Final Fantasy IV PS1 box art

PlayStation · RPG

Final Fantasy IV

Certified classic Co-op

SystemPlayStation
Released1997 (originally 1991)
GenreRPG
DeveloperSquaresoft
PublisherSquaresoft
Players1–2 players (co-op)
CommitmentEpic journey (20+ hours of adventure)
SeriesFinal Fantasy
LegacyCertified classic · legacy score 13

Released for the PlayStation in 1997, Final Fantasy IV is a role-playing game developed by Squaresoft. This PS1 release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1991.

It landed about 2 years into the PS1's life. Other notable PS1 releases from 1997 include Grand Theft Auto, Final Fantasy VII and Duke Nukem 3D. Among the 131 PS1 RPGs in our database, it ranks #23 by legacy score.

It is part of the Final Fantasy series; on the PS1 you can also try Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VIII and Final Fantasy IX. The series also appears on other systems with Final Fantasy (NES) and Final Fantasy IV (SNES). Squaresoft also made Chrono Cross, Final Fantasy Tactics and Xenogears for the PS1.

Final Fantasy IV supports up to 2 players, including cooperative play, which makes it a strong pick for playing with a friend.

Pick it if…

  • you want to get lost in a long quest
  • you have time for an epic journey (20+ hours of adventure)
  • you want a game to beat together with a friend
  • you want to experience one of the PS1's defining games

Maybe skip it if…

  • you want instant action rather than menus, story and grinding
  • you only have a few minutes at a time

What playing Final Fantasy IV is like

Role-playing games trade reflexes for strategy and story. You build a party, level up, manage equipment and travel across a large world, usually through menu-based battles.

Tip for newcomers: Retro RPGs can require some level grinding and rarely tell you exactly where to go next. Talk to every townsperson, save often and use a guide if you get stuck: there is no shame in it.

Final Fantasy IV gameplay screenshot on PS1
In-game screenshot (PS1)

Final Fantasy IV walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Final Fantasy IV.

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Playing PS1 games today

PS1 games range from quick arcade racers to 60-hour RPGs. A selection is available through PlayStation Plus Premium, and if you own the discs you can play your backups in an emulator such as Rec0m88.

Final Fantasy IV FAQ

When did Final Fantasy IV come out on the PS1?

Final Fantasy IV was released for the PlayStation in 1997; the original game dates back to 1991.

Who made Final Fantasy IV?

It was developed by Squaresoft.

Is Final Fantasy IV multiplayer?

Yes. Final Fantasy IV supports up to 2 players, including co-op play.

How long does Final Fantasy IV take to play?

As a role-playing game, Final Fantasy IV typically falls into the "Epic journey" category: 20+ hours of adventure. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about Final Fantasy IV on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

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