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

Final Fantasy XIII trailer gets a retro SNES makeover for Lightning Returns

Get caught up on the long and winding Final Fantasy XIII story before Lightning Returns with this original 16-bit trailer straight from Square Enix.

383 Comments
Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.
This video has an invalid file format.
00:00:00
Sorry, but you can't access this content!
Please enter your date of birth to view this video

By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Leading up to February's release of Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, Square Enix put together a 16-bit retrospective trailer that recaps the story so far. The eight minutes of nostalgia-inducing footage gives the series an SNES makeover, making it look like an HD version of Final Fantasy VI.

If you wanted to jump into the series, but didn't want to play through the FFXIII and FFXIII-2, this trailer might be all you need. Now, what are the chances that, instead of the HD remakes Square Enix keeps putting out, we could get some official 16-bit demakes? I'd buy that.

on Google+

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

Join the conversation
There are 383 comments about this story
383 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 bdiddytampa
bdiddytampa

188

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >> obvious troll is ovbious

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ultimapt
ultimapt

26

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> Uncreative troll that we spent too much time typing about him.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for bdiddytampa
bdiddytampa

188

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >> not very mature either :-/

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ZombieGuyGeorge
ZombieGuyGeorge

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> >.> 12

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Albelnox0
Albelnox0

495

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >> Maybe you should read the title on Final FANTASY just a little closer. It's not suppose to be realistic

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ZombieGuyGeorge
ZombieGuyGeorge

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >> what's a nice example of a realistic game, GTA? COD? ... maybe you should begin with a definition for "realistic"

2 • 
Avatar image for ultimapt
ultimapt

26

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@ZombieGuyGeorge @majorityreport @KenshinXSlayer I can already imagine this troll barking, jumping and humping like a dog in real life while playing ghosts. Omg, so real!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for flyincloud1116
Flyincloud1116

6418

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 5

@xolivierx @majorityreport @ZombieGuyGeorge Socom 2 was the best online experience, EVER!!!!!!!!!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ---Cipher---
---Cipher---

771

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >>

<< LINK REMOVED >>

Upvote • 
Avatar image for xolivierx
xolivierx

1341

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 22

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> and you can hit someone with an arrow and 1 minute after he forgets about you, and you can re-do the same thing 15 times to perform a perfect kill...that is immersion right there

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ---Cipher---
---Cipher---

771

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >>lol. That's even worse. Skyrim AI allows me to "sneak" in the middle of a well lit room and assassinate the Jarl and not get caught. I can stick arrows in people's faces and they won't search for me for more than a minute....

Upvote • 
Avatar image for xolivierx
xolivierx

1341

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 22

User Lists: 0

@---Cipher--- @xolivierx @majorityreport @ZombieGuyGeorge they are on steroids as well...they regenerate health when hit by bullets(yes, plural...), but a little doggy comes walking by and they die

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ---Cipher---
---Cipher---

771

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >>I'm sorry, magic perk box. My bad. Still, those soldiers are summoning AC130's out of nowhere...

Upvote • 
Avatar image for xolivierx
xolivierx

1341

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 22

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> it's not a magic box, it's a perk! know your COD !

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ---Cipher---
---Cipher---

771

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >>define, "more than usual." It's set in a different universe with different rules. Magic, monsters, etc exist. Why is THAT more of a leap of faith than every soldier carrying around a magic box that allows them to summon war hounds, nukes, stealth bombers, and AC130's? Especially when that magic box the soldier gets is set in a universe that is supposed to follow the same rules our universe follows.

2 • 
Avatar image for ZombieGuyGeorge
ZombieGuyGeorge

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> keep the bubble going, man !!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ZombieGuyGeorge
ZombieGuyGeorge

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> man you're wrong. like hell he gets any ass... LOL

Upvote • 
Avatar image for KenshinXSlayer
KenshinXSlayer

194

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >>, I'll respect your opinion, but I'm always going to prefer all types of games, even if they appear unrealistic or not. TimeSplitters is my all-time favorite FPS, and it's not even realistic in the slightest.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ZombieGuyGeorge
ZombieGuyGeorge

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> so.. when you play as the COD dog you feel immersed in reality... ok....

2 • 
Avatar image for xolivierx
xolivierx

1341

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 22

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> take narcissist, remove N R CI IST and you get...

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ---Cipher---
---Cipher---

771

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >>lol. So? Have you seen any trailer/video for any game that the gameplay lived up to? Also, case and point. CoD reality has doors, CoD characters can't use doors. Nor can they jump over a 2 foot fence, BUT they can climb onto a cliff. They can shoot with precision while balancing on a ledge 1 inch wide. Seriously, there is no game that is "realistic."

Upvote • 
Avatar image for KenshinXSlayer
KenshinXSlayer

194

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >> Are you a narcissist, lol?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for KenshinXSlayer
KenshinXSlayer

194

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >> Suspend your disbelief, when playing video games. Not everything is supposed to be realistic.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ZombieGuyGeorge
ZombieGuyGeorge

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> you know what? yeah, you're right. cod ftw.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ZombieGuyGeorge
ZombieGuyGeorge

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> and in that "real" reality, fire doesn't burn like in "reality" but as in "their reality" where they just drop their hp value. so. in that definition. yes, they are real :D

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ---Cipher---
---Cipher---

771

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >>so you'll accept that I can throw a fireball, but not anything else? It's game mechanics, nothing more. CoD isn't a turn based game. If you want realism in FF, you would need to drop the second "F" from the title, go to first person mode, stop with magic, stop summoning, etc. Heck, just make CoD at this rate...

Upvote • 
Avatar image for KenshinXSlayer
KenshinXSlayer

194

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

@majorityreport I guess you don't like movies, then?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ZombieGuyGeorge
ZombieGuyGeorge

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> realism in a fantasy world? and where does the fantasy part fit in?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for KenshinXSlayer
KenshinXSlayer

194

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> If you want to get technical, GTA isn't completely realistic. If you drive too fast, the police ignores you, if you walk down the street with a weapon out, nobody bats an eye. What's wrong with a work of fiction? Apparently, you don't understand the concept of an RPG, especially turn-based.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ZombieGuyGeorge
ZombieGuyGeorge

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> so, not real life realism but real realism that looks real? man, those flames LOOK real!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ultimapt
ultimapt

26

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> Stop feeding the troll, he already had his 15 minutes of fame.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ZombieGuyGeorge
ZombieGuyGeorge

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

@majorityreport so... you expect that a fire demon that throws fireballs from thin air to be realistic..... yeah... sounds legit....

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ---Cipher---
---Cipher---

771

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >>Have you seen CoD? AFK players do that all the time. Besides, FF characters WISH they could summon a nuke like they summon Ifrit!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for KenshinXSlayer
KenshinXSlayer

194

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >> How is GTA realistic!?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ZombieGuyGeorge
ZombieGuyGeorge

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >> being sarcastic makes you look stupid? and how does complaining about how unrealistic a game named final FANTASY makes you look?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ---Cipher---
---Cipher---

771

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >>I don't think any FF ever was trying to be realistic. CoD on the other hand, tries to be realistic. Lets talk about realism in CoD for a second. Akimbo pistols/SMG's being able to hit the broad side of a barn. Quickscope. camping. soldiers being able to summon forth a nuke? more camping. Some people being invisible to drones while others aren't. etc etc


There is nothing immersive about CoD.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ZombieGuyGeorge
ZombieGuyGeorge

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >> yes, it's very realistic to make cars appear from thin air, survive falls from a building and heal completely in 5 seconds from a bazooka hit, but yeah, it's pretty realistic, everyone carries 20 weapons in their pocket. and not to mention BF4, I mean, who hasn't seen a grenade explode in your face and walk away with no more scratches than a red screen, right? incredibly realistic. really, have you noticed the word FANTASY in every final fantasy game? I think it's there for a reason.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ZombieGuyGeorge
ZombieGuyGeorge

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> really? never noticed that, I've only played the last 12 games and their sequels, spinoffs and related games. I guess they lack the bazzokas that kills you in 3 hits, or the dogs that magically heal when they taste blood but hey, there's a reason why it's called final FANTASY, because, you know, itcould be named final reality or something like that....

Upvote • 
Avatar image for xolivierx
xolivierx

1341

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 22

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> Cod? fast scoping...emptying an entire magazine and the guy just turns and kills you without aiming with 1 bullet from his pistol...endless running, perks

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Alyzen
Alyzen

161

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >>

Same with chess.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for xolivierx
xolivierx

1341

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 22

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> sorry but the only ''realistic'' fights I have seen in a game were in Socom 1 and 2

Upvote • 
Avatar image for deactivated-60b838d2a137f
deactivated-60b838d2a137f

2184

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 5

Why don't they just make a full game like this? It seems like all their effort goes into visual design now and the gameplay seriously suffers...

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ZombieGuyGeorge
ZombieGuyGeorge

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >> dont' give them ideas, or FF16 will be 2mb and still $59.99

Upvote • 
Avatar image for xolivierx
xolivierx

1341

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 22

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> lol at 2 meg....impossibru! if it's 2mg it won't fit on a 1.4mg diskette!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ZombieGuyGeorge
ZombieGuyGeorge

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> well, if you order the ultraspecial megaedition, you get a map and to diskettes for only $129.99. I think I saw a battlefield bundle for around the same price on ps4

2 • 
Avatar image for ZombieGuyGeorge
ZombieGuyGeorge

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

-best parts of the video are the bad emulation artifacts.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Bellum_Sacrum
Bellum_Sacrum

37

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >>I hope you do realize it's just the gamespot video player being shitty as usual.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ZombieGuyGeorge
ZombieGuyGeorge

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> I forgot to add a /sarcasm tag. could have been a good touch tho,

Upvote • 
Avatar image for xolivierx
xolivierx

1341

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 22

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >> yet the video is better than Advent Children

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ZombieGuyGeorge
ZombieGuyGeorge

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> storywise, yes. technically, only if you're joking.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ZombieGuyGeorge
ZombieGuyGeorge

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> same with spirits within. lame story, but millions in production. nevertheless they served as a base for later game cinematics.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ultimapt
ultimapt

26

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> The video was actually pretty awesome, such an expensive but nice and nostalgic marketing work.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for HonorOfGod
HonorOfGod

1410

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 7

User Lists: 0

Everyone needs to get off N4G.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for deactivated-5ffbaaf798f9b
deactivated-5ffbaaf798f9b

-3468

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Check whether this video cassette carries a genuine security sticker. Video piracy is a crime. Do not accept it. Demand a genuine cassette from your video store.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for shingui5
shingui5

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

Let's not pretend that FF13 had the slightest bit of charm the old SNES era games did.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for xolivierx
xolivierx

1341

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 22

User Lists: 0

that video is like a drug induced coma.....where the hell did they get them shrooms?

Upvote •