GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.

Video: Final Fantasy Creator's Fictional Hip-Hop Journey, as Told by Mega64

Watch the hilarious tale of how Hironobu Sakaguchi thought up the early Final Fantasy games.

43 Comments

The story of the original Final Fantasy and its name is well known: Hironobu Sakaguchi created the game and titled it as such because he planned to leave the games industry if it didn't sell well. It did perform strongly, and Sakaguchi went on to make, well, quite a few follow-ups.

Sakaguchi was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at this week's Game Developers Choice Awards. To celebrate the occasion, Mega64 put together a hilarious video recapping how Square may have gotten him to make so many Final Fantasy games despite his dream of becoming a hip-hop artist. You can watch it above.

In addition to the many Final Fantasy games he worked on, Sakaguchi has also been involved with the development of Xenogears, Vagrant Story, and Legend of Mana. After leaving Square, he founded developer Mistwalker, which has gone on to make Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey, The Last Story, and his current project, mobile RPG Terra Battle.

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

Join the conversation
There are 43 comments about this story
43 Comments  RefreshSorted By 
GameSpot has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to toxic conduct in comments. Any abusive, racist, sexist, threatening, bullying, vulgar, and otherwise objectionable behavior will result in moderation and/or account termination. Please keep your discussion civil.

Avatar image for deactivated-5b69bebd1b0b6
deactivated-5b69bebd1b0b6

6176

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Strange how they left out FF8 and FF9 from this video but I guess they didn't want it to drag on.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Thanatos2k
Thanatos2k

17660

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

You want to know why Square sucks now? Because this man doesn't work there anymore.

2 • 
Avatar image for senjutsu
senjutsu

1206

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 29

User Lists: 0

Kinda funny, I loved the reasons for FF7 haha. "Only one nice person, let's make it a girl, and then... we murder the girl!' haha really cool stuff. Loved all those games but FFV (needed grinding, I hate to grind and FFV needed a lot). I CANNOT UNDERSTAND why Sakaguchi isn't coming back to Playstation. I've started Playing on this console with FF7, and did all NES/SNES games after FFIX. Really, he would make SO MUCH MONEY on PS4 (he's get at least 60$ from me lol). Really... we need this Sakaguchi!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Darkmoone1
Darkmoone1

2845

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 6

User Lists: 0

Final Fantasy movies were ahead of their time.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for j12456788
J12456788

65

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

So a washed up video game programmer team up with a crappy comedy team to make to make a crappy comedy video good for him

Upvote • 
Avatar image for phimseto
phimseto

267

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >> That "washed up" developer accomplished more with just this video than you will in your entire life.

6 • 
Avatar image for Freedomination
Freedomination

65

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

That range of emotions.. Oscar next?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Monsterkillah
Monsterkillah

662

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 6

User Lists: 0

This is so funny haha

Go mr sakaguchi and megas you guys rock

Upvote • 
Avatar image for z471
z471

33

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 13

User Lists: 1

I did a search on this guy, apparently Square stopped making good games and became Square Enix when he left them. Is this a coincidence?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for maitkarro
maitkarro

1517

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >> That's just the nostalgia talking. They're all awesome in their own way.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for j12456788
J12456788

65

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

<< LINK REMOVED >> uh your wrong Squar has put out a bunch of good games after that has been left

Upvote • 
Avatar image for deactivated-58e3156c76d0d
deactivated-58e3156c76d0d

174

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

<< LINK REMOVED >> Well, Enix was a different company that merged with them. I'm sure he's old and rich now to be fair.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for jlomay
JLomay

26

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

lol!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for gargungulunk
gargungulunk

736

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 3

This is the funniest video I've seen in a long time.

I love his approach for FF6 & FF7...



3 • 
Avatar image for sylveon128
Sylveon128

99

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

He is the best and I did not know he helped with xenogear .i also liked final fantasy 1-6 and to bad we won't get that quality again because square want to milk it and now final fantasy is a joke.

2 • 
Avatar image for mnm59501
mnm59501

28

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I have never played Tera Battle, but I have some good things to say about Mr. Sakaguchi. All of his games have gotten me through some tough times in my life. I want him to know that I appreciate everything he has done for me. His great storytelling abilities have practically saved my life. More than once. He's one of my heroes.

2 • 
Avatar image for doozie78
Doozie78

1123

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 5

This right here was the best thing I've seen come from Squeenix in decades. Just make one more!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for nayce54
nayce54

345

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

I still think Wiz Khalifa's rap song for Mortal Kombat X reveal trailer was epic!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for HonorOfGod
HonorOfGod

1410

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 7

User Lists: 0

Sakaguchi San I know you don't remember but you did reply to one of the comments I left you on Facebook about making a comeback to Square .. forget that!! just use Mistwalker (the new squaresoft) and make more RPGs on consoles please!!


Btw I dont use FB anymore but thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me, you are a very kind person. THANK YOU! ..now go make some RPGS!!
6 • 
Avatar image for bunchanumbers
bunchanumbers

5709

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 11

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >> That is so cool! Its gotta be like being touched by god. You are right though he needs to come back to consoles. I would love another lost odyssey or last story.

2 • 
Avatar image for HonorOfGod
HonorOfGod

1410

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 7

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> Yeah! it was neat but I doubt he remembers me do since he gets so much comments and stuff. I think my question was about FF7 and him going back into SE to make it and he told me something like that what I was asking was deep or something like that and that the answer ..something something .. I forgot but he put it in nice words. Very nice guy.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for BrunoBRS
BrunoBRS

74156

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 6

User Lists: 0

my GDC stream died the moment this sketch started, so thanks for that :P

Upvote • 
Avatar image for theteaface
theteaface

172

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

It was great that Sakaguchi gave a special thank you to Mega64 when he received his life time achievement.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for iandizion713
iandizion713

16025

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 14

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >> yeah that was truly awesome. you could tell he meant it.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for xOmniCloudx
xOmniCloudx

1062

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

That was hilarious and had no idea Sakaguchi was so cool to do something like this.

3 • 
Avatar image for deactivated-5b69bebd1b0b6
deactivated-5b69bebd1b0b6

6176

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Okay that was effing hilarious. I commend this man for going through with this.

2 • 
Avatar image for Vexov
Vexov

220

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 17

User Lists: 0

lol


Upvote • 
Avatar image for drumjod
drumjod

855

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

This video just elevated Sakaguchi to hero status for me. Love that guy.

12 • 
Avatar image for camou504
Camou504

720

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

"It's Sakaguchi rockin gucci with a hoochie on the side as we ride to the club where I'm loved all the time"

Thats two bars from his debut album called "Life After Square"

3 • 
Avatar image for warriors30
Warriors30

967

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

7/10, "Good"

THE GOOD

- It's really funny

THE BAD

- "Hip-Hop Journey"? I didn't find one.

2 • 
Avatar image for SoulScribe
SoulScribe

302

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

\nnn/ SakaGUCCI! \nnn/

Upvote • 
Avatar image for SoulScribe
SoulScribe

302

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

\nnn/ SakaGUCCI! \nnn/

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Renunciation
Renunciation

1216

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 12

User Lists: 0

This video greatly exceeded my expectations. I am overwhelmed with amusement and laughter to the point where I cannot think of anything better to write than this.

That is all.

13 • 
Avatar image for bunchanumbers
bunchanumbers

5709

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 11

User Lists: 0

People just were not ready for CG movies like they are today.

7 • 
Avatar image for Renunciation
Renunciation

1216

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 12

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >> I'm not convinced that The Spirits Within ultimately failed just because it was a CG movie. What led to its failure, in my opinion, is that it just wasn't sexy enough. Low "Michael Bay factor", if you will. No gratuitous "fan service", either. In short, it wasn't "Hollywood" enough.

Don't get me wrong, non-"Hollywood" films can occasionally become big hits and rake in a lot of money. They can become classics. There's got to be some strong point of appeal, however, outside of "Oh cool, nice CG graphics." The Spirits Within didn't quite have that extra appeal.

I actually have a rather strong dislike for the Hollywood (or "American") style films, but -- like certain AAA video game series in spite of their unoriginality -- they do rake in the cash, and that's a rather crucial thing for a "successful" film to do.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Doomerang
Doomerang

293

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> Not even close. Spirits Within failed because it was advertised as a Final Fantasy movie, hyped as a final fantasy movie.... and ended up not really having any elements of Final Fantasy (aside from a few name drops) at all.


General consensus between people who I've talked to about the movie is that the movie would've done much better had they just gone with "The Spirits Within" for the name and not hyped it as a Final Fantasy movie.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Renunciation
Renunciation

1216

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 12

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> That's a rather valid statement, and it would be silly for me to disagree with it --- so I won't.

However, isn't it also a bit silly to assume that one single reason prevented it from being a success?

Would you feel confident to say, "If the movie had been done in a blockbuster Hollywood style, it would still have been a commercial failure because it was marketed to Final Fantasy fans." ...?

If there is enough drive for a movie to be profitable, it will seek to reach outside its target audience. Some people call that "selling out", and that's exactly what it is -- but if you can do it tastefully, you're a genius. Ultimately, a movie about Final Fantasy failed to satisfy its fanbase and failed to draw any 'outsiders' into its fanbase (i.e., through Hollywood tactics).

Upvote • 
Avatar image for drumjod
drumjod

855

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >> If The Spirits Within didn't cost so much it wouldn't have been seen as such a huge failure. It did pull in $85 million in the box office. I thought the movie was pretty bland but enjoyed Advent Children quite a bit. The fact it was CG wasn't the problem. Toy Story came out 6 years earlier and costed about one fourth as much to make and pulled in more than four times as much money.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for SphinxDemon
SphinxDemon

96

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Gamespot needs to fix its video player for mobile. It downright sucks and 80% of the videos don't work.

3 • 
Avatar image for deactivated-64efdf49333c4
deactivated-64efdf49333c4

21783

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 36

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >> I never watch videos off GS. Just go to YouTube.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for iandizion713
iandizion713

16025

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 14

User Lists: 0

This was the best and only good joke at the GDC awards show. Tim Schafer was straight garbage. But this shat was epic and set the internet on fire in a good way.

2 •