https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL144B5ADEE40FDFA5

Final Fantasy III (the real one, for the NES) was never released outside of Japan before the early 2000s, when it was released on hand-held devices like the DS. Other than better graphics, I read that the story was actually improved – the four heroes actually have more than one dimension. The music was also largely improve and, thanks to modern arrangements makes the game even greater.

And by modernization, I mean something even better than Final Fantasy Origins for the PSX. The arrangements are much more faithful to the original (not that the prolonged loops were any bad), and it even rivals with more modern FF games. The Enterprise Soars in the Sky, for example, now sounds just as epic as Highwind in Final Fantasy VII thanks to very realistic (and epic) violin arrangements and a quicker tempo than the original. Forbidden Land Eureka now sounds much more “forbidden” and mysterious, thanks in part to low-tone strings and a female choir in the background. Speaking of which, it made Crystal Tower sounds much more like an actual final dungeon (although not as dramatic as Castle Pandemonium in Final Fantasy II Origins).

This has also profited such classics as the Prelude. It’s still only the short NES loop, but now the harp (although it’s a little too quick) actually sounds like one; Final Fantasy IX didn’t have it as good with its sloth tempo. The battle theme isn’t dominated by drums anymore; the upbeat violins make for a more epic battle feeling instead. Likewise, violins dominate the victory fanfare rather than drums which makes the theme more triumphant. And the opening theme (the Final Fantasy Theme) now sounds much solemn and epic with its violins.

Although not as epic, many other tracks did profit from a modern lift up. In some cases, the music sounds even more relaxing. Hometown of Ur has very excellent flute arrangements and even some harp in the background that make the village sound very welcoming and calm. Even Kids Run through the City (Final Fantasy VI) couldn’t quite capture such a welcoming feeling. “Water themes” like Boundless Ocean, Elia, Alm and Submarine Nautilus all have even more appropriate intonations and impressions of vastness associated with such themes.

In other cases the light-heartedness is felt even more. The Chocobo theme incorporates harmonica and the guitar makes the beat quicker, showing the actual good time you have when riding those yellow birds. Swift Twist also incorporates harmonica (and even electric guitar!), and the beat is much more appropriate for dancing than on the NES. Finally the Four Old Men’s Theme is also much better thanks to the main flute and drums in the background. It makes them sound even sillier!

However there were a few misses. Tracks like Crystal Room were way overdone; it sounded even cheaper than 1980s New Wave music. The synth is so heavy that even early Genesis music sounded better. Others like Castle of Hain, despite realistic arrangements, simply lost their dungeon feel and sound kind of silly – it sounds like a child’s playroom theme. Speaking of which, the Fat Chocobo theme is the worst track of this album. It sounds like it’s taken from a burlesque show, and believe me Chocobos are NOT what comes to mind when you think burlesque.

Finally, while not totally misses, some tracks could have been improved. Crystal Cave sounds a little too quiet for a dungeon theme. The intro was perfect but the clarinet (?) was too soft compared to the original arrangements, and the background arrangements are equally too soft. Eternal Wind does sound beautiful, but the modern arrangements somehow lack the epicness or the original version. The background flute sounds too soft compared to the “guitar” arrangements on the NES. Finally, Battle 2 (the boss battle) was too quick compared to the original. The violin arrangements are fine, and the drums add a nice touch of epicness, but the tempo just flowed better on the NES.

Nevertheless, Final Fantasy III DS should be part of any RPG fan’s library. The arrangements are mostly as good (if not better) than the original, to which they have remained amazingly faithful. I daresay that they are even better than the Final Fantasy Origins remixes.