FINAL FANTASY ORIGINS for the PlayStation Game Console Ships Today

April 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Square Enix U.S.A., Inc., the publisher of all SQUARE ENIX products in North America announced that FINAL FANTASYORIGINS for the PlayStation game console ships to North American retailers today.

FINAL FANTASY ORIGINS combines the groundbreaking FINAL FANTASY and FINAL FANTASY II role-playing game titles into one disc. The remastered editions feature new cinematic movies, opening theme songs, updates of the original event sequences, enhanced graphics, improved sound quality as well as new game play modes making the games accessible to beginners and veterans alike. Together, these two titles laid the foundation for the series and spawned many hit sequels that have now sold over 44 million units worldwide.

FINAL FANTASY ORIGINS also includes a new bestiary with detailed descriptions of all monsters, access to art galleries with illustrations from renowned artist Yoshitaka Amano, a photo gallery featuring key moments in both titles and a "memo file" function for quick, convenient saves. FINAL FANTASY ORIGINS for the PlayStation game console is a single player game with an ESRB rating of "T" (Teen) and carries a suggested retail price (SRP) of $30 (USD).

FINAL FANTASY was originally released in North America in 1990 for the Nintendo Entertainment System and is considered one of the first RPGs to immerse players into an emotion-packed gaming adventure. Added elements such as touching CG movies events will allow gamers to experience FINAL FANTASY in ways not possible in its prior release. The game follows the story of four young warriors, each possessing a special crystal, who are summoned to bring harmony back to a world threatened by an evil entity intent on conquering it. Following their unknown destinies, the warriors battle heinous monsters and travel to places they never imagined possible in their quest to restore order to their world.

FINAL FANTASY II, originally released in Japan in 1988, is being offered for the first time in North America. The game set the benchmark for the role- playing genre with its progressive battle system, complex story and deep character development and can now be enjoyed in news ways with several enhanced features. FINAL FANTASY II tells the story of a malevolent emperor that has called upon demonic monsters to take over the world. In the chaos that follows, thousands succumb to their evil attacks until four young, orphaned survivors take it upon themselves to stop the merciless rule and avenge the deaths of their parents.

In conjunction with the game's release, BradyGames has created the FINAL FANTASY ORIGINS Official Strategy Guide, the ultimate resource for the two classic games featured in this collection -- FINAL FANTASY and FINAL FANTASY II. The complete walkthroughs for both epic adventures will steer players in the right direction, with detailed strategies and area maps. The unstoppable boss tactics will give gamers the power to topple every fiend in both games. The all-inclusive bestiary will provide players with the strengths and weaknesses of each enemy, while the exhaustive item and equipment lists will help gamers choose the best weapon for each situation. With all side quests, mini-games, and secrets revealed, players will have endless gameplay options and hours of replay value. The strategy guide is available at electronics, book and software retailers for $14.99 US/$21.99 CAN.

Source: Square Enix U.S.A., Inc.

Web site: http://www.square-enix-usa.com