E3 06: Final Fantasy V Advance Preshow Report

With the successful translation of Final Fantasy IV to the Game Boy Advance last year, it seemed only a matter of time before the rest of the 16-bit Final Fantasy games made an appearance on the handheld. We have the first details on the upcoming Final Fantasy V Advance, which is especially noteworthy since the game wasn't released in the US until it appeared in the Final Fantasy Anthology collection in 1999 on the PlayStation. For many Final Fantasy fans, this will be the first time that they can experience one of the lesser-known Final Fantasy games in the series.

Final Fantasy V follows the story of five characters who are trying to save the world from an evil sorcerer known as Exdeath. The game plays similarly to other Final Fantasy games, with random encounters and active time battles. You can take up to four characters into battle, and in a slight departure from the norm, you can choose to train each of your characters in a variety of job classes. Similarly to Final Fantasy Tactics, Final Fantasy V lets you train a character in two jobs at once, gaining special abilities and skills depending on the job. This level of customization is unique to a Final Fantasy game, but otherwise, fans of the series won't find too many surprises in Final Fantasy V.

Just as in Final Fantasy IV Advance, this game is getting the full treatment, rather than a simple port. According to Square Enix, the game will feature some brand-new job classes, as well as new dungeons. Additionally, you can expect to see minor tweaks to the overall presentation of the game.

We'll bring you more details as they become available. Final Fantasy V Advance is currently scheduled to be released in 2006.