We all know how much Square Enix loves to port games, and Final Fantasy IV is one of its favorites to rerelease. Since it’s original appearance on the SNES, the RPG has appeared on the PlayStation, Wonderswan Color, Game Boy Advance, cell phones, Wii Virtual Console, DS and now finally on the PSP. Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection is definitely the most complete of the batch, as it not only contains the original Final Fantasy IV, but also Final Fantasy IV: The After Years, the episodic sequel, and an all new episode that bridges the 17 year gap between the two games.

If you need another copy of Final Fantasy IV in your life, then Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection will be the last one you’ll ever have to buy…

If you’re a Final Fantasy fan, then just look away. You don’t want to read this. If you do, then you’ll start getting that familiar pang in the back of your head that will slowly compel you to pick up another copy of Final Fantasy IV, even though you own the original SNES game and you still haven’t finished the DS remake. Are you still here? Well, don’t say I didn’t warn you…

I hope you have room in your hearts for another incarnation of Final Fantasy IV. Well, I guess it doesn’t really matter if you do or don’t. Square Enix is going to release Final Fantasy IV: Complete Collection anyway. The news was just revealed in the Japanese V Jump magazine, and this could be the mystery title Square Enix was teasing for Jump Festa 11.

At least this time, Final Fantasy IV: Complete Collection will have some new content worth purchasing…

Now that July 6, 2009 has passed, Final Fantasy IV: The After Years players have quite a few additional story options. Square Enix has made four additional chapters available so far: Rydia’s Tale, Yang’s Tale, Palom’s Tale and Edge’s Tale. Each additional story is 300 points (US$3) via WiIWare.

While the downloadable content screen in the game offers a brief summation of the events that take place in all the additional tales available, sometimes that information isn’t enough. So, in an effort to assist FFIV: The After Years players, I’ve purchased and played through all four add-on tales. A brief summary of each story, what characters appear as party members and notable aspects or features of each story. I also state whether or not I recommend that particular piece of downloadable content. And don’t worry about spoilers! The whole article is spoiler-free…

Back in 1991, Final Fantasy II/Final Fantasy IV was released for the SNES. So, it is only fitting that 18 years later Final Fantasy IV: The After Years be released as a WiiWare game. For those who remember playing the original game back on their SNES systems, it resurrects fond memories of those days and experiences.

At the same time, it’s also a wonderful game for new fans who discovered Final Fantasy IV through the PlayStation, Game Boy Advance or DS remakes of the game. The only thing is, the first portion is only a sampling. The initial 800 point purchase includes Ceodore, Cecil and Kain’s stories, known as “Return of the Moon,” “The Last of the Red Wings” and “Return of the Dragoon.”

It’s going to be a very busy E3 for Square Enix this year. The company is going to be showcasing 10 games this year, among them the elusive NIER, Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers. Surprisingly, there’s no sign of The 3rd Birthday, Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep or Final Fantasy XIII: Versus.

The lineup of games that will be appearing is very robust, and covers every video game platform except the PlayStation 2. So, chances are Square Enix fans will find something to oogle at the event. Personally, I’m excited to see the Final Fantasy WiiWare games, NIER and Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days will be there.

Let’s look over the 10 games Square Enix has stated will be appearing at E3 2009…

Square Enix has combined an expected announcement with two unexpected ones. We all knew that the Final Fantasy IV cell phone game sequel, Final Fantasy IV: The After Years was headed to Wiiware. We’ve now learned it won’t be alone. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King’s sequel, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a Darklord will be joining it on Wiiware and the original NES Final Fantasy will be released on Virtual Console. I guess somebody’s going to have to start charging up Wii Points. All three games currently have a 2009 release window, with no exact release dates or prices mentioned.

Hi Square-Enix,

How’ve you been? Eidos take-over going well? I can’t wait to see Lara Croft in Kingdom Hearts.

Listen, I really want to thank you for the forthcoming Wii version of Final Fantasy IV: The After Years. Really. I never buy cell phone games and don’t own an iPhone, so I was worried that you’d have put it on one of those portable systems and I’d never get to play it.

But you came through like a champ – choosing to release all of the episodes/chapters/segments of Final Fantasy IV: The After: Tsuki no Kikan on the Wii. I can’t wait to see what adventures Cecil and Rosa’s son Ceodore will get into, why the second Lunarian Moon is appearing in the sky again and how he, the new heroes and the returning heroes will once again save the world.

Rest assured – it’s a day-one purchase for me.

But – there’s always a “but” – I’m still troubled. Perplexed even.

Where’s a localized version of Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII?