What are the best "vanilla" Final Fantasy Romhacks?

[Metroid_Hybrid]

Pretty straightforward..

Say that you had to introduce each of the classic Final Fantasy games to someone...

Which romhacks offer the best combination of superior translation, QoL improvements, bug fixes, etc. without drastically altering the gameplay, story, etc.? (No spoof scripts, Kaizo/hard-type, 2x EXP/Gil hacks, etc.)

The only exclusions being the official "Pixel Remaster(s)"..

For example, the three that come to mind are...

Final Fantasy III: Neoclassical (Hack) NES ROM – The Repo

Final Fantasy III: Neoclassical (Hack) NES ROM Languages: English Patched. For the NES.

retrogametalk.com

Final Fantasy IV Namingway Edition (Hack) SNES ROM – The Repo

Final Fantasy IV Namingway Edition (Hack) SNES ROM Languages: English Patched. For the Super NES.

retrogametalk.com

Final Fantasy 5 (Pixel Freemaster Omega) SNES ROM – The Repo

Final Fantasy 5 (Pixel Freemaster Omega) SNES ROM Languages: English. For the Super NES.

retrogametalk.com

Each of these sought to elevate their respective base game to their absolute maximum potential; and that's exactly what I'm looking for..


But what about you?
Do you agree that these are the superior ways to experience III, IV, & V? If not– which version(s) would you choose, and why?

But more importantly...
What versions of I, II, VI, & VII would you choose?

(Bonus: Which version of Chrono Trigger would you pick?)

 

[FateLanegod]

I’m in to know more like you!

Just a side question from my side. There is endless amount of (S)NES hacks. But what about PSX version of these games, like Final Fantasy Anthology discs? Is any particular FF remake/port better than original one in terms of more content, polishing, etc?

 

[Metroid_Hybrid]

I’m in to know more like you!

Just a side question from my side. There is endless amount of (S)NES hacks. But what about PSX version of these games, like Final Fantasy Anthology discs? Is any particular FF remake/port better than original one in terms of more content, polishing, etc?

There's an argument to be made for the official PSP ports of the first four games..

The primary problem with the Chronicles & Anthology PS1 ports are the frequent and excessively long loading times. About the only advantage the PS1 ports is the CGI scenes, but they are only in the beginning & (I think) endings of the game(s)... so that's lame..

 

[BassForever]

I’m in to know more like you!

Just a side question from my side. There is endless amount of (S)NES hacks. But what about PSX version of these games, like Final Fantasy Anthology discs? Is any particular FF remake/port better than original one in terms of more content, polishing, etc?

Focusing on playing vanilla games via emulation

FF1: PSP is the best version in terms of content and graphics with GBA as an honorable mention as they have a big post game dungeon, PS1 is the best version if you want spell charge without NES graphics/jank. I believe the WSC version would beat the ps1 version if it had a finished English patch.

FF2: PSP is the best version in terms of content and graphics with GBA as an honorable mention as they have the new post game campaign. No reason to play any prior versions unless you enjoy NES graphics/jank.

FF3: NES is it for classic style, the 3d remake is best on psp with DS as an honorable mention

FF4: PSP is the best for classic style with GBA as an honorable mention as they have all 10 playable characters late game along with new dungeons (psp also has all of the after years included and a new mini campaign connecting the games), DS is the only retro console to play the 3D remake on

FF5: GBA is the best version with new jobs and a new late game dungeon. SNES is second best with the fan translation.

FF6: GBA is the best version with new espers and new late game dungeons. SNES is second best.

Romhacks of course make this much more complicated, and obviously if you don't care about retro emulation the pixel remaster versions make a strong case for all of the above. You lose the late/post game content added in the later versions, but you get a lot of great modern qol features like boosters to reduce grind and turn off random encounters.

 

[-------]

Final Fantasy VI T-Edition is often considered the best vanilla with a enhanced experience. It adds massive amounts of content (side quests, dungeons, super-bosses), updates mechanics and adds musical tracks from other FF games while keeping the main story.

 

[Metroid_Hybrid]

Focusing on playing vanilla games via emulation

FF1: PSP is the best version in terms of content and graphics with GBA as an honorable mention as they have a big post game dungeon, PS1 is the best version if you want spell charge without NES graphics/jank. I believe the WSC version would beat the ps1 version if it had a finished English patch.

FF2: PSP is the best version in terms of content and graphics with GBA as an honorable mention as they have the new post game campaign. No reason to play any prior versions unless you enjoy NES graphics/jank.

FF3: NES is it for classic style, the 3d remake is best on psp with DS as an honorable mention

FF4: PSP is the best for classic style with GBA as an honorable mention as they have all 10 playable characters late game along with new dungeons (psp also has all of the after years included and a new mini campaign connecting the games), DS is the only retro console to play the 3D remake on

FF5: GBA is the best version with new jobs and a new late game dungeon. SNES is second best with the fan translation.

FF6: GBA is the best version with new espers and new late game dungeons. SNES is second best.

Romhacks of course make this much more complicated, and obviously if you don't care about retro emulation the pixel remaster versions make a strong case for all of the above. You lose the late/post game content added in the later versions, but you get a lot of great modern qol features like boosters to reduce grind and turn off random encounters.

There is a series of videos on YouTube by "AustinSV" that covered all of that and then some. But if you didn't notice, this is under the "Romhacking talk" section of the forum, and I was very explicitly asking about *Romhacks* (I even gave examples). Now if an official port just absolutely crushes anything else available (as is probably the case with FFII), then cool. Otherwise, that's not what I was asking about..

 

[BassForever]

There is a series of videos on YouTube by "AustinSV" that covered all of that and then some. But if you didn't notice, this is under the "Romhacking talk" section of the forum, and I was very explicitly asking about *Romhacks* (I even gave examples). Now if an official port just absolutely crushes anything else available (as is probably the case with FFII), then cool. Otherwise, that's not what I was asking about..

I get that and trust me, the romhack suggestions are coming, I was just answering the question of the person I quoted. I just know the vanilla answers off hand and can give them while I should be working, I need to look over my rom back ups at home for the best vanilla versions of the various FF games.

 

[FateLanegod]

I need to look over my rom back ups at home for the best vanilla versions of the various FF games.

We all eagerly waiting! Will much appreciate it, matey! And thanks a ton for your previous answer, that was just pure gold.

BTW, what can you say about PAL/Aussie PSX versions? I heard they’re more improved then US variants in terms of quality. Or is there nothing that significant?

 

[Metroid_Hybrid]

Final Fantasy VI T-Edition is often considered the best vanilla with a enhanced experience. It adds massive amounts of content (side quests, dungeons, super-bosses), updates mechanics and adds musical tracks from other FF games while keeping the main story.

I just looked into the "T-Edition," and I don't know...
Extra content, just for the sake of extra content, isn't quite what I'm looking for. Especially inserting a bunch of random assets & music from the other games. Maybe as "EX" game of sorts, but not as a primary version of FFVI..

So far, FFVI: ROSE seems to be what I'm looking for. At least as far as what's in the Repo..

Final Fantasy VI: Revised Old Style Edition (Hack) SNES ROM – The Repo

Final Fantasy VI: Revised Old Style Edition (Hack) SNES ROM Languages: English, English Patched. For the Super NES.

retrogametalk.com

Post automatically merged: May 8, 2026

So unless someone convinces me otherwise, I have my III~VI picked out. The only thing left to decide which version(s) of I, II, & VII..

As far as the first two games, these are my options thus far..

Final Fantasy I:

Final Fantasy 1 (Restored+RB Select) NES ROM – The Repo

Final Fantasy 1 (Restored+RB Select) NES ROM Languages: English. For the NES.

retrogametalk.com

Final Fantasy I+II (J+English Patched) – The Repo

Final Fantasy I+II (J+English Patched) Languages: English Patched, Japanese. For the NES.

retrogametalk.com

Final Fantasy: 20th Anniversary Edition (USA) PSP ISO – The Repo

Final Fantasy: 20th Anniversary Edition (USA) PSP ISO Game ID: ULUS-10251. Languages: English, Japanese. For Sony PlayStation Portable.

retrogametalk.com

Final Fantasy II:

Final Fantasy II Restored (Hack) NES ROM – The Repo

Final Fantasy II Restored (Hack) NES ROM Languages: English Patched. For the NES.

retrogametalk.com

Final Fantasy I+II (J+English Patched) – The Repo

Final Fantasy I+II (J+English Patched) Languages: English Patched, Japanese. For the NES.

retrogametalk.com

Final Fantasy II: 20th Anniversary Edition (USA) PSP ISO – The Repo

Final Fantasy II: 20th Anniversary Edition (USA) PSP ISO Game ID: ULUS-10263. Languages: English, Japanese. For Sony PlayStation Portable.

retrogametalk.com

Post automatically merged: May 8, 2026

Finally, I guess the SAC version of FFVII is the way to go there..

Final Fantasy VII:

Final Fantasy VII (Shinra Archaeology Cut) – The Repo

Final Fantasy VII (Shinra Archaeology Cut) Game ID: SCUS-94163, SCUS-94164, SCUS-94165. Languages: English. For Sony PlayStation.

retrogametalk.com

(Can an PSP EBoot be made of this, please?)

Final Fantasy VIII:

Final Fantasy VIII: Enable MiniMog & ChocoBocle (Hack) PSX ISO – The Repo

Final Fantasy VIII: Enable MiniMog & ChocoBocle (Hack) PSX ISO Game ID: SLUS-00892, SLUS-00908, SLUS-00909, SLUS-00910. Languages: English. For Sony PlayStation.

retrogametalk.com

 

[FateLanegod]

Hacker named RoSoDude made some cool stuff, check out this thread below and related.
Post in thread 'FF7 — Comprehensive ATB Enhancement'
https://retrogametalk.com/threads/ff7-comprehensive-atb-enhancement.11718/post-263173

I wonder if it will be compatible with other romhacks and could be patched over.