An originalFinal Fantasy 7fan discovered an old article with details about launching the game on the Nintendo 64. The article promotingFinal Fantasy 7, a PlayStation exclusive at the time, also showcases an odd early design of the main protagonist in the game.
While mostFinal Fantasy 7fans are waiting as patiently as possible forFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthnews, the roots of the series reach all the way back to 1997 when the originalFF7was released. Production on the epic title started in 1994, shortly afterFinal Fantasy 6. The game itself was developed by the then-named SquareSoft with the title being the firstFinal Fantasygame to feature 3D graphics. During the development process, a deal was struck between Square Soft and Nintendo to release the tile to the tentatively named “Nintendo Ultra 64.” This deal fell through, but thanks to one Reddit user, original FF7 fans can now see a piece of history that was never fully realized.
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Reddit user Inverse-skies posted an image from an old magazine displaying a prototype of one of thegreatestFinal Fantasygames of all time. In the image, the Nintendo 64 is clearly visible with a cartridge using the system’s original name, “Ultra 64.” Below, the system displays what only can be assumed as a prototype of a bandana-wearing Cloud, wearing an outfit straight out of an 80’s movie. The text on the page reveals how confident the company was about the release, stating, “If the seventh installment appears on the NU 64, [RPG fans] will buy Nintendo’s new machine, if only to playFFVII.”
TheFinal Fantasy 7franchise has come a long way since 1997. Today, elements fromFF7are inPowerWash Simulator, as well as a dozen other properties. Knowing that decades later, this prototype could be what Cloud looks like today is a jarring thought, to say the least. Compared to modern standards, most gaming studios would never release a picture of an unfinished prototype to a magazine. Plus, it’s rare to see imagery of an older version of the Nintendo 64. In a world where the Switch 2 is as well-guarded as it is, Nintendo would never do something like that today.
AlthoughFinal Fantasy 7never did release on the N64, if it did, it’s easy to predict that there would be even moreFF7fans today. Plus, undoubtedly, the originalFinal Fantasy 7would end up being one of thegreatest N64 games on Nintendo Switch Online.
Final Fantasy 7is available for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS1, PS2, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
