Rumor Watch: Final Fantasy on Xbox 360?

Final Fantasy XIII spin-offs may show up on 360, Xbox Live

May 23, 2006

A handful of online sources are claiming that sources inside Microsoft have mentioned that we may see original Final Fantasy titles on the Xbox 360.

The word is that new games in the Fabula Nova Crystallis series (which include PS3-only games Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII) might show up on the Xbox 360, and that some of them may even be available on Xbox Live Arcade, a service where Xbox 360 owners can download arcade games from within the console menus.

So far, Square Enix has officially announced three games that will appear in the Final Fantasy XIII line: FFXIII, FF Versus XIII and Final Fantasy Agito XIII.

The rumor is reasonably credible. Square Enix has struck up a relationship with Microsoft and recently brought Final Fantasy XI over to the Xbox 360. While the core of its offering remains on PlayStation systems, it's not suprising that the company would branch out in this direction. They recently announced titles for the Nintendo Wii, also.

May we add to the speculation? The Agito title is designed for cell phones, and the cell phone gaming market rarely does well in North America. However, Final Fantasy fans might be disappointed if that game doesn't make it overseas. Xbox Live Arcade might be the ideal way to bring a small-sized game to North American gamers.

Until Square Enix says something official, we can't assume that any of this will actually happen, but since the FF13 project has been announced to be far-reaching, extending into multiple games, platforms and media types, we can't help but to wonder.