The groundbreaking franchise started with these two: Final Fantasy (l) and Final Fantasy II. All images © 1987, 1988, 2007 Square Enix Co., Ltd. Illustration: © 1987, 1988, 2007 Yoshitaka Amano. (PRnewsfoto/Squar

For some of us, 1987 doesn't seem that long ago. Women wore big hair and bigger shoulder pads while guys, then as now, were getting addicted to videogames. One game in particular caught on like wildfire -- Final Fantasy, which launched 20 years ago.

"So much has changed within the video game industry since the first console was launched, and Final Fantasy has always pushed the envelope, creating the most advanced graphics and immersive storylines possible," says exec producer Shinji Hashimoto.

Originally released in Japan in 1987, Final Fantasy has been hailed by gamers and critics alike as one of the first role-playing games to create a fantasy world to capture the imagination of players around the globe. Its subsequent sequels and spin-offs have brought new worlds and characters together with impressive graphics and storylines, leading to more than 75 million units in worldwide shipments.

Originally released in Japan in 1987, Final Fantasy has been hailed by gamers and critics alike as one of the first role-playing games to create a fantasy world to capture the imagination of players around the globe.

In addition, the Final Fantasy series has generated its own subculture with the release of 28 console, online and handheld games, two CG-animated films and 49 music soundtracks worldwide.

Final Fantasy came in at #7 of the top 10 fads for last year, according to Lycos' annual list of its top 50 search terms for 2006.

Refreshing the Franchise
In 2007, the franchise is celebrating its birthday by returning to its roots -- refreshed, and on a new platform. Square Enix Inc. will be releasing completely re-mastered anniversary editions of Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy II, exclusively for the PSP system. Final Fantasy will ship to retailers across North America on June 26, 2007, and Final Fantasy II will ship to retailers on July 24, 2007. Both of the classic titles, each with a suggested retail price of $29.99, contain entirely new content.

The anniversary editions feature all-new character art, updated graphics, new dungeons, full 16:9 wide-screen presentation and an updated camera view that gives players a renewed vantage point.

Part of Final Fantasy's appeal is that while characters may appear in sequels, subsequent games are not direct retreads of the original concept. Above is a battle scene from Final Fantasy VII.

The game has 20 years' worth of stories to tell, but it all began with the first Final Fantasy. That video game follows four young warriors, each possessing a Crystal, who are summoned to bring the world back to a harmonious elemental balance. During their voyages, the young warriors discover that a nefarious entity has created turmoil in the structure of time in order to take control of the world, causing the heroes to travel to places they never imagined possible.

Part of Final Fantasy's appeal is that while characters may appear in sequels, subsequent games are not direct retreads of the original concept. In Final Fantasy II, a malevolent emperor calls up monsters from a demonic realm to take over the world. Children become orphaned during the attacks, and four young survivors take it upon themselves to stop the merciless ruler and avenge the death of their parents.

The first two Final Fantasy adventures are not the only ones getting repackaged treatment. Last November, Square Enix released Final Fantasy XI Vana'diel Collection 2007, containing the stand-alone game and the Rise of the Zilart, Chains of Promathia and Treasures of Aht Urhgan expansion packs, plus a fold-out Quick Manual with a world map and a starter's guide, combined in one $29.99 package.