Can anyone explain to me the logic behind the 25th anniversary box?

Seriously, what the Hell? We get the PSP version of FFIII, which is fine if you want to go with the most "tricked-out" version of each game. But then we only get the PS1 iterations of I, II, IV, V, and VI? The first two games have PSP editions that are far and away their most advanced forms, and SE already showed their willingness to include a PSP game! FFIV has both a fully-3D DS rendition as well as a refined 2D PSP version with "The After Years" tacked on for good measure. Either of those would have been preferable to the PS1 release. The fifth and sixth games are somewhat more understandable, but a DS port of the superior GBA versions would have been nice if possible. Also, they’re apparently using the non-International versions of X, XII, and XIII.

Oh, and while I don’t care for online games, the FFXI release is just The Vana’diel Collection 2, rather than the thus-far-complete Abyssea Edition.

If you’re going to charge gamers through the nose for this collection, you could at least give them the "best" versions of the games. Then again, I don’t know why I’m complaining. This thing isn’t coming anywhere near American shores.

Okay, steady on there. You joined this forum just to bitch about a collector’s edition pack that won’t even be available outside Japan? That’s pretty shallow.

The PSX versions of FFI, II, IV-VI, well, the reason SE included those versions is because they were probably going for greatest console coverage – as the PSP is a dying system while PSX titles are still playable on PS2/PS3s, yeah, it’s not hard to understand. The PSP port of FFIII though was already mentioned a while ago as being in the works – as no other version exists of FFIII other than the Famicom original, it’s all they could include other than the DS version – which wasn’t possible because the whole pack is contractually bound to Sony.

Also, there’s no big loss about FFXI not including Abyssea – it essentially ruined the game, and considering SE themselves basically admitted the whole thing was a ‘mistake’, little wonder the Anniversary pack doesn’t include it.

Really, I think you’re getting a little worked up over something that is rather trivial actually.

Okay, steady on there. You joined this forum just to bitch about a collector’s edition pack that won’t even be available outside Japan? That’s pretty shallow.

The PSX versions of FFI, II, IV-VI, well, the reason SE included those versions is because they were probably going for greatest console coverage – as the PSP is a dying system while PSX titles are still playable on PS2/PS3s, yeah, it’s not hard to understand. The PSP port of FFIII though was already mentioned a while ago as being in the works – as no other version exists of FFIII other than the Famicom original, it’s all they could include other than the DS version – which wasn’t possible because the whole pack is contractually bound to Sony.

Also, there’s no big loss about FFXI not including Abyssea – it essentially ruined the game, and considering SE themselves basically admitted the whole thing was a ‘mistake’, little wonder the Anniversary pack doesn’t include it.

Really, I think you’re getting a little worked up over something that is rather trivial actually.

I read the description of the product and immediately started typing this post. I didn’t realize that we probably wouldn’t get it Stateside until after it was already written, so I added the last two sentences.

I’m still not happy simply because of the principle of the thing. They’re asking a pantload for this set*, but aren’t willing to shell out the dough necessary to give players the most complete versions of the games. Never mind that four of the included games (III, X, XI, XII) are in "obsoleted" formats. While the fact that I won’t be able to buy it anyway does take the edge off, the simple fact is that a collection like this should have had more effort put into it, and that’s worth being a little peeved over.

*35,000 yen. At the time of the announcement, that translates to about $445 in the US, or about $430 for Australia.

Well, it’s whole purpose is simply a means of celebrating the 25th anniversary of the series – it’s not supposed to be a ‘definitive collection’ – just a way of making money from a milestone.

Besides, the sort of people who would buy this collection mostly would probably already own all or nearly all those titles included anyway so no matter what versions of each title SE includes it wouldn’t really matter too much – just as long as each FF game is covered and that it was on a Sony console to keep the evil empire happy.

Also, I must say I’m sorry for not properly welcoming you to the forum in my first post. Better late than never though.

So anyway, welcome to the Shrine! 😀