Yoshi = Male
Birdo in NA = Male
Birdo everywhere else = Female

One of the best Final Fantasy games ever made, you should really play it.

+Great Storyline
+Great Combat System
+Great Cast of Characters
+Great Art Style (imo)
+Great Music
+Great Environments

-On 4 discs which swapping is kind of a pain
-Art style might not be a popular thing for many
-Main villain isnt as developed or popular as other villains like Kefka/Sephiroth

Been a fan of the series since 1991 but didnt get into the series until 2003 when I purchased my first Final Fantasy game(s) which were FFIX and FFX.

I played FFIV and FFVI on the SNES in the 1990s but didnt get to actually own it (was renting).

My most favorite Final Fantasy games (mainline series) include:

1. Final Fantasy VI (SNES-GBA)
2. Final Fantasy IX (PSX)
3. Final Fantasy VII (PSX)
4. Final Fantasy X (PS2)
5. Final Fantasy IV (SNES-GBA)
6. Final Fantasy XII (PS2)
7. Final Fantasy VIII (PSX)
8. Final Fantasy V (SNES-GBA)
9. Final Fantasy I (GBA-PSX-PSP)
10. Final Fantasy XIII (PS3)
11. Final Fantasy III (NES-NDS)
12. Final Fantasy II (GBA-PSX-PSP)

Havent played FFXI or FFXIV cause their MMORPGs T.T

Spinoff wise my top favorites include:

1. Final Fantasy Tactics/War of the Lions (PSX-PSP)
2. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (GBA)
3. Final Fantasy Legend III (GBC)
4. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles (GCN)
5. Final Fantasy Mystic Quest (SNES)
6. Final Fantasy Adventure (GBC)

Still a few others I played didnt list them.

Spinoffs on Mainline series

1. Final Fantasy Dissidia/Dissidia 2
2. Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core
3. Final Fantasy X-2
4. Final Fantasy XII Revenant Wings

Again missed a few yet to play them but do own them.

I've watched both movies (didnt like the Spirits one, but loved advent children).

Watched a bit of the recent anime too.

You cant increase the difficulty but you can make Lavos strong by fighting it one on one with Crono or with just Crono+Marle at the beginning.

Depends on the system and how you value graphics.

NES
Final Fantasy III
Dragon Quest/Warrior IV

SNES
Final Fantasy II (IV)
Final Fantasy III (VI)
Breath of Fire I
Chrono Trigger
Earthbound
Dragon Quest/Warrior V
Super Mario RPG

N64
Paper Mario

GB/GBC
Final Fantasy Legend III
Pokemon Yellow
Pokemon Crystal

GBA
Breath of Fire I
Golden Sun I
Pokemon Emerald
Final Fantasy IV Advance
Final Fantasy VI Advance

NDS
Final Fantasy III
Final Fantasy IV
Pokemon Platinum
Pokemon Black/White
Dragon Quest IV
Dragon Quest V
Chrono Trigger

PSX/PS1
Final Fantasy VII
Breath of Fire III
Chrono Cross

PS2
Final Fantasy X
Disgaea Hour of Darkness

PSP
Final Fantasy I Anniversary
Breath of Fire III

I'll list my top 5 favorite ones

1. Super Mario World (SNES)
2. Super Mario Bros 3 (NES)
3. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii)
4. Super Mario 64 (N64)
5. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)

Street Fighter: Ryu, Evil Ryu, Akuma
Darkstalkers: Morrigan, Lilith, Jedah, Demitri, John Talbain
Tekken 5/DR: Devil Jin, Lili
Tekken 6: Devil Jin
Soul Calibur 2: Link, Nightmare/Siegfried
Super Smash Bros: Kirby, Link, Mario
Super Smash Bros Melee: Link, Fox, Mario
Super Smash Bros Brawl: Link, Wolf, Mario, Ike
Marvel VS Capcom 2: Cable, Morrigan, Ryu, Akuma, Strider
Guilty Gear: Sol Badguy
Dead or Alive: Kasumi, Ryu Hayabusa
King of Fighters: K'

Not too familiar with Sega's characters other than the Sonic series and the Streets of Rage series.

But I would love to see some representation from SoR and Shining Force!

As much as I want AC3 to be GOTY, I believe Halo 4 will have the last laugh. The game is so heavily hyped, advertised and talked about more than even AC3.

Pretty sure the sales will reflect it as well.