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1997Final Fantasy VII game familyGame family

PlayStation · Game family

Final Fantasy VII

Final Fantasy VII, developed by Square and published by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, was released for PlayStation in Worldwide / regional on 1997-01-31. Its documented physical format is CD-ROM. The catalog classifies it as Role-Playing. PLAYBACK links 8 physical packages, including 7 separately cataloged editions, to this game family.

Verified catalog factsA separately reviewed, source-backed history appears below.
Also known as

FF VII

Final Fantasy VII is documented as a physical CD-ROM release for PlayStation. Developer: Square. Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. Cataloged genre: Role-Playing. The archive records this package family for Worldwide / regional with a documented release date of 1997-01-31. This family currently groups 8 documented physical packages, including 7 separately cataloged editions.

Released
January 31, 1997
Platform / family
PlayStation
Format / type
CD-ROM
Region
Worldwide / regional
Developer
Square
Publisher
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
Genre
Role-Playing
Exact physical item

Package identifiers still being researched

Researching

This panel separates the exact physical package from its broader game family. Only identifiers and contents tied to a stored source are shown as verified.

Manuals, inserts and extras not listed here have not yet been source-verified. They are not assumed absent.

Catalog source ↗Image source ↗Suggest a correction ↗

Curated archive history

Why this release matters

Source-backed

Square's Final Fantasy VII moved the role-playing series to PlayStation and used three CD-ROMs for its pre-rendered backgrounds, full-motion sequences and 3D battles. It launched in Japan on January 31, 1997, North America in September and Europe in November. Its worldwide marketing made it a landmark release for both Final Fantasy and Sony's console.

Developer
Square
Publisher
Square; Sony Computer Entertainment in Europe
Editorial review
2026-08-05
01

Release context

The project shifted away from Nintendo hardware during development as Square pursued the storage and production advantages of CD-ROM. Sony Computer Entertainment published the European release, while Square handled Japan and North America.

02

Regional differences

Japanese, North American and PAL releases differ in language, ratings, case format and artwork. The later Japanese Final Fantasy VII International incorporates changes made for overseas versions and adds further material.

03

Physical packaging

The standard game uses three data discs. Complete packages require the correct multi-disc jewel case, front manual, rear artwork and region-specific discs. North American Greatest Hits, European Platinum and Japanese budget printings are visually distinct.

04

Editions and revisions

Final Fantasy VII International is a separate Japanese reissue with a fourth “Perfect Guide” disc. Greatest Hits, Platinum, misprints, previews and regional releases should be tracked by exact packaging rather than merged as one cover.

Research sources

  1. PlayStation — original PlayStation history ↗
  2. PlayStation Blog — Yoshinori Kitase interview ↗
  3. Wikipedia — Final Fantasy VII ↗