Which Is the Greatest Model of the Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remasters in 2025? Steam, Console, and Cell In contrast

Sq. Enix’s Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster Sequence collection debuted on PC and cellular again in 2021. Since its debut, we have seen a number of fixes and updates with the video games making their strategy to consoles together with Xbox Sequence X|S as the latest platform to get the video games. Almost 4 years since debuting on PC and cellular, we noticed one other main replace for the video games within the Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster collection arrive this month for all platforms. Given the staggered launch throughout platforms even for updates, issues are quite a bit higher now. I am going that will help you resolve which model of the Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster collection is the very best for you with the video games in contrast throughout consoles, PC, and cellular protecting visuals, efficiency, load instances, and options.

I’ve performed the Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster video games since they hit iOS and Swap throughout all platforms together with the most-recent Xbox and Apple Arcade releases. For the aim of this characteristic, I’ve retested the Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster video games on Nintendo Swap OLED, Steam Deck OLED, ROG Ally (Z1 Excessive), PS5, PS4 Professional, Xbox Sequence X, iPhone 15 Professional, iPhone 12, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPad Professional (2020).

Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster collection defined

In case you’ve one way or the other not saved up with what that is, Sq. Enix aimed to supply the definitive remastered model of the primary six Remaining Fantasy video games with the Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster collection. By updating Remaining Fantasy I, II, III, IV, V and VI to trendy requirements and making them playable on trendy platforms, this package deal was an enormous step up over the missing variations of FF5 and FF6 from 2013 and 2014 that are not value even considering of proper now. 

This collection did much more although with redrawn sprites, backgrounds, coloration modifications, a background music association, high quality of life options, cheats, and rather more. The tip result’s nice albeit with some technical variations throughout platforms. Earlier than attending to these, the Pixel Remasters sadly aren’t the definitive variations since some content material from prior ports is lacking.

Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster options by platform – PC, cellular, Swap, Xbox, and PlayStation

Once I began engaged on this text again in November final 12 months, I needed to put it on maintain due to the numerous video games releasing that I used to be protecting round that point. This collection had fairly just a few variations throughout platforms again then, however issues are very completely different now.  When Sq. Enix up to date the Steam variations of the Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster collection with the 1.2.0 updates (1.2.1 on cellular as of March 28, 2025), I resumed engaged on this text with the idea that we might be ready a very long time for the brand new updates to hit different platforms. Sq. Enix shocked me by then updating the cellular releases with beforehand lacking options and the brand new ones. They then up to date all console variations as properly. Earlier than attending to what characteristic or platform variations are left, I will recap how the video games have been patched since launch:

Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster launch timeline

• July 2021: Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster collection debuts on PC and cellular with FF1, FF2, and FF3.
• September 2021: FF4 launches for PC and cellular.
• November 2021: FF5 launches for PC and cellular.
• February 2022: FF6 launches for PC and cellular.
• April 2023: Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster with FF1, FF2, FF3, FF4, FF5, and FF6 launches on PS4 and Nintendo Swap bringing new BGM,font, and sport increase/help choices.
• January 2024: Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster collection on PC and cellular will get up to date with the brand new console port options, however the BGM and font choices are ignored of the cellular releases.
• September 2024: Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster collection launches for Xbox Sequence X|S and Home windows through the Microsoft Retailer as a Play Wherever title.
• January 2025: Remaining Fantasy 1 Pixel Remaster launches on Apple Arcade.
• March 2025: Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster collection will get up to date on Steam with new options and fixes, the cellular variations are up to date quickly after with these fixes along with the lacking choices, and the console variations are additionally up to date with 1.2.0 just a few days later.

So with all platforms now at 1.2.0, are there any main variations in options and content material between the platforms? 

Properly, proper now there are not any characteristic variations apart from some platform-specific variations. All variations now have the increase choices, background soundtrack toggle possibility, and traditional font possibility along with all different game-specific modifications and additions. The foremost characteristic variations are: 

• Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster on Swap: The hybrid nature of the platform helps you to play it on the go or docked at dwelling. With the ability to put a sport like this in sleep mode can be an incredible characteristic for resuming later.
• Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster on Xbox: This being a Play Wherever title means you’ll be able to play it in your Xbox Sequence console at dwelling and in addition entry your save again on Home windows PC to play in your pc or on a transportable PC just like the ROG Ally. The Xbox model additionally helps Fast Resume which is nice to have in video games like this just like the sleep characteristic on Swap.
• Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster on PlayStation: This model affords Trophy help and is playable on each PS4 and PS5 through backward compatibility. You may as well play it on the PlayStation Portal in case you personal one.
• Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster on iOS/Android: The cellular variations are essentially the most moveable choices obtainable with each contact and controller help. In addition they have cloud saving between gadgets to play on say an iPhone after which proceed on iPad and again.
• Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster on Steam: This model stays the very best because it helps you to mod out a number of the quirks and technical points nonetheless current along with being playable throughout PC handhelds and implausible on Steam Deck.

Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster font choices – traditional, trendy, and mods

As of this writing, all variations of the Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster collection embrace the traditional and trendy font choices. The trendy possibility stays ugly, however the traditional possibility continues to be not good. If you’re proud of the Basic font possibility, stick with it. In case you aren’t, take a look at our information on modding in some extra font choices to the Steam model right here.

Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster – scrolling points defined

The foremost concern that’s current in each model of the Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster no matter platform is the scrolling concern. This can be a persistent really feel of judder or what makes the sport not really feel clean when the digital camera strikes. The rationale this occurs is as a result of the characters transfer at 80 px/sec which is quicker than the sport’s personal body fee. The repair for this is able to be Sq. Enix patching the video games to have motion at 60 px/sec or 120 px/sec to be double the goal. One possibility could be uncapping the body fee utilizing mods on PC to 80, however I did not take a look at that.

The simplest strategy to discover that is to see how the digital camera motion is horizontally versus diagonally. The motion pace traces up higher when shifting diagonally. One instance is if you play FF5 and are on the Chocobo early on. This particular state of affairs is an effective strategy to spot the opposite efficiency concern that’s current in some platforms when taking part in the Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster. 

The motion on the Chocobo in FF5 feels completely clean on PS4, PS5, Xbox Sequence X, and PC. On older cellular gadgets and on Nintendo Swap, there are some extra stutter points right here. The video linked beneath from AustinSV on YouTube from about 0:58 into it does a superb job of showcasing the technical points within the Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster which can be current even right this moment:

Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster visuals and efficiency variations throughout PC, console, and cellular

Along with scrolling points detailed above which have an effect on each single model of the Pixel Remaster video games on each platform, just a few platforms have a further performance-related concern. That is very seen within the opening of FF5 if you get on the Chocobo. Examine how the motion feels then and if you aren’t using the Chocobo. This can be a good take a look at case even for the scrolling concern as I cowl above, however when using the Chocobo, the PlayStation (PS4 Professional and PS5) and PC variations scroll completely with no judder or random hitching points each few seconds. 

There may be minor hitching on the Swap, cellular, and Xbox Sequence X (and Microsoft Retailer on Home windows) variations. I am shocked it hasn’t been addressed in any respect on the cellular variations given how outdated they’re now, and that there was no trace of an replace to repair it. I am additionally upset that even a number of ports later, the Xbox model shipped with this concern nonetheless current. I initially thought this was only a efficiency concern we see in some Unity video games on Swap or older cellular gadgets, however after it occurred even on iPhone 15 Professional after which Xbox Sequence X, I think about this has to do with one thing different than simply horsepower. I am undecided whether it is associated to the identical concern we noticed within the latest Tremendous Monkey Ball sport as detailed by Digital Foundry earlier than it was patched. 

On paper, the Xbox model could be my favourite since I can play it on my Xbox Sequence X after which pickup my progress to play handheld on my ROG Ally. I used to be shocked to see the Microsoft Retailer or Play Wherever model on my ROG Ally have the identical hitching concern whereas the Steam model doesn’t. Once more, this is not one thing that may be a dealbreaker for a lot of and whereas some won’t discover it, I am upset to see one more state of affairs the place the identical sport has points when working off the Microsoft Retailer model versus it being nice on Steam. To recheck this particular hitching and confirm it isn’t current in all variations, I used my telephone’s gradual movement digital camera and captured motion throughout the PS5, Swap, Xbox Sequence X, ROG Ally, and Steam variations at 120fps.

There’s yet one more concern that impacts the PC model in case you play the Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster video games at a refresh fee that is not 60hz or 120hz and mainly not a a number of of 60. On the Steam Deck LCD, it performs completely, however the OLED mannequin with its 90hz show has the identical concern I bumped into with the Suikoden remaster for instance. The repair for that is capping your OLED display utilizing the short entry menu to 60hz. This limits the difficulty to only the scrolling one I cowl beneath.

Some would possibly surprise if these points are even value mentioning and detailing, however after so many ports, remasters, and re-releases through the years, Sq. Enix ought to do higher with its premier franchise. The entire level of this bundle was to be the very best variations of the traditional Remaining Fantasy video games. To see such fundamental technical points stay not solely within the authentic launch, but additionally after a number of platform ports and updates could be very disappointing. 

Which model of the Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster collection is the very best? 

As of the 1.2.0 replace that’s now obtainable on each platform, there isn’t any main characteristic distinction between the platforms. One of the best model of the Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster collection is the Steam model particularly since you’ll be able to mod it and repair the few remaining technical points and in addition get completely different font choices or different mods primarily based in your preferences. 

When taking the efficiency points into consideration, the PC and PlayStation variations of the video games undergo primarily from the scrolling points whereas the cellular, Swap, and to a lesser diploma even Xbox Sequence X variations even have extra efficiency points. That is current on trendy cellular gadgets just like the iPhone 15 Professional as properly sadly. 

Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster issues nonetheless current in 2025

As for what I hope to see Sq. Enix repair since they’re nonetheless updating the video games on all platforms, the precedence continues to be the scrolling concern plaguing each single model on each platform. Past that, I might hope the extra efficiency points current on cellular, Swap, and Xbox Sequence X could be resolved. Given the significance of Remaining Fantasy to Sq. Enix, it’s good to see patches this a few years later, however once more, we actually should not have needed to wait so lengthy for fundamental fixes within the case of some platforms given the premium value. 

Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster bodily launch editions

For individuals who like proudly owning bodily variations of video games, particularly for Remaining Fantasy releases like I do, there are some things to remember concerning the Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster bundle. The Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster bundle has a bodily launch solely on PS4 and Nintendo Swap. It bought one round launch by the Sq. Enix Retailer bundles. Since then, it had an Asia Swap launch (pictured beneath) and in addition a daily retail launch in North America and Europe. The latter is the latest SKU for it, and sadly not one of the bodily releases have all updates on disc/cartridge. The Asia Swap launch has reversible artwork however no stickers. The most recent North American / European launch has a sticker sheet however no reversible artwork. Whereas I do not see it taking place, this bundle deserves an Xbox bodily launch as properly. 

Which model of the Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster must you purchase?

Everybody has their very own priorities for what they need, so I will listing the benefits and downsides of each single model beneath:

• Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster on PlayStation: In case you care about trophy help or do not care about moveable play (until you stream to a PlayStation Portal or telephone), that is the very best console model to get.
• Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster on Xbox: When you have entry to a PC handheld or play on each Xbox Sequence consoles and PC, the Play Wherever characteristic is a giant promoting level along with the Fast Resume characteristic, however the hitching concern holds this again a bit.
• Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster on Nintendo Swap: The hybrid nature of the Swap is the largest promoting level for the Pixel Remasters on the platform, however that is additionally held again by the hitching concern proper now.
• Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster on Steam: With the ability to mod the video games and repair a number of the lingering points is the principle draw of this launch along with them taking part in wonderful on Steam Deck.
• Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster on iOS: As of the most recent replace, the iOS (or Android) model of the video games is at characteristic parity with different platforms, however the hitching concern continues to be right here. This model is value getting in case you play quite a bit in your telephone or have Apple Arcade within the case of the primary sport.

Hopefully this helped you resolve the place you must get the Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster collection of video games and in case you already personal it, bought you to replace or redownload and revisit this set of video games. I am trying ahead to hopefully revisiting these video games once we doubtlessly get one other massive replace. It will be nice if a number of the lingering points could be mounted so there are much less caveats to recommending these traditional RPGs for contemporary platforms.

The Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster collection of video games is now obtainable on Xbox Sequence X|S, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Swap, iOS, Android, and PC (Steam, Microsoft Retailer). We’ve full walkthroughs of Remaining Fantasy I, Remaining Fantasy II, Remaining Fantasy III, Remaining Fantasy IV, Remaining Fantasy V, and Remaining Fantasy VI. Take a look at all our different guides protecting the entire Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster Sequence right here.