Final Fantasy III

by Squaresoft

Product Features

• Epic storylines combined with an intuitive control system will appeal to all fans of role-playing games.
• Countless weapons, magic spells, and special skills allow for a variety of strategies and attacks.
• Various side quests and hidden endings increase the replay value of the game.
• The unique "Esper" magic system allows characters to cast over ninety different magic spells.

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000035Y4P
• Item Weight: 8 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,909 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The first Final Fantasy game was released for the original NES in 1990, and Final Fantasy III stormed onto the Super NES scene in 1994. One of the most engrossing RPGs of its era, Final Fantasy III stands up well to the test of time and still intrigues RPG fans to this day.

Known for its intriguing storylines, the Final Fantasy series has always been filled with imaginative plots and twisting storylines. In Final Fantasy III, magical beings called The Espers return from centuries past to destroy the rational and mechanized new world. An amazing adventure unfolds from there, filled with challenging battles and perplexing puzzles.

Features:

• Epic storylines combined with an intuitive control system will appeal to all fans of the genre.
• Countless weapons, magic spells, and special skills allow for a variety of strategies and attacks.
• Various side quests and hidden endings increase the replay value of the games.
• The unique "Esper" magic system allows characters to cast over ninety different magic spells.
• A variety of optional "mini quests" add to the game's replay value.

Product Description

Before the movie, there was the game. The first Final Fantasy game was released for the original NES in 1990, and FINAL FANTASY III stormed onto the Super NES scene in 1994. One of the most engrossing RPGs of its era, Final Fantasy III stands up well to the test of time and still intrigues RPG fans to this day. Known for its intriguing storylines, the Final Fantasy series has always been filled with imaginative plots and twisting storylines. In Final Fantasy III, magical beings called The Espers return from centuries past to destroy the rational and mechanized new world. An amazing adventure unfolds from there, filled with challenging battles and perplexing puzzles. For game tips, check out our FAQ and strategy sections.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the best of the series!, June 6, 2003

By 

Joe Sherry (Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Final Fantasy III (Video Game)

I remember Christmas morning staying in my room and playing this game all morning until it was time to eat the big dinner. I just could not put this game down. It had a fairly cinematic opening with Terra, Wedge, and Vicks (an error in translation, he was supposed to be Biggs) traveling to Narshe to capture an Esper. This is still my favorite of all the Final Fantasies, and is one of my favorite games of all time, in any genre.

For the first time since the first game, there is no singular main character. The cast of characters changes throughout the game and even at the end when you can use any character, there is still no main character (most other Final Fantasies had followed one character, Cecil, Cloud, Squall, Tidus, etc). The leads are usually considered to be Terra and Locke, but several other characters can step up to that position: Edgar, Celes, Cyan.

This game has an incredible depth to the story. Like most games, it starts simply and escalates from there. The beginning is Locke, haunted by his past, rescuing Terra from the soldiers of the Empire. Locke is a member of the resistance, The Returners. As the game progresses, it gets bigger, as different cities and characters get involved. The main villain, Kefka starts out only trying to capture Espers and Magicite for the Empire as well as reclaiming Terra. We get to a point and the game branches in three. Three characters get their own segments to return to Narshe and this introduces us to more characters and more of the world and it opens up the story even more. Kefka, Emperor Gestahl and the Empire affects more lives than at first glance.

The story for this game broadens significantly, and as a whole this is the best Final Fantasy game of the series. I know that many people who first started with FFVII think that game is the best, and I do love that game as well, but this is where my heart lies.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Legend, January 22, 2003

By 

Jay Skinner (Tampa, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Final Fantasy III (Video Game)

There is no way around it. This is the best game of all time. Forget that, this is the best piece of entertainment of all time. Final Fantasy VII comes close, and is often hailed as the best in the series, but the true veterans who have been on board since the beginning know that this is the peak, the monument that defines the realm of RPGs. This analogy is probably overused, but accurate, that FFIII (FFVI J) is for video games what the Tolkien books are for fictional literature. The intricate, perfect, flawless interlacing and balance of art, music, story and gameplay push this above all the competition, no matter what era the contender in question may come from.
Perhaps the most vivid, profound point that FFIII makes is that a good game is not in the graphics, but in the gameplay, which is the soul of a well-designed game. Not to say that the graphics aren't beautiful; released in 1994, the backgrounds, battle engine, and overworld effects are gorgeous, considering it's birthdate. But the gameplay, the foundation of Final Fantasy III, is one of the two main elements that make it the gem of all the industry. There are a ton of items, 255 to be exact, from swords to paint brushes, from plumed hats to paladin shields. One of the best things about FFIII is that most characters are not limited to one type of weapon, as we see in FF VII, VIII, IX, etc. There are indeed limits on who can equip what, but they are very pertinent. For example, Locke, the thief, uses mostly knives in battle. He cannot equip large swords like the Masamune or Sky Render, but he can wield short swords like the Regal Cutlass. Some items abound, and others are one of a kind. Magic and special skills are also plentiful. Every character has his or her own unique ability that can be wielded in battle, and there is a hefty amount of magical spells, including black, white, and gray types. Esper summoning is also available, with each Esper yielding unique attributes and benefits for the characters in battle. Additionally, characters with Espers equipped will learn different types of magic and will receive stat bonuses that reflect the type of Esper the unit is joined with. The system is very efficient and fun.
The story is simply awesome. It's so long, so enchanting, so... smart! There are a lot of links and loops that will make you say "Ah, ha!" Unlike FFVIII (See my FFVIII review to see my opinion on that stinker), you will see motivation. You will see WHY every character acts the way he or she does. Why is Locke so afraid of failure? Why does Cyan nurture a deep, deep hatred for the Empire? Part of the charm of Final Fantasy III is that you are introduced to characters that do things that make you say "Huh?" But later on, you discover the events that shaped and molded their personalities. And the best part is that you feel as if you know them... As if you've always known them.
The music... Oh, the glorious, beautiful, enchanting music! Again, none of the other titles can match up against this score, though VII and IX give it a good shot. Folks, you cannot beat this! We have an opera. We have a well-thought theme designed for each character, made specifically to convey to you their love, fears, hopes and pain. We have music that compliments whatever environment you may venture through. You'll be hard-pressed to find any other game that attempts this, and you will NEVER find one that does it this well.
There you have it. The power, the raw passion emanating from this little cartridge is astounding. No game has lived up to it, and though that day will eventually come, this masterpiece will still stand as one of the best pieces of entertainment in all the history of man.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Favorite game of all time, March 17, 2004

By 

TrezKu13 (Norfolk, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Final Fantasy III (Video Game)

My friends know me as a Final Fantasy VI fanboy. I've never had respect for the fanboy class, but I am definately proud to be associated with this game. It was my first Final Fantasy and first RPG, and it still holds a dear place to my heart.

For one, it was probably the deepest game I had ever played. I played it on the SNES (I still have the system, and I still own the "FFIII" cartridge of this game) when I was still only familiar with games like Mario. You can imagine how big a jump it was to go from saving the princess from mushrooms...to genocide, war, and teen pregnancy. I think that was one of the big reasons I liked this game: I really got into the characters and CARED about them. I remember being 11 years old and wishing that Celes would be honest to Locke about her feelings, or even having pity for Terra's problems with trying to fit in being half-human, half-esper. I also remember finding an early liking for Kefka...he's a sick mofo - but he's a likeable sick mofo, because he's so sick. I don't know if that makes any sense, but hopefully you can understand my reasoning.

The gameplay itself is pretty fun as well, though. I liked the ability to assign characters espers, and they learn spells by gaining the experience of whatever spells those esper possess. That's right - any one can learn magic, and you can differentiate the spells. There aren't really any mage classes, you just need patience and remember to swap espers every now and then.

If you can, I would suggest you try to find the "Final Fantasy III" copy for the SNES, or download a ROM. The recent "updated" copy for the Playstation doesn't do much except put the games in one collection, but at a cost of some CG scenes that I think are totally unnecessary. They also do some really unforgivable things, like turn Kefka into a clown. In the original designs, he was clown-ish, but I always assumed it as battle make-up. The CG's turn him into a full-blown clown! He looks like he should drive into Narsha inside a tiny circus car. Oh yes, and you tell me the difference between the character design for Terra and Ceres. You can't? Exactly.

I digress, but back to the original game...I love it. It's probably the best storyline and group of characters that I've ever seen in a role-playing game, let alone a Final Fantasy. I would again suggest any one who's into the classics or a fanatic of the Fantasies to check this out. It is definately worth your time.

By the way, Setzer is still my favorite video game character. If only I could be a world-travelin' gambler with a cool airship...