A New Final Fantasy Game Was Just Announced, But It's Not What You Would Expect

While many Final Fantasy fans were likely holding their breath for a remake teaser, the latest announcement from Square Enix is actually trading controllers for dice. The gaming giant revealed a major partnership with KessCo to launch Final Fantasy: The Board Game. For decades, the franchise has captivated millions of players with its epic stories and groundbreaking combat. From the early days on the NES to the cinematic masterpieces of the modern era, Square Enix has consistently found ways to keep the Final Fantasy franchise fresh for its massive global audience. Recent years have seen the brand expand even further, with 2025’s Magic: The Gathering crossover alone generating over $200 million in just one day, proving that fans are hungry for new ways to experience their favorite worlds.

While many enthusiasts are currently focused on the next big digital expansion or the latest pixel remasters, the franchise has a surprisingly deep history of moving beyond the television screen. Square Enix has previously experimented with various physical projects, ranging from the popular Final Fantasy Trading Card Game to niche board games like Chocobo Party Up! and Materia Hunter. These tabletop ventures have seen varying levels of success, but they highlight a long-term strategy of bringing the RPG experience to a more social, face-to-face setting.

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A Surprising Shift to the Tabletop

Square Enix has officially partnered with KessCo to launch a new line of Final Fantasy tabletop products, including a cooperative board game and collectible dice sets scheduled for release in late 2026. Final Fantasy: The Board Game is the start of a multi-game agreement intended to bring the “Pixel Remaster Era” to the tabletop. Designed by Anthony Thorp, the game will be a cooperative experience where one to four players can team up to tackle challenges inspired by the first three entries in the mainline series.

Who’s That Character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Who’s That Character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)Permadeath (2.5s)

The goal is to pack the complex JRPG experience into a “streamlined” format that is easy for newcomers to pick up while staying true to the source material. KessCo CEO Alex Kessler noted that the company is aiming to honor what fans adore about the early games while making something “fun, accessible, and collectible”.

“We’ve seen how powerful Final Fantasy can be in the tabletop space recently, bringing longtime fans and brand-new players into a shared experience. We’re excited to partner with Square Enix and continue that momentum with our own faithful adaptation that honors what fans love most about the Pixel Remaster Era while delivering something fun, accessible, and collectible for the tabletop community,” Kessler said. The title is scheduled to arrive in stores in the third quarter of 2026, with a first-look preview happening at the New York Toy Fair.

The board game isn’t the only thing coming for collectors. KessCo is also launching a series of collectible RPG dice sets that draw inspiration from the first six games of the franchise. These aren’t just standard dice; each set comes in a special container topped with a “sculpted character model” that celebrates the iconic pixel art from the series’ beginnings. These items are being marketed as both functional tools for tabletop gaming and high-quality display pieces for fans who want to show off their love for the classics.

Promo art showcasing characters from Final Fantasy II

This expansion into the analog world comes at a time when the franchise is enjoying a massive resurgence in popularity. The staying power of the series was recently highlighted by the addition of Final Fantasy 2 to Xbox Game Pass, proving that even the oldest entries maintain high replayability. This lasting appeal is exactly what KessCo hopes to tap into. By focusing on the “Pixel Remaster Era,” the new tabletop titles allow fans to interact with familiar characters and settings in a physical space, bridging the gap between digital nostalgia and modern tabletop trends.

The success of previous tabletop endeavors has set a high bar for this new partnership. The Final Fantasy 2025 Magic: The Gathering set became the best-selling release in that game’s history, introducing thousands of Final Fantasy fans to trading card games for the first time. KessCo intends to replicate that “spark of discovery” by offering a faithful adaptation that translates the spirit of the original NES and Famicom releases into a format that favors social interaction over solitary screen time.

Despite the excitement, some industry analysts remain cautious. While the franchise has dipped its toes into board games before, community reviews on sites like Board Game Geek have been mixed for previous titles. The pressure is now on designer Thorp and the KessCo team to break this cycle and deliver a definitive RPG experience on the table. With the game set to be showcased at the New York Toy Fair, attendees will soon get a glimpse of whether this “streamlined” JRPG can truly capture the magic of a 40-hour digital odyssey.