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The following is a list of differences between the various releases of the 2D version of Final Fantasy III.

Famicom[]

IIILogo High res

The first iteration of Final Fantasy III was released on April 27, 1990.

Wii Virtual Console (Discontinued)[]

The original title was re-released as part of the Virtual Console library of retro games on the Nintendo Wii. The original Famicom version released on June 21, 2009 in Japan. The only revision made were the reduction of flashing effects featured throughout the game.

Famicom Mini[]

The original Famicom version of Final Fantasy III is included in the Japan-only Famicom Classic Edition, released on November 10, 2016. The console is a miniature replica of the Family Computer System that includes a static library of 30 built-in games that supports multiple save states, in addition to having compatibility with accessories for the Nintendo Wii.

Final Fantasy III Pixel Remaster[]

As part of the series of Pixel Remaster re-releases of the first six games in the main series, the first three games were released on July 28, 2021 for both Steam and Mobile, marking the official international release of the original version of Final Fantasy III.

FFIII logo
  • Official Logo - The Pixel Remaster now adopts the updated logo using the series' standard font that has since been used beginning with the 3D Remake, featuring the nameless warrior as depicted in illustrations of the game by Yoshitaka Amano, and has been used in all media featuring Final Fantasy III.
  • Pixel Remaster - Refined pixel art presentation built with the Unity engine. Character and enemy designs have been revamped and NPC sprite designs are lifted directly from later releases of the original game and Final Fantasy V.
    • New animations for items and spells have been remade in a pixel inspired style.
    • Enviromental effects have been implemented.
    • The fourth Onion Knight's battle sprite now matches their field sprite in coloration.
  • Localization - Full localization in twelve different languages: Japanese, English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Korean, Portugese, Russian, Thai, Simplified and Traditional Chinese.
    • Job abilities, Magic, and Summons use their 3D remake terms in all languages.
    • Neutral dialogue between the four player characters, meaning whomever speaks is unspecified.
  • Video Filters - An option to display the game using a CRT filter, emulating the display of retro games.
  • Resolution - Exclusive to the Steam version are multiple options to to adjust aspect ratio and screen resolution.
  • Tap Mode - Exclusive to the Mobile version is the option to tap to reach a specfic tile when on the field. However, hidden passageways can only be accessed manually.
  • Auto-Battle - Auto-Battle has been implemented, which repeats the last action chosen for each character, enabling faster progression.
  • Map System - In-game maps have been introduced for every area. The World Map displays the number of chests and items remaining to be collected in every location, with the dungeon map floors now displaying the location of chests for easier progression.
    • Secret passages remain open regardless if the player has discovered them or not, and gain tiles for visibility.
  • Progression - Tall scenery objects such as pillars and trees can now be walked behind on their upper tile, enabling many shortcuts through towns and dungeons.
  • Gameplay - Gameplay elements feature several amalgamations from the original version as well as the 3D remake. The following changes are specifically from the Famicom to the Pixel Remaster::
    • All equipment and spell effects originally bugged in the Famicom version have been fixed.
    • Petrified party members now gain experience after battles.
    • The Capacity Point and Job Adjustment Phase systems from the previous releases have been dropped, allowing the player to change jobs without repercussions.
    • All equipment have been rebalanced with new statistics and properties e.g. the Protect Ring, in addition to increased stat boosts, now grants resistance to Fire, Ice and Lightning.
    • Additional options for Inventory such as automatically sorting items.
    • Attempting to flee during battle reduces defence to 0.
    • The previously dummied Sea Dragon enemy returns as a random encounter in the rivers of the Surface World.
    • Lake Dohr is no longer an unrevisitable location and can be re-accessed after completion.
    • The hidden room in Gysahl, which referenced the Square office and development team, has been removed.
  • Job Changes - Several jobs have been rebalanced, some of which are an amalgamation from the original version and the 3D remake. The following changes are specifically from the Famicom to the Pixel Remaster:
    • Auto-Optimization - The option to automatically equip the strongest available equipment when changing jobs.
    • Warrior - Can no longer equip axes.
    • Ranger - Can no longer gain access to White Magic spells up to Level 3.
    • Scholar - The "Scan" and "Peep" commands have been combined into the "Study" command, in addition to the new "Alchemy" command, which doubles the potency of items.
    • Geomancer - The "Terrain" command no longer has a "Backfire" effect that damages the caster.
    • Dark Knight - Can no longer gain access to White Magic spells up to Level 3, but they gain the "Bladeblitz" command, which is a physical attack that damages all enemies.
    • Black Belt - A new "Kick" command that damages all enemies.
    • Bard - "Sing" is now a separate command from "Attack", with songs now gained every ten levels instead of equpping a Harp.
    • Ninja - A new "Throw" command that enables the Ninja to throw any weapon from the inventory, including the Shuriken, which no longer can be equipped as a one-time use weapon in battle.
  • Arrows have infinite uses, removing the need to restock periodically.
  • All enemies and bosses have rebalanced statistics.
  • Certain enemies within the World of Darkness deal less damage.
  • Rare enemies within the Crystal Tower spawn more often.
  • All bosses have been retweaked to attack once per turn and now include abilities they used in the 3D remake, such as Titan being able to cast Flare and Leviathan having access to more spells including Blizzaga, Haste, and Protect.
  • The World of Darkness now features healing points, making the final portions of the game easier to some extent.
  • Movement - The option to sprint in addition to an eight-way directional input, enabling much faster progression through the field.
  • Quicksave - Quicksave has been added, allowing the player to make a temporary save and continue playing the game until they have a chance to save on the world map.
  • Music - Re-orchestrated musical score overseen by Nobuo Uematsu.
    • When under the Mini status, the music will change into a lighter tone featuring a flute-only instrumentation.
  • Sound - Several new sound effects are taken directly from the 3D remake as well as the Mobile/Steam ports of Final Fantasy V and Final Fantasy VI.
  • Bonus Content - A number of extra features have been added, some of which can be accessed after completion of the game, including an Item Collection, Bestiary, Art Gallery and BGM player.
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