I couldn't miss the chance to practice my drawing!
Microsoft Windows is a metafamily of operating software produced by Microsoft for many types of devices, including desktop computers, servers, smartphones, and video game consoles. Several Final Fantasy titles have been released across Windows platforms.
Family[]
In the past, there have been dedicated Windows families for desktop computers, mobile devices, embedded devices, IoT, and video game consoles. Since 2014, however, all these families have converged into the latest version, Windows 11
PC[]
The origins of Windows as an operating system (OS) can be traced back to 1985 and the rise of the IBM-compatible PC, but early versions were merely graphical shells for earlier MS-DOS operating systems. Windows has been said to have come of age with 1992's version 3.1.
In September 1995, Microsoft developed DirectX, a dedicated application programming interface (API) for handling tasks related to multimedia, especially gameplay and video playback. This API would become the basis for the name and design of the Xbox family of consoles.
The peak of Windows' success came in 2001, with the release of Windows XP. This version of Windows replaced the old Windows 9x line and ushered an era in which computers became strategic assets. It was also the first version of Windows with an emphasis on an aesthetically pleasant user interface.
Windows has undergone multiple stages of evolution, to the point that it powers the majority of desktop computers worldwide. The most recent version of Windows is Windows 11, introduced in late October 2021.
The PC and Windows are entwined as such that games for Windows are often referred to as "PC games".
Windows games can be run on other operating systems such as Linux by using compatibility layers like Wine and Proton.
Mobile devices[]
Microsoft created Windows Mobile in 1998 as a means to bring the platform to small, low-power devices. After six versions, the name was changed to Windows Phone in 2010. Windows Phone 8 dropped its Windows CE heritage and adopted the mainstream Windows NT kernel. The operating system powered Microsoft's Lumia line of devices. It was ultimately discontinued in 2014, in favor of the "Mobile" and "Mobile Enterprise" editions of Windows 10. As of 2020, however, Microsoft has ceased development of its own mobile platforms entirely, and has shifted its focus to designing applications for established mobile platforms.
Video game consoles[]
In a departure from its previous consoles, Microsoft chose to use a modification of the desktop Windows on the Xbox One. This version can run apps built on Microsoft's Universal Windows Platform (UWP). The console uses a virtual machine hypervisor to run games in a dedicated space. While it was initially based on Windows 8 at launch, the Xbox One now runs a modified version of Windows 10 as of its latest update. Its successor, the fourth-generation Xbox Series consoles, picked up where the Xbox One left off, starting with Windows 10 and continuing into Windows 11.
Final Fantasy titles for Windows[]
For PC[]
| Game | Release Date | Metascore | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Japan
|
 North America
|
 Europe
| ||
| Final Fantasy III | N/A | May 28, 2014Steam | May 28, 2014Steam | 68 |
| Final Fantasy IV | N/A | September 17, 2014Steam | September 17, 2014Steam | N/A |
| Final Fantasy IV: The After Years | N/A | May 12, 2015Steam | May 12, 2015Steam | N/A |
| Final Fantasy V | N/A | September 24, 2015Steam | September 24, 2015Steam | N/A |
| Final Fantasy VI | N/A | December 16, 2015Steam | December 16, 2015Steam | N/A |
| Final Fantasy VII | May 16, 2013International | June 24, 1998Physical CD August 14, 2012Digital download from Square Enix Online Store |
June 24, 1998Physical CD August 14, 2012Digital download from Square Enix Online Store |
N/A |
| Final Fantasy VIII | March 23, 2000Physical CD TBADigital download from Square Enix Online Store and Steam |
December 31, 1999Physical CD December 5, 2013Digital download from Square Enix Online Store and Steam |
December 5, 2013Digital download from Square Enix Online Store and Steam | N/A |
| Final Fantasy VIII Remastered | September 3, 2019Steam | September 3, 2019Steam | September 3, 2019Steam | 73 |
| Final Fantasy IX | N/A | April 14, 2016Steam | April 14, 2016Steam | 84 |
| Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster | May 12, 2016Steam | May 12, 2016Steam | May 12, 2016Steam | 83 |
| Final Fantasy XI | November 7, 2002Physical DVD April 19, 2013Steam |
October 28, 2003Physical DVD April 19, 2013Steam |
September 17, 2004Physical DVD April 19, 2013Steam |
85 |
| Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age | February 1, 2018 | February 1, 2018 | February 1, 2018 | 83 |
| Final Fantasy XIII | October 9, 2014 | October 9, 2014 | October 9, 2014 | 65 |
| Final Fantasy XIII-2 | December 11, 2014 | December 11, 2014 | December 11, 2014 | 75 |
| Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII | Spring 2015 | Spring 2015 | Spring 2015 | 66 |
| Final Fantasy XIV | September 30, 2010 | September 30, 2010 | September 30, 2010 | 49 |
| Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn | August 27, 2013Physical DVD and digital download ?Steam |
August 27, 2013Physical DVD and digital download February 17, 2014Steam |
August 27, 2013Physical DVD and digital download February 17, 2014Steam |
83 |
| Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward | June 23, 2015 | June 23, 2015 | June 23, 2015 | 86 |
| Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood | June 20, 2017 | June 20, 2017 | June 20, 2017 | 87 |
| Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers | July 2, 2019 | July 2, 2019 | July 2, 2019 | 90 |
| Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker | December 7, 2021 | December 7, 2021 | December 7, 2021 | N/A |
| Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail | July 2, 2024 | July 2, 2024 | July 2, 2024 | N/A |
| Final Fantasy XV Windows Edition | March 6, 2018 | March 6, 2018 | March 6, 2018 | 85 |
| Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade | December 16, 2021 | December 16, 2021 | December 16, 2021 | 89 |
| Final Fantasy XVI | September 17, 2024 | September 17, 2024 | September 17, 2024 | N/A |
| Dissidia Final Fantasy NT | March 12, 2019 | March 12, 2019 | March 12, 2019 | N/A |
| World of Final Fantasy | November 21, 2017 | November 21, 2017 | November 21, 2017 | 77 |
| World of Final Fantasy Maxima | November 6, 2018 | November 6, 2018 | November 6, 2018 | N/A |
| Final Fantasy: Unlimited on PC Adventure - Labyrinth | May 16, 2003 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Final Fantasy Awakening*Windows 10 only | TBA 2015 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
For Mobile[]
- Main series
- Other titles