Lookie Lookie

[ShadowPaladin V1.0]

Producer explains mystery behind the long-awaited port, reveals new additions to the DS version.

While the 8-bit and 16-bit Final Fantasy games have proven to be popular fodder for rereleases on the Game Boy Advance, PlayStation, and WonderSwan Color, the 1990 Famicom game Final Fantasy III (not to be confused with the Super Famicom Final Fantasy VI, released on the US SNES as Final Fantasy III) has for years eluded a remake. However, it's about to lose that distinction, as Square Enix is readying a DS conversion of a game most American Final Fantasy fans have never had a chance to play.

 

The latest issue of Famitsu contains new details on the game's development in an interview with executive producer Hiromichi Tanaka. Tanaka is best known as the head honcho of the Final Fantasy XI development team, but he's also an old-time Square staffer who worked on many of the early Final Fantasy home console games, including FFIII.

 

Tanaka was heavily involved in the original game's development as one of its three planners, together with Hironobu Sakaguchi and Kazuhiko Aoki. Tanaka commented to Famitsu that he plans to be very hands-on in seeing the DS project through to proper completion, especially since the members working on the remake are different from the staff that worked on the original.

 

Tanaka also addressed why it took so long for the game to be remade. Despite it being a Famicom game developed by a team of about 10 people, Tanaka said FFIII used some complicated programming techniques that couldn't be ported to other handheld gaming machines until now.

 

Tanaka added that having gone so long without a port, gamers will be getting to experience a vastly upgraded FFIII. For one thing, the developers are remaking the DS version with 3D graphics--sort of. Tanaka said that the game will actually use "virtual" 3D graphics so its maps can't be rotated around, but the camera can still be zoomed in to show details. The characters in FFIII are being overhauled for style, as well as technology. While the original four main heroes in the Famicom version looked like quadruplets thanks to reused character graphics, the DS version will have different models for each of them.

 

The visuals aren't the only thing being updated in the DS version. In the original Famicom release, the four main characters didn't have any personalities of their own. But with the DS remake, Tanaka will give different characteristics to each of them, which will have an impact on the game's storyline. There will also be fixes in the job system's balance so that gamers will have more freedom to choose how to fight in the game.

 

Finally, FFIII will take advantage of the DS hardware, including the touch screen. In fact, Tanaka said that he plans to make the game completely playable with just the stylus. FFIII will also make use of the DS's wireless capabilities, although the game's main mode will still be a single-player affair. Tanaka didn't go into specifics on how it would use the system's wireless features, except to say he wanted to give people a bonus so they could enjoy the game with friends.

 

 

I probably couldnt be happier if I won the lottery

[Darque]

I played the translation on an emu a few years back... it's probably the better version.

[Volourn]

FF3? That's the one where you have the characters learing things like defense against damage by taking damage? if so, that FF sucks.

 

If it's the one with the four heroes who can switch classes, two are brother and sister (and don't know it to start *Yawn*), and eventually do some world hopping? That one also sucks.

 

I'll stick with FF1 (though very basic), FF4, FF6, FF7, FF8. and FF10.

[ShadowPaladin V1.0]

I played the translation on an emu a few years back... it's probably the better version. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

It's the one I've been missing. Makes me glad I bought a DS now although I was glad I did anyway , so I guess I'm just more glad. Would have bought one for this in a heartbeat though.

[ShadowPaladin V1.0]

FF3? That's the one where you have the characters learing things like defense against damage by taking damage? if so, that FF sucks.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

No that's II.

[Volourn]

So.. is it the brother/sister combo, switching classes, and world hopping? or is that aprt 5. Or this an actually new old one.

 

Stupid SS and their switching number sup between the Japanese and NA versions.

 

Whose dumb idea was THAT?

[ShadowPaladin V1.0]

So.. is it the brother/sister combo, switching classes, and world hopping? or is that aprt 5. Or this an actually new old one.

 

Stupid SS and their switching number sup between the Japanese and NA versions.

 

Whose dumb idea was THAT?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Could be, V has a job system the brother sister thing dosnt sound familiar. Unless you mean the two sisters ? V also has 5 characters not 4. Mix and matching skills from the different jobs was my favourite part of 5. Things like a dual dragon lance slaying dragoon leaping into combat.

 

Probably because more were released in Japan they had to be numbered retroactively.

[Darque]

3 had a job system that was very much like 5's... I can't remember if you can mix and match abilities though... it's been too long.

[Diogo Ribeiro]

Considering the proliferation of emulation, I doubt there are that many who haven't played it yet.

[ShadowPaladin V1.0]

3 had a job system that was very much like 5's... I can't remember if you can mix and match abilities though... it's been too long.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I love the job system.

[ShadowPaladin V1.0]

Considering the proliferation of emulation, I doubt there are that many who haven't played it yet.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I could never emulate something I didnt own.

[Darque]

3 had a job system that was very much like 5's... I can't remember if you can mix and match abilities though... it's been too long.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I love the job system.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

5's system is definately my favorite, with x-2's being my second favorite.

[Darque]

Considering the proliferation of emulation, I doubt there are that many who haven't played it yet.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I could never emulate something I didnt own.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I could never own something I can't read.

 

Emulation/Translation allows you to play games the Japanese companes didn't have the insight to translate and localize.

 

If they wanted my money, they should have translated/localized it.

 

Also, game companies should be greatful for emulation/translation... I probably never would have purchased Romancing Saga last month if I hadn't played Romancing Saga 3 (translated) a few years back.

Edited November 8, 2005 by Darque

[Volourn]

"If they wanted my money"

 

They didn't want your money.

[Diogo Ribeiro]

I could never emulate something I didnt own.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Fair and noble enough, but how many think the same, and act under that mindset?

 

It's also not just the simple emulation, either; many games which were never released outside of the Japanese console market have been emulated and translated, and if I recall correctly Final Fantasy 3 was one such title. Emulation has been instrumental in increasing some of my knowledge and appreciation when it came to titles I never even knew existed or could only dream of playing. Seiken Densetsu 3, Front Mission, Gun Hazard, Star Ocean, Shin Megami Tensei, Snatcher, Shining Force CD... It goes on and on. While I agree with the illegal implications of ROM downloading and playing, I have to be honest and say I have played emulated games on my PC - and still do, because it's the only way I'll ever have of playing certain games I can't own.

 

Of course, it's not like I'm playing DS or Gamecube emulators (if there are any). I usually strict myself to old 8 and 16-bit emulated hardware and software library.

[ShadowPaladin V1.0]

Fair and noble enough, but how many think the same, and act under that mindset?

 

It's also not just the simple emulation, either; many games which were never released outside of the Japanese console market have been emulated and translated, and if I recall correctly Final Fantasy 3 was one such title. Emulation has been instrumental in increasing some of my knowledge and appreciation when it came to titles I never even knew existed or could only dream of playing. Seiken Densetsu 3, Front Mission, Gun Hazard, Star Ocean, Shin Megami Tensei, Snatcher, Shining Force CD... It goes on and on. While I agree with the illegal implications of ROM downloading and playing, I have to be honest and say I have played emulated games on my PC - and still do, because it's the only way I'll ever have of playing certain games I can't own.

 

Of course, it's not like I'm playing DS or Gamecube emulators (if there are any). I usually strict myself to old 8 and 16-bit emulated hardware and software library.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Just me I'm not preaching or anything.

 

I do hope that bringing old games which may never have previously been released outside of Japan will continue.

 

Funny I had this conversation with my wifes brother a couple of years ago. Final Fantasy is a good start . Had the reissue of Shining Force (still got the original mega drive version in the attic of many things) etc.

[Darque]

I'm still hoping for a Dragon Warrior 4 rebuild