FFIIIj DS Release: Additional Details

[Fuzz]

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 for being in the Final Fantasy XI development team, but he's also an old-time Square staffer who worked on many of the early Final Fantasy games, including FFIII.

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. 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 identical, 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 major 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.

source: Gamespot

[Omega]

Ok it has been months since this thread started. What is the update as of now? Anyone know?

I thought I read somewhere that they cancelled the remake? Or is it still on?

Only coming out on Nintendo's portable system?

Why??

Why not upgrade it to PS2/GC/Xbox quality if it's got complicated programs meant for consoling only?

[LocoColt04]

Because Square-Enix decided to collaborate with Nintendo on this project.

It's not about making money as much as it is repairing relations between the companies. FFVII, and likely all Final Fantasy titles could have remained on Nintendo consoles all these years, if not for the blowout between the companies. Note that it's only speculation, of course, but it's a likely possibility.

In any case, that's why FFIII is only being ported to the Nintendo DS.

It MAY, somewhere down the line, move to consoles...
If it does, it will be during or after the fifth gen consoles (360, PS3, REV).

cancel the remake???!?!?!?! never heard that, only that its taking them WAY to long to make it.
soposed to be coming out end of 2006

[Angantyr]

Argh! they seriously should release it for PSP!!! Seriously a lot of the die hard FF fans will want this but bassically all the other games are on ps/ps2, sure it doesn't have the touch screen but is that really a nessecity? I will be rather disapointed if they only release it for DS as I have the rest playable on my Playstation2. Surely they can't please everybody but they could please at least please a large proportion of the gamers, Anyway a lot of the newer players never played the old 1's cause of the graphics, this will be their chance!

[LocoColt04]

Originally Posted by Lord_GrimSword

a lot of the die hard FF fans will want this but bassically all the other games are on ps/ps2, sure it doesn't have the touch screen but is that really a nessecity? I will be rather disapointed if they only release it for DS as I have the rest playable on my Playstation2.

I suppose the only thing I can say is "get over it."

And actually, Square-Enix is supposedly capitalizing upon the touch screen, doing more with it than any DS game to-date, at least as far as the current releases go. I still haven't heard any more details about the specifics, but the touch screen is apparently going to be a vital part of how the game functions. Of course, they could just be feeding us words to make us anticipate it more, but I dunno... for once, I'm actually putting my faith in the company, and hoping Square-Enix and Nintendo can get this done, and get it done right.

Yes. Nintendo DS.Yes. No PSP. Hahahaha . I didn't like that Square switched to PS and now as u can see, they're building up their bond again. Look, they made these game with Nintendo since...2003/4

Final Fantasy:Crystal Chronicles
Final Fantasy tactics: Advance
Final Fantasy 1 & 2 Dawn of Souls
Final Fantasy IV:Advance.

Hahai.Oh yeah,look at the PSP's price! . It's not like the entire world has their paws on a PSP.More people have a NDS

i agree with Dragon KnightKJ.
Besides, if they made it on PSP, no one could afford all that. They must think "now who in this world can afford this and blah blah blah" if they did make it for PSP, id shoot myself

[Angantyr]

I am starting to see, I went down to the local store today and saw the DS for $250 as opposed to the PSP at $450. I am currently saving for 1 at the moment, they seem pretty good. Have they released an official release date yet?

[postalblowfish7]

not yet i don't think. i'm also immensely exuberant about this being released on the DS. keep the ultimate rpg series with the ultimate video game company. i'm sure we'll even get stuff for the revolution! hooray!

[Angantyr]

I found some pics that may be of some interest to you guys. Hope you find them interesting:

[Angantyr]

Sorry for the double post but I thought this might be interesting to some of the people interest in FFIII on the DS:

Originally Posted by Gamespot

The Final Fantasy series can trace its heritage from the original Nintendo Entertainment System to present-day consoles, but the Japanese and English-language releases got separated somewhere along the way. Reunited at the release of Final Fantasy VII, we've spent the past few years revisiting and renumbering some of the classic titles, but one game has been lost in the mix--until now. Final Fantasy III first appeared on the NES in 1990, and almost two decades later, it's finally our chance to experience the only Final Fantasy that's never before seen an official English translation. The upcoming DS release of Final Fantasy III is no mere port, however, as the game's getting a fresh facelift to 3D. We got to check out a new trailer of the game at Square Enix's E3 press event.

The trailer started off with a CG scene of four characters mounted on chocobos, running across an open field. The camera swung around to show the group moving in profile, and an airship rose out of a sea of clouds behind the riders. More airships then filled the sky, before switching to shots using the in-game engine. The game is fully in 3D, with cute, simplified faces on characters and clearly defined appearances (the white mage and black mage were, as always, easy to point out). A number of scenes then flashed by of various battles against numerous threatening monsters, which were also sizeable and nicely detailed. Only a single screen was shown, so there's no evidence as of yet to point to any DS-specific features that may have been included.

If you've been saving a spot on your Final Fantasy shelf and hoping for the release of Final Fantasy III, you're about to get your wish. Our collections will at last become complete later this year when the game is due to arrive on the Nintendo DS. Keep watching our continuing coverage for the latest info on this "final" fantasy.