Final Fantasy IV (20th Anniversary Edition) - DS

Final Fantasy IV was released for the Nintendo DS as part of the Final Fantasy 20th Anniversary campaign. The game is developed by Matrix Software, the same team responsible for the Final Fantasy III remake, and was supervised by members of the original development team: Takashi Tokita serves as executive producer, Tomoya Asano as producer, Hiroyuki Itō as battle designer. Animator Yoshinori Kanada storyboarded the new cutscenes. Square confirmed that the game will be released in North America on 22 July, 2008.

According to executive producer Takashi Tokita (scenario writer of the original release), 3/4 of the original script had been cut from Super Famicom original release, but some of this lost material will be reworked into the remake, while some new events will also be added. The player will have the ability to use the Nintendo DS stylus to move around similarly to the Final Fantasy III remake, while the new minigames will require usage of the stylus. Additionally, the game features an ability system which should add replayability to the game, as well as a New Game Plus feature.

In June 2007, Square Enix held a casting for a vocalist to sing a version of Final Fantasy IV's "Theme of Love" rearranged by Nobuo Uematsu. It will also use a voice cast for the game's scenes.



Some of the changes/additions featured in the DS version are:

* The party switching system from the GBA version (along with the two added dungeons, monsters and equipments) is gone, instead replaced by an ability system similar to FFV's job system. Characters now can learn abilities from former party members (as well as bosses and NPCs) that can be arranged to be used in battle.
* Following the aforementioned new ability system, a number of new action and support abilities have been added to the game, including (but not limited to): HP/MP+50%, Counter, Auto-Potion, No-Encounters, Treasure Hunter, Doublecast, and All-Magic.
* There are a number of new spells (seen in previous games like FFXII) accessed via Twin Magic or the Recall ability such as Bravery, Faith and Bubble. One of the forms of Lugae also has access to a Reverse magic.
* Equipment options have been limited in some instances. Rosa is now the only character who can equip bows. Cecil can equip new elemental knives found in Troia. Edge cannot equip Claws. Cid, however, now can equip shields.
* There are 5 minigames accessed from the Fat Chocobo. The minigames each correspond to the final 5 party members and scoring higher in them will increase the stats of Whyt, a new summon.
* The Whyt replaces Rydia in battle and acts automatically, based on abilities you set it prior to battle. It has infinite MP and will act for approximately 5 turns before dismissing itself. You can customize it through the Fat Chocobo.
* The Fat Chocobo also lets you listen to the music player, watch the previously seen cutscenes and view the bestiary. It no longer holds items (the item limit in your inventory has been removed).
* Many of the bosses have new attack patterns and much higher stats.
* Namingway changes HIS name throughout the game as you interact with him in various scenes in towns and dungeons.
* There is a minimap on the bottom screen. Fill it 100% (one map per dungeon floor, usually) and you'll get free items.
* You can participate in versus battles and minigames with your Whyt with a friend (not wi-fi).