Square Enix Reveals Final Fantasy IV’s 1989 NES Origins Before SNES Shift
Final Fantasy IV didn’t start life as the SNES classic players know today. In a recent discussion, Square Enix revealed that development began in 1989 with an original plan for the NES, before “unexpected changes” pushed the project onto the SNES. The shift ultimately shaped the game’s look and early set pieces, including the way the story opens.
Producer Takashi Tokita said work kicked off in ’89 and that the overall development stretch was unusually long for the era. He explained that while the project was intended for the NES at the start, it later ended up on the SNES due to unforeseen changes. When development continued, there was also a clear momentum behind using the hardware’s capabilities rather than sticking with the original platform intent.
Hironobu “Kitase” added context on how the SNES version took form after he joined the project. By the time he became involved, the game was already being made for the SNES. He pointed to a trade show hosted by toy wholesalers and distributors—later known as Nintendo Space World—where flashy demos highlighted the SNES’s Mode 7 feature. That capability, which could enlarge, shrink, and rotate backgrounds, caught the attention of producer Hironobu Sakaguchi, who insisted the team take advantage of it.
Kitase said this decision influenced key visuals, including how the opening airship scene came together. He recalled witnessing the moment directly, describing it as something that happened shortly after he joined the company, reinforcing how early technical choices became part of the game’s signature presentation.
Today, players can revisit Final Fantasy IV as part of the Pixel Remaster series, available on Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch.
