Hironobu Sakaguchi wants no introduction. As the daddy of the Ultimate Fantasy franchise, he is the thoughts behind one of the crucial profitable and fashionable JRPG collection of all time. With FANTASIAN Neo Dimension reuniting Sakaguchi-san with Sq. Enix, he is spoken about how returning to his former studio — and to Nintendo consoles — appears like coming dwelling.
In an interview with Famitsu (shared by way of My Nintendo Information and Genki), Sakaguchi and Artistic Studio III and Ultimate Fantasy XIV and XVI producer Naoki Yoshida (often called Yoshi-P) sat down to debate the upcoming expanded rerelease of the Apple Arcade title. And within the chat, Sakaguchi bought slightly reminiscent about his time with Sq. and growing video games for Nintendo consoles.
Yoshi-P’s Artistic Studio III helps deliver the title to consoles, and Sakaguchi is happy to see it land on different platforms:
“I am actually completely satisfied that Fantasian might be accessible to many individuals once more. By the way in which, Sq. Enix is my hometown, however I additionally consider Nintendo as my hometown… So I am actually completely satisfied that will probably be launched on Nintendo Change. After all, I am additionally completely satisfied that will probably be launched on different {hardware}.”
Calling each Sq. Enix and Nintendo his “hometown” is a really candy approach of reminiscing on previous Ultimate Fantasy titles. the primary six Ultimate Fantasy video games have been initially launched on Nintendo consoles, however Sakaguchi’s first Nintendo-published recreation was the scrolling shooter King’s Knight, launched in 1986. From then, he and Sq. went on to publish a wide range of video games earlier than releasing Ultimate Fantasy in 1987. The remainder, after all, is historical past.
So it is sensible that Sakaguchi sees Nintendo as a “dwelling” of kinds — that is the console that basically propelled him and Sq.’s identify into the limelight. After all, Sq. moved to the PlayStation within the late ’90s, however Sakaguchi’s legacy on the NES and SNES is unimpeached.
The Ultimate Fantasy creator additionally instructed Famitsu “…reasonably than “I would like it to be a success,” I am simply completely satisfied that [Fantasian Neo Dimension is] being launched (laughs). I am actually completely satisfied simply to have the ability to ship my baby out into the world once more.” That is the primary multiplatform launch for his studio, Mistwalker, since its formation.
Sakaguchi shaped Mistwalker again in 2004 after leaving Sq.. The developer’s most well-known titles are in all probability Blue Dragon and Misplaced Odyssey, two turn-based RPGs unique to Xbox 360 (accessible on Collection S | X because of backwards compatibility, not less than). However the studio has made quite a few video games for Nintendo consoles over time: ASH: Archaic Sealed Warmth, Blue Dragon Plus, Away: Shuffle Dungeon, and Blue Dragon: Woke up Shadow for the DS, and The Final Story for Wii.
Since 2011, nevertheless, Mistwalker has been solely engaged on cell titles, so Fantasian’s enormous multiplatform launch is a giant deal for Sakaguchi. Notably (it appears) as a result of it reunites him with Nintendo, the {hardware} that gave him his begin.
Fantasian Neo Dimension is because of launch in Winter 2024, so hopefully we’ll get a extra concrete launch date quickly. You’ll hearken to Ultimate Fantasy music in-game too, as a pleasant little nod to the producer’s historical past — although it is largely fashionable Ultimate Fantasy music.
Tell us whether or not you are completely satisfied to see Sakaguchi again on the Change within the feedback.
