RPG enthusiasts and collectors, attention. A sought-after physical release has reappeared at a significant discount during Amazon`s Prime Day event. The Final Fantasy I-VI Collection Anniversary Edition, bringing together the first six legendary titles in their updated Pixel Remaster forms, is currently available again for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation, featuring substantial price cuts.
This collection is a treasure trove for fans, housing Final Fantasy I, II, III, IV, V, and VI – a journey through the evolution of one of gaming`s most influential RPG series, from its 8-bit roots on the NES/Famicom to the 16-bit SNES masterpieces. Playing through the collection sequentially offers a fascinating look at how Final Fantasy evolved from game to game, mechanic to mechanic, sprite to sprite. It even includes the original Japanese Final Fantasy III (not the later 3D remake) and Final Fantasy VI, which North American players of a certain age might fondly remember as `Final Fantasy III`.
Crucially for collectors and those preferring tangible media, this is a true physical release. All six games reside on a single cartridge for Switch or disc for PlayStation 4 (fully compatible with PS5), eliminating the need for additional downloads beyond potential patches. The Anniversary Edition also comes with a sticker sheet featuring character sprites, a small bonus for devotees.
The physical release of the Pixel Remaster collection had a somewhat… dramatic entry into the market. Initially produced in limited quantities by Square Enix, it vanished from shelves almost instantly upon its original release, driving up aftermarket prices to levels that would make even a Gil-hoarding Cactuar blush. The subsequent release of the `Anniversary Edition` last fall brought it back to major retailers in a wider print run, making this Prime Day restock and discount particularly noteworthy.
Beyond merely bundling the games, the Pixel Remasters themselves represent a considerable effort to modernize these classics while respecting their origins. The pixel art has been meticulously redrawn, aiming for fidelity to the original vision while offering greater detail on modern displays. Series composer Nobuo Uematsu himself oversaw the rearrangement of the iconic soundtracks, giving them a fresh sound while retaining the option to switch back to the original chiptunes – a welcome nod to purists.
But perhaps the most impactful changes for modern players are the suite of quality-of-life enhancements. Features like quick saving, adjustable experience multipliers (handy for skipping the grind and seeing the story), auto-battle options, and the radical ability to simply turn off random encounters entirely transform the accessibility and pacing of these older titles. Exploring bestiaries, art galleries, and listening to the music via an in-game player are also welcome additions, showcasing the history of the series in a convenient format.
This Prime Day deal brings the Switch version down to $45 (a significant drop from its $75 MSRP) and the PlayStation version to an even sharper $42.74 (also down from $75). Given the historical difficulty in acquiring this physical collection and the substantial discount offered during this limited-time event, it`s an opportunity classic RPG fans might not want to miss. Just remember, like all good Prime Day deals, the clock is ticking.
Callum Darby