10 Weirdest Final Fantasy Collaborations

The “Final Fantasy” series is renowned for being one of the longest-standing JRPG franchises, shaping the genre significantly, whether positively or negatively. This franchise possesses a remarkable influence, often prompting other companies to seek partnerships for collaborative projects. Indeed, digital crossovers are common; “Final Fantasy” characters frequently appear as playable characters in various mobile and console games. However, it’s particularly noteworthy when the property expands into industries that seem unlikely at first glance.

Over time, Square Enix has utilized the franchise for promotional purposes that have no connection to video games. This has resulted in some quite unusual partnerships, like Lightning endorsing cars in China or gracing the catwalks of renowned fashion brands worldwide. These collaborations demonstrate how gaming has become mainstream; what was once a pastime for kids is now being employed to attract consumers. Here are some of the franchise’s most intriguing and peculiar partnerships, setting the stage for more to come.

Turns Out the Best Selling Cellphone in Midgar was a Panasonic

Although Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children didn’t receive widespread acclaim, it provided a delightful opportunity to reconnect with some of gaming’s most cherished characters. As the world stepped into the new millennium, flip phones were incredibly popular, particularly in Japan. They were the go-to fashion accessory for any hip Japanese teenager. With the approaching release of Advent Children in 2004, electronics giant Panasonic sealed a deal to create the Panasonic FOMA P900iV as Cloud Strife’s personal mobile phone. Throughout the movie, he frequently uses it, and following its loss, it ends up in Denzel’s possession.

The movie premiere happened simultaneously with the debut of a new phone model, and Cloud was heavily featured in promotional materials. At that point, the phone showcased an impressive 1.95-megapixel camera, and its screen could be turned to emulate a camcorder. Pre-installed on the device were various Final Fantasy VII media items, including animated avatars of popular characters. Clips from Advent Children were accessible, though in poor resolution. Additionally, two unique ringtones were pre-set: Aerith’s Theme and the Victory Fanfare. The mobile game Before Crisis – Final Fantasy VII was designed for the P900iV, incorporating features like Materia collection that utilized the phone’s camera capabilities.

Audi Created a Supercar to Hit the Roads of Lucis

In the game, Final Fantasy XV, there was a significant focus on product placement and cross-promotional marketing, with Square Enix utilizing the enthusiasm of gamers for the well-known series to invite brands into the mix. A notable example is the vehicle used by Noctis and his companions in the main game, which belonged to King Regis. During his travels around Insomnia’s capital city, Noctis has access to a car more suitable for his age. The game’s backstory reveals that German automaker Audi collaborated with the Royal Art Society of Lucis to develop the exclusive Audi R8 Star of Lucis. This unique supercar was given to Noctis as a birthday present when he turned 20.

The custom R8 model boasts a sleek finish in Ultrossic Black and showcases intricate patterns reminiscent of the Tenebrae Oracle clan on its exterior. The emblem of the Lucis family adorns the wheels, while the interior is lavishly decorated with elaborate woodwork and paneling. A press statement dubbed it as “fit for a prince” in terms of luxury and “performance worthy of a king”. This exclusive vehicle was offered to potential buyers through a lottery system at an impressive price point of $470,000. For reference, the most expensive 2016 Audi R8 retailed around $210,140. Despite not appearing in-game, it starred as the main vehicle in the film Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV and was also mentioned in the prequel web novel Final Fantasy XV Prologue Parting Ways.

Lightning Advertised This Parisian Fashion House’s Latest Collection

In the 1980s, Japan underwent an economic growth spurt, leading to more disposable income being spent on luxury fashion items. This era marked the discovery of a devoted and faithful clientele for high-end designers. Louis Vuitton has made significant efforts to appeal to Japanese consumers, partnering with artists like Yayoi Kusama, Haruki Murakami, and Nigo. The collaborations have resulted in:

-Former creative director Marc Jacobs overseeing the creation of a Louis Vuitton x Hatsune Miku opera, named “The End.”
-The production of a life-sized statue of the Vocaloid character in Louis Vuitton’s trademark Damier pattern.

When Nicholas Ghesquière assumed leadership at Louis Vuitton, he targeted one of their key markets by collaborating with the character Lightning from Final Fantasy XIII. The campaign showcased Lightning sporting clothing from Vuitton’s 2016 Spring/Summer collection, aligning perfectly with Ghesquière’s retro-futurist vision. Lightning was prominently featured carrying a new color variant of the popular Alma handbag and the trendy Twist mini bag. In an interview with The Telegraph, Lightning shared her thoughts: “This opportunity has broadened my perspective. Fashion isn’t something you learn or receive; it emerges from personal taste and individual decisions. It reveals your unique identity to those around you.

You Could Play This Guitar in Real-Life and Eorzea

Over the last few gaming years, this MMORPG has steadily ascended to become one of my go-to games. It’s jam-packed with an immense world that lets me assume roles, pick up jobs, and even dive into a fierce housing market competition. In 2021, legendary guitar maker Fender made waves when they teamed up with Square Enix for the release of the Final Fantasy XIV Stratocaster electric guitar. This beauty boasts a sleek black body, accented by a sparkling blue and purple crystal effect on its edges.

The game’s emblem (resembling a meteor) was proudly displayed on the lower part of the fretboard and was noticeable on its expensive travel case as well. This high-end guitar, priced at around $4,261, was manufactured in limited amounts. With the release of Patch 5.55, the Stratocaster made its way into Eorzea, offering those who couldn’t own the real one a chance to experience its digital version. The Aetherolectric guitar could be purchased at the Gold Saucer and used as home decoration. However, it wasn’t just for show; Bards could use this guitar in combat during their dungeon adventures, adding a touch of style to their battles.

Everyone Loves Pocky, and it’s Only Made Better With Final Fantasy

Although some in the Western world may not recognize the name Glico, they are likely acquainted with the firm’s chocolate-coated biscuit sticks known as Pocky. First introduced in 1977, this tasty treat has become a common sight in Asian grocery stores and supermarkets. In Japan, it holds great popularity and comes in numerous flavors like pumpkin, kiwifruit, mango, and azuki bean. In 2014, the company collaborated to produce a line of limited edition Final Fantasy editions, featuring collectible cards as well.

The collaboration event showcased the much-anticipated title, Final Fantasy Explorers, alongside the consistently popular character, Cloud Strife. Purchasable boxes contained a mousepad and collectible card as gifts for customers. A total of six cards featuring various incarnations of Cloud on his famous G-bike were available to collect. The five Final Fantasy Explorers cards showcased summon characters like Shiva, Odin, and Bahamut. As for Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, it too received a special partnership, offering boxes containing collectible cards of Serah, Snow, Fang, and others. Additionally, these boxes came with codes for bonus items that could be redeemed in the mobile game, Pictlogica: Final Fantasy.

Seeing Noctis in a Giant Cup Noodles Hat was XV’s Most Memeable Moment

In the game “Final Fantasy XV”, one of the notable product placements was for Cup Noodles, a brand of instant ramen that’s ubiquitous in Japanese convenience stores and has been associated with post-war culture and student life. As you traverse the peaceful town of Lestallum, you’ll encounter a boisterous Cup Noodles truck, which prompts Gladiolus to praise its convenience. Later, players can embark on a side quest titled “The Perfect Cup”, where Noctis assists Gladiolus in finding the ideal topping for his preferred dish. Additionally, Cup Noodles serves as an in-game commodity that can be purchased from various vendors.

In a fun twist, Nissin produced a brief advertisement featuring characters from the popular game, Final Fantasy XV. The sea monster Leviathan emerges from a steaming bowl of noodles, and instead of bidding farewell to his son in the traditional way, King Regis playfully says goodbye to an oversized Cup Noodles container. This collaboration is a clever wink to fans, a brief meta-joke within an otherwise serious narrative. To mark the launch of Dissidia: Final Fantasy, Nissin designed unique packaging adorned with characters like Cloud, Lightning, and the Warrior of Light.

The Reward for Defeating Barthandelus is Evidently Designer Clothes

Prior to Lightning being hired by Louis Vuitton, she and the characters from Final Fantasy XIII-2 were showcased in a Prada campaign for their Spring/Summer 2012 collection. This partnership was showcased in Arena Homme+, a men’s fashion magazine in the UK, highlighting the stylish male characters of Final Fantasy XIII. Notably, this collaboration took place during Final Fantasy’s 25th anniversary, so Square Enix was keen on extensive marketing to celebrate the enduring series. Characters like Sazh, Hope, Snow traded their futuristic battle attire for elegant silks and wools. The latest addition to the series, Noel Kreiss, posed confidently in a patterned golfer set and brocade leather shoes. A chocobo was also featured in this campaign.

In a striking blend, lightning-like imagery is incorporated into traditionally masculine attire for an eye-catching display. Max Peariman, editor of Arena Homme+, expressed his admiration for the joint venture, stating, “Our Spring issue explores a realm of guidance and escape, and aligning a visually captivating video game franchise like Final Fantasy with us and a renowned fashion label such as Prada to produce something so exceptional is astounding.” He further added, “I’ve long been fascinated by the influence of video games within our culture, and the dedication behind this project leaves me speechless. We’re extremely proud of the outcome.” It’s worth noting that Final Fantasy has always showcased stylish characters, making it remarkable that the sometimes elusive fashion world has acknowledged this trend.

Lightning and Snow Advertised a Nissan Crossover in China

When China started welcoming foreign gaming firms, numerous businesses saw a chance to battle in one of the world’s wealthiest markets. However, there were conditions attached; all games had to match the CCP’s demanding standards. Fortunately, Final Fantasy XIII and its subsequent editions complied, and they left a strong impact on the Chinese gamers. Consequently, when it was time for the company to introduce their collaborative SUV, the Kicks, there were no more fitting ambassadors than Lightning and Snow.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve got some exciting news! In China, two commercials showcasing Square Enix’s Final Fantasy characters have been aired. The first ad starred both Lightning and Snow, highlighting the safety features of this crossover while we navigated an icy bridge crafted by Shiva, skillfully evading Psicom’s attacks. The second ad was a quicker clip with just Snow, driving along a road surrounded by shimmering crystal structures, exuding pure excitement.

And Final Fantasy XIII. The vehicle boasts a vibrant yellow roof adorned with jagged decals that resemble the iconic gunblade, Blazefire, wielded by our heroine.

This Collaboration Produced Some of the Series’ Most Beautiful Artwork

For quite some time, Magic: The Gathering (MTG) has been one of Wizards of the Coast’s longest-running and most successful tabletop games. Given its popularity and success, it was only a matter of time before they teamed up with another well-known and respected franchise. This partnership has largely been a triumph; the recent expansions have broken sales records, making them the best-selling set ever released. What sets these expansions apart is that they aren’t just a simple collaboration, but rather a blend of Final Fantasy’s distinctive mechanics and Magic: The Gathering’s format.

In a simplified manner, the universe of “Final Fantasy” can be adapted effectively for tabletop gaming. Players can design decks tailored to specific roles like black mages, summoners, or dragoons. Additionally, aspects such as Limit Breaks and Materia should be taken into account. Moreover, each card showcases captivating artwork, vividly depicting each game in the series. Regardless of whether you’re a Magic: The Gathering player or not, these cards present a strong case for framing and displaying them on your wall.

The Final Fantasy Series Chose Coke over Pepsi

In contrast to the limited partnership between Final Fantasy and Pepsi in 1997, which mainly consisted of a few advertisements and promotional items, Coca-Cola’s collaboration with the franchise in 1999 was extensive. It resulted in a line of collectible figurines, television commercials, branded bottles, competitions, and more. The partnership began in 2000 with special boxes containing miniature figures based on characters from Final Fantasy VII, and it continued for several years, offering fans the opportunity to collect characters from as far as Final Fantasy X.

Participants were given a chance to join a contest and potentially receive a unique Christmas package filled with exclusive figurines on yellow bases. Additionally, they could win a mini-disc player from JVC, designed specifically for this event, adorned with the Griever symbol. The eighteen rare “Final Fantasy Art Museum Cards” were attached to 1.5-liter Coca-Cola bottles, making them valuable collectibles. In 2000, Coca-Cola introduced special glass bottles depicting Cloud and Squall. The campaign’s highlight was a commercial showcasing Zidane chasing a bottle cap across Alexandria, with Vivi and Garnet in pursuit. Interestingly, the music created for this advertisement was added to the soundtrack of “Final Fantasy XI”. The tagline for the campaign was “Tsunagaru,” which translates to “to connect” in Japanese.

2025-05-04 04:16