Category: JRPG

  • You, Too, Can Play Final Fantasy on MSX!

    Setup Guide by solidification

    solidification is a prolific creator of fan-made achievements across different game genres and especially in the world of Final Fantasy mods. You can follow solidification’s set-making journey here.

    I got a few messages on how to get this stupid thing to work, so I’m going to put full instructions for RetroArch using blueMSX core. I cannot speak on any other emulator/core at all. See the bottom of this section for a pre-formatted User Disk (Disk 2) that you need for saving.

    Getting This Stupid Crap to Work

    1) Go here and get the blueMSXv282full.zip: http://bluemsx.msxblue.com/download.html

    2) In that zip, put Machines and Databases into RetroArch’s systems folder (you can figure out where your directories are in RetroArch by opening it and going to Settings -> Directory)

    3) Within RetroArch, download the blueMSX core

    4) Get the FF1 rom from wherever. You need 2 disks: Game Disk (disk 1) and User Disk (disk 2). Disk 1 is the rom itself. Disk 2 is the user disk for saving. I have submitted a blank User Disk for RAPatches because some people struggle just to create and format the stupid thing, so it will hopefully be available when you download the translation patch.

    4*) OPTIONAL: If you want to translate it, get the translation from RHDN. It comes with a .bps file. Get FLIPS (also at RHDN) and use FLIPS to patch the *game* disk with the .bps file to output a new, translated game disk. You only need to translate the game disk, not the user disk. As above, I have submitted a user disk pre-formatted and ready to use pending approval (I’ll delete this if approved).

    5) Put these two in the same folder/directory somewhere you put your RetroArch games in and then, in that same folder/directory, create a text file. Copy and paste the titles of the two Disk files into it with Game Disk first and User Disk second. Rename your text file to something and change its extension from .txt to .m3u.

    Example: I renamed my game disk to Final Fantasy (Disk 1).dsk and my user disk to Final Fantasy (Disk 2).dsk. Then my text file literally says:

    Final Fantasy (Disk 1).dsk
    Final Fantasy (Disk 2).dsk

    and nothing else. I then renamed my textfile to Final Fantasy.m3u

    6) Open RetroArch and choose the blueMSX core then open the Final Fantasy.m3u (or whatever you named it) file (not the game/user .dsk files)

    7) Hold Left CTRL while booting. If you don’t, you’ll have to do a hard reset. You’ll know it was fine when it says “Say DOS… Okay!” and the game itself actually boots with the prolog story

    8) If you have the User Disk I submitted, you’re good to go. If not, good luck trying to get this stupid emulator to read in your input. See the posts above on how to format a user disk.

    Final Fantasy (Disk 2)Download

    Saving This Stupid Game

    1) Go to an Inn. Choose to sleep, and it’ll yell at you to Insert User Disk.

    2) Open the Quick Menu (F1) and go to Disc Control and choose to Eject Disk

    3) Back in Disc Control, choose Current Disc Index and select 2

    4) Back in Disc Control, choose Insert Disc

    5) Go back into game (F1). It’ll save. It’ll ask you to Insert Game Disk.

    6) Repeat Steps 2-4, but select 1 for Disc Index. Go back into game and resume playing.

    Yes, you have to do this every single time you want to save. Enjoy!

    Questions or comments? Reply below, or come check us out on Discord.

    This post has been viewed 41 time(s).

  • Whirlwind Builds Compared

    For clymax’s projects, click here.

    This post compares available builds of clymax’s flagship Whirlwind mod of Final Fantasy V.

    For how Whirlwind compares to other “Definitive FFV” mods, see here.

    The mod is unofficial and unaffiliated with Square Enix.

    Comparison Chart

    Note that “⏯” represents a feature that can be toggled in game.

    ReleaseBetaDevelopment
    Version0.500.583.73
    AvailabilityRHDN, RHP, Fantasy AnimeFFVC DiscordWhirlwind Fiesta, Game Jolt
    Early jobs✓✓⏯
    Self-randomizing✓✓⏯
    Random job per level up✓✓⏯
    Ability freedom3 slots3 slots4-8 slots
    LeaderboardsRetro AchievementsSpeedruns.com
    Set seeding✓✓
    Random seeding✓✓
    Saving seed state✓✓
    AchievementsRetro AchievementsFFV Central
    EventWhirlwind Fiesta
    Random job per minute⏯
    Vanilla mode⏯
    Faster movement✓
    Skip turn✓
    Character scrollingEquip, Status
    Better optimize✓
    Leader swap✓
    Vanilla bugfixes✓
    Encounter controlGame Clear any file
    Save anywhereGame Clear current file
    Job menu unlocked for random job per level upGame Clear current file
    Boost farm ratesConfig
    1-62x @
    Job outfit colors✓
    Cosmetic hair✓
    Bestiary✓
    Jukebox✓
    Fastrom✓
    Cutscene skips⏯
    Dialogue skips⏯
    Config expansion✓
    Open world (early airship, world warps, progression skips)⏯
    Randomize chests⏯
    Randomize enemies⏯
    Randomize shops⏯
    Randomize drops⏯
    Spell drops✓
    Fiesta-inspired modes⏯
    Solo mode⏯
    Permadeath mode⏯
    Blood Moon mode⏯
    Limits broken (HP, MP, damage)✓
    Extra save slots✓
    Extra equip slot✓
    Diagonal movement✓
    Day/night cycle✓
    Rename characters✓
    Early Krile✓
    Win count✓
    New weapon✓
    New boss challenge✓
    Jump button, dash button✓
    Crit button✓
    Higher difficultyConfig 1-6x
    Compatible with Tornado DLC✓

    This post may be expanded over time with more details. Want to discuss? Comment below, or come hang out with us at our Discord.

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  • “Definitive FFV” Mods Compared

    Final Fantasy V Mods

    For clymax’s projects, click here. You can also follow him on YouTube.

    For which version of each FF you should play, click here.

    This post compares “definitive Final Fantasy V” mods that have been created by the modding community over the years.

    These mods are unofficial and unaffiliated with Square Enix.

    For a conceptual diagram of these mods, click here.

    What about Pixel Remaster? Click here.

    For simpler mods that don’t change too much, click here.

    Comparison Chart

    In the chart, PF stands for Pixel Freemaster.

    PF is to be succeeded by project Omega, likely to take the form of a web patcher. However, the project is on hold pending return of the compilation producer behind PF.

    For a comparison of Whirlwind builds, see here.

    Custom Classes did not make the chart, because the mod is for the GBA version. Meanwhile, the SFC port, Super Custom Classes, is included in PF.

    Note that “⏯” represents a feature that can be toggled in game.

    PFCleanWhirlwindKimblee’s
    Released2024202420242025
    In Active DevelopmentNearing completionYesYesNearing completion
    Actively SupportedFFV CentralFFV CentralFFV CentralFFV Central
    TypeCompilationCompilationBinary editBinary edit
    Base translationGBA
    Script Port    		RPGeRPGeRPGe
    FontGBA Script PortSea of StarsRPGeRPGe
    Translation included✓✓
    Free as in beer✓✓Base version only, or Fiesta event✓
    Exclusive features or implementationsNoneClean script, Clean fonts, Clean sprites, Clean iconsAllAll
    Field dash✓✓✓
    Overworld dash✓✓
    Skip turn✓✓✓
    Character scrollingAdvancedAdvancedBasic
    Better optimize✓✓✓
    Leader swap✓✓✓
    Vanilla bugfixes✓✓✓
    Fastrom✓✓✓
    Boost farm rates2x patch2x patchConfig
    1-62x @
    Dress Code✓✓Job colors and cosmetic hair
    Page scrolling✓✓
    MSU-1✓✓
    Early jobsKick Butz
    patch    		⏯
    Ability freedom3 slots4-8 slots
    Encounters offOptional patchGame clear, any file
    Solo project✓✓
    New game plus✓
    Auto learning✓8 slots, so manually equip it✓
    Auto pits✓8 slots, so manually equip it
    Auto passages✓8 slots, so manually equip it
    Auto map✓Open-world mode
    No missables✓Open-world mode
    Easy learning✓
    Clean script✓
    Clean font option(s)✓4th-party (base version only)
    Clean sprites✓
    Clean icons✓
    ATB enhancement✓
    Early LixOptional patchOpen-world mode
    Cutscene skips⏯
    Dialogue skips⏯
    Hack options in Config instead of in optional patches✓
    Config expansion✓
    Open world (early airship, world warps, progression skips)⏯
    Self-rando (jobs, chests, enemies, shops, drops)⏯
    Spell drops✓
    Fiesta-inspired modes (4Je, 5Je)⏯
    Solo mode⏯
    Permadeath mode⏯
    Blood Moon mode⏯
    Limits broken (HP x3, MP, damage)✓
    Extra save slots✓
    Extra equip slot✓
    Diagonal movement✓
    Day/night cycle✓
    Rename characters✓
    Early Krile✓
    Bestiary✓
    Jukebox✓
    Win count✓
    New weapon✓
    Boss challenge✓
    Jump button, dash button✓
    Crit button✓
    Save anywhereGame clear, current file
    Job menu unlocked for random job per level upGame clear, current file
    Higher difficultyConfig
    1-6x
    BDL2, BDL3Tornado DLC
    Swap battle menuTornado DLC
    Upgraded Phoenix summonTornado DLC
    Break level limitTornado DLC
    Break XP limitTornado DLC
    LeaderboardsSpeedrun.com
    AchievementsBase version only
    Balance overhaul✓
    Dragon sword auto-drain✓
    Super X-Magic✓
    Passive abilities active✓
    Super Magic Sword✓
    Berserker sandworm targeting✓
    Stop singing at max stats✓

    This post may be expanded over time with more details. Want to discuss? Comment below, or come hang out with us at our Discord.

    Related Post:

    FFV Mods Offering New Gameplay Experiences

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  • Notable Western FFV Mods Diagrammed

    For clymax’s projects, click here.

    This post diagrams notable mods of Final Fantasy V that have been created by the Western modding community over the years.

    More recently, a number of definitive mods for FFV have splashed onto the scene.

    The selection of mods may be subjective, so differing opinions are welcome.

    For a comparison chart of many of these mods, click here.

    Notable Western Mods

    For more on many of these mods, see the “Featured” selection in the top navigation bar.

    Honorable mention is ludmeister’s Custom Classes mod. This mod only didn’t make the cut because it’s for the GBA version and not the SFC version of FFV. Flamepurge’s port, Super Custom Classes, is included in Pixel Freemaster, however.

    This post may be expanded over time with more details. Want to discuss? Comment below, or come hang out with us at our Discord.

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    FF5r-IC Definitive’s Translation Frameworks Illustrated

    This post has been viewed 11 time(s).