SNES Final Fantasy II VS Nintendo DS Final Fantasy IV DS

In the early nineties when I was looking for a game that was a bit long, intriguing and a little different from the Super Mario Bros. run and jump style, I happened across an RPG title known as Final Fantasy II for the SNES.

It was so intriguing and involved that I spent many a spare moment helping out Cecil, Rosa and the rest of the crew protect the crystals from falling into the evil hands of Golbez, the game’s villain.

And long after I had beaten the game and moved on to other RPG titles, there were scenes in that Final Fantasy II game that lingered. Scenes like the fire at Mist Valley that wiped out everyone except a little girl known as Rydia. And the one in which Cecil was banished from the Kingdom of Baron. I thought those scenes were unforgettable.

Then earlier on this year, Nintendo released an updated version of the same game for the Nintendo DS. Titled, Final Fantasy IV DS, was I surprised when I saw, heard and felt what Nintendo had done to this much improved version. For it has exciting features the SNES did not have.

For in the SNES version, there was 16 Bit graphics, nothing too fancy, no voice acting, no dramatic, dark scenes that made you think the game should have come with a T for TEEN rating instead of an E for Everyone, there was no stylus you could use to draw maps, or creatures you can capture and train to help you or Cecil out in battle and no cinema like cut scenes.

But you do have them in the Nintendo DS version. It was finally great to hear Cecil, Rosa, Rydia, Kain and others speak. And even though it’s the same game as the SNES, with the same story, this Nintendo DS version is a remarkable addition to any RPG lover’s collection, even if you have played the SNES version.

All those sound effects, voice acting and dark scenes packed into a little DS cartridge. Imagine that?