What Version of Final Fantasy IV Should I Play?

[marurun]

I'm not sure I consider all the various computer ports to be in the same vein as console/handheld ports. It was pretty standard practice to make sure popular PC games were available on every PC platform. Look at early games in the US. There was always an Apple II, Commodore 64, Atari ST, and IBM PC Compatible option of most popular games, and often an Amiga port as well.

[Violent By Design]

PSP version. It looks the best, has all the pros of being new, isn't fugly like the DS' 3D visuals, and it comes with FFIV's sequel.

[noiseredux]

PSP version. It looks the best, has all the pros of being new, isn't fugly like the DS' 3D visuals, and it comes with FFIV's sequel.

^this would be my pick too if you've never played.

[fuctfuct]

Started the Euro GBA version with sound patch.

[Tanooki]

So the PSP version isn't tainted with the shitty simon says mechanic of the DS release? I know even Square realized that fuck up because the Apple/Android version they redid those mechanics to some degree. I grabbed 4 on Android not too long ago when they did some super sale but I haven't had much time to really dig into it to be certain.

[Ziggy]

I have to run, but my short answer is The PS1 "Chronicles" version. That's the one I picked to play through for the first time.

While the PS version is the closest port to the original game, the loading times and general lag pretty much make it the "never play this version".

Loading times? General lag? I'm not sure I know what you mean. What I do like about it is the clean translation (with staying "true" to the original translation by keeping certain things like "spoony bard"), the renaming of certain items and spells to keep it familiar with the later games in the series, and the motha fucking run button (did the SNES version not have a run button? IIRC it didn't).

The PS version of FF5, however, I would agree that the SNES version is way better than the PS version. It looks like 6 is better on the SNES than PS1 as well, but I haven't yet given 6 a go. But I always felt that the PS version of 4 was better than the SNES. And this isn't just my opinion from playing each version for 5 minutes and making a choice. I actually played halfway through the SNES version twice (I got halfway through the game then my save file was lost, so I immediately played it from the beginning again and then lost interest) and then finally played through the entire game on the PS1.

[Sarge]

There's a lot of hate for the DS version, but I enjoyed the heck out of it. I didn't think it was terribly difficult, either, but it's definitely tougher than the original US release. It's also longer, mainly because battles take more time. The script is fantastic, though.

Now, if you're time-limited, go with either the GBA or PSP version. The GBA version, as mentioned earlier, has a ton of quirks with the ATB system. Not sure if there's a patch for that or not, but it definitely makes the game feel less polished.

[Tanooki]

FF4 was the least abused of the 4 (FF4-6+CT) on the PS1 but it does have problems. Mode 7 sequences don't work smoothly, random hiccups elsewhere I can't remember specifics on since I had it like 15 years ago, and the save/load routines just dragged.

FF5 was the worst, it won't even run on a PS2 as it glitches out a lot, and FF6 while it doesn't just straight up fail(on ps2) it has lots of consistency issues too and the save/load on it is quite slow too. I don't remember the specifics on CT for the complaints, I never bothered as I"m not much of a fan of it.

[MrPopo]

So the PAL GBA version fixes a bunch of bugs, but which are still there? Anything severe? I'm playing FF3 right now and will replay FF4 after that, probably the GBA ver.

Which ones don't have 'spoony bard'? That's game breaking.

I believe it's been kept in every translation because of how legendary it is.

[fuctfuct]

Saw it in the GBA version last night.