Final Fantasy III
66495
226134505
2008-07-16T23:42:07Z
Juhachi
1150136
/* Development */
{{otheruses4|the Famicom game and its Nintendo DS remake|the game originally released in North America as Final Fantasy III on the Super Nintendo|Final Fantasy VI}}
{{Infobox VG
| title = Final Fantasy III
| image = [[Image:ff3cover.jpg|256px]]
| developer = [[Square Co.|Square]]<br />[[Matrix Software]] <small>(Nintendo DS)</small>
| publisher = [[Square Co.|Square]]<br />[[Square Enix]] <small>(Nintendo DS)</small>
| designer = [[Hironobu Sakaguchi]] <small>([[game director|director]])</small><br />[[Masafumi Miyamoto]] <small>([[game producer|producer]])</small><br />[[Kenji Terada]] <small>([[scenario]] writer)</small><br />[[Hiromichi Tanaka]] <small>([[game designer|designer]])</small><br />[[Kazuhiko Aoki]] <small>(designer)</small><br />[[Yoshitaka Amano]] <small>([[character design]]er)</small><br />[[Nobuo Uematsu]] <small>([[composer]])</small><br />'''Nintendo DS'''<br />[[Hiromichi Tanaka]] <small>([[executive producer]], [[game director]])</small><br />[[Tomoya Asano]] <small>([[game producer]])</small><br />[[Akihiko Yoshida]] <small>([[character design]]er)</small><br />[[Kazuhiko Aoki]] <small>(battle supervisor)</small><br />[[Nobuo Uematsu]] <small>([[composer]])</small>
| series = ''[[Final Fantasy]]''
| released = {{vgrelease|JP=[[April 27]], [[1990]]<ref name="sesite">{{cite web | title = Final Fantasy III | work = [[Square Enix]] Japan | url = http://www.square-enix.com/jp/archive/ff3/ | language = Japanese | accessdate = 2008-07-11}}</ref>}}'''Nintendo DS'''<br />{{vgrelease|Japan|JPN|[[August 24]], [[2006]]}}<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/2006/07/12/103,1152678634,56678,0,0.html | title= 『ファイナルファンタジーIII』同梱のニンテンドーDS Liteが限定発売 | language=Japanese | work=Famitsu | accessdate=2007-10-26 | date=2006-07-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author = Gantayat, Anoop|publisher=IGN | url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/728/728081p1.html | title= FIII Mania in Japan | accessdate=2007-10-26 | date = 2006-08-24}}</ref><br />{{vgrelease|North America|NA|[[November 14]], [[2006]]}}<ref>{{cite web | title=Final Fantasy III | publisher = Nintendo | accessdate = 2007-10-26 | date=2007 | |url=http://www.nintendo.com/gamemini?gameid=tkf6F442Z4tWTPh27NOdPoeqjSI_5J9h}}</ref><br />{{vgrelease|Europe|EUR|[[May 4]], [[2007]]}}<ref name="palrelease">{{cite web | publisher=GWN | year=2007| title=FFIII Release date in Europe | url=http://www.gwn.com/news/story.php/id/11716/Final_Fantasy_III_Launch_Date_Confirmed.html | work= | accessdate=May 17| accessyear=2007}}</ref>
| genre = [[Console role-playing game|Role-playing game]]<ref name="sesite" />
| modes = [[Single-player]],<ref name="sesite" /> [[Multiplayer game|multiplayer]] <small>(Nintendo DS)</small><ref name="sesiteds">{{cite web | title = Final Fantasy III | language = Japanese | work = [[Square Enix]] Japan | url = http://www.square-enix.co.jp/ff3/ | accessdate = 2008-07-11 }}</ref>
| platforms = [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]]<ref name="sesite" /><br />[[Nintendo DS]]<ref name="sesiteds" />
| ratings = '''Nintendo DS'''<br />{{vgratings|CERO=A<ref name="sesiteds" />|ESRB=E10+|PEGI=12+|OFLCA=PG}}
| media = 4 [[megabit]] [[cartridge (electronics)|cartridge]]<br />1-[[gigabit]] [[Nintendo DS Game Card]]<ref name="sesiteds" />
| input = [[Game controller]]
}}
{{nihongo|'''''Final Fantasy III'''''|ファイナルファンタジーIII|Fainaru Fantajī Surī}} is a [[console role-playing game]] developed and published by [[Square Co.|Square]] in {{vgy|1990}} for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]] as the third installment in the ''[[Final Fantasy]]'' series. It is the first numbered ''Final Fantasy'' game to feature the job-change system.
The story revolves around four orphaned youths drawn to a crystal of light. The crystal grants them some of its power, and instructs them to go forth and restore balance to the world. Not knowing what to make of the crystal's pronouncements, but nonetheless recognizing the importance of its words, the four inform their adoptive families of their mission and set out to explore and bring back balance to the world.
The game was released in Japan on [[April 27]], [[1990]]. It had never been released outside of Japan until an enhanced remake was released on the [[Nintendo DS]] on [[August 24]], [[2006]]. At the time, this made it the only ''Final Fantasy'' game not released in North America or Europe.<ref>{{cite web | author=Gantayat, Anoop |date = 2004-10-07| title=Miyamoto Speaks to Final Fantasy Producer| publisher=[[IGN]] | url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/555/555485p1.html | accessdate=2006-09-03}}</ref> There had been earlier plans to remake the game for [[Bandai]]'s [[WonderSwan Color]] handheld, as had been done with the first, second, and fourth installments of the series, but the game faced several delays and was eventually canceled after the premature cancelation of the platform. The Nintendo DS version of the game was positively received internationally, selling over one million copies in Japan.
==Gameplay==
[[Image:Final Fantasy III JAP Menu.png|thumb|left|Main menu screen]]
The gameplay of ''Final Fantasy III'' combines elements of the first two ''Final Fantasy'' games with new features. The [[Turn-based strategy|turn-based]] combat system remains in place from the first two games, but [[Health (game mechanism)|hit point]]s are now shown above the target following attacks or healing actions, rather than captioned as in the previous two games. Auto-targeting for physical attacks after a friendly or enemy unit is killed is also featured for the first time. Unlike subsequent games in the series, however, magical attacks are not auto-targeted in the same fashion.<ref name="manual">{{cite book|title=Final Fantasty III instruction manual|date=1990|author=Square Enix}}</ref>
The [[experience point]] system featured in ''[[Final Fantasy (video game)|Final Fantasy]]'' makes a return following its absence from ''[[Final Fantasy II]]''. The [[Final Fantasy character classes|character class]] system featured in the first game in the franchise also reappears, with some modifications. Whereas in the original game the player chooses each character's class alignment at the start of the game, ''Final Fantasy III'' introduces the "job system" for which the series would later become famous. Jobs are presented as interchangeable classes: in the Famicom version of the game, all four characters begin as "Onion Knights", with a variety of additional jobs becoming available as the game progresses. Any playable character has access to every currently available job.<ref name="ugo">{{cite web | title = Final Fantasy III | work = The World of Final Fantasy | publisher = [[UGO Networks|UGO.com]] Games | author = Roschin, Oleg; Vitaglione, Erik | url = http://www.ugo.com/channels/games/features/finalfantasy/finalfantasy3.asp | accessdate = 2008-07-11 }}</ref> Switching jobs consumes "capacity points" which are awarded to the entire party following every battle, much like [[Common_elements_of_Final_Fantasy#Currency|gil]]. Different [[Common_elements_of_Final_Fantasy#Weapons|weapons]], [[Common_elements_of_Final_Fantasy#Armor_and_accessories|armor and accessories]], and [[Final Fantasy magic|magic spells]] are utilized by each job. A character's level of proficiency at a particular job increases the longer the character remains with that job. Higher job levels increase the battle statistics of the character and reduce the cost in capacity points to switch to that job.<ref name=manual />
''Final Fantasy III'' is the first game in the series to feature special battle commands such as "Steal" or "Jump", each of which is associated with a particular job ("Steal" is the Thief's specialty, while "Jump" is the Dragoon's forte). Certain jobs also feature innate, non-battle abilities, such as the Thief's ability to open passages that would otherwise require a special key item.<ref>{{cite web | title = Final Fantasy III Cheats | work = [[GameSpy]] | url = http://cheats.gamespy.com/nes-cheats/final-fantasy-iii/ | accessdate = 2008-07-11 }}</ref> It is also the first game in the series to feature [[Final Fantasy character classes#Summoner|summoned creatures]] which are called with the "Summon" skill.<ref name="ugo" />[[Image:Ff3dsbattle.jpg|left|thumb|Combat and the job system were significantly changed for this release.]]
===Nintendo DS version===
''Final Fantasy III'' for the Nintendo DS features overhauls to the job system, including the rebalancing of the classes, the addition of new abilities, a new "Freelancer" class that replaces "Onion Knight" as the default job at the beginning of the game (Onion Knight is retained as a secret class), new events, a new crystal and dungeon, and the removal of capacity points. Unlike the original Famicom version, most of the jobs remain useful for the entire game. The ultimate jobs – the Ninja and the Sage – and some of the lesser-used jobs like the Geomancer were redesigned to have the same level of abilities as the Warrior.<ref name="strat">{{cite book|title=Final Fantasy III Official Strategy Guide|publisher=Brady Games|date=[[2006-11-15]]|isbn=0744008484}}</ref>
In place of capacity points, each character incurs a small penalty for switching jobs. This penalty decreases the character's statistics for the next 0 to 10 battles. This period is called a "Job Transition Phase" and its length is based on "job compatibility" and the difference in job levels between the new job and old job.<ref name=strat />
The remake takes advantage of the Wi-Fi feature of the Nintendo DS in the form of a Mail/Mognet system similar to ''[[Final Fantasy IX]]''. Various [[Common_elements_of_Final_Fantasy#Moogle|moogles]] in the game allow the player to send mail to others. Players are also able to send mail to various characters in the game as well as to other players.<ref name="iiinstructions">{{cite book | year=2006 | editor=Square Enix | title=Final Fantasy III Instruction Book | pages=51 | publisher=Square Enix | language=English | id=}}</ref> Side quests can also be unlocked using this system, such as the quest to unlock the Onion Knight.<ref>{{cite web | author= Shoemaker, Brad |date = [[2006-07-20]]| title=Final Fantasy III Update| work=Gamespot.com | url=http://www.gamespot.com/ds/rpg/finalfantasyiii/news.html?sid=6154385 | accessdate=August 31 | accessyear=2006 }}</ref> A quick save option is also available, similar to other 2D ''Final Fantasy'' remakes, except for ''[[Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls]]''. However, like in the original, there are no save points in the game's dungeons.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-07-16|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=163246|title=Final Fantasy III |publisher=Computer and Video Games }}</ref>
==Plot==
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===Setting===
One thousand years before the events in the game, on a floating continent hovering high above the surface of an unnamed planet, a technologically advanced civilization sought to harness the power of the four [[classical element|elemental]] crystals of light. They did not realize that they could not control such fundamental forces of nature. This power of light would have consumed the world itself had the light crystals not had their natural counterparts: the four dark elemental crystals. Disturbed by the sudden interruption of the careful balance of light and dark, four warriors were granted the power of the dark crystals to recapture the power of the light crystals. These so-called Dark Warriors succeeded in their quest, and restored harmony to the world. But their victory came too late to save the doomed civilization. Their culture was reduced to ruin, though their floating continent remained. On that continent, the circle of Gulgans, a race of blind [[Haruspex|soothsayers]] and fortune-tellers, predicted that these events will ultimately repeat.<ref name=game>{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy III|developer=Square|publisher=Square|date=[[1990-04-27]]|platform=Nintendo Family Computer|isolang=ja}}</ref>
===Characters===
[[Image:FinalfantasyIIIhero.jpg|thumb|Development sketch by [[Yoshitaka Amano]] of an unnamed hero riding a dragon]]
''Final Fantasy III'' focuses around four orphans from the remote village of Ur. The remake of the game for the Nintendo DS features [[Final Fantasy III (Nintendo DS)#Characters|a new set of party members]] designed by [[Akihiko Yoshida]], each with new backstories and personalities: {{nihongo|Luneth|ルーネス|Rūnesu}}, an orphan raised in the village of Ur who is curious and adventurous by nature; {{nihongo|Refia|レフィア}}, who tires of her father's blacksmith training and often runs away from home; {{nihongo|Arc|アルクゥ|Arukū}}, who is Luneth's childhood best friend and a timid yet intelligent young man; and {{nihongo|Ingus|イングズ|Inguzu}}, who is a loyal soldier serving the King of Sasune, who is trying to save the missing Lady Sara.<ref name="iiinstructions">{{cite book | year=2006 | editor=Square Enix | title=Final Fantasy III Instruction Book | pages=51 | publisher=Square Enix | language=English | id=}}</ref>
===Story===
An earthquake opens up a previously hidden cavern in Altar Cave near the village of Ur on the floating continent. Four young orphans under the care of Topapa, the village elder, explore the earthquake's impact and come across a crystal of light. The crystal grants them a portion of its power, and instructs them to go forth and restore balance to the world. Not knowing what to make of the crystal's pronouncements, but nonetheless recognizing the importance of its words, the four inform their adoptive family of their mission and set out to explore an [[overworld]] outside the area in which they were brought up to bring back balance to the world.<ref name=game />
Their adventures bring them to discover that there lies a whole world beyond the boundaries of the floating continent upon which they were living. In the world below, they discover that a demon named Xande is trying to possess the crystals of light to bring forth chaos and disorder. The four warriors eventually arrive at the Crystal Tower where they discover that the Cloud of Darkness is the source of the recent events. It is attempting to bring back a similar situation as the Flood of Light a thousand years earlier so that they can pull the world into the void. The warriors from the light traverse into the domain of the dark crystals to free the imprisoned dark warriors and defeat the Cloud of Darkness, therefore restoring the crystals and balance to the world.<ref name=game />
==Development==
Director [[Hironobu Sakaguchi]], designer [[Hiromichi Tanaka]], character designer [[Yoshitaka Amano]], scenario writer [[Kenji Terada]], and music composer [[Nobuo Uematsu]] returned from the two previous ''Final Fantasy'' games to contribute to the development of ''Final Fantasy III''.<ref>{{cite web | title = Game Credits for Final Fantasy III | work = [http://www.mobygames.com/ MobyGames] | url = http://www.mobygames.com/game/nes/final-fantasy-iii/credits | accessdate = 2008-07-14}}</ref> As with the previous two installments of the series, ''Final Fantasy III'' was programmed for the Famicom by [[Nasir Gebelli]]. It was the last original ''Final Fantasy'' title worked on by Gebelli.<ref>{{cite web | author = Lau, John | publisher=University of Hawaii|title = The Secret of Nasir | url = http://web.archive.org/web/20070716125605/http://www2.hawaii.edu/~johnlau/nasir.html | date = [[2005-01-22]] | accessdate = 2008-07-14}}</ref> The finished game was one of the largest ever produced for the Famicom.<ref name="euro">{{cite web | author=Rob Fahey |date=2007-03-13| title= Fantasy Reborn | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=74024 | publisher=[[Eurogamer]] | accessdate=2008-03-10}}</ref> Like many console role-playing games of the era, ''Final Fantasy III'' is noted for its difficulty.<ref name="euro" />
Square developed and released ''Final Fantasy III'' during the same period that Nintendo released its 16-bit [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Famicom]] console, intended as the successor to the original 8-bit Famicom. Designer Hiromichi Tanaka said that the original game was never released outside of Japan because Square was focused on developing for Nintendo's new console.
{{Quote|Nowadays we know that when you've got a platform like PlayStation, you'll have PlayStation 2 and then PlayStation 3, and where you've got Xbox, you move on to Xbox 360 - you can sort of assume what's going to happen in the future. But back then, that was the first time that we'd seen a new generation of consoles, and it was really difficult to predict what was going to happen. At that time, then, we were working so hard to catch up on the new technology that we didn't have enough manpower to work on an English version of ''Final Fantasy III''|Hiromichi Tanaka<ref name="euro" />}}[[Image:FF3 WonderSwanColor.jpg|thumb|left|Development screenshot from the unfinished WonderSwan Color remake]]
===Cancelled WonderSwan Color remake===
Bandai unveiled their [[WonderSwan Color]] handheld system in {{vgy|2000}} and had immediately headed up a deal with Square Co. to release enhanced remakes of their first three ''Final Fantasy'' titles on the new console.<ref name="IGN">{{cite web | author=Harris, Craig|date=2000-09-08| title=Final Fantasy Goes WonderSwan Color | url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/084/084736p1.html | publisher=[[IGN]] | accessdate=2006-09-03}}</ref> Although ''Final Fantasy'' and ''Final Fantasy II'' were both released within a year of the announcement, ''Final Fantasy III'' was ultimately delayed from its late {{vgy|2001}} release date, even after Bandai picked up the game's publishing rights.<ref name="Delayed">{{cite web | author=Joseph Witham | date=2003 | title=Final Fantasy III Still WonderSwan Bound | url=http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q1-2003/030603b.html | publisher=[[RPGamer]] | accessdate=2006-09-04}}</ref> While a port of ''[[Final Fantasy IV]]'' was eventually released for the WonderSwan Color, Square remained silent regarding ''Final Fantasy III''. Although the game was never formally canceled, the official website was taken offline once production of the WonderSwan Color consoles ceased in {{vgy|2002}}.<ref name="Website">{{cite web | author=Eve C. | date=2002 | title=WSC FFIII Vanishes, FFI-II Remake In The Works | url=http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2002/1717.html | publisher=[[RPGFan]] | accessdate=2006-09-04}}</ref>
In 2007, Hiromichi Tanaka explained in an interview that the WonderSwan Color remake had been abandoned because the size and structure of the coding of the original Famicom game was too difficult to recreate on the WonderSwan Color:<ref>{{cite web |author=Hartley, Adam |title=SPOnG Interview: Square Enix's Senior VP Hiromichi Tanaka |url=http://spong.com/feature/10109508 |publisher=SPOnG |date=2007-02-01 |accessdate=2007-02-12}}</ref>
{{quote|When we developed FF3, the volume of content in the game was so huge that the cartridge was completely full, and when new platforms emerged, there simply wasn't enough storage space available for an update of FF3, because that would have required new graphics, music and other content. There was also a difficulty with how much manpower it would take to remake all of that content.|Hiromichi Tanaka<ref name="euro" />}}
===Nintendo DS===
[[Image:FFIIIDScast.jpg|thumb|CG render of the four main characters of the DS remake of ''Final Fantasy III''. From left: Luneth, Ingus, Arc and Refia]]
Following the failure of the effort to remake the game for the WonderSwan Color, and Square's merger with former competitor [[Enix]] to form Square Enix in {{vgy|2003}}, the company posted assurance that the game's promised remake would not be completely forgotten, and there was speculation that it might find its way to [[Sony Computer Entertainment|Sony]]'s [[PlayStation]] or Nintendo's [[Game Boy Advance]] as its predecessors had.<ref name="Remake">{{cite web | author=Andrew Long and Jesse Kanda | date=2003 | title=Final Fantasy III Finally On Deck | url=http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q3-2003/070703a.html | publisher=[[RPGamer]] | accessdate=2006-09-04}}</ref><ref name="GBA">{{cite web | author=Adam Riley |date=2006-08-05| title=Final Fantasy III: Nintendo DS | url=http://www.cubed3.com/preview/194/ | publisher=Cubed3.com | accessdate=2006-09-04}}</ref> Square Enix considered porting the game to the [[PlayStation 2]], but was eventually convinced by Nintendo to develop the title for their new handheld system, the Nintendo DS, a decision that would later be positively reinforced by the commercial success of the [[Nintendo DS]].<ref>{{cite web | title=TGS 2006: Square on Final Fantasy III|date=2006-09-24| url= http://ds.ign.com/articles/734/734997p1.html |author=Nix| publisher=[[IGN]] | accessdate=2006-09-25}}</ref> The ''Final Fantasy III'' remake was first announced to be in development on [[2004-10-07]], but detailed information did not emerge until a year later. Hiromichi Tanaka headed the project as both the executive producer and director. His guidance and supervision were needed because the remake was not a mere graphical update as ''[[Final Fantasy (video game)|Final Fantasy]]'' and ''[[Final Fantasy II]]''{{'}}s remakes were, but a total overhaul using the Nintendo DS's [[3D computer graphics|3D]] capabilities. Along with 3D graphics, a [[full motion video]] opening scene was produced for the game, similar to those found in the ports of the 2D ''Final Fantasy'' games for the PlayStation. Developer Matrix Software handled the programming of the game.<ref>{{cite web | title="Creator's Voice" - The Final Fantasy III Interview |date=2006-08-10 | url=http://xcomp.gamebrink.com/?p=222 | publisher=zgameBrink.com | accessdate=2006-08-27}}</ref>
The remake was produced by Tomoya Asano and co-developed by Matrix Software and Square Enix. In addition, Ryosuke Aiba (''[[Final Fantasy XI]]'') was the [[art director]]. [[Akihiko Yoshida]] (''[[Final Fantasy XII]]'') redesigned the original characters for use in 3D, and designed the looks of the [[List of Final Fantasy III characters|new playable characters]].<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-07-16|url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/nintendo-ds/final-fantasy-iii_|title=Final Fantasy III |publisher=Moby Games }}</ref> The formerly generic and nameless party characters were given new default names: Luneth (''Runesu''), Arc (''Arukū''), Refia (''Refia'') and Ingus (''Inguzu''). They were given new personalities and background stories, and additional scenes were added to develop their individuality; however, the main storyline was not altered significantly.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-07-16|url=http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=6546|title=Final Fantasy III Review |publisher=PALGN }}</ref> Along with these four, additional characters (called "sub-characters") also join the party temporarily, like in the original. Unlike the original however, these characters may randomly participate in battle.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-07-16|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=70995|title= Final Fantasy III |publisher=EuroGamer }}</ref>
==Musical score==
{{main|Discography of Final Fantasy III}}
''Final Fantasy III'' was scored by [[Nobuo Uematsu]], and it is Uematsu's twenty-first work of [[video game music]]. ''[[Music of Final Fantasy III#Final Fantasy III Yūkyū no Kaze Densetsu|Final Fantasy III: Yūkyū no Kaze Densetsu]]'', an arranged album by Uematsu featuring vocals by Dido, a Japanese vocal duo of Michiaki Kato and Shizuru Ohtaka, was also issued shortly following the release of the Famicom game in 1990.<ref>{{cite web | title = Final Fantasy III: Yuukyuu no Kaze Densetsu (Legend of the Eternal Wind) | work = [http://www.ffmusic.info/ Daryl's Library] | url = http://ffmusic.info/fflegendwind.html | date = 2008-04-01 | accessdate = 2008-07-14}}</ref> A [[Music of Final Fantasy III#Final Fantasy III Original Sound Version|soundtrack album]] of the original game score followed a year later.<ref>{{cite web | title = Final Fantasy III Original Sound Version | work = Daryl's Library | url = http://ffmusic.info/ff3.html | date = [[2008-04-29]] | accessdate = 2008-07-14}}</ref>
Selected tracks the game were featured in various [[List of Final Fantasy compilation albums|''Final Fantasy'' arranged music compilation albums]], including ''[[List of Final Fantasy compilation albums#Final Fantasy: Pray|Final Fantasy: Pray]]'' and ''[[List of Final Fantasy compilation albums#Final Fantasy: Love Will Grow|Final Fantasy: Love Will Grow]]'' (with lyrical renditions performed by singer [[Risa Ohki]]),<ref>{{cite web | author = Patrick Gann | title = Final Fantasy Vocal Collections II [Love Will Grow] | work = RPGFan | url = http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/fflove/index.html | accessdate = 2008-07-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author = Patrick Gann | title = Final Fantasy Vocal Collections I -Pray- | work = [http://www.rpgfan.com/ RPGFan] | url = http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/ffpray/index.html | accessdate = 2008-07-24}}</ref> and the [[The Black Mages discography#The Black Mages II: The Skies Above|second]] and [[The Black Mages discography#The Black Mages III: Darkness and Starlight|third]] albums from Uematsu's [[progressive metal]] group, [[The Black Mages]].<ref>{{cite web | author = Jesse Jones | title = Final Fantasy ~ The Black Mages II: The Skies Above | work = RPGFan | url = http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/ffbm2/index.html | accessdate = 2008-07-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author = Logan Castonguay | title = Final Fantasy ~ The Black Mages III: Darkness and Starlight | work = RPGFan | url = http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/ffbm3/index.html | accessdate = 2008-07-14}}</ref> Several tracks from the game were subsequently remixed and featured in later Square or Square Enix titles, including ''[[Chocobo Racing]]''<ref>{{cite web | author = Aaron Lau | title = The classic Final Fantasy sound returns, in excellently remixed form | work = [http://www.soundtrackcentral.com/ Soundtrack Central] | url = http://www.soundtrackcentral.com/cds/chocoboracing_ost.htm | date = [[1999-08-25]] | accessdate = 2008-07-14}}</ref> and ''[[Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon]]''.<ref>{{cite web | author = Adam Corn | title = The Ghosts of Final Fantasy Past | work = Soundtrack Central | url = http://www.soundtrackcentral.com/cds/chocobosmysteriousdungeonloft_ost.htm | date = [[2008-07-12]] | accessdate = 2008-07-14}}</ref>
The score was arranged for the Nintendo DS remake by [[Tsuyoshi Sekito]] and [[Keiji Kawamori]], working under Uematsu's supervision.<ref>{{cite web | author= |date = [[2006-01-01]]| title=Final Fantasy III| work=Square-Enix| url=http://www.square-enix.co.jp/music/sem/page/ff3 | accessdate=August 31 | accessyear=2006 }}</ref> This score was released on compact disc under the title ''[[Music of Final Fantasy III#Final Fantasy III Original Soundtrack|Final Fantasy III: Original Soundtrack]]''. A remix of "This is the Final Battle" by The Black Mages, as well as a [[techno]] version of "Eternal Wind" by muZik, appeared on the DS game's soundtrack, released in Japan on [[2006-09-20]].<ref>{{cite web | author= |date = [[2005-01-01]]| title=Final Fantasy III Original Soundtrack| work=Game Music CD Information Database| url=http://www.gmronline.com/info.asp?CatNumber=SQEX-10076~7 | accessdate=August 31 | accessyear=2006 }}</ref>
==Reception==
The Famicom version ''Final Fantasy III'' was thought to be typical of RPGs of its day, with a high degree of difficulty requiring a significant amount of [[Grind (gaming)|grinding]].<ref name="euro"/> It was influential in the development of the magic system and job systems of ''[[Final Fantasy XI]]''.<ref name="interview">{{cite web | author=Nickel, Thomas|date=2006-01-01| title= Hiromichi Tanaka — Final Fantasy III | url=http://www.g-wie-gorilla.de/content/view/218/18/ | publisher=g-wie gorilla | accessdate=2008-03-10}}</ref> In 2006, readers of the Japanese gaming magazine ''[[Famitsu]]'' voted the original ''Final Fantasy III'' the eighth-best video game of all-time.<ref>{{cite web | author = Simon Carless | title = Famitsu Reveals Top 100 Reader-Voted Games of All Time | work = [http://www.gamasutra.com/ Gamasutra] | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=8378 | date = [[2006-03-03]] | accessdate = [[2008-07-16]]}}</ref>
=== Nintendo DS ===
{{VG Reviews
| 1UP = A<ref name="1up review">{{cite web|accessdate=2008-07-16|url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3155163|title=Final Fantasy III (Nintendo DS)|publisher=1UP}}</ref>
| GamePro = 4.0 of 5<ref name="gamepro review">{{cite web|accessdate=2008-07-16|url=http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/ds/games/reviews/86308.shtml|title=Review: Final Fantasy III|publisher=GamePro}}</ref>
| GSpy = 8 of 10<ref name="gamespy review">{{cite web|accessdate=2008-07-15|url=http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/final-fantasy-iii/746923p1.html|title=Final Fantasy III (DS)|publisher=GameSpy}}</ref>
| GT = 8.2 of 10<ref name="gametrailers review">{{cite web|accessdate=2008-07-15|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=2761|title=Final Fantasy III|publisher=Game Trailers}}</ref>
| NP = 8 of 10<ref name="nintendopower review">{{cite journal|journal=Nintendo Power|title=Final Fantasy III review|date=January 2007|page=103}}</ref>
| GR = 77%<ref name="gamerankings review">{{cite web|accessdate=2008-07-16|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/924897.asp?q=final%20fantasy%20iii|title= Final Fantasy III - DS|publisher=GameRankings}}</ref>
| MC = 77 of 100<ref name="metacritic review">{{cite web|accessdate=2008-07-16|url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ds/finalfantasy3?q=final%20fantasy%20iii|title=Final Fantasy III|publisher=Metacritic}}</ref>
}}
The remake's reception has been mostly positive with high sales and fair reviews from video game critics. [[IGN]] states that "''interest in FFIII should come as no surprise given...the popularity of the DS''".<ref name="japanmania">{{cite web | author=IGN Staff | year=2006 | title=FFIII Mania in Japan | url=http://uk.ds.ign.com/articles/728/728081p1.html | work=[http://www.ign.com IGN] | accessdate=January 31 | accessyear=2007}}</ref> The game sold 500,000 units within the first week in Japan, beating Square-Enix's original prediction that they would only sell 350,000.<ref name="halfmillion">{{cite web | author=IGN Staff | year=2006 | title=Final Fantasy Tops Half Million | url=http://uk.ds.ign.com/articles/728/728959p1.html | work=[http://www.ign.com IGN] | accessdate=January 31 | accessyear=2007}}</ref> <!-- (The source cited here does not support the claim that the success of the game was instrumental in repairing the Square / Nintendo rift) The success of this game on the Nintendo DS as well as the success of other recent ''Final Fantasy'' remakes such as ''[[Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls]]'' and ''[[Final Fantasy IV#Game Boy Advance|Final Fantasy IV]]'' and ''[[Final Fantasy V#Game Boy Advance|V]]'' have led Square Enix to consider remaking other old ''Final Fantasy'' games as well as doing much to repair the relationship between them and Nintendo.<ref name="wildstatements">{{cite web | author=IGN Staff | year=2006 | title=Top 10 Tuesday: Wildest Statements Made by Industry Veterans | url=http://uk.ds.ign.com/articles/695/695790p1.html | work=[http://www.ign.com IGN] | accessdate=January 31 | accessyear=2007}}</ref> ''[[Final Fantasy XII Revenant Wings]]'', a sequel to the [[PlayStation 2]] game ''[[Final Fantasy XII]]'', has been released for the DS<ref name="ffxii">{{cite web | author=IGN Staff | year=2006 | title=Final Fantasy XII Set for DS | url=http://uk.ds.ign.com/articles/732/732509p1.html | work=[http://www.ign.com IGN] | accessdate=January 31 | accessyear=2007}}</ref> as well as many [[Square-Enix#Nintendo DS Support|other games]] that have been announced for Nintendo consoles, the latest being an enhanced DS remake of [[Final Fantasy IV (Nintendo DS)|Final Fantasy IV]].--> Figurines of the characters from the game have been created.<ref>{{cite web | author=Jon Jordan | year=February 2nd, 2007 | title=Final Fantasy III figures on the way | url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/DS/Final+Fantasy+III+Trading+Arts+Minis/news.asp?c=2270 | work=pocketgamer.co.uk| accessdate=March 11 | accessyear=2008}}</ref>
As of July 2008, the game has sold 2.21 million copies worldwide, with 1.07 million copies sold in Japan, 0.72 million copies in North America, and 0.42 million copies in Europe.<ref>{{cite web | title = Final Fantasy III DS (DS) | work = [http://www.vgchartz.com/ VGChartz.com] | url = http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=3310 | accessdate = 2008-07-16}}</ref>
{{clear}}
==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
==External links==
* ''Final Fantasy III'' for the Nintendo DS official sites: [http://www.finalfantasy3.eu.com/ Europe], [http://www.square-enix.co.jp/ff3/ Japan], [http://na.square-enix.com/ff3/ North America]
*[http://finalfantasy.wikicities.com/wiki/Category:Final_Fantasy_III ''Final Fantasy'' Wiki category list for ''Final Fantasy III'']
{{Final Fantasy series}}
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[[Category:1990 video games]]
[[Category:2006 video games]]
[[Category:Final Fantasy games]]
[[Category:Nintendo DS games]]
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[[Category:Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection games]]
[[Category:Fan translated games]]
[[Category:Video game remakes]]
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