Final Fantasy: 25th Anniversary Ultimate Box announced

[Collector's Edition]

Square Enix has announced the Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary Ultimate Box collection. Featuring the 13 main games in the series and a range of bonus items, it's set for release in Japan on December 18 for 35,000 yen. The box is supposed to weight around 5kg (11 pounds) and includes nearly every Final Fantasy game that has been released until now.

Here is the full list of contents:


Final Fantasy (PS1, one disc)

Final Fantasy II (PS1, one disc)

Final Fantasy III (PSP, one disc)

Final Fantasy IV (PS1, one disc)

Final Fantasy V (PS1, one disc)

Final Fantasy VI (PS1, one disc)

Final Fantasy VII International (PS1, four discs)

Final Fantasy VIII (PS1, four discs)

Final Fantasy IX (PS1, four discs)

Final Fantasy X (PS2, one disc)

Final Fantasy XI Vana Del Collection 2 (PS2, one disc)

Final Fantasy XII (PS2, one disc)

Final Fantasy XIII (PS3, one disc)

Special anniversary video disc

Crystal ArtWorks -- an anniversary visual art collection

A two disc anniversary music selection CD

Final Fantasy XIV Mogu Mogu Earring item code

Mini replica of Amano FF 25th Anniversary visual and stand

The box is limited to the number of pre-orders that Square Enix receives in its online E-Store by September 30.

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[paperc07]

anyone know if we can buy it from them and have it shipped over??

[Neolink8]

Will there be a pal Edition of this fantastic Edition???:beg:

[vhal_x]

Highly doubt it Neolink xx

[geralds]

I dout there going to release this outside Japan. For one ff3 was will probably never be ported outside Japan for the psp due to psp sales are pretty bad. FF7 international was never released outside Japan ether and probably never will ether ps1 to old for them to care are this point. Im rather supprised there is no ffx or XII international. Also rather shocking how there not bothering to port ffxiii international for the ps3 when ff3 is from my understanding being ported to the psp exclusively for this only. There is no stand alone Japanese copy of ff3 for psp that i am aware of.

[Twisted]

this seriously sucks its all region LOCKED-(japan only)!!!!!!!!!!!..only if they were PS3 discs,..i would have been all over it like white on rice!!!

[geralds]

this seriously sucks its all region LOCKED-(japan only)!!!!!!!!!!!..only if they were PS3 discs,..i would have been all over it like white on rice!!!

Not all of it is region locked you can still play ff13 and ff3 on any system.

[geralds]

FYI if anyone cares I factor in average shipping cost in Japan I would say this is gona cost $500 usd minimum. Its like $450 before shipping.

[WolfArvak]

FYI if anyone cares I factor in average shipping cost in Japan I would say this is gona cost $500 usd minimum. Its like $450 before shipping.

That is beyond nutz.. plus I noticed the Final Fantasy VII official remake repack last week released they will not even include.. just original FFVII? ...dissapointing...

[CollectingCanuck]

450 dollars for a bunch of games that are either abandonware or collecting dust in bargain bins? Lol I would think twice about paying that if the artwork was handpainted

In all seriousness though I am having a hard time grasping how anyone is actually excited about this. But then again I guess it comes from a region where people rave over 1300 dollar replica jackets so I'm not surprised :D

[Ryu Kazama]

It's Japan. That price is pretty decent given this fact. Still mighty expensive, I know.

Think back to FF Type-0. That was $200 just for that. Their Bravely Default edition is also high priced. None of this stuff is cheap in Japan and it's worse for SE's products (who charge above standard RRP for standard edition games, too).

They are old games, yes. But what the heck do you expect? On one hand someone moans they're not remastered and another someone will moan they're not the first format versions (NES, SNES etc). Can't keep 'em all happy.

Japanese products just aren't cheap. Games, music, movies. They're all expensive. That's how Japan is.

You also need to factor in they're using all new Amano art. As far as I am aware, this guy isn't cheap to hire (he's a freelancer now I recall). Not saying this alone justifies the cost but it does add to it. In the end it's a piece made for the fans to commemorate a milestone. By including all core FF games in one box is already a giant step better than the SF25th Anniversary box (love both as much as each other).

[CollectingCanuck]

^: Indeed Japanese knickknacks are expensive, which is why I made the analogy to the Resident Evil Jacket. With that said, however, value judgement with respect to collectors' items often leads to highly differing evaluations.

On one hand there is probably the die hard fan who sees this as the ultimate expression of everything they love about the series, boxed into a lovely set that they will fondly look back on for years to come. On the other there will be those who see a thinly veiled rip off where old assets are strung together and packaged with some useless trinkets, because they know fans and collectors will buy it anyway XD

I do love Square Enix games, though. They did a fabulous job with Sleeping Dogs and I can't wait for Hitman!

[Xmo]

I've never seen a CE for $450 retail before.
Beautiful artwork though.

[geralds]

I've never seen a CE for $450 retail before.
Beautiful artwork though.

Resident evil 6 Japanese retails for like $1,600 so it is alot more then this.

[geralds]

That is beyond nutz.. plus I noticed the Final Fantasy VII official remake repack last week released they will not even include.. just original FFVII? ...dissapointing...

IF you played the Non Japanese copies of Final Fantasy VII then you are pretty much playing the original. When FFVII was brought outside Japan they added some extra that were not even included in the original copy of 7. The original game is intact just with added extra so what is the real point of the original is your basicly getting it + more. The same thing happens with Kingdom Hearts if you played KH1 the option bosses the ice titan and sephiroth were not even included in the original Japanese copy. They did an international version to pretty much include them plus 1 extra option boss but the original game is still intact if you do not bother to fight the optional bosses.

[aizen59]

They're not including the original FFVII, it's the international one.

See : ・FINAL FANTASY VII INTERNATIONAL （PlayStation）ディスク枚数：4枚

It's indeed expensive, but yeah, if you're a final fantasy's fan, it's a good masterpiece to have. Trust me, it'll just be like MGS HD Konami Style (the one with headset), once all copies are sold (preorders), it'll just be a pain in the *** to get one, unless you're willing to pay x2 the price. And this time, it's Final Fantasy, so it might end up even worser.

That being said, mine is preordered, i won't do the same mistake twice (missed MGS, i won't miss this one!)

[geralds]

The interantion version is pretty much just like the american and eu copy. So i still do not see how that is a complant. The original Japanese copy has less in it. Like for example i do not beleave the option bosses present in the america/eu copy are even in the original. Most international copies do not do anything but add to the original and maybe give you the english translation. The only internation game iv seen with huge differnce in gameplay even is ff12 international. Complaining in anyway that your not getting the original copy of 7 is silly. When 7 and and 7 international are exactly the same. 7 internation just has a few extra like optional bosses. Several additions to gameplay and story were made for the game's North American release, such as easier exchange of materia, arrows highlighting exits on field screens, and an extra cutscene. The original game is still all intact basicly. Just because the call it international does not meen the origina game isnt intact or still included. Besides ff7 international is 4 disks rather then the original Japanese copy being 3.

[aizen59]

As a rpg fan, i'm looking forward optional bosses when playing one, so yeah, they added bosses in the US/EU version of the game, then japanese complained and got an international version which is the same as ours, you're right.

That being said, having more bosses to beat in FFVII is better than just finishing the main story & call it over. :banana:

[geralds]

Exactly the original copy is all there just do not do any of the added content. I see no point in having the original then the original with added extra like probally the english translation of the game.

[Lobo_do_Norte]

What I regret about the 25th annniversary utlimate box is that it contains "original" discs of all the main episodes that were published on Sony PS consoles.

First, it means that you have to still own a PS1, PS2, PSP and PS3 if you want to play the games. What about Xbox and Nintendo players ?!
Then, most of them are available on the PSN and therefore can be played on PS3 and/or PSVita... So why didn't Square-Enix think about all the games to be played on PS3 ? (Even if they don't HD-remasterize them, it would have been great if the games could be played on present generation consoles...)
And for those who will remind me that PS1 games are playable on any PS3, I would answer about the glitches, freezing, loading times and changing discs problems I often encountered while playing FFVII, VIII & IX on my slim 250 Go PS3.
As a comparison, SF 25th anniversary games are all palayable on PS3 or Xbox360.

Secondly, the goodies... A 2 CDs soundtrack compilation and an artwork ?! O_O
Ok, the artwork is really cool. But is that really enough for a 25th anniversary of such a legendary licence ? I wonder... 2 CDs to sum up the OST masterpieces of the whole serie seem a bit light to me. they must be kidding us.
Talking about 25th anniversary editions, let's compare with the Street Fighter one for instance ! (I won't detail... You see what I mean, right ?)

Is Square-Enix putting its FF fans on a diet ??? O.o
Don't they make us wait and starve enough between releases ? (5 years between FFXII & FFXIII... 8 years between FFXI and FFXIV, plus 3 years for FFXIV availability on PS3... FF VersusXIII still "in progress"...)
Come on...

I'd have prefered different Collector's editions for each sub-series, like :
- FF Anthology (FFI to FFVI)
- Compilation of FFVII (FFVII + spin-offs + Advent Children movie)
- Ivalice Alliance (FFXII + all FF Tactics + Vagrant Story)
- Fabula Nova Crystallis (FFXIII + XIII-2 + VersusXIII + Type-O)
- Crystal Chronicles
Each would come along with proper soundtracks, artworks/artbooks and figurines, boxed in beautiful caskets. :drool:

Well, just my opinion, but Square-Enix keeps on deceiving me and most of its fans.

[vhal_x]

Not any PS3 can play older titles. Only the original fatter PS3s are backwards compatible :( xx

[Lobo_do_Norte]

Not any PS3 can play older titles. Only the original fatter PS3s are backwards compatible :( xx

Hi Vhal_x

All PS3 seems to be compatible with PS1 games as its software-based emulation. Only PS2 games require hardware components to be runned on PS3. And only some fat PS3 versions have these components.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_PlayStation_3_backward_compatible_PlayStat ion_2_and_PlayStation_games

However, PS1 games are region locked ! Therefore you can't play JPN or US PS1 games on a PAL EU PS3... Same with the digital copies of PS1 games available on PSN. One from JPN or US PSN won't work on a PAL EU PS3, unless you crack it in some ways.

Furthermore, as I mentionned, you can encounter few problems while playing PS1 games (discs) on your PS3, like freezing, glitches, longer loading times or everlasting black screens when changing discs (as you have to for FFVII, VIII or IX, for instance).

PS1 emulation seems to be better with a PS2 (smoother graphics and faster loading).

Anyway, why don't they put original NES and SNES cartridges in the Ultimate Box while they were at it ?!
And why don't they fasten FFX HD remix and FF VersusXIII for the 25th anniversary occasion ?!?!
Screw you, Square-Enix !!! :rant:

[aizen59]

Well... we cannot expect too much from SQEX. They're slowpoke with VSXIII, releasing another FFXIII, so yeah, we can give up snes or nes cartridge, that's for sure.

As for the PS3's concern, yes, you can play PSX games on it but from the same region. That's why i've kept my PSX & PS2 (modchip). But you have to admit, this kind of package is mostly for collectors, because i don't see anyone spending near 500 euros (shipping included) to play oftenly with their limited edition disks, atleast, i won't. :lmao:

[Lobo_do_Norte]

That's why i've kept my PSX & PS2 (modchip).

Me too... Modded PS1 + Swap Magic for PS2 ! Both work very well to play the US games I have.

But you have to admit, this kind of package is mostly for collectors, because i don't see anyone spending near 500 euros (shipping included) to play oftenly with their limited edition disks, atleast, i won't. :lmao:

I agree with you concerning the "collecting" purpose of the pack. And I'm sure some collectors will be happy with it. No problem.

But I think that the game-discs are a quite poor collecting value. Lots of FF fans already own most of the FF games... What's more in having new copies with a different print on the CDs ? And what about spending 500$ for that ?! That's why I regret the lack of other goodies included.

To me, game-discs are to be played and that's what is coming along with them that makes the "collecting-factor" of a collector edition.

Here, Square-Enix doesn't make any effort... Taking the game-discs with a different art, putting them in white sleeves, adding a poor soundtrack compilation and an (indeed, beautiful) artwork. And there they go: "Come on, FF fans ! It's 500$, kids ! Only 500$ for the finest of FF !!!"

Sorry for bothering all of you with my complaints... But I'm so angry at Square-Enix. I expected much more than that for FF 25th anniversary. :(

[Ryu Kazama]

What I regret about the 25th annniversary utlimate box is that it contains "original" discs of all the main episodes that were published on Sony PS consoles.

First, it means that you have to still own a PS1, PS2, PSP and PS3 if you want to play the games. What about Xbox and Nintendo players ?!
Then, most of them are available on the PSN and therefore can be played on PS3 and/or PSVita... So why didn't Square-Enix think about all the games to be played on PS3 ? (Even if they don't HD-remasterize them, it would have been great if the games could be played on present generation consoles...)
And for those who will remind me that PS1 games are playable on any PS3, I would answer about the glitches, freezing, loading times and changing discs problems I often encountered while playing FFVII, VIII & IX on my slim 250 Go PS3.
As a comparison, SF 25th anniversary games are all palayable on PS3 or Xbox360.

Secondly, the goodies... A 2 CDs soundtrack compilation and an artwork ?! O_O
Ok, the artwork is really cool. But is that really enough for a 25th anniversary of such a legendary licence ? I wonder... 2 CDs to sum up the OST masterpieces of the whole serie seem a bit light to me. they must be kidding us.
Talking about 25th anniversary editions, let's compare with the Street Fighter one for instance ! (I won't detail... You see what I mean, right ?)

Is Square-Enix putting its FF fans on a diet ??? O.o
Don't they make us wait and starve enough between releases ? (5 years between FFXII & FFXIII... 8 years between FFXI and FFXIV, plus 3 years for FFXIV availability on PS3... FF VersusXIII still "in progress"...)
Come on...

I'd have prefered different Collector's editions for each sub-series, like :
- FF Anthology (FFI to FFVI)
- Compilation of FFVII (FFVII + spin-offs + Advent Children movie)
- Ivalice Alliance (FFXII + all FF Tactics + Vagrant Story)
- Fabula Nova Crystallis (FFXIII + XIII-2 + VersusXIII + Type-O)
- Crystal Chronicles
Each would come along with proper soundtracks, artworks/artbooks and figurines, boxed in beautiful caskets. :drool:

Well, just my opinion, but Square-Enix keeps on deceiving me and most of its fans.

Just by releasing collected sets you'll be paying well over $500, so that's a bad idea straight off the bat. FFI-VI in a set? With all the fancy stuff you want? Probably a US equivalent of $200 at the very least. The FNC collection, given how recent they are, they can and will charge you a higher price just for that...you see what I'm getting at. Oh, and don't forget manufacturing all these individual pieces, rating everything, licensing everything, getting the legal go ahead on everything etc etc.

I'd like to stress again, this is a Japanese item for a Japanese market. Not anyone else. The price reflects that. This stuff just. Isn't. Cheap. For Japan. Go look at their standard game, music and movie prices. Remember, what costs US $25 for a nice season of a TV Show costs Japan a ton more. 35,000Yen is probably normal for something like. For Japan. It's just how entertainment is in that country.

NES/SNES carts are Nintendo's property. They would need to manufacture that again and pay for it all. Why bother when it's easier and cheaper to stick with discs, thus PSOne versions.

Sure, a 2 disc soundtrack is a bit on the small scale but once again, you're looking at going through a whole process just to secure all the content you want and they'll charge consumers more to recoup. In an ideal world they'd include the OST for every single game and every single version...

Then you speak of SF25th...as major SF and FF fan I know which one I easily prefer. For a 25th Anniversary, the fact I am getting a COMPLETE set of core games from the FF line to date in a physical format is amazing. SF25th (let's pick PS3 as it has way more content) is good but almost all of it is digital. I'd much rather have a physical release of SFII, Alpha etc than physical versions of their soundtrack counterparts.

Ideally that collection should've been a physical version of the best version of each game e.g. Super Turbo, Third Strike OE, Alpha 3 Upper, IVAE and no xTekken but hey, they didn't even include Alpha 3. Again, most of this comes down to re-rating stuff that hasn't been rated in the modern age and reacquiring expired rights.

As far as both sets go, I simply prefer FF's for it includes all 13 games. Both sets aren't for me to play. They're to keep as a commemeration of two of my favourite franchise.

Edit: Oh, and the time delay between games...unfair to even say IX-XIV was 8 years. You had XII and XIII....

XII's delays were, from what was said ages ago, commonly to do with staff. One of the seniors falling sick a great deal into the development of the game.

The no show of XIV on PS3 is only a good thing given how few even like how XIV was. A game is clearly bad if has to be redesigned and the original producer leaves. Versus XIII, that was SE just being silly and announcing it way too early.

Not backing up SE, they're making questionable decision right now (Lightning Returns..ugh) but some assumptions or accusations are failing to see the bigger and real picture.

[Lobo_do_Norte]

Hi Ryu,

I won't quote your whole post and I won't discuss your point of view and your arguments because there's no right or wrong in this case.
I understand and I agree with you on most facts... :beer:
The rest is just feelings about being fan and frustrated by not necessarily getting what you expect or wish to get from such collector editions.

I own, owned and play, played most the FF games. So, I'm not waiting for having them again unless they are HD-remastered or including add-on, new cinematics, etc. and I'd prefer more goodies.
That's why I prefer SF 25th anniversary edition. Few games in their latest versions but with a complete OST, a statue, an artbook and Ruy's belt replica.
It seems to have more added value to me.
But it's not flawless... "xTekken" ? WTF ?! It'd be better with Alpha 3 instead, for sure !!! Screw you too, Capcom !!! :rotf:

Concerning your lastest remarks in your 'edit'... I'm sure you'll agree with me if I say that disappointed and frustrated people are not objective because feelings overcome reason. That's my case concerning FF 25th.
Objectively, I recognize that it's a nice piece of work from SE that will please some fans and collectors... It's just not for me 'cause it's not what I expected.

[Edit] "Cinematics" seems to not exist in English... I meant the cut-scenes and introduction/conclusion movies. ;)

[aizen59]

As far as both sets go, I simply prefer FF's for it includes all 13 games. Both sets aren't for me to play. They're to keep as a commemeration of two of my favourite franchise.

+1, that's exactly how i feel about it.

[kittychloe]

Not sure if its been mentioned but from what i can find out payment is taken when the box is ready to ship

[aizen59]

What do you mean kittychloe ? Guess i didn't get it.

[kittychloe]

Its not upfront payment
Money is taken on dispatch or upto a week before dispatch, like preordering from amazon

[aizen59]

Depends where you buy it i guess. I preordered it and i had to deposit 10k yen. And ill have to pay whats left on the first week of december. But im assuming youll pay on dispatch, atleast nin nin game, for example, do that.

[skindry]

Sorry for the question...but where do you preorder it ??
Because from the square enix shop you can only do that if you are japanese resident .
Thanks ;)

[aizen59]

akiba games, google it, they had some up for preorders, but it might be too late.

[Onyxia]

Holy wow, totally missed out on that. If someone here ends up getting it, I know I'd LOVE to see pictures of it.
.... it should come with a fancy Chocobo statue, ha.

[aizen59]

Whenever i receive it, i'll take & post pictures (should be up near christmas i guess).

[Raasclark]

Nice little showcase video if you want to edit the post OP?

12NpQD57EMA

[Madigan]

Solaris japan has this in stock

http://www.solarisjapan.com/final-fantasy-25th-anniversary-ultimate-box/

Select "Bank Deposit" and they'll send you the invoice in december.

[Eros]

I've ordered this, I cannot wait! I am a massive FF fan <333 Though I made the fatal mistake of ordering the ultimania set as well and I think my shipping is going to be in the region of 16000yen as the items are approx 5kg each T~T

[aizen59]

Yeah the shipping cost on such items is expensive. The FF 25th anniversary package itself has around 10k yen shipping cost by EMS. Atleast, that's what i have to pay to get it shipped from Japan to France.

I'm waiting for my paypal invoice, but no news yet.

[Eros]

I need start sorting out payment for mine too.

...I really hope customs doesn't murder me for this either >.< Do you get charged import tax on items in France? It's awful in the UK ;~;

[aizen59]

Yeah sometimes you get customs taxes on items, its all about luck i guess. Seeing how things have changed, if they taxe you depending on how much you've paid the shipping part, that'd be like 100 euros customs taxes so yeah, we gotta pray ;_;

[aizen59]

Unboxing (not mine, mine's made it through customs, should get it tomorrow) :

yRkOWMQIMEw

Haven't watched it as i want to discover on my own what's inside and get the awesome feeling from opening it ;D

I'm not sure how many ultimate boxes have been released, i'll know as soon as i open it, the limited number is written on amano's illustration.

Erm not sure why the window is white...

URL : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRkOWMQIMEw

[Cosmic_Link]

yRkOWMQIMEw

There you go. ;)

[aizen59]

Thanks, its now working ;)

[comaamen86]

its a nice ce, never been a big fan of ff though

[OniRyo]

Quite nice it actually come in original boxes, or well, some of them. It's too bad the price is quite high but i think it's quite understandable too, for the price.

[aizen59]

Mine has arrived. Took tons of pictures (around 100+ to be posted). My thread will be updated soon enough.

[Ryu Kazama]

100 pics. Dear god...

Can't wait to get mine. A shame most will have stickers on the outer card box though. It's Advent Children all over again!

[aizen59]

Thread updated with pics :

http://collectorsedition.org/forums/showthread.php?p=94159#post94155