The Final Fantasy I–VI Pixel Remasters on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch add options that let you change the presentation and make play more or less demanding: you can switch soundtrack and font styles, turn random encounters off, and set an experience multiplier from 0 to 4. Square Enix released the six games digitally for both consoles on April 19, 2023.
What’s new in the console Pixel Remasters?
Square Enix’s April 13, 2023 console announcement lists a modernized UI, auto-battle options, and several player-controlled settings. These are series-level features; the announcement does not provide a game-by-game breakdown of how each option works.
- Soundtrack: Choose the Pixel Remaster arrangement or music based on the original versions.
- Font: Switch between the default font and a pixel-based font.
- Random encounters: Turn random encounters off.
- Experience: Adjust the experience multiplier from 0 to 4.
- Extras: Browse a bestiary, illustration gallery, and music player.
These options can change how a game feels without changing its central story. The encounter and experience settings are especially useful if you want to explore without frequent interruptions or adjust the pace of character growth.
Can you turn off random encounters or switch to the original soundtrack?
Yes. On PS4 and Switch, Square Enix lists a random-encounter toggle, an experience multiplier ranging from 0 to 4, and a choice between the remastered arrangement and original-based music. The announcement confirms that these controls exist, but does not specify their exact in-game menu paths or detail every effect of each multiplier setting.
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- The games that inspired a generation come to life once more, in the ultimate 2D pixel remaster!
- These games are newly developed remaster editions based on the original titles. Some of the changes and additional elements found in other remakes of these games are not included.
- The Anniversary Edition includes a pixel character sticker sheet.
- Universally updated 2D pixel graphics, including the iconic FINAL FANTASY character designs created by Kazuko Shibuya, the original artist and current collaborator.
- Beautifully rearranged soundtrack in a faithful FINAL FANTASY style, overseen by original composer Nobuo Uematsu.
Do the console versions have a classic pixel font?
Yes. Players can switch between the default font and a pixel-based font. This is a presentation option, alongside the soundtrack choice; it does not indicate a change to the games’ story content.
How faithful are the remasters to the original games?
Square Enix says the Pixel Remasters are based on the original Nintendo and Super Nintendo versions and that the stories were not changed. They are not untouched ports: the company also says the game balance received overall tweaks and the UI was overhauled. Some content that had been changed or added in earlier remakes is not included, so “based on the originals” does not mean every version-specific extra from every remake is present.
Rank #2
- CLASSIC RPG COLLECTION: Relive the classic adventures of the first six mainline Final Fantasy games with this definitive collection for Nintendo Switch.
- PIXEL REMASTERED: Enjoy the timeless stories and iconic characters with beautifully rendered 2D pixel graphics and updated gameplay systems.
- BONUS CONTENT: Anniversary Edition includes a pixel character art sticker sheet featuring the heroes and villains from each game.
- MULTI-PLATFORM GAMING: Experience the epic RPG journeys on the go or at home with the Nintendo Switch's hybrid capabilities.
- LEGENDARY SOUNDTRACKS: Immerse yourself in the iconic musical scores that have defined the Final Fantasy series over the decades.
The graphics were largely redrawn as updated 2D pixel art for modern high-resolution screens, with playable character sprites redrawn by Kazuko Shibuya. Square Enix says the newly arranged background music was overseen by original composer Nobuo Uematsu, while its sound team recreated the sound effects. The console soundtrack switch lets players opt for music based on the originals instead of the Pixel Remaster arrangements.
What bonus features are included?
Bestiary
The bestiary fills in as you encounter monsters. It also offers a habitat-chart-style view that places encounters in a world-map context.
Rank #3
- The games that inspired a generation come to life once more, in the ultimate 2D pixel remaster!
- Enjoy universally updated 2D pixel graphics and the beautifully rearranged soundtrack.
- Gameplay is improved with modernised UI, and extras such as a bestiary, illustration gallery and music player allow further immersion into the world of the game.
Music player
Most in-game tracks can be played repeatedly, and the music player makes them available from the beginning rather than requiring story progress to unlock them.
Illustration gallery
The gallery includes almost all concept illustrations and character and monster art credited to Yoshitaka Amano. In Final Fantasy IV through Final Fantasy VI, it also includes in-game-style super-deformed pixel art. Square Enix says the gallery can be viewed without progressing through the game.
Rank #4
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Are the same quality-of-life options on Steam and mobile?
Not all at once, and the documented options differ by platform. Square Enix’s FAQ says a January 31, 2024 update added encounter toggles and experience multipliers, with a 0-to-4 range, to both Steam and mobile. Steam also received the pixel-font and original-BGM switches; mobile received gamepad support. Do not assume that every console option or interface detail is identical across editions.
| Platform | Documented availability and format | Documented options or distinctions |
|---|---|---|
| PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch | Digital release; six games available separately or as a complete bundle through PlayStation Store and Nintendo eShop, according to Square Enix’s April 20, 2023 launch notice. | Soundtrack and font switches, random-encounter toggle, 0-to-4 experience multiplier, modernized UI, auto-battle, bestiary, illustration gallery, and music player. |
| Steam | Listed by Square Enix’s Asia portal as launching July 29, 2021. | After the January 31, 2024 update: encounter toggle, 0-to-4 experience multiplier, pixel-font switch, and original-BGM option. |
| iOS and Android | Listed by Square Enix’s Asia portal as launching July 29, 2021. | After the January 31, 2024 update: encounter toggle, 0-to-4 experience multiplier, and gamepad support. The cited FAQ does not list the Steam font and original-BGM switches for mobile. |
| Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC | Listed by Square Enix’s Asia portal as launching September 26, 2024. | The cited materials do not establish a detailed, platform-specific feature matrix. |
The North American Square Enix announcement gives April 19, 2023 for the PS4 and Switch digital launch. The Asia portal lists April 20, 2023 for those platforms. These dates are regional/platform listings; they should not be collapsed into a single claim about the exact global release moment.
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- Remaster of the original CRISIS CORE - FINAL FANTASY VII-, featuring a complete HD graphics overhaul, a remastered soundtrack, a reimagined UI, and an updated combat system.
- The story begins seven years before the events of FINAL FANTASY VII (1997) and follows Zack Fair, a young and ambitious Shinra SOLDIER operative. Zack is tasked with tracking down a missing SOLDIER 1st Class operative named Genesis Rhapsodos.
- But as his adventure unfolds, he discovers the dark secrets of Shinra's experiments and the monsters they create. The game features a number of characters from the FINAL FANTASY VII franchise such as Cloud, Sephiroth, Aerith and others.
What did the console updates change?
Square Enix’s console updates page lists patches dated August 28, 2023 for all six PS4 and Switch games. The notes describe stability improvements and bug fixes, including adjustments to some Final Fantasy IV events and battle backdrops and a freeze fix for Final Fantasy VI. Those dated notes document historical fixes, not the current live build or version number.
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