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Final Fantasy XIII hits Japan Dec. 17

  • By Staff, GameSpot
  • Posted Sep 8, 2009 9:11 am PT

The epic JRPG will arrive in island nation both solo and bundled with PS3 console; Square Enix still shooting for NA, EU release in spring 2010.

TOKYO--It has been a tortuously long wait for gamers eager to get their hands on Final Fantasy XIII. With the title not due out until spring of 2010 in Europe and North America, only Japanese gamers could look forward to seeing Square Enix's epic role-playing game this year.

The wait is almost over...in Japan.

The wait is almost over...in Japan.

At a special event in Tokyo today, Square Enix announced that FFXIII, which is PlayStation 3-exclusive in Japan, will be hitting Japanese shelves on December 17 for a price of 8,800 yen ($95, £58) pretax. The date and price were also confirmed on the game's official Japanese site.

Japanese gamers will also be treated to a bundle containing the new PS3 Slim and a copy of the game. No details on pricing were announced. Similarly unclear is whether the pack would feature a special-edition console similar to earlier Final Fantasy Advent Children bundles.

Square Enix CEO Yoichi Wada sets the date.

Square Enix CEO Yoichi Wada sets the date.

Unfortunately, the publisher did not confirm an exact release date for Western markets but did say it was shooting for a spring 2010 release window, as it has indicated in the past.

"We can't announce any specific dates yet," FFXIII executive producer Yoshinori Kitase said at the event. "But in the past, it took about a half a year to a year. We're hoping that this time, we can release it with only about one season's worth of a delay."

The spring 2010 date comes despite Square Enix's previous promises to speed up localization of FFXIII, which will be released on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 simultaneously in North America and Europe.

Also on hand at the event was Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Kaz Hirai, who played up the long-standing synergy between the Final Fantasy series and PlayStation consoles. The event was also used to unveil FFXIII's new theme song and a new energy drink, Final Fantasy XIII Elixir.

296 Comments

  • 5Jedi5diah5

    Posted Dec 17, 2009 8:39 pm GMT

    MS screwed FF up!

  • az32216

    Posted Sep 24, 2009 10:35 am GMT

    I wonder if it will be $95 in US as well.

  • cytheh

    Posted Sep 16, 2009 12:03 am GMT

    @ knicknut17 :

    Unfortunately, not only they will not have english sub title in japanese version, But It appears that they will not have japanese voice over+english subtitle option in the English version. Also, you can't go back to many of the areas where you went at the beginning of the game.
    Why? Not because they want to make the game so, because they said that there's no enough Space on a DVD, so they have to cut out those options to make the game "fair" for both console. So i guess if you look at your Blue Ray Disk, you will see that 9 G is used and the rest of the space on the disk is empty... Man! thanks a lot, M$oft. i wonder if nintendo managed to get ffxiii will they tune down the graphic on both ps3 and 360 version so it will be same for all 3 console.

  • AnelZukic

    Posted Sep 13, 2009 5:20 am GMT

    This will be the first FF main title that will come out in the same time out in NA and over here (Europa), so I'm glad to see that . The game looks epic, to bad it will not probably be bundled with the PS3 'cause it's a multiconsole game in the west, I'm gonna get it for the PS3, Square once went from Nintendo to Sony and probably if I would have played in that time it would be hard for me to change the console for a game, that's the reason why I will buy the PS3 version

    $95, that was something I already planned, my first guess was $85, so it isn't something that I care too much and I'm probably getting the game on the release date I hope it comes on the release date in my country (Bosnia-Herzegovina)

  • TheRightToPlay

    Posted Sep 11, 2009 4:31 pm GMT

    @IronMC

    And why would it hinder your experience?

  • Alter_Echo

    Posted Sep 11, 2009 8:38 am GMT

    As long as the rest of the process has taken i honestly wouldnt expect this to be stateside any earlier than Q3 2010.

  • Blu-Fan-Boy

    Posted Sep 11, 2009 4:07 am GMT

    i love Final Fantasy but this game better be bloody epic making us wait nearly 6 years since they announced it back in 2003

  • IronMC

    Posted Sep 10, 2009 11:55 pm GMT

    @TheRightToPlay:

    You CAN complain if a multi-console release seriously hinders YOUR experience on your preferred system.

  • knicknut17

    Posted Sep 10, 2009 5:46 pm GMT

    I would seriously like to know if they would possibly offer English subtitles and menus for this game...If I can understand the story and the game mechanics, I might just import the Japanese version of Final Fantasy XIII. Thank goodness for PS3 region-free encoding.

  • TheRightToPlay

    Posted Sep 10, 2009 4:55 pm GMT

    Somebody explain to me:

    Why the hell do people have a problem with it being released on both consoles? I mean, it's a video game. It's great other people get to play it if they only have an Xbox 360. I mean, do you just like having that boost to your ego by saying you can play this game, but other people can't? Come on people, you shouldn't care if it gets released on more systems.

  • cjasko94

    Posted Sep 10, 2009 1:58 pm GMT

    I never liked the FF series. Don't know why. Just couldn't get into it. But I got to say this game looks epic. Anyone, I know FF13 is on both Xbox3Fixme, and PS3. But is FF14 on PS3 only?

  • brendanhunt1

    Posted Sep 10, 2009 1:39 pm GMT

    $95 ???

  • zinoalex

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 8:27 pm GMT

    In this day and age, for a company not to release a major title simultainously in Japan and NA.shows lack of planning of their part.When was the last time you heard of Japan having to wait 4-6 months for an American release.(unless it's a movie of CD).Region protection should not be an issue.

  • scarface_dm

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 7:58 pm GMT

    why would u even want to hear the japanese voices to begin with???
    everytime I hear a game with japanese voice-overs it makes me lol for some reason, which would ruin the game for me!!

  • gilbertus

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 7:30 pm GMT

    Great news, seems they are keeping their word, so most likely well see FFXIII by the end of April or begining of May, thats my guess anyway.

  • izmickey

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 6:51 pm GMT

    im dying to play final fantasy XIII versus...those japanese people are lucky. I hope they can give us the japanese voice option with english subtitles.

  • Toggy

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 6:11 pm GMT

    There are some places here in Tokyo that sell the preorder for around 7500 yen. Which is roughly 1500 yen off what they want to sell the game at. Which is about $100.00 US of course. Crazy, but I can see the lines already for this one in Yodabashi :-p

  • jeffokiecorry2

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 4:30 pm GMT

    @ Kleeyook
    It's expensive, but I paid over $80 in 1994 for Final Fantasy III (now VI)...
    It was a lot of money, but man...
    It sure was a great game. And, the used market wasn't quite as accessible as it is now. Thank goodness for internet...
    That said, I REALLY hope I don't have to pay that much for this in the States. But...
    I still might...
    I hope not though.

  • aero250

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 4:23 pm GMT

    Lucky them!

  • snaggleoooo

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 3:59 pm GMT

    I hope FFXIII is coming out in Australia at the same time as in NA and Europe. We tend to get a raw deal with releases at times.

  • Decepticon_11

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 3:25 pm GMT

    Lucky bastards

  • Zerosumgame

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 3:19 pm GMT

    Japanese games = winner.

  • scarface_dm

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 2:40 pm GMT

    Im excited to play FF on my 360 cant wait

  • Early-Dayz

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 1:54 pm GMT

    maaan i cant wait....

  • slipknot611

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 1:42 pm GMT

    Personally, I just find it highly amusing that Microsoft made them delay this game here and in the UK for so long that there's a strong possibility that FFXIV will actually release before FFXIII ever does. The FFXIV team is actually talking beta testing before the end of the year, so seriously, Square... was it worth it?

  • lionheart234

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 1:17 pm GMT

    sweet..........! xD
    something to look forward to now in 2010.....

  • FinalDuo1886

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 12:01 pm GMT

    @simmeon1 Cause they make it. I'm excited, but not that excited. Versus is where it's at, when it comes out!

  • angeloti83

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 10:54 am GMT

    It`s nice and looove girls but i`d rather have a guy as the main character, don`t take it personal though.

  • Yuck_Too

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 10:41 am GMT

    @santinegrete

    lol...the reason it's turn based is because all the old diehard FF fans aged a couple decades and lost their reflexes

    And while the game is region free unless you speak and read Japanese it's not going to matter much.

  • Kleeyook

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 9:55 am GMT

    Why does it cost almost $100 there? It's a rip-off!

  • santinegrete

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 9:52 am GMT

    I would be very interested if the battle system were not turn based (the reason for I stopped playing FFVII). That kind of combat is too old and overused for this generation, unless you can pull something funny with it. Just like Valkyria Chronicles and Eternal Sonata did.

  • jmaxdeathscythe

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 9:43 am GMT

    one more reason why i need to learn japanese

  • joynul

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 8:55 am GMT

    finally fixed dates

  • krytorii

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 8:46 am GMT

    I can understand a difference in release dates, the script is written in japanese and needs to be translated, but why on earth does it take a whole season? I understand using one translator for consistency but surely the script is finalized before the characters lip animations are done? surely it would be quicker if they translated the scripts at the first oppurtunity...

    I have no problem about it being on Xbox, but wasnt it delayed cos of microsoft? why do both versions have to be released at the same time when the game was originally made for ps3 and ported?

  • McGregor

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 8:43 am GMT

    This game and GoW3 are 2 great reasons to own a PS3! I know you can get it on xbox, but let's face it; they built it for the PS3. Can we say system seller?

  • rayjapan

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 8:05 am GMT

    @DamnedApples

    No, the PS3 does not have region protection; I have played USA games on a Japanese console before. Or...at least, USA and Japan are within the same gaming region (which is different from BluRay and DVD region)...all very confusing! The language will be a problem, though...

  • arvbtx

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 8:04 am GMT

    @DamnedApples Ps3 is region free.

  • DamnedApples

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 7:51 am GMT

    @dantespower

    I believe that both the PS3 and 360 have region protection so I don't think it will. Unless you have a Japanese console then it's gonna be a longer wait.

  • EvSolo

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 7:15 am GMT

    @arsefacey

    Why does it annoy you that this isn't an exclusive title? You can still play the game, and now i can also play it on my 360. Being on multiple platforms does not restrict you from enjoying the experience whatsoever. Is it just to 'chest-pump' saying ha ha only ps3 has it?

  • dantespower

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 7:14 am GMT

    well i'm really not sure, but the japanese version will be playable on an american PS3??? and it will it be completely in japanese??? "#$% square-enix BRING THE GAME TO US TOO!!!!!

  • DaGamingDude

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 6:14 am GMT

    lucky japanese dudes -.-

  • simmeon1

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 6:10 am GMT

    Man,Japanese guys always get the best stuff first

  • jmaxdeathscythe

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 5:34 am GMT

    @Excedra

    ..says the man with the Gears avatar

  • lokesc

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 5:09 am GMT

    Frankly, FFXIII should make it exclusive for PS3. The 360 just doesn't cut it. For a start...why the he** u need it in 3 disc span interupting the experience.

    Square may need to scale back some stuff just to make all platforms are consistent which in a way diminishing the raw power of PS3. I'm not antagonizing 360 cuz I own both platforms but 360 is restricted and causing way too much problems on its hardware than ur mom can blink.

  • rockutd

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 4:32 am GMT

    Where did the multiple releases go???

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