Final Fantasy III’s 35th Anniversary: A Celebration That Never Was

by

For decades, the Final Fantasy series has been beloved for its compelling stories and memorable gameplay. So, when the 35th anniversary of Final Fantasy III arrived, fans were surprised and disappointed by the lack of any official acknowledgement from Square Enix. This sparked frustration among dedicated players who felt the game deserved to be celebrated. The situation highlights a larger discussion about how game anniversaries are handled and how often fan hopes don’t align with what game companies actually do.

Since it’s the last day of 2025, just a reminder that it was the 35th anniversary of FFIII, and Square did nothing about it.
byu/theGaido inFinalFantasy

Summary

  • Fans express frustration over the lack of recognition for FFIII’s 35th anniversary by Square Enix, feeling overlooked.
  • Many commenters argue that significant anniversaries are often reserved for franchise milestones rather than individual titles.
  • Not all players share the disappointment, with some downplaying the significance of the 35th anniversary.
  • Conversations shift toward game quality and remakes, with mixed feelings surrounding the current state of retro titles.

Finding the Silver Linings Amidst Disappointment

A fan named theGaido started a conversation hoping for a celebration of a beloved game. However, the responses showed this disappointment isn’t new. One commenter pointed out that the company typically only does big celebrations for entire game series, not individual games. This highlights a common frustration: fans often feel that specific games don’t get the recognition they deserve when compared to franchise-wide events.

Square Enix had a big celebration for the franchise’s 35th anniversary in 2022, releasing the Pixel Remasters and games like “Stranger of Paradise” and “Final Fantasy XVI.” However, fans were puzzled that Final Fantasy III wasn’t included in the festivities. Major anniversaries usually bring big events, and this 35th anniversary felt somewhat underwhelming compared to past celebrations that happened every five years.

The Great Divide: Why Some Fans Didn’t Bother to Care

I noticed a really interesting reaction to the fact that Final Fantasy III’s anniversary kind of slipped by. Some fans were pretty annoyed, but others just didn’t seem to care much. One person even said that 35 years isn’t a big deal and that the game itself isn’t that memorable. It really got me thinking about what we, as fans, even expect from these anniversaries. Is it just about the number, or is it about celebrating the impact a game had on us and on gaming history? It seems like there’s a big difference of opinion on that!

As a huge fan of the original Final Fantasy III and its updates, it’s honestly a little disheartening to see it feels like nobody’s acknowledging its anniversary. It’s weird how just not having a celebration can make you feel like the game, or its history, isn’t really valued by the people who made it. I’ve seen other fans feel the same way too – someone pointed out how Chrono Trigger fans often feel overlooked. It seems like Final Fantasy III isn’t the only classic game that’s been a bit forgotten, which makes me wonder if the gaming industry just struggles with celebrating older titles and the nostalgia around them.

Debating the Value of Celebrations

The quiet passing of the 35th anniversary sparked an interesting debate about whether constantly celebrating game milestones is realistic. One person pointed out, “Why celebrate 35 years specifically? Celebrating every Final Fantasy game every five years just isn’t something that can continue long-term.”

These kinds of comments bring up important questions about how anniversary celebrations can be both exciting and disappointing. Is it fair to expect game developers to constantly look back at old games when they also need to create new ones? And do fans deserve regular celebrations just to show appreciation for their long-term support?

People have different opinions on celebrating old games. Some focus on the downsides of getting overly excited, while others believe certain classic titles deserve all the praise they get because of their lasting impact. For many long-time gamers, these games evoke strong feelings of nostalgia – like Final Fantasy III, which continues to be beloved and encourages players to return to it often, creating a real desire to see it celebrated.

The Mixed Reception of Remakes and Retro Titles

With all the talk about anniversaries, it’s become clear that fans remember the Final Fantasy III remakes in different ways. Some fondly recall the classic gameplay, while others primarily remember how much effort it took to progress, as one Steam player recently expressed with the comment, “Lord Almighty the grind.” Many players feel this way, especially when revisiting challenging experiences from the past.

It’s common for discussions about enjoying games to circle back to how good the game actually is and what remakes offer. One player shared their love for the third installment, saying they’d completed it for the third time. This enthusiasm is great, but it also points to a challenge for developers: they need to carefully balance honoring what fans loved about the original game with adding new and exciting content. As more older games are remade, players could easily become frustrated if the remakes don’t live up to their memories or expectations.

You know, it’s funny – even when a game I’m really hyped for lets me down, I still find myself wanting to talk about it. It’s like, the community always shows up, whether we’re sharing awesome memories or venting about what went wrong. It just proves how much we all care about games, even when we’re disappointed. The passion is definitely still there!

With the recent quiet passing of Final Fantasy III’s anniversary, conversations about how we remember and celebrate classic games are naturally happening. While some fans were disappointed by Square Enix’s low-key response, it highlights the deep passion and loyalty within the Final Fantasy community. Players continue to advocate for proper recognition of important milestones while fondly remembering the games that have shaped their gaming experiences. Hopefully, in the future, Square Enix will fully acknowledge these anniversaries and celebrate the enduring enthusiasm of its fans!

Read More

2026-01-01 05:01