Final Fantasy began as a last-ditch effort for Squaresoft to pull out a hit and they certainly succeeded. No one could have imagined back then that the series, which started in Japan in 1987, would still be going strong today.
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Besides dozens of mainline games, there have been more spinoffs than anything else related to Final Fantasy. Most spinoffs tend to include nods from mainline characters, like Yuffie from Final Fantasy 7. This begs the question though. Discounting mobile games, what character from the series has been playable the most? The results may be obvious to diehards, but let’s dive in regardless.
8
Zidane Tribal (Final Fantasy 9)
A Charismatic Thief
Zidane is the main hero from Final Fantasy 9 who is a swashbuckling thief. He’s also in two Itadaki Street games including Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street Portable and Itadaki Street: Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary. Itadaki Street is like Monopoly but with RPG elements. Zidane is also in all three Dissidia games including Dissidia Final Fantasy, Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy, and Dissidia Final Fantasy NT. Dissidia is a fighting game franchise that began on the PSP, focusing on heroes and villains duking it out in crossover battles. Finally, Zidane is playable in all three Theatrhythm games including Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call, and Theatrhythm Final Bar Line. These are all rhythm-based RPGs featuring characters and music across the franchise.
7
Tidus (Final Fantasy 10)
Number One Dad Hater
Tidus is the main character from Final Fantasy 10 who is a bit divisive in the eyes of fans as he can be a bit much with all of his whining about his dad. Besides his original game, Tidus is playable in the first previously unnamed Itadaki Street game, Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street Special, along with the last game. Tidus is also in all three Dissidia and all three Theatrhythm games. He’s a well-used character but there are no unique games with Tidus returning at least as a playable character.
6
Yuna (Final Fantasy 10)
Summoning Courage
Yuna is also from Final Fantasy 10 and she’s the love interest of Tidus. As a Summoner of the group, she’s also the strongest in the game. This may be why she was given her own spinoff, Final Fantasy 10-2, which was another turn-based RPG but this one used a Job system.
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Besides epic RPGs, Yuna is in the same Itadaki Street games as Tidus which makes sense since they are a couple. The only difference is that her Final Fantasy 10-2 version also appears in Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street Special. She’s in the last two Dissidia games and all three Theatrhythm games.
5
Vaan (Final Fantasy 12)
To The Skies
Vaan is from Final Fantasy 12 and like Zidane, he’s a sky pirate albeit one in training. Like Yuna, Vaan got a direct sequel via Final Fantasy 12: Revenant Wings which was an RTS experience on the DS. Around this same time, Vaan appeared as a secret character players could unlock in the tactical RPG Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift. Vaan appeared in the first two Itadaki Street games, the last two Dissidia games, and all three Theatrhythm games.
4
Squall Leonhart (Final Fantasy 8)
Scarred Beyond Repair
Squall is the protagonist from Final Fantasy 8 and fans probably remember him the most for his distinct scar and Gunblade weapon. Despite his lack of conformity in his game, Squall was seemingly up to playing ball with other titles. For example, he’s unlockable in Chocobo Racing and Chocobo GP which are two racing games akin to the Mario Kart series. Squall is in the first and third Itadaki Street games, all three Dissidia games, and all three Theatrhythm games making him a legend.
3
Tifa Lockhart (Final Fantasy 7)
Beware Her Fists Of Fury
It’s time to enter the Final Fantasy 7 block of characters because they have all been in a staggering amount of games. Tifa was a playable party member in the original game along with Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and she will most likely be playable in the final remake whenever that comes out.
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Before the Dissidia series began, Final Fantasy characters appeared in the wrestling fighter, Ehrgeiz: God Bless the Ring which includes Tifa. Tifa is also in the first two Itadaki Street games, the last two Dissidia games, and all three Theatrhythm games making her the most used female character in the franchise.
2
Sephiroth (Final Fantasy 7)
A Villain Appears
Sephiroth is the main villain of Final Fantasy 7 who technically was a party member in a flashback sequence. However, players didn’t have much control over him, unlike Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth which made him more of a character in the same flashback scene. He was also in Ehrgeiz: God Bless the Ring and another unique fighting game, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Nintendo even commemorated Sephiroth with an Amiibo alongside its release. Finally, he is in all three Itadaki Street, Dissidia, and Theatrhythm games making him the villain who has appeared in the most games.
1
Cloud Strife (Final Fantasy 7)
God Bless The King
Cloud is easily one of the most popular characters in the franchise let alone video games as a whole. He’s playable in the original game alongside the two remake projects so far. He’s a secret character in the original Final Fantasy Tactics and a pain to unlock to boot. Like Squall, Cloud raced in the wacky Chocobo Racing and Chocobo GP adventures. He brawled in Ehrgeiz: God Bless the Ring like most of his fellow cast members. Cloud is in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate like Sephiroth but he also got into the 3DS and Wii U versions of Super Smash Bros. before that which could almost be counted as two separate games. To top it off, Cloud is in all three Itadaki Street, Dissidia, and Theatrhythm games and who knows what else after this.
