The polygonal reimagining of Final Fantasy III, developed by Matrix Software, debuted on the Nintendo DS portable console in 2006, and received ports for PlayStation Portable, iOS and Android devices. New character designs by Final Fantasy Tactics illustrator Akihiko Yoshida serve to endow each of the four Onion Knights—Luneth, Arc, Refia, and Ingus—with distinct appearance and personality traits.
The Windows port, also available through Steam, includes an auto-battle function and a 2x increased speed mode for enemy encounters as quality-of-life features. Also included are a monster bestiary and achievements to unlock. The Windows edition's Gallery feature includes illustrations, character art, and a music player for playback of the arranged soundtrack.
Design for the remake builds upon the framework of the 1990 Famicom role-playing game, the first in the franchise to feature the job system. Four player characters decked out in plumed helmets acquire specialized skills by gaining experience in a variety of roles, including mage, thief and summoner.
The original development team was overseen by director Hironobu Sakaguchi, with designer Hiromichi Tanaka, programmer Nasir Gebelli, character designer Yoshitaka Amano, and scenario writer Kenji Terada contributing toward the design.
Original music is composed by Nobuo Uematsu, and treated within the 3D remake to arrangements by Tsuyoshi Sekito and Keiji Kawamori, with Yasuhiro Yamanaka serving as synthesizer operator. The full 61-track soundtrack is streaming on the Apple Music, Spotify and Amazon Music Unlimited. An eight-minute crossfade trailer is streaming on the Square Enix Music YouTube channel.
From the GOG product page:
When darkness falls and the land is robbed of light, four youths are chosen by the crystals to set forth on a journey to save the world. Experience FINAL FANTASY III on PC, featuring stunning 3D visuals and story sequences, plus Achievements.GOG.com - Final Fantasy III (3D Remake)
CDJapan - Final Fantasy III Nintendo DS Soundtrack CD + DVD
Apple Music - Final Fantasy III Nintendo DS (Streaming)
Final Fantasy III launched for the Nintendo DS console 17 years ago, on this date. The digital soundtrack is streaming on #Spotify and Amazon Music Unlimited: https://t.co/8m9PkoUfo6 pic.twitter.com/plyFPK043k
— The Ongaku (@TheOngaku) August 25, 2023