Game · in order
Final Fantasy Games in Order
The 16 mainline Final Fantasy games in release order. Each numbered entry is a standalone story with its own world and cast, so you can jump in almost anywhere.
Final Fantasy Games in Order โ complete list
Check off what you've finished — it saves automatically · See all your lists → ·
Why this order?
Final Fantasy is unusual among long-running franchises: there is no overarching saga to follow. Almost every numbered entry is set in a completely separate world with its own characters, so the "right" order matters far less than it does for a series like The Legend of Zelda or Mass Effect. The two orders below cover the two questions people actually ask: how the series unfolded, and where a newcomer should start.
Release order is the default and the truest way to experience the series. Playing from Final Fantasy (1987) forward lets you watch the genre grow up in real time, from blocky 8-bit dungeon crawls to the cinematic, fully voiced spectacle of Final Fantasy XVI (2023). You see how each generation reinvented combat, storytelling, and visuals. The one thing release order ignores is friendliness to modern players, since the earliest entries are deliberately old-school and punishing.
That is what the beginner order fixes. It front-loads the four games most likely to hook a newcomer: Final Fantasy VII, the cultural landmark that defined the PlayStation era; Final Fantasy X, the first fully voiced entry and a clean, linear adventure; Final Fantasy XVI, the most accessible modern action-driven entry; and Final Fantasy IX, a warm, classic-fantasy love letter to the whole series. None of these spoil the others.
A few gotchas worth knowing. Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV are MMORPGs, not single-player games, so they sit apart from the rest. Final Fantasy VII also has a separate modern remake trilogy (Remake in 2020, Rebirth in 2024) that reimagines the original. Direct sequels such as X-2 and XIII-2 exist too, but this list sticks to the 16 mainline numbered titles. If you enjoy the genre, Square Enix's Dragon Quest series is the natural next step.
Timeline 1987โ2023
Every release plotted by year โ taller stacks mean more that year. Hover a marker for the title.
Where to play it today
Affiliate links (Bookshop.org for books, store links for games/films) slot in here.
Cameos & crossovers
Characters from Final Fantasy who also show up elsewhere โ see the full character atlas โ
- Cloud Strife
Spiky-haired SOLDIER of Final Fantasy VII who crossed over as a Kingdom Hearts boss.
Also in Kingdom Hearts - Sephiroth
One-winged Final Fantasy VII villain recurring as Kingdom Hearts' optional superboss.
Also in Kingdom Hearts - Squall Leonhart
Final Fantasy VIII gunblade loner who appears in Kingdom Hearts as Leon.
Also in Kingdom Hearts
Frequently asked questions
How many Final Fantasy games are there?
There are 16 mainline numbered entries, from Final Fantasy (1987) through Final Fantasy XVI (2023). Counting direct sequels (like X-2 and XIII-2), spin-offs, and remakes, the wider series runs to dozens of titles.
What order should I watch Final Fantasy in?
Play in release order, starting with the original Final Fantasy. Because each numbered game is a standalone story with its own world and cast, you can also start with any entry that appeals to you.
Do I need to play the Final Fantasy games in order?
No. The mainline games share themes, recurring monsters, and motifs but not a continuous story, so you can pick up almost any entry without playing the earlier ones first.
Which Final Fantasy game should I play first?
Good starting points are Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy X, Final Fantasy XVI, and Final Fantasy IX. All four are accessible, well-loved, and self-contained.
Which Final Fantasy games are MMORPGs?
Final Fantasy XI (2002) and Final Fantasy XIV (2010) are online multiplayer MMORPGs. The rest of the mainline series consists of single-player games.
Is Final Fantasy VII Remake the same as the original?
No. The original Final Fantasy VII (1997) is one game, while the modern remake is a separate trilogy that reimagines the story: Remake (2020) and Rebirth (2024), with a third part still to come.
Last verified · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, Wikidata
← Browse all orders