"What version should I play?" for Final Fantasy

List of Final Fantasy and all of it's remakes with major changes

I (Recommended: PSP/Smartphone)

>Famicom: The Original Version

>MSX2: Famicom Base, Different color pallet, Altered map placement, Improved Music, Black Belt Buff

>NES: Famicom Base, Shortened spell names due to space limitations, censorship of Judeo-Christian images

>Wonderswan Color: Full Remake, Graphics overhaul, parity with recent FF design choices, cutscenes, more text, auto-target, dash, deletable spells, more save slots, party inventory, new music, boss buff

>Playstation: WSC Base, Higher-Res Graphics, Re-Composition of all music, Rewrite of script, opening up saves to memory card space, memo save, FMVs, bestiary, art gallery, item collection, Easy Mode difficulty option

>Gameboy Advance: WSC Base, Removal of Normal difficulty, removal of option for "No Auto-Target", Low-Res Graphics remake, Charges for spells dropped for MP system, New items (ex: Phoenix Down), FMVs & Art gallery & item collection removed, Thief & Monk buff, Red Mage nerf, Stat Growth Altered (ex: INT affects Spellblade attacks), ability to save anywhere added, Monster Buff, Default names added, "Soul of Chaos" Bonus Dungeons added, music player added

>NTT DoCoMo FOMA 9011 (The Advent Children Phone): WSC Base, Lower-Res, Soundtrack remake

>Playstation Portable: GBA Base, Higher-Res Graphic Remake, "Soul of Chaos" music changes, "Labyrinth of Time" Bonus Dungeon added, Art Gallery & FMVs from PS1 version re-added

>Wii Virtual Console: Famicom & NES Base (Depending on region)

>Playstation Network: PS1 Base

>J2ME Phones: NES Base, made by Namco in Java, bug fixes, re-translation, quicksave added, Dashing and Auto-target added, Enemy placement rearranged, Knight & Ninja Spell Buff (can go up to lvl9 spells), Chaos Buff, SFX removal, MIDI Remix of soundtrack, Chaos Boss music added, graphics remake,

>iOS: PSP Base, Window Color option removed, compressed soundtrack (sounds worse to save space), resume option added for multi-tasking apps, HP/MP Growth Bug (picks lowest stat growth as much as highest and nothing inbetween),

>Windows Phone: iOS Base, phone status indicator added, Xbox Live Achievements, Playable Demo,

>Google Play (Android): iOS Base, Bonus Dungeon removal

>Nintendo 3DS: GBA Base, added as bonus for Final Fantasy Explorers' first print, "3D-ified" Graphics remake

>Web (HTML): Brand new remake, only playable up to the title screen at the bridge, script is self-aware of it being a 30th Anniversary, added Tyro of Final Fantasy Record Keeper as a random pallet swap for Red Mage.
https://t.co/7eoiEGv1k2


II (Recommended: PSP/Smartphone)

>Famicom: The Original Version

>Wonderswan Color: Full Remake, Graphics overhaul, parity with recent FF design choices, cutscenes, more text, auto-target, dash, more save slots, party inventory, new music

>Playstation: WSC Base, Higher-Res Graphics, Re-Composition of all music, Rewrite of script, localized into English, opening up saves to memory card space, memo save, FMVs, bestiary, art gallery, item collection, Easy Mode difficulty option

>Gameboy Advance: WSC Base, Removal of Normal difficulty, removal of option for "No Auto-Target", Low-Res Graphics remake, New items (ex: Phoenix Down), FMVs & Art gallery & item collection removed, Action-Cancel Stat Growth Bug removed, Stat Growth reworked & buffed, Amano Artwork portraits added, "Soul of Rebirth" Story Sequel added, music player added

>NTT DoCoMo FOMA 9011 (The Advent Children Phone): WSC Base, Lower-Res, Soundtrack remake

>Playstation Portable: GBA Base, Higher-Res Graphic Remake, Art Gallery & FMVs from PS1 version re-added, "Arcane Labyrinth" & "Arcane Sanctuary" Bonus Dungeons added, Defend added to battle menu

>Wii Virtual Console: Famicom Base

>Playstation Network: PS1 Base

>iOS: PSP Base, Window Color option & Art Gallery removed,

>Google Play (Android): iOS Base, "Soul of Rebirth" removed, Bonus Dungeons removed


III (Recommended: PSP/Smartphone/Steam)

>Famicom: The Original Version

>Nintendo DS: Complete 3D Polygonal Remake by Matrix Software, New Protagonists, Re-write of script, localized for English, Class Re-balancing, New Abilities, Capacity Points Removal, Freelance Class added, "MogNet" mail system added for Nintendo Wi-Fi, Enemy Buff, Enemy Amount Nerf, Remake of Soundtrack

>Wii Virtual Console: Famicom Base

>iOS: DS Base, Higher-Res Graphical remake, Remixed Soundtrack, button revamp, text revamp, Onion Knight Quest nerf, "MogNet" Wi-Fi functions removed (NPC "MogNet" still available), Encounter glitch causes skippable monsters, Logitech PowerShell Controller support

>Google Play (Android): iOS Base, New visual designs for the Job Mastery Cards

>Playstation Portable: iOS Base, Famicom music option added, auto battle option added, has English localization

>Playstation Network: PSP Base

>Kindle Fire: iOS Base

>Ouya: iOS Base

>Windows Phone: iOS Base, phone status indicator added, Xbox Live Achievements, Playable Demo,

>Steam (PC): iOS Base, Steam achievements, Steam Trading Cards and new visual designs for the Job Mastery Cards


IV (Recommended: 2D PSP | 3D Smartphone/Steam)

>Super Famicom: The Original Version

>Super NES: SFC Base, censorship of religious imagery, storyline death nerf, renaming of many things, nerf of enemies

>Super Famicom Easy Type: SNES Base, Various spells, abilities and items removed/altered, shop prices lowered, Stat tweaks to party & enemies. renaming of many things, re-write of script

>Playstation: SFC Easy Type Base, FMVs added, Dash added, memo save added, re-localization, load-times added

>Wonderswan Color: PS1 Base, FMVs removed, Low-Res Graphical remake, down-sampled soundtrack, sprite changes, difficulty revamp

>Gameboy Advance: WSC Base, ability to switch party members added, increased difficulty, new dungeons added with new items and weapons, new bosses, quicksave added, skip turn bug, debug room added, music player added

>Nintendo DS: Complete 3D Polygonal Remake by Matrix Software, Re-write of script, some events removed, new events added, new minigames, Augment Ability system added, New Game+ added, quicksave added, Auto-Battle added, vocalized "Theme of Love" added, voice acting added, increased difficulty, enemy buff, re-localized,

>Wii Virtual Console: Super Famicom & SNES Base (Depending on Region)

>Mobile Phones: GBA Base, low-Res graphical remake, "EX Dungeon" added

>iOS: DS Base, Higher-Res Graphical remake, Remixed Soundtrack, button revamp, text revamp, Logitech PowerShell Controller support, diffulty options added

>Playstation Portable: GBA Base, Higher-Res Graphic Remake, Soundtrack remake

>Playstation Network: PS1 & PSP Base

>Google Play (Android): iOS Base

>Windows Phone: GBA Base, phone status indicator added, Playable Demo

>Steam (PC): iOS Base, Steam achievements, Steam Trading Cards


V (Recommended: GBA with Sound Patch (Here: http://www.romhacking.net/hacks/563/)) (As a disclaimer: the iOS-Current version is playable, despite the graphics that may deter you)

>Super Famicom: The Original Version

>Playstation: SFC Base, FMVs added, Dash added, memo save added, localized into English, load-times added, graphical glitch on save screen when played on PS2/PS3/PSP (fixed on release of PAL & Greatest Hits versions)

>Gameboy Advance: SFC Base, re-written script, re-localized, Amano Art portaits added, Bestiary added, music player added, BG sprites changed, quicksave added, new jobs, "Sealed Temple" bonus dungeon added

>Wii Virtual Console: Super Famicom Base

>iOS: GBA Base, Higher-Res Graphical remake, graphical remake made to fit in line with FF Dimensions, button revamp, text revamp, Auto-battle added, achievements added, SFC soundtrack used, Logitech PowerShell Controller support

>Playstation Network: PS1 Base

>Google Play (Android): iOS Base

>Steam (PC): Android Base, Steam achievements, Steam Trading Cards, updated controls & battle system for PC including button mapping


VI (Recommended: GBA with Graphic & Sound Patch (Here: http://www.romhacking.net/hacks/765/ & http://www.romhacking.net/hacks/657/)) (As a disclaimer: the iOS-Current version is playable, despite the graphics that may deter you)

>Super Famicom: The Original Version

>Super NES: SFC Base, censorship of religious imagery & nudity, renaming of many things,

>Playstation: SFC Base, FMVs added, memo save added, load-times added, uncensored some things, Vicks renamed to Biggs, bug fixes, bestiary added, artwork gallery added

>Gameboy Advance: SFC Base, re-localized, Amano Art portraits added, music player added, quicksave added, Celes Torture scene removed, "Dragons' Den" & "Soul Shrine" Bonus dungeons added, Vanish-Doom Bug removed, Downsampled Soundtrack, graphics brightened for brightness issues with original GBA

>Wii Virtual Console: Super Famicom Base

>Playstation Network: PS1 Base

>iOS: GBA Base, Higher-Res Graphical remake, graphical remake made to fit in line with FF Dimensions, button revamp, text revamp, run removed, diagonal movement added, achievements added, Story Album added, quicksaves added, SNES Soundtrack used, Shibuya Art portraits added, iOS cloud cross-saving added, bonus artwork by using codes from Pictologica & FF Tactics S (Japan only), Logitech PowerShell Controller support

>Playstation Network: PS1 Base

>Google Play (Android): iOS Base

>Steam (PC): Android Base, Steam achievements, Steam Trading Cards, updated controls & battle system for PC including button mapping
(Fanpatch for graphics is recommended: https://t.co/yZFoor9Q6U)


VII (Recommended: Steam PC)

>Playstation: The Original Version

>PC: PS1 Base, Port published by Eidos, ridden with bugs due to lack of Square support

>Playstation Network: PS1 Base

>Steam (PC): PC Base, cloud saving added, achievements added, Character Booster added

>Dive-In (iOS & Android)): Steam Base, data cloud port (data is streamed instead of downloaded), No longer in service.

>Playstation 4: Steam Base

>Smartphone (iOS & Android): Steam Base

>Xbox One (X): To be released

>Nintendo Switch: To be released


VIII (Recommended: Steam PC)

>Playstation: The Original Version

>PC: PS1 Base

>Playstation Network: PS1 Base

>Steam (PC): PC Base, cloud saving added, achievements added, Magic Booster added, Pocketstation game Chocobo World added

>Dive-In (iOS & Android): Steam Base, data cloud port (data is streamed instead of downloaded), No longer in service.


IX (Recommended: Smartphone or Steam)

>Playstation: The Original Version

>Playstation Network: PS1 Base

>Smartphone (iOS & Android): Complete remake reusing salvaged assets from original PS1 version (Like Backgrounds & Msuic). High-Res Character models, anti-aliasing filtering, new menu, new battle user interfaces, new message dialogue windows, new sprites for Tetra Master cards, high-definition movies, Achievements, auto-save, speed-boost option, skipable cutscenes, disable pre-battle fly-by option, high speed mode (doubles all movement speeds, both in and out of battle). "boosters" added (always full ATB/Trance/HP/MP, 9999 damage, no random encounters, Master abilities (equipping an item automatically unlocks its abilities permanently), and characters' levels and Magic Stones and the party's gil can be maxed out).

>Steam: Smartphone Base
Fan Patch Available for further expansion: http://steamcommunity.com/groups/ff-modding/discussions/13/357284131804133221/

>PS4: Smartphone Base

>Xbox One (X): To be released

>Nintendo Switch: To be released


X (Recommended: Any "HD" Version)

>Playstation 2: The Original Version

>Playstation 2 International: PS2 Base, Expert Sphere Grid added, Ability additions & buffing/nerfing, new bosses, storyline sequel cutscene added

>Playstation 3 "HD Remaster": International Base, Higher-Res Graphical remake, soundtrack rearranging, text revamp, new UI, audio drama sequel added, renaming of things, cloud saving added, bug fixes, PSN Trophies added

>Playstation Vita: PS3 Base, Quick Recovery added, renaming nerf

>Playstation 4: PS3 Base, Higher-Res Graphical remake, optional soundtrack

>Steam (PC): PS4 Base, Steam achievements, Steam Trading Cards, Multi-Language options that include either [Text: Japanese / Korean / Traditional Chinese with voice: Japanese] or [Text: English / French / Italian / German / Spanish with voice: English], Built-in graphic options, button mapping options, Auto-Save, skippable cutscenes, Boosters including (Turbo/Supercharge/Enemy Encounter Override/Auto-battle/Hide HUD/Get all items/Unlock all skills/Max Gil)

>Xbox One (X): To be released

>Nintendo Switch: To be released


XI (Recommended: PC)

>PC: The Original Version

>Playstation 2: PC Base, HDD Required, Seekers of Adoulin Expansion did not receive Western Release,  No longer in service.

>Xbox 360: PC Base,  No longer in service.

>Steam: PC Base, Has bug regarding PlayOnline that downloads the wrong version rendering the game not playable


XII (Recommended: PS4 Zodiac Age)

>Playstation 2: The Original Version

>Playstation 2 International Zodiac Job System: PS2 Base, Revamped License Board system ("Job" styled approach), game accelerator, Trial mode added, New Game+ added, Controllable Guests, Controllable Espers, Gambit changes, Stat Growth changes, Item changes, enemy changes, Ability changes & nerfs/buffs, Treasure Respawning, Treasure Item changes, Break Damage Limit removed.
Fan translation Here: http://psx-scene.com/forums/f164/ff12-international-zodiac-job-system-english-conversion-62222/

>Playstation 4 The Zodiac Age: International Zodiac Job System Base, Remastered graphics with high resolution textures and lighting effects, added auto-save, support up to 7.1 ch surrounded stereo mode, Multi-Language Voice options, Re-orchestrated tracks + 8 new songs, Option to switch soundtrack from original & remastered, Better load times, Added high-speed mode to hasten gameplay, new map, added camera invert option, Characters can now have 2 jobs, Game difficulty rebalanced, Trophy support

>Xbox One (X): To be released

>Nintendo Switch: To be released


XIII (Recommended: Xbox One X)

>Playstation 3: The Original Version

>Xbox 360: Lower Resolution, compressed video and visuals,  slower load times

>Steam PC: PS3 Base, optional languages, 60 fps

>Dive-In (iOS & Android)): Steam Base, data cloud port (data is streamed instead of downloaded). No longer in service.

>Xbox One (X): Xbox 360 Base, improved resolution (4K) 2x MSAA, higher quality textures, original video files in their original resolution added (4K), faster load times, solid 30 fps with 0 drops


XIV (Recommended: PC ARR/Steam/PS4)
Please note: Buying 1 version of this product does not mean that you can play it on a different device, unlike XI. For example: you cannot play the Windows version if the only copy you bought was the PS4 version. This includes expansions.

>PC 1.0: The Original Release, No longer in service.

>PC A Realm Reborn: Complete remake

>Steam: PC ARR Base, option to use Steam Wallet to pay for sub

>Playstation 3: PC ARR Base, lower-Res graphical settings, Mouse/Keyboard Support, service to end on the 3rd expansion Stormblood's Release.

>Playstation 4: PC ARR Base, Mouse/Keyboard Support, PS4 Pro Support


>XV (Recommended: PC)

>PS4: 1080p Resolution, 30 FPS, bad frame pacing
>PS4 Pro: 4K Resolution, 30 FPS, frame pacing issues but not as bad as regular PS4

>Xbox One: 900p Resolution, blurrier graphics to accommodate lower resolution, 30 FPS solid

>PC: PS4 Base, 8K Resolution, Unlocked Framerate, Dolby Atmos sound, Nvidia's GameWorks enhancements, user-generated content, Modding Tools.

>Smartphone (Known as "Pocket Edition"): Complete Demake, Complete Graphics Demake in Chibi Style, Shortened story, Gameplay & Fighting mechanics overhaul for smartphones, Freemium (First Chapter is free, but has a complete story).

>Xbox One X: 4K Resolution, 60 fps

>Nintendo Switch (Pocket Edition): Smartphone base, requires full purchase

>Xbox One (X) (Pocket Edition): Smartphone base, requires full purchase

>Playstation 4 (Pocket Edition): Smartphone base, requires full purchase