The RetroBeat: Final Fantasy keeps the magic alive 30 years later

Final Fantasy is one of the few names in gaming that just makes me feel fuzzy when I hear it. It’s the greatest Japanese role-playing franchise in the world (maybe Dragon Quest competes with it in Japan, but that series has never had the same impact in the U.S.). And as of December 18, Final Fantasy is 30 years old.

Final Fantasy is a huge series. It has spawned 15 main installments and many spinoffs, including direct sequels like Final Fantasy X-2, fighting games like Dissidia, and mobile efforts like Record Keeper. The franchise racked up sales of more than 120 million games worldwide.