FINAL FANTASY (universe)

The FINAL FANTASY universe refers to the  series' collection of characters, stages, items, and properties that hail from SQUARE ENIX's best selling franchise of console role-playing games and one of the most recognized series in the video games industry. The installments feature recurring elements like plot themes, character names, and game mechanics, though most installments have independent storylines with various different settings and main characters. The  franchise serves as a pseudo spin-off of the FINAL FANTASY franchise (with some characters making guest appearances) making it a sub-universe of the latter. Although it was eventually introduced in the  games, years after its introduction in the Super Smash Flash, it carried a different symbol, that being a crystal — a recurring legendary item found is all the FINAL FANTASY games — rather than the series initials, the latter of which was added in Beta 1.3.

Franchise description
Series creator Hironobu Sakaguchi had intended to make a role-playing game (RPG) for a long time, but his employer Square refused to give him permission as it expected low sales of such a product. However, when the RPG DRAGON QUEST was released and proved to be a hit in Japan, the company reconsidered its stance on the genre and approved Sakaguchi's vision of an RPG title. The team wanted a title that would abbreviate to "FF", which would sound good in Japanese. The name was originally going to be Fighting Fantasy, but due to concerns over trademark conflicts with the roleplaying gamebook series of the same name, they needed to settle for something else. They eventually chose FINAL FANTASY. According to Sakaguchi, any title that created the "FF" abbreviation would have done.

The first installment of the series, , premiered in Japan on December 18, 1987. Three FINAL FANTASY installments were released on the Nintendo Entertainment System. FINAL FANTASY was released in Japan in 1987 and in North America in 1990. It introduced many concepts to the console RPG genre, and has since been remade on several platforms. , released in 1988 in Japan, has been bundled with Final Fantasy in several re-releases. The last of the NES installments, , was released in Japan in 1990; however, it was not released elsewhere until a Nintendo DS remake in 2006.

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System also featured three installments of the main series, all of which have been re-released on several platforms.  was released in 1991; in North America, it was released as FINAL FANTASY II. It introduced the "Active Time Battle" system. , released in 1992 in Japan, was first in the series to spawn a sequel: a short anime series titled FINAL FANTASY: Legend of the Crystals.  was released in Japan in 1994, but it was titled FINAL FANTASY III in North America.

The PlayStation console saw the release of three main FINAL FANTASY games. The 1997 title  moved away from the two-dimensional (2D) graphics used in the first six games to three-dimensional (3D) computer graphics; the game features polygonal characters on pre-rendered backgrounds. It also introduced a more modern setting, a style that was carried over to the next game. The was published in 1999, and was the first to consistently use realistically proportioned characters and feature a vocal piece as its theme music. , released in 2000, returned to the series' roots by revisiting a more traditional Final Fantasy setting rather than the more modern worlds of VII and VIII.

Three main installments, including one online game, were published for the PlayStation 2. The 2001 title ' introduced full 3D areas and voice acting to the series, and was the first to spawn a direct video game sequel, '.  was released on the PS2 and PC in 2002, and later on the Xbox 360. The first massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) in the series, FINAL FANTASY XI also introduced real-time battles instead of random encounters. The, published in 2006, also includes real-time battles in large, interconnected playfields.

 was developed for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and was released in 2009 in Japan, and in 2010 in North America and Europe. It is the flagship installment of the Fabula Nova Crystallis FINAL FANTASY XIII compilation. , an MMORPG was released in 2010 for the PlayStation 3 and PC. As a result of the game's poor reception, Square Enix formed a new development team to create FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn, which was released worldwide on August 27, 2013 for the PS3, PC and the first entry for the PlayStation 4. The latest entry in the main series is , whose development cycle began in 2006, when it was a PS3-exclusive spin-off titled FINAL FANTASY VERSUS XIII, which lasted approximately ten years. It was released worldwide on November 29, 2016 on the PS4 and Xbox One.

FINAL FANTASY has spawned numerous spin-offs and metaseries. Three SQUARE ENIX games were released in North America with their titles changed to include "FINAL FANTASY": THE FINAL FANTASY LEGEND and its two sequels. The games, however, are part of Square's Saga series and feature few similarities to FINAL FANTASY. FINAL FANTASY ADVENTURE is a spin-off that spawned the Mana series. FINAL FANTASY MYSTIC QUEST was developed for a United States audience, and FINAL FANTASY TACTICS is a tactical RPG that features many references and themes found in the series. The spin-off Chocobo series, Crystal Chronicles series and KINGDOM HEARTS series also include multiple FINAL FANTASY elements. In 2003, the video game series' first direct sequel, Final Fantasy X-2, was released. Other spin-offs have taken the form of compilations: Compilation of FINAL FANTASY VII, Ivalice Alliance, and Fabula Nova Crystallis FINAL FANTASY XIII. In 2008, SQUARE ENIX released FINAL FANTASY IV: The After Years for the Mobile Phone in Japan and in 2009 for the WiiWare in North America. FINAL FANTASY VII ADVENT CHILDREN was released in Japan on September 2005 North America on April 2006 has been topping the charts of anime till date selling 10.5 million. The blu-ray version of the film was the fastest selling anime Blu-ray in in Japan selling 100000 copies in its first day. In 2015, it was announced FINAL FANTASY VII protagonist, Cloud Strife, would be making an appearance as playable fighter in alongside his home stage, Midgar, both released as paid DLC; this happened after game's director, Masahiro Sakurai was requested to add a FINAL FANTASY character in Super Smash Bros. and Cloud was elected among the others. He returns alongside related content in Ultimate, where his nemsis Sephiroth was added as DLC in December 2020, expanding the sparse representation of the series.

In Super Smash Flash
The FINAL FANTASY franchise appears in Super Smash Flash, and, like many others, has only one character to represent it.

Character

 * : Appearing as an unlockable fighter, Cloud is the main protagonist of the game FINAL FANTASY VII. He is portrayed as a mercenary and self-proclaimed ex-member of SOLDIER, a select, genetically augmented military unit operating under the de facto world government and megacorporation Shinra Electric Power Company. He wields a sword called the Buster Sword which is mainly used in all of his attacks except for his down attack where he casts a spell that create a magic shield around him. Cloud is also known as the eternal unlockable since due a glitch, everybody could fight Cloud in his unlock match; even with the same Cloud.

In Super Smash Flash 2
The franchise returned in Super Smash Flash 2 with more representation, this time with games from the NES and SNES eras.

Characters

 * : A very unexpected starter character who debuted in v0.7 of the demo, the Black Mage is the offensive magic caster of the Light Warriors fro the FINAL FANTASY series. While the Black Mage has weak combat skills and the lowest HP out of any character class, he is capable of inflicting negative status effects and causing great damage to the enemy with his Black Magic. All of these compose the majority of his move set in SSF2.

Assist Trophy

 * White Mage: Another recurring job class from the FINAL FANTASY, when she is released, White Mage will conjure a positive magic spell on her summoner, like recovering a portion of damage or all together at once.

Stages

 * Chaos Shrine: A stage derived from the first FINAL FANTASY game. It consists of various ruins and it is located at the center of the archipelago in which FINAL FANTASY takes place. The shrine also features a Dark Crystal in Garland's chamber.


 * Lunar Core: A stage from FINAL FANTASY IV. It's a large stage with two platforms over three more platforms that are connected by staircases. If hazards are turned on; then beams of red light will appear horizontally and vertically that will harm the player.

Item

 * Blood Sword: A recurring weapon throughout the FINAL FANTASY series. Hitting opponents with this battering item not only deals damage, but also heals the player relative to the damage dealt.

Media with elements appearing in the Super Smash Flash series
The following list consists of media from the FINAL FANTASY universe that appears in Super Smash Flash and Super Smash Flash 2.


 * Black Mage, who debuts in this game as one of six playable classes, is a starter character in SSF2.
 * Black Mage's dash attack in SSF2 is based on the Petrify status effect that originates from this game.
 * Black Mage's down aerial and back throw in SSF2 are based on the Death and Quake spells, respectively, which originate as Black Magic spells from this game.
 * Black Mage's smash attacks in SSF2 are based on Black Magic spells from this game and have fully charged variants based on stronger versions of their respective spells. Namely, forward smash is based on Thunder and Thundaga, up smash is based on Fire and Firaga, and down smash is based on Blizzard and Blizzaga.
 * Fire, Blizzard, and Thunder are also used for 's Command Deck in SSF2.
 * Stop, Haste, and Warp, Black Mage's neutral special move, side special move, and up special move in SSF2, respectively, originate as Black Magic spells from this game.
 * Warriors of Light, Black Mage's Final Smash in SSF2, summons the Warrior, Thief, and White Mage classes from this game, with White Mage using the spell Holy and Black Mage using the spell Flare from this game.
 * Black Mage's second, third, fourth, and fifth costumes in SSF2 are based on the White Mage, Red Mage, Thief, and Monk job classes, respectively, which debuted in this game.
 * Black Mage's twelfth costume in SSF2 is based on their in-game sprites from this game.
 * White Mage also appears in SSF2 as an Assist Trophy. Each of her spells, including Curaja, Cure, Heal, Invis, Life, Protect, and Silence, originates as a White Magic spell from this game.
 * The stage Chaos Shrine in SSF2 is based on the final dungeon of the same name from this game, originally called the Temple of Fiends, and features Bats and the Four Fiends — Kraken, Lich, Marilith, and Tiamat — in the background.
 * Black Mage's character-specific Break the Targets stage in SSF2 is based on the Marsh Cave from this game.
 * Chaos Shrine, a rock remix of the theme that plays during a random encounter in this game, plays as Chaos Shrine's main music track in SSF2.
 * Battle (Final Fantasy) 2021, a rock remix of the theme that plays during a random encounter in this game, plays as Chaos Shrine's alternate music track in SSF2.
 * The victory theme of Black Mage in SSF2 is a remix of an excerpt of the theme that plays when a battle is won in this game.
 * The original version of the theme is played during Black Mage's standard taunt, and a metal version is played during their side taunt when metal.


 * The Blood Sword, an item in SSF2, originates as a weapon from this game.


 * Black Mage's forward aerial, forward throw, and down throw in SSF2 are based on the Chocobo Kick, Aero, and Bio spells, respectively, which originate as spells from this game.
 * Meteor, Black Mage's down special move in SSF2, originates as a Black Magic spell from this game.
 * Black Mage's sixth costume in SSF2 is based on the Devout job class, which debuted in this game.


 * Black Mage's up tilt in SSF2 is based on the Goblin Punch spell, which originates as an ability of the Goblin summon from this game.
 * The stage Lunar Core in SSF2 is based on the final dungeon of the same name from this game, originally called the Lunar Subterrane.
 * Zeromus Battle Theme, an intense dramatic remix of the theme that plays during the battle against Zeromus in this game, plays as Lunar Core's main music track in SSF2.
 * Within the Giant, a dramatic orchestral remix of the theme that plays inside the Giant of Babil in this game, plays as Lunar Core's alternate music track in SSF2.
 * The series symbol for FINAL FANTASY in SSF2 originates as the initials of the series' modern logo, which first appeared in this game.


 * Black Mage's up throw in SSF2 is based on 1000 Needles, which originates as a spell from this game.
 * Black Mage's seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth costumes in SSF2 are based on the Time Mage, Geomancer, Chemist, and Necromancer job classes, respectively, which debuted in this game.
 * Black Mage's eleventh costume in SSF2 is based on the Tonberry, a recurring enemy which debuted in this game.


 * Cloud Strife, who debuted in this game as its main protagonist, appears as an unlockable character in SSF.
 * Though not physically present in SSF2, 's tenth costume in SSF2 is based on his appearance.
 * Cloud's down attack in SSF utilizes Materia, a prominent item from this game.


 * Black Mage's up aerial in SSF2 is based on Flood, which originates as a spell from this game.
 * The Poison Dagger, an item in SSF2, originates as a weapon from this game.


 * The designs of Black Mage, White Mage, the Warrior, the Thief, and Chaos Shrine are based heavily on their appearances in this compilation's version of FINAL FANTASY.
 * Certain sprites, such as those for Black Mage's Flare during Warriors of Light and the background characters on Chaos Shrine, are ripped directly from this game.


 * The Warrior's design in SSF2 is partially inspired by Warrior of Light's alternate costume in this game.
 * The Blood Sword item in SSF2 is based on its appearance in this game.

Trivia

 * FINAL FANTASY is one of five universes to debut in the Super Smash Flash series before being inducted in the official series, the other four being ', ', ', and '.