the support! I’ll keep it going as long as I can. By the way the analytics show that the channel is 70% age 35+ and up and the 45+ has grown the last 2-3 years, so I like to think every time a new video is out it’s like a bunch of us born from 76-82 or so sitting around and catching up on something we loved. Take care until next time 🍺

[@DW3010]

I remember me and my brother getting this on Christmas of 1994. The entire winter was spent playing this game. He had his own save file and I had mine. The soundtrack was simply epic for its time. Although when the tedious task of building levels was needed, I popped in Nine Inch Nails the downward spiral album. Here we are 30 years later and I still kind of consider that album part of the final fantasy 6 (or 3 as it was at the time to us) part of the soundtrack 😄

[@GTV-Japan]

Thanks for sharing this great story!

[@GTV-Japan]

My favorite character is Locke! I'd like to think that his name was inspired by John Locke, one of the greatest philosophers of The Enlightenment.

[@ash2dvst]

This bit about Locke was always my head canon too! Thanks for this vid brother, I already know it's gonna be good. FF3/6 has always been and always will be my favorite FF, with 2/4 being an extemely close second

[@lpstweetytv5242]

I love Celes, she's been carrying me in my playthrough :)

[@brandonwilliams6119]

His theme song is really good too, the vibe it gives off is to “Never Give Up”

[@Prodmullefc]

That last part about the IV/VI dichotomy was really good. There doesn't need to be a single best when FFIV and FFVI are the king and queen of the series. Who is the king is a matter of pure opinion because both games have objective arguments in their favor. Another great doc, senpai.

[@GTV-Japan]

Cheers! It’s something I’ve said basically in the same way since the games were new. It’s almost like how people love Mario 3 even though World was and is better because it’s hard to not filter through your own lens. I thought it’d be funny to make a non gaming comparison and also hopefully get some cure fans to start complaining with me about how it’s been 16 years and Songs of a Lost World is still not out!

[@Prodmullefc]

@@GTV-Japan I was gonna listen to the FFVI soundtrack while I did my anniversary fanart tonight but maybe I'll finally listen to some Cure instead. Also! Off topic, but since I have your attention and there are no DMs here, I thought you'd find it pretty funny that there's a comment stream about you on the 'Akihabara Electric Circus - Super Mario Bros 3' upload here. I'm guessing that a bunch of your watchers got recommended it at once. Thought you'd like to know about it. It's all nice stuff!

[@GTV-Japan]

@Prodmullefc ha! I’ll go look at that

[@Kenshiro3rd]

Final Fantasy VI is my absolute favorite game in the series. The story, music, world and characters absolutely enthralled me. Terra/Tina is one of my all time favorite characters, and her theme was the first piece of music to move me to tears, as a kid.

[@Reluctant_Hero]

Locke, Celes, Shadow & Sabin. That’s my FFVI dream team. I loved this game game at release when I only knew it as Final Fantasy III. It’s truly a timeless classic.

[@WinspearUltima]

Celes best girl ice queen

[@Prodmullefc]

I liked using all the girls and Mog. (Don't mess with my Merit Badge equipped 9999hp Relm with the Atma Weapon and Offering lol)

[@58jharris]

@@Prodmullefc Yep the girls are overpowered when you get to a high level. At that point it doesn't even matter who the fourth character is.

[@Prodmullefc]

@@58jharris I used to do Kefka's Tower runs where my three parties were all just one of the girls, though it felt anticlimactic to just have the three of them during the "self-help booklet" scene. I loved how much freedom that game gave you to experiment with the party though.

[@stupidbluebird]

sabin's train suplex cemented him as my favorite character. another great video, thanks for sharing!

[@GTV-Japan]

Yeah no wonder he’s Chris Sabin’s namesake!

[@ramonmujica3193]

I never tried suplexing the train because I mean, why would I? I actually only used pummel, aura bolt, fire dance and uh, the last one because I was/am too dumb to remember the other button combinations.

[@brandonwilliams6119]

I love how one of Sabin’s Blitz attacks is the Hadouken Command Input ⬇️↘️➡️

[@retrobution1262]

So timely, I just started a new playthrough after avoiding this game for over a decade. Back in 1995 I found a copy of it purely by accident in a small country town called Lara in Victoria, Australia. Nowhere else had I ever seen it, it was an NTSC copy, and had a honey bee converter with it. I hired this, Earthbound and Chrono Trigger together(what a haul..!) Chrono took most of my time and I just enjoyed it more as I wasn't a huge fan of turns based combat and loved secret of mana too. After hiring these games several times I took a chance and asked the owner if he would sell them to me...and he did. At a ridiculously low price. I got home and chucked ff6 on deciding I was gonna give it a red hot go and I never looked back. The combination of narrative and audio, coupled with the amazing cinematic style that I didn't think 2D games were even capable of, blew me away. I will never forget those times, when I went on the adventure to end all adventures. No one else I knew had any idea about these games, and it was a personal and very special experience for me. I was so lucky, it was one in a million! Memories that will last a lifetime. That's why I avoided it for so long. I didn't want to replace those old memories with new ones until now. Thanks for the video mate, as usual, top tier you legend

[@GTV-Japan]

That’s a great story to hear and yes oh man we’re mana and CT great if for nothing else you didn’t have to endlessly level grind.

[@Alexvander10]

20:16 This official player's guide from Nintendo was insanely complete. I had it and from what i remember it had every detail and secret explained clearly. One of the best strategy guides ever produced.

[@jayt2917]

Im tempted to buy a reproduction of it . Its steep but i need it …

[@GTV-Japan]

@jayt2917 I have a PDF. It’s all on archive dot org as it is! It’s great having an iPad with 500 magazines and books on it! The way to go

[@Alexvander10]

@@GTV-Japan No way! Definitely downloading that. Thank you. Edit: Just came back from looking at it. The memories! And it's just as awesome as I remember it. I never knew about this site, it has tons of cool things.

[@GTV-Japan]

@Alexvander10 if you can’t find it just send another message and I’ll give a link when I get home

[@jayt2917]

@@GTV-Japanthanks so much , I’ll check it out . But i kinda want it in physical form too . I got lots of merch of ff VI and this is a need . It’s also my favourite rpg of all time.

[@Alexvander10]

This one and 4 are the best in the entire series in my opinion to this day.

[@marsindustries]

Wow, a nice late night surprise! I still have my original SNES cartridge of this game, easily my (and many others) favorite FF of the series.

[@james441]

These ff documentaries you’ve done over the years are top class

[@video-luver769]

Dragon Quest has always been my most favorite JRPG series. That said, Final Fantasy 6 is, by far, one of my favorite JRPGs of all time, full stop. The game is just a complete masterpiece in every single way.

[@rafterscott]

One of the greatest video game villains of all time. Kefka was unlike any baddie we'd seen up to that point.

[@njp4321]

My day always gets better when a new GTV Japan video drops. Cayenne/Cyan is my favorite character from VI. Just the right combo of nobility and spice.

[@GTV-Japan]

Haha. They did a good job making him be an old man a nobleman and kind of out of touch with what the kids are up to.

[@GTV-Japan]

I wish I could make a video every day. It’s just not possible. But as for a “working KZbinr” I do the best I can.

[@LanEXHikari]

Wholeheartedly agreed with the final comparison, both are the best --games and albums. Thank you for such a nostalgic episode ✌🏼

[@GTV-Japan]

But I do love Wild Mood Swings a lot.

[@orangejjay]

FF6 is my favorite FF game. I can never get enough of it. And as someone who absolutely loves FF7 Remake, I amso hoping Square's next big remake will be for FF6. FF7 Remake is so dang amaxing and they took the OG that was awesome and managed to crabk up the awesomeness with a remake. Come on Squsre. Do the same for FF6...!? ❤🎉

[@wutang2549]

I played this on an emulator on my phone like 10 years ago. This was one of the best games i have ever played. Top 10 imo

[@Postumeartist]

My appreciation for Terra’s character development and arc has only grown as the years go by. It might be my favourite arc in the whole series. Celes has some of my favourite moments too.

[@GTV-Japan]

I have to wonder how someone who is 18 years old reaches the rank of general though…

[@UncaJohnny]

I love Final Fantasy IV and consider it one ot the greatest RPGs of all time. However, Final Fantasy VI is beyond epic and is my favorite RPG of all time. The story, the huge cast of characters, the music, the Opera House scene, whenever Ultros made an appearance and the humor sprinkled in a very dramatic and sometimes sad tale make it the perfect game. Thank you for producing this retrospective and hopefully you'll delight us with retrospectives for other Square RPGs from the 16-bit era (Chrono Trigger), regardless if their anniversary has already passed (Secret of Mana) or were produced exclusively for the US market (Secret of Evermore).

[@GTV-Japan]

I am certain to get to Chrono Trigger next year. Hey I can do this easily till I’m 70 so I’m sure I’ll eventually cover everything.

[@chazmaru9583]

Another excellent video from GTV. I hope you’ll do a big one for the SegaSaturn’s 30th anniversary this November!

[@GTV-Japan]

I have an idea about the Saturn and PlayStation in 94. Won’t be a standard video but I think I know how it is going to be.

[@JamesNolasco]

Woah cure reference at the end was not expected! amazing

[@GTV-Japan]

Who doesn’t love fat Bob?

[@jjmini]

What a brilliant retrospective of my favorite game of all time. I once spent two years everyday grinding to level 99 in the starting area with terra biggs and wedge. Sounds like a waste of time but I learned to play games with one hand while my other hand was grinding. I eventually got so good at one handed gaming that I was able to beat dark souls, ys games on nightmare mode, and 1cc darius twin. On the long grind nights we even watched your content! Thank you so much for all you do.

[@GTV-Japan]

Wow. That is dedication.

[@fahriakalin5936]

favorite channel been with you since you shared your story about your dad knowing the lyrics to the ‘punch-out‼️💥🥊’ theme man, that had to be mind boggling as a kid

[@GTV-Japan]

That’s a long time! Thanks. And yes it was. My uncle would come over and they’d watch VHS tapes of old fights in BW. He knew literally everything about everything from his time.

[@Dorelaxen]

This game came out in a transitional stage of my life. I had graduated the previous year and was preparing to get out on my own. Hated my home life, and I made a friend that had his own apartment. We would rent this for the weekend and I'd stay over and try and get as far as we could, then do it again the next weekend. Those were some great times. Had nothing to my name, but man if FF3/6 didn't kick tons of ass. Even now nearly 25 years after getting my own copy, I think back to those days renting it.

[@GTV-Japan]

I can relate a little. Wasn’t moving out yet but had to start working and my parents didn’t cut me off per se but just said they weren’t picking up after me anymore so FF3 was kind of like the last hurrah as a kid.

[@soldatjj]

I'm already a fan of your channel, but you referencing the Cure has just endeared me to it even more.

[@GTV-Japan]

I love the cure and have seen them every tour since I was in high school

[@shannonwilliams7249]

Love your rpg retrospectives so, so much. Thank you for keeping these wonderful videos coming, year after year. You, sir, are awesome.

[@GTV-Japan]

Cheers! I will keep them coming don’t worry! I wish I had time to cover every single one. Maybe by the time I reach 70, I can do it!

[@maxstone9999]

Nice, definitely reserving this for a full watch tonight.

[@madamantiou]

Great to see the original adverts, I have never seen them before. Its crazy how different the Japanese and US ones are. I definitely prefer the Japanese ones.

[@GTV-Japan]

That seems to be the consensus but I love the US one. So much effort put into it!

[@Eagleknight815]

This was an excellent and entertaining video. Great job GTV!! Happy Anniversary FFVI!

[@GTV-Japan]

Here’s to 30 more years!

[@ericspratling9252]

Thanks for another great & thorough video. Everyone else in the comments is already sharing their FFVI memories so no need to add mine to the pile; I'll just say how incredibly lucky I was for this game to drop for me at the age that it did. There are a lot of great & groundbreaking games being released even today, but playing Skyrim at 30 or Elden Ring at 41 doesn't feel as singular as playing FFVI at age 13. Not just playing it but *experiencing* it: the hype & anticipation, the rollercoaster plot, the playground rumors borne out of the game's occasional wonky translation and various un-tidy plot oddities. It's a privilege.

[@GTV-Japan]

I agree. There hasn’t been any game with the same excitement and impact on my life in ages. Thanks for the support as always!

[@therickeffect]

Seeing the American commercial unlocked a core memory. Explains why I love Moogles so much

[@GTV-Japan]

I saw that on TV a lot! I was excited like this was our moment. I was so sick of fighting games getting all the attention. It was our turn. And it was a quality commercial that did its best to make customers curious to look into it. The US FF2 commercial where the kid plays inside all winter, eh. It was a miss. I don’t even remember it from back then

[@MetalPersonJ]

It cannot be overstated just how fucking insane Final Fantasy VI's plot twist is for its time. Luring you into what you think is the final boss fight. The game time thus far is a little shorter than what Final Fantasy IV from beginning to end was, but you love the characters and hate Kefka for all he's done, let's kill that bastard and save the day once again. Except....you don't. The game doesn't even give you the option to fight him. He slaps you aside and destroys the planet as he wished. The game brilliantly and exquisitely tricks you into thinking you've entered the grand finale when you've really just reached the end of Act II in a three act structure. Absolutely fantastic. Now it might be a little underwhelming and perhaps dated by today's standards, but up to this point, Final Fantasy VI was the greatest story ever told in a video game.

[@GTV-Japan]

It really is like a stage play. How it unfolds how characters are introduced and the music!

[@kleberpereira3162]

This is lowkey one of my fav YT channels ever. Amazing job!

[@GTV-Japan]

Thanks for supporting the channel!

[@MomovskyChannel]

Re: Act 5. As a modern day gamer who completely slept on JRPGs in 90s and played original SNES trilogy in 2010s, I'd actually prefer FFV, as it presents much more unique gameplay and way of stroytelling. Since FFVII, the way VI and IV handle these things are de-facto industry standards, and I played it being pretty fed up with games where character's classes and skillset serve the plot and not vice versa. V was a fresh air for me. Although I understand why, if you've played IV and VI back in the 90s, you would have to choose between them! Must have been mindblowing to play those games, because even today they hold pretty strong.

[@GTV-Japan]

I do think about this. You have to analyze the series in several different ways. There is no clear answer. I forget the exact words I said offhand. But I still believe V is the best true role playing experience as it was thought of at the time. When controlling the actions of characters affected the game. Whereas the genre really turned into a movie where the characters just happened to know how to use magic.

[@keithseratt5926]

Again another brilliant review of a wonderful game. You always do such a good job man! Thank you for resurching creating and posting this, it was incredibly entertaining ^__^

[@GTV-Japan]

Thanks I’m glad you liked it! 🍺

[@KanjoNights]

YES! The deep dive anniversary retrospectives are my absolute favorites. I haven't even watched 60 secs yet, but I know this is gonna be good.

[@GTV-Japan]

I hope you enjoyed it.

[@SwashBuccaneer]

Another killer video on one of my all time favorites! 😁

[@GTV-Japan]

I’m glad to see you back my friend!

[@SwashBuccaneer]

@@GTV-Japan Yeah, I saw this pop up in my feed and was wondering why I haven't been getting notifications for your stuff since I've been subbed for ages. Resubbed hoping that will fix it. :)

[@GTV-Japan]

@SwashBuccaneer hey no problem I understand

[@baardbi]

Excellent episode. I love how accurate you use the numbering of the games. There was never a Final Fantasy IV or VI on the SNES, but on the Super Famicom. The quality of your research and videos are simply top notch! Thank you!

[@GTV-Japan]

Hey thanks for stopping by again! I’ll keep it going as long as I can.

[@adoseofpain]

Another amazing video from you good sir. Looking forward to this year of GTV

[@scarythingsarescary6493]

I knew it was gonna be a great weekend! Woo hoo 🎉🎉🎉

[@chazmaru9583]

16:01 One comment about a common and easily understood mistake in such researches on old JP games: if FF6 was first profiled in "February"-marked issues of Japanese magazines, it was probably unveiled in January, due to the way local press handles dating for their magazines (a month ahead for monthly issues, and two weeks ahead for weekly issues like Famitsu). I often need to catch myself with those tricky magazine publishing dates.

[@GTV-Japan]

Ah good point there. Maybe it doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of the universe but it’s true magazine dates are often off.

[@sebastianbarbosaestudio]

I was lucky enough to play this masterpiece at launch. I am from Colombia and at that time get this kind of games was almost impossible...For me FFVI is the greatest game of all time, the story, the music, the gameplay and the characters!!! Timeless

[@GTV-Japan]

It must have been very exciting! Thanks for sharing!

[@MrCalverino]

it was so amazing to play this game with no help from the internet

[@GTV-Japan]

I was stuck on the clock part for a long time! I couldn’t figure it out and just cycled through everything until it worked. Now I just look it up!

[@zabrak999]

So comfortable to watch this on Easter 🙇🏼‍♂️

[@GTV-Japan]

Happy Easter ✝️

[@mister-x2]

I thank my lucky stars for the day I spotted a lonely copy of FFIII on my local exchange/used game market back on the mid-1990s. Nothing was ever the same again. (Buying carts new was super rare, so most kids would go to certain markets to exchange their games for a different one, paying a small fee you had to negotiate)

[@themarcosoma]

My amigo, you like beautiful music, keep up everything! Gracias amigo.

[@GTV-Japan]

De nada mi hermano!

[@roberto1519]

The superdeformed character designs of Final Fantasy VI, like previous entries were a choice, rather than limitations of the console, it's true that the Famicom's limitations played a part in it, but the SNES/SFC could have had large sprites easily. In fact, the backgrounds are so richly detailed in contrast to the sprites that they don't blend well. Phantasy Star was released alongside with the first Final Fantasy and the Master System game has more mature looking sprites than Final Fantasy VII for the PS1, which Square also chose to follow the SD character designs, only changing that in FFVIII. Phantasy Star II (1989) for the Mega Drive, then, also makes use of even more human-like sprites in comparison to the original SMS game. Final Fantasy IV barely takes advantage of the SNES hardware, not too dissimilar to FFV, which are probably two more entries that were in the oven for the NES, the overall visual design is too simplistic, like Dragon Quest V, which was probably planned for the FC/NES, where DQVI was possibly made from the ground up for the 16-bit console. Either this or Square just couldn't care about visuals until someone told them to. Alcahest (1993) is an action RPG for the SFC and the characters have anatomic proportions, the backgrounds look great too, so, this is just an example how Square could have pushed the SNES further in FFIV through VI, if they really wanted, the sprites aren't only simplistic by choice, but they also feature way too few animation frames, the SNES and the Mega Drive were capable of much more, but they didn't think that RPG players cared much about the visuals overall. Even to this day, many RPGs pay homage to the NES era of SD characters and battle systems, it's a choice. I'm just point this out because the first segment unintentionally downplays the 16-bit hardware. Also, the original Phantasy Star for the SMS doesn't use mirrored sprites, Alis, for instance, keeps holding her sword with her right hand whether she walks left or right, attention to detail only repeated in very few games, such as Grandia for the Saturn (the PS1 version uses mirrored sprites.

[@Sarcophagus74]

Damn you always remind us how old we are! LOL FF4 was my favorite.

[@rafterscott]

Literally my first thought.

[@Giffsen]

Still my favorite entry in the franchise so far tbh.

[@ChromeColossus]

Thank you for another great video! It was fun to see the additional insight into the game from the Japanese perspective. FFVI has always been my favorite, but FFIV is just as close to my heart. Not nearly enough games have even *tried* to accomplish the things FFVI did with its ensemble cast, character development, and meticulously intertwined set pieces, so that's yet another way that FFVI still stands out today.

[@GTV-Japan]

I’ve noticed it kind of moves like a stage play in itself. The music the “spotlight” when new characters are introduced. The whole thing. Very different than other games that are like “movie”

[@seekertosecrets]

4:51 I came across that part of the game for the first time and I thought it was cute. The opening act however... OOF! The ending of that play was funny! XD Heh! Heh! Ha-ha! 11:10 There was a set of actions that you can do to keep Shadow, but you can find it guides. 27:42 I think there was no need to continue the story. It has been told. No need to continue.

[@Dominicn123]

THANK YOU very much for you continued work man!! I and many others absoluitely love your work and find a lot of charming elements and wonderful bits on these, your work is appreciated and you're gonna blow up here soon i just know it!!

[@Dirk1Steele]

Another brilliant video! And one of my favourite RPGs top. Keep up the great work.

[@GTV-Japan]

Thanks for the support! More on the way 🍺

[@justsomeguywhoplaysretroga4362]

Amazing work as always! You're easily on my Top 3 channels. In my opinon, the best one is the one you grew up with. The one I replay the most is V, so it would be the best one for me.

[@GTV-Japan]

Thanks for the support as always!

[@ModernVintageTV0]

6, 7, and, 8 are the Best! Another excellent retrospective of one of my favorite games. Well done, GTV.

[@belmont_gr]

Having being a SEGA fan and living in Europe I played FF6 in the original PlayStation after FF7 made me a huge fan of the series and I loved every minute of it.

[@GTV-Japan]

Those re-releases were great!!

[@jayt2917]

Thank you for making this video of my favourite rpg of all time . Arigato 🙏

[@GTV-Japan]

You’re welcome!

[@bobjoemac1]

2(4) was my first RPG and I have played it more then 3(6) over the years... but man when 3(6) came out on the snes and I saw it in Nintendo power I was drawn to it like nothing else. Got it for Christmas after what felt like forever and it became probably one of the most Influential games I've ever played. I must have played it start to finish multiple times over that year before I moved onto something else. Still go back and play it every couple years.

[@nickb.235]

My Saturday night just got instantly better.

[@GTV-Japan]

I hope you enjoy! It went out at 2pm in Japan but I always think how many will catch this “the day before.”

[@WallyWallcakes]

This was so great, as per usual. I just finished up playing FFVI this week, and wanted to wait until I wrapped it up to watch. I still think VI is my fave, followed by IV. However, after playing V recently as well (for the first time) I have to say I really enjoyed it as well. Either way, great video once again! Thanks for sharing with us!

[@GTV-Japan]

Hey Wally! Glad you liked it!

[@darktetsuya]

suppose it's fitting I finally got around to this episode on the day of 6's anniversary, eh? Indeed this might be my favorite FF by a long shot! it was the first one I completed while I was in high school, my brothers and I sank about 62 hours total (ashamed to admit a significant chunk of it was the section in zozo where you have to jump out the window, we honestly had no idea that was the solution!) before I rolled credits. also I definitely did not hesitate to revisit it on OG playstation when I got the chance, as well as the steam/switch versions of the pixel remaster. some time ago I even imported the SFC original for the heck of it. may need to hook up my SNES (actually a retron 2, but anyway) and go back to it.

[@GTV-Japan]

Don’t feel bad. I got stuck at the clock for a long long time.

[@Kazuma_ch]

海外の方も 「半熟ヒーロー」としっかり発音されるのを聴き、やはり日本の文化が 近年これまでになく理解され、幅広く受け入れられている事を感じますね。 日本人としてとても光栄だと思いますし、ゲームを愛する一人の人としてとても共感しますね🙌🏻❣️

[@dashalpha]

Love 6, the music, the story, the characters, the villain, the setting. Love the Japanese artwork for it (the cover and character art), and also love the simplicity of the NA cover w/ Mog. It's the FF I'm always most nostalgic for. It's also steampunk.

[@GTV-Japan]

I liked the simplicity of those covers, and III was the right balance of adding something to that without wrecking it.

[@broken1394]

Fabulous episode!! Still need to play this game ... Which to do though the OG or Pixel remaster, have access to both. Happy easter everyone! 🐰🐣

[@GTV-Japan]

Happy Easter! ✝️

[@bgpixlarn6855]

As a first time experience I really enjoyed 6 and 4, with 6 beating it out due to pure presentation and a more mature story. But the one I always revisit is 5 since it allows me to have an almost all new experience every time I replay it. Gameplay is the beat all for me so 5 is my favorite. I noticed some uneven pixel scaling in your gameplay window during this video which sadly irked me about an otherwise amazing video. When the sprites have bold outlines like ff6 it's very noticeable. I hope this is something that can be fixed for future videos.

[@GTV-Japan]

I set the window at 96% sorry

[@robbyrobot3303]

When I originally played it FF6 was far and away my favorite game, but over the years I've played through FF4 many more times due to the length and fast paced story. As absorbed as I was in the world of ruin back then, the open ended progression is a deterrent now. Though watching this has tempted me to pick up the pixel remaster.

[@GTV-Japan]

I highly recommend them. I mentioned them in another video and it seems like some people didn’t like the set. That’s fine but they are nearly the exact same games but in 16:9. I don’t see what’s not to like!

[@brandonwilliams6119]

Final Fantasy VI is my absolute favorite game in the series and the first one I played under its original American Localized Name Final Fantasy III, I love how in a way everyone is the main character and gets their time to shine, Square Enix seems to consider Terra the main protagonist since with the crossovers like Dissidis, Theatrhythm and World of Final Fantasy she’s always present along with Kefka and maybe some other friends like Locke, Edgar or Celes.

[@GTV-Japan]

Great points! After all there’s no game without her.

[@dustybunny6716]

This was my first Final Fantasy and it is still my favorite.

[@kodoyama]

Top tier content as always! Keep it coming

[@GTV-Japan]

I managed to get 10 videos out between Christmas and Easter. A record! I’m going to take 1 week off, do nothing and get back at it and hopefully can get 10 more out by September. Thanks for watching as always

[@kodoyama]

Your channel is the only one on KZbin producing content like this. Any chance you might be planning some more PC Engine videos in the future? NEC’s little console is sorely underrepresented and surely begging for the GTV treatment!

[@GTV-Japan]

@kodoyama I was planning a short one on the turbo express! But I’m sure I’ll do something else later. Any ideas?

[@kodoyama]

Maybe a video detailing all the different hardware revisions and peripherals NEC put out in Japan? It was truly mind boggling and certainly a world away from the 3 devices the US saw. I’m trying to collect them all and it’s an epic (not to mention expensive) task, but a very fascinating journey. The LT alone surely deserves its own video. Possibly the most insane and unobtainable gaming device ever created!

[@GTV-Japan]

@kodoyama when I covered the PCE Mini I kind of did that. But maybe there’s more.

[@CRHetho]

Great video 👏👏

[@studioarentain3960]

THE KING HAS RETURNEDDDDD

[@GTV-Japan]

Who me? 👑

[@studioarentain3960]

@@GTV-Japan of course!

[@GTV-Japan]

@studioarentain3960 thanks but I’m just a regular guy like you.

[@TheVype]

Not only VII but most of all VI V or IV should recive remasters. I Hope i will live the day to see it.

[@GTV-Japan]

IV did but those 3D graphics aren’t so good anymore. After III and IV I was convinced more would come someday.

[@TheyCallMeSledge]

My God that Japanese commercial was beautiful. A hell of a lot more visually appealing than the goofy commercial we got in the states. No wonder JRPGs never really took off in the West until Final Fantasy VII.

[@GTV-Japan]

Yeah it was goofy but I disagree about the quality. The animation in that commercial was great!

[@dodgykebaab]

Another quality video

[@GTV-Japan]

Cheers and happy new year! 🥳

[@thewingedavenger1007]

Awesome video as always! One of the reasons I prefer FF6 over FF4 in the SNES library is that FF4 was remade for the DS, and the 3D graphics and the higher challenge make the SNES version redundant. In other words, FF4 is a DS game to me. When I think of SNES RPGs, I think FF5, FF6, DQ5 and DQ6.

[@GTV-Japan]

Very good point though I was at one time disappointed VI had no remake. Those were interesting.

[@50FknDeep]

Big Salute, Gajillionaire! Best of 16, Beg to Differ!?

[@GTV-Japan]

I never beg!

[@50FknDeep]

@@GTV-Japan 💯

[@GTV-Japan]

But if you mean best of the 16 FF games I did say it’s easy to look at it and say it’s the best!

[@50FknDeep]

@@GTV-Japan It's Tops IMO! 1st JRPG I Completed!

[@GTV-Japan]

@50FknDeep I think the first experience will affect your decision but it’s still hard to top

[@jaycenteno8385]

This was such a great vid. I wish it didnt have to end, just like when i played the game :)

[@GTV-Japan]

All things must end but you can always play again.

[@armand4116]

Still my favorite Jrpg of all times.

[@WinspearUltima]

I am due to replay this final fantasy VI since I’ve already played it back in 2021. It’s a fantastic FF game

[@MrBelmontcain]

best channel

[@GTV-Japan]

Best audience.

[@versustherest]

Favorite FF: 5 and 6 Favorite The Cure album : Bloodflowers

[@GimblyGFR]

Another great retrospective. I have, sadly, never played a Final Fantasy game. I'm a Sega guy, so I'm more into Shining Force and Phantasy Star, but everyone speaks so highly of FF6 that I'm kinda curious about trying it. Also, I'm a big fan of The Cure. I have no doubts: Wish is my favorite album by the band. I became a fan after watching The Crow and listening to Burn (probably the greatest song ever on a movie soundtrack). Immediately after that, I got Wish so it was my first full-length album by the band, and I loved every second of it. Love all of their records, though. Thank you for the video!

[@GTV-Japan]

I wish (no pun intended) fat Bob would get his act together and release that new album sometime in our lives!

[@GimblyGFR]

@@GTV-JapanThe band played here last November. What an amazing show! Two and a half hours and a killer set-list. And Robert's voice was incredible. At 64 years old, he still sounds like he did in his 30s.

[@GTV-Japan]

@GimblyGFR yeah I saw some clips! Sadly they toured without the album released! What?! The once ever 4 years schedule they started in 90s was bad enough but that would mean this thing would be ready in 2012! They played Fuji rock twice in 07 and 13 here in Japan. They rather famously hated coming to Japan in the 80s so it was a big shock that first time. I hope they come back again.

[@GimblyGFR]

@@GTV-Japan I do hope they release a new album soon. Sixteen years since Dream is a long, looong time.

[@GTV-Japan]

@GimblyGFR I know. What is the hold up?

[@dakotawinston7677]

Thank you

[@luigi369]

Overall a very good video on my favorite game of all time. Only complaint is there are some very small inaccuracies throughout, such as when you said that Locke tricked Setzer with the double sided coin, despite Celes proposing the best, Edgar supplying the coin, and Locke being completely opposed to the whole bet to begin with.

[@GTV-Japan]

Oops! I guess in my memory when he talked about the coin he knew it rather than learned about it.

[@Arilous]

FF6 is in my eye the best part of the Final Fantasy series. Part 7 was in 3D, true, but it wasn't as great as Part 6. Part 4 was great, but not as good as 6. then again, the last time I played 4 was a long time. Maybe I should play all 6 parts again, when I have some free time. You need A LOT of time for those long games. Or I might watch a playthgrough. It really doesn't matter.

[@spidey-voltage2462]

Happy 30th anniversary FFVI!

[@tossingturnips]

While localization changes can sometimes affect a game negatively, I have to say renaming Terra and Sabin was a good change.

[@GTV-Japan]

I’d be fine with Tina but Mash?! I’m sure he’d talk like a goon too. Me Mash! Mash like smash!💥

[@jamesmoss3424]

Final Fantasy 3 aka 6 is brilliant in the series. 😀👍🎮

[@blooddumpster3427]

the word you were looking for was Journeyman for in between rookie and expert

[@GTV-Japan]

Ah yes! Thanks for that.

[@Unquestionable]

After one of the hardest work weeks in years to see coverage of my favorite game of all time covered by my favorite channel made it all better. So so many great memories of this title (along with IV of course) that it would take days to go over every detail. Also love the analogy using albums by The Cure was brilliant!

[@GTV-Japan]

I hope you don’t get too burned out. I’m starting work again tomorrow after a long break. Usually I start releasing videos in April but this time I said let’s just crank em out. Especially since so many channels slow down or just quit but people still watch KZbin every day regardless so I hope the 9 videos done after Christmas until today made someone’s day! As for the Cure, I’ll listen till the day I die but what is wrong with Robert Smith? Why is it taking 16 years for this last album? Why is the deluxe edition project still not done after 20 years?! He is 65 now! Better get a move on.

[@aerynmusick4548]

*compares the SNES FF games to the Cure* OMG did we just become BEST FRIENDS? 😂

[@GTV-Japan]

We already were. You only realized it now! 🍺

[@Mingodough]

AHHHHH I want to replay this so bad but I ended up playing 5 because I haven’t played that one, now I’m like ok but ff6! Too many games not enough time

[@GTV-Japan]

It is a logical fact of life, there is less time each year.

[@Marc_Araujo]

Final Fantasy II for the SNES is still my favorite...Cecil F'n Harvey!!

[@GTV-Japan]

It will be interesting to see what the vote is in these comments. Naturally more will come here and say 6 is better, that’s the topic but it feels about 50/50 so far

[@Marc_Araujo]

@@GTV-Japan "You spoony bard!" > "Son of a submariner!"

[@GTV-Japan]

@Marc_Araujo I don’t know why Ted just didn’t use the Jimmy Buffy song. Son of a son of a sailor 😆

[@TanookiSuit]

Amazing as usual...and a good artist walking away would have stopped with 6 given the consistency of those releases. Was it the greedy allowance of mass storage, the merger, complacency, but it has been a weird hot mess since.

[@GTV-Japan]

well.... yeah.. but!

[@McGomezAddams]

What a wonderful game