We may have three more months until Final Fantasy XIII makes its way to our shores, but SquareEnix is attempting to ease the pain with a blast from the past.

Final Fantasy VIII is available for download on the PlayStation Network at a price of $9.99USD, just a few months past it's Tenth Anniversary here in the US.

A European release date has not been announced, but the EU market will be getting a SquareEnix title of their own next week, when Vagrant Story releases across the region on Dec. 22nd.

Source: SquareInsider

It's been three years since it's initial reveal, and probably much longer in development, but Final Fantasy XIII has, at long last, been released in Japan.

The wait begins now for the rest of the world, as March 09th, 2010 is closer than any other FF title has been released out of Japan, but still seems so far away.

Source: SquareInsider

It's been known for a few months now that the initial printings of Final Fantasy XIII, releasing tomorrow in Japan, would contain a voucher code for an in-game item in 2010's Final Fantasy XIV: Online.

What we didn't know was this: The voucher contains a second code, which gives you a chance to enter the Final Fantasy XIV PS3 Beta early next year.

For those lucky enough to pick up one of the initial JP copies of FFXIII, enter right away. Or do what everyone else is doing: sell it on eBay for lots of money money money~

UPDATE - As it seems, the PC Beta application is open to everyone. You can register for a spot at any of the following links, provided you live in the region you're applying to.

US - http://entry.ffxiv.com/na/index.html
EU - http://entry.ffxiv.com/eu/index.html

Source: SquareInsider

Final Fantasy XIII has been in the works for a long time. Since it's announcement at the 2006 Electronics Entertainment Expo, fans have waited for the day they could call the game their own.

At long last, the US and European markets have a date to circle on their calendars: March 09th, 2010.

Source: SquareInsider

The official Final Fantasy XIV website has been updated again and this time it reveals two new character classes, the Gladiator and Pugilist.

Gladiators are expert swordsmen, known for their battle prowess with blades of all designs; short and long, single and double-edged, straight and curved. They favor combat at close range, where they masterfully execute a deadly array of hacks and slashes. The skill and pride of a gladiator instill such a confidence that they are said to never shun a fight.

Pugilists are renowned for being rugged combatants tempered by ceaseless training and rigorous self-discipline. Thought formidable even when bare-fisted through the use of hand-to-hand weaponry their destructive capabilities are compounded with the strength of metal, leather and bone. They strive to close the distance between their opponents and themselves, as they outmatch nearly any adversary in close-quarters combat. Some have become so adept at this maneuvering that they are able to negate the reach of even the longest blade or spear.

Source: SquareInsider

Square Enix has announced that they will be releasing the Final Fantasy soundtrack in Japan on January 27. There will also be a 5-disc limited edition that includes a bonus "drama CD" called FINAL FANTASY XIII Episode Zero -Promise- Story01 -ENCOUNTER written by FFXIII scenario writer Motomu Toriyama.

Source: SquareInsider

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days was released in Europe yesterday. This is the fifth title in the series, created for the Nintendo DS, set primarily between Chain of Memories and Kingdom Hearts II (but starts about 3/4 of the way through the first Kingdom Hearts), revolving around Roxas' time in Organization XIII and his motives for ultimately leaving the Organization to pursue the answers he seeks to questions about his existence.

Link: Launch Trailer

Source: SquareInsider

Square Enix has updated the official Final Fantasy XIV: Online website with a new Bestiary section. A couple of the monsters such as the Morbol (usually known as Marlboro) and Cactuar will be familiar to most Final Fantasy fans and some of the other ones have made already an appearance in Final Fantasy XI: Online but they have been slightly redesigned except for the Raptor that looks exactly like the one seen in Final Fantasy XI.

Source: SquareInsider

Square Enix released a brand Final Fantasy XIII trailer at this years Tokyo Game show. This seven minutes long trailer features both CG cutscenes and actual gameplay featuring a couple of the redesigned summons.

Final Fantasy XIII is going to be released on December 17 in Japan while the rest of the world will have to wait until 2010.

Watch the Tokyo Game Show 09 Trailer.

Source: SquareInsider

Square Enix has just released some pictures of the limited edition Final Fantasy XIII themed PlayStation 3. The console is white with a pink picture of "Lightning" on it. The system will also feature a 250GB HDD and it will be released in Japan on December 17 along with Final Fantasy XIII.






Source: SquareInsider