On December 18, 1987, a tiny, beleaguered Japanese software publisher published what it thought was its last, but most definitely its finest, video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) or Famicom as it was known in Japan. Hironobu Sakaguchi could not have imagined what his game would become, and, indeed, none expected it to carry forward as long as it has, producing consistently critically acclaimed software and always pushing the boundaries of storytelling within games. Based on the Dungeons and Dragons system of combat and set in a fantasy vista that would have been comfortable in a Tolkien novel, Final Fantasy changed the way console games would be made for forever. Instead of short, objective based experiences, Final Fantasy introduced console gamers to deep, story driven experiences that continue to enthrall millions of gamers around the world today. Happy Birthday Final Fantasy! Here’s to many more years to come!