The Evolution of Final Fantasy
If there's a game series that has stood the test of time across multiple console generations, it's Final Fantasy. Alongside its predecessor, Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy has defined the JRPG genre and played a significant role in shaping the gaming industry since its debut on the NES.
Over the years, Final Fantasy has not only evolved in terms of gameplay, story, and presentation but also in file size. From its humble beginnings to the latest entry, Final Fantasy XV: Royal Edition, let's take a look at how the file sizes of the core entries have changed in this iconic game series.
Final Fantasy File Sizes
Final Fantasy (144 KB): A pioneer of the medium, this 8-bit classic was quite large for its console, the Famicom.
Final Fantasy II (167 KB): Only 23 KB larger than its predecessor, Final Fantasy II continued to push the boundaries.
Final Fantasy III (326 KB): This game marked a major jump in file size, fully utilizing the Famicom's cartridge capacity.
Final Fantasy IV (664 KB): The first game to break the megabyte barrier, both the original version and the DS remake showcased the series' growth.
Final Fantasy V (1.36 MB): With double the size of its predecessor, Final Fantasy V expanded the world of Final Fantasy.
Final Fantasy VI (2.14 MB): This entry further pushed the boundaries, delivering an immersive experience.
Final Fantasy VII (1,317 MB): Easily the most audacious entry in terms of file size, Final Fantasy VII spanned three discs, totaling 1,317 MB.
Final Fantasy VIII (1,713 MB): Adding an entire fourth disc, Final Fantasy VIII continued to raise the bar.
Final Fantasy IX (1,400 MB): Doubling the size of its predecessors, Final Fantasy IX showcased the series' ambition.
Final Fantasy X (3.31 GB): The biggest game in the series at that time, Final Fantasy X took players on an unforgettable journey.
Final Fantasy XI (1.08 GB): As an MMO, the base game size was smaller, but with additional expansions, it became the largest game in the franchise.
Final Fantasy XII (2.74 GB): This entry stood out as an anomaly with its unique file size.
Final Fantasy XIII (varies): The PC version had a massive file size of 60 GB due to a poor port, while console versions were smaller.
Final Fantasy XIV (80+ GB): As the second MMO in the series, Final Fantasy XIV expanded with expansions like Shadowbringers and Endwalker.
Final Fantasy XV (90+ GB): With its epic open world, Final Fantasy XV demanded significant storage space on consoles. The Windows Edition surpassed 200 GB.
Final Fantasy 16 (94.91 GB): Released in June 2023, the latest entry in the series boasts an impressive download size on the PS5.
While technically not a core entry, the file size of Final Fantasy 16 is substantial for a game that's barely a year old. With the future of the Final Fantasy VII Remake uncertain and the cancellation of a potential Final Fantasy XV 2, fans eagerly await the next big entry and its file size.
