Final Fantasy III

 DS
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 259 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 196 out of 259
  2. Mixed: 51 out of 259
  3. Negative: 12 out of 259
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  1. 6xdandangp
    Dec 29, 2012
    5
    A remake of an incredible JRPG for the NES. However, a number of gameplay changes caused the game to lose its charm. Battles are way too slow compared to the NES version and the weak hardware of the DS results in frame rate problems.
  2. Tubie
    Oct 23, 2010
    6
    Not the best port, yes they updated the graphics and all but the game could have a received a better treatment. I guess some games don't translate well into modern graphics.
  3. CecilH.
    Jan 14, 2007
    6
    Disappointing, but true RPG fans should play this game at least once through. The most frustrating aspect of this game is the lack of save points; you can only save when traveling from area to area. Also a bit overpriced for a 40 hour game. I was not able to beat the game due to a glitch in my copy- it kept jamming right before I fought the final boss.
  4. SteveW.
    Jul 22, 2007
    6
    Not as good as I expected. The graphics are impressive but the game is tedious and has a horrible story. I understand that it was a remake of an old final fantasy however it gets boring. If you really really like final fantasy games...then give it a try, but if you are new to the series i would start somewhere else.
  5. Ralph
    Dec 16, 2006
    7
    Odd balance between remaining true to the original and sacrifices for updated game graphics. Due to what I can only assume were hardware limitations, you're limited to only encounter up to three enemies per battle. Monsters and jobs were heavily rebalanced. Fights now progress at a snail's pace. While I'm glad this game was brought back, I wish Square-Enix would stop Odd balance between remaining true to the original and sacrifices for updated game graphics. Due to what I can only assume were hardware limitations, you're limited to only encounter up to three enemies per battle. Monsters and jobs were heavily rebalanced. Fights now progress at a snail's pace. While I'm glad this game was brought back, I wish Square-Enix would stop tinkering with core game mechanics in its remakes. Why use the Fat Chocobo when you have infinite inventory space?… Expand
  6. JeremyS
    Aug 21, 2009
    7
    First and foremost, this is a Famicom game with a graphical overhaul. Besides this and a small tweaking to the story to accommodate some difficulty curve, very little else has been changed. Rightfully so the game is extremely difficult, and some of the time completely unfair. The final boss/dungeon is excruciatingly hard, but my lord when you have defeated the Cloud of Darkness you will First and foremost, this is a Famicom game with a graphical overhaul. Besides this and a small tweaking to the story to accommodate some difficulty curve, very little else has been changed. Rightfully so the game is extremely difficult, and some of the time completely unfair. The final boss/dungeon is excruciatingly hard, but my lord when you have defeated the Cloud of Darkness you will raise your fist in victory and sing Hallelujah! The reward of beating this game is what makes it worth the purchase (It is now a budget title at $19.99) However, If you are not completely compelled to get from start to finish, this game may not be for you. You have been warned.… Expand
  7. Kirisoul
    Feb 23, 2012
    7
    Final Fantasy III
    Average User Score: 7.6
    7 It's not bad, but not astounding. Final Fantasy is known for having very high production values, but this remake for the DS isn't quite up to speed it seems. Honestly, if only uses 1 screen for most of the game, and no attempts to update the classic but ancient JRPG formula have been made. This makes it somewhat repetitive at times and may turn    Final Fantasy III
    Average User Score: 7.6
    7
    It's not bad, but not astounding. Final Fantasy is known for having very high production values, but this remake for the DS isn't quite up to speed it seems. Honestly, if only uses 1 screen for most of the game, and no attempts to update the classic but ancient JRPG formula have been made. This makes it somewhat repetitive at times and may turn newcomers off, as and even the best tactician will probably have to grind to get through this game. Still despite all this, FFIII uses a lot of creative and fun concepts in its gameplay, the shining example of this being the job system. This system alone brings unlimited strategic depth to your combat team, almost like pokemon. To sum it up, this game is a remake, but the graphics (which are still bad) are basically the only thing that has been modernized, and it can feel like a very monotonous game at times. Nevertheless, RPG fans will find this game decent, and it still has that FF atmosphere we all know and love.    … Expand
  8. chronoT
    Sep 5, 2012
    7
    This game is hard for me to review because personally it isn't my favorite but I still know how important it is. Final Fantasy 3 is really for the die hard FF player only, the game is seriously challenging and very time consuming for a SNES title. I have to be honest, for its' time this game was extremely well written and pretty much brought FF to life (NES didn't have as much attention).This game is hard for me to review because personally it isn't my favorite but I still know how important it is. Final Fantasy 3 is really for the die hard FF player only, the game is seriously challenging and very time consuming for a SNES title. I have to be honest, for its' time this game was extremely well written and pretty much brought FF to life (NES didn't have as much attention). I don't think the graphics are on par with Chrono Trigger and the battles are pretty generic, with little to no animation. With that being said, if your up for the challenge this game presents it, especially the end!!!… Expand
  9. GoombaJMR
    Jan 12, 2014
    7
    A solid game that is a bit slow paced in the beginning. I highly recommend this to all FF and Donjon Crawling fans :D...the difficulty is also very high, which is something that people like me enjoy

    Gameplay: 7/10
    Story: 8/10
    Music: 8/10
    Presentation: 7.5/10
    Length: 7.5/10
    Overall: 7.5/10
  10. BenjamiNook
    Aug 11, 2015
    5
    It might just be because I got Bravely Default at the same time, but this is kinda disappointing. There's nothing that makes it terrible, but particularly when compared to the other 3, actually 6, it just doesn't have that thing that makes me want to play it for more than about 2 minutes. I could only recommend it to hardcore FF fans, who probably already have it. To summarize, if you haveIt might just be because I got Bravely Default at the same time, but this is kinda disappointing. There's nothing that makes it terrible, but particularly when compared to the other 3, actually 6, it just doesn't have that thing that makes me want to play it for more than about 2 minutes. I could only recommend it to hardcore FF fans, who probably already have it. To summarize, if you have a 3DS, Bravely Default is better, and for DS, I'd actually recommend that Chocobo spin-off. I'm sorry internet, I liked that game.… Expand
  11. agentbinky
    Oct 5, 2020
    5
    One of the weaker entries in the series in my opinion. They tried to give a little personality to the characters by giving them names other than "Onion Kid" but it didn't add much. I guess Ignus was the rebel? Whatever. At least it introduced the excellent "Job System" which came to underpin many of the best FF games ever.
  12. sebastianali
    Aug 10, 2019
    7
    Si bien le doy mas nota que las otras versiones, es solo porque es una DS. Por lo que sus malos gráficos son entendibles (de hecho, son buenos para los estándares de la DS). La historia también es interesante (pobre doga y une sniff...). Pero la dificultad lo mata.
  13. Kingdomhear
    Dec 5, 2020
    5
    La trama troppo scontata e i personaggi sono sotto tono...livello di difficoltà bilanciato male in alcuni punti..si poteva fare di meglio

Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Best DS Game of 2006
3
#3 Most Discussed DS Game of 2006
6
#6 Most Shared DS Game of 2006

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 45 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 45
  3. Negative: 0 out of 45
  1. GameBrink
    88
    An excellent remake that remains very much true to the original game. [JPN Import]
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  2. NintendoWorldReport
    65
    It is only the production values: graphics, music, and pedigree that make this game stand out. At its heart, Final Fantasy III is a dated and mediocre RPG that will only please the most die-hard Final Fantasy fans. [JPN Import]
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  3. 1UP
    80
    Hardcore RPG players may enjoy it more than modern Final Fantasy titles, thanks to its emphasis on skill development and combat. Casual players may find themselves surprised by how addictive simple level-grinding and monster-slaying can be.
    Read full review
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