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Square-Enix's penchant for remaking their most popular games has been obvious since Final Fantasy III appeared in glorious 3D on the Nintendo DS. In fact, all of the 8- and 16- bit have found their way onto one of Nintendo's handhelds, with a totally new remake of FFIV also on its way. With our favorite series apparently tapped out, what's next?

The answer is SE's other RPG series: Dragon Quest.

According to screenshots from Shonen Jump, remakes are underway for Dragon Quest IV, V, and VI. It appears that graphics will be redone in the vein of FFIII/FFIV.

Will these games make it out of Japan? Square-Enix isn't saying. The series has never been as popular in the United States as it is in Japan, but some of the more obscure series titles have made its way here--Rocket Slime is already available on the DS, with a Wii title and another DS title on the way. Until we have a press release, though, here's hoping!

Source: GameSpot

Among the other delightful tidbits released by Square-Enix during their two-day event is their intention to remake the first two Star Ocean games for the PSP.

Star Ocean, originally for the Super Famicom and released only in Japan, and Star Ocean: The Second Story, for the Playstation, will feature brand-new voice work, a new script, updated graphics and FMVs, and more. The two games will be full remakes, not mere ports with a few tweaks.

Furthermore, Star Ocean 4 was announced to be in the works.

Source: GameSpot

I loved Star Ocean 2, and it's still one of my favorite PS1 games. As long as they leave the item creation and skill systems intact (or improve them!), I'm there.

After a few days of rumors and speculation, confirmation regarding a new remake of Final Fantasy IV has been provided by Shonen Jump. With a page of screen shots and other information, there seems to be little doubt that Square-Enix is indeed working on a new version of their first Super Nintendo Final Fantasy.

The DS remake will reportedly use the same engine as Final Fantasy III DS. There's no word yet of a release outside of Japan, but, hopefully, details will be forthcoming in the next few days.

Source: ds fanboy via Ronin (thanks!)

Yeah, yeah, I know. Another remake! And this game just came out on the GBA less than two years ago! And aaaaaaah! AAAAAH! Square is doing ANOTHER REMAKE!

Capitalist scum aside, I have to admit that I'm excited about this. Final Fantasy IV was one of my favorite games (I thought I'd died and gone to heaven when Final Fantasy Chronicles was announced, back in the day), and reviving it with a fresh new style could be a very good thing. Maybe it's not the Square game that most deserves a remake, and maybe the remake will completely destroy a classic... but I can't help but hope that this will be terrific!

While I wouldn't bet that this spells the end of Square Enix's penchant for churning out remakes of popular games, the company that brings us the Final Fantasy series is set to give PSP owners something worth coveting: a brand-new Final Fantasy game.

Tentatively titled Dissidia, the new game in the franchise may represent a break from the rest of the series. For one thing, it lacks a number, and, for another, the tagline on the site states that "fantasy has no limited form."

Will this be a real Final Fantasy game, or is the name being borrowed to test-drive a new series? Sadly, it seems that only PSP owners will be in a position to find out.

Source: GameSpot

And the rest of the world wonders if one man could possibly have been responsible for all of the mistakes Sony's been making in the past year.

Ken Kutaragi, chairman and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. and the man who brought us the original Playstation,will formally announce his retirement in June at the annual shareholder's meeting. He will retain an honorary title of chairman of SCEI as well as an advisory role to some of the other higher-ups.

Source: Gamers Reports via Elessar, GameSpot

Unfortunately, with Sony slowly strangling their video game market share, it's hard to view this as a successful leader leaving in triumph. It will be interesting to see what, if any, changes the new management of SCEI decides to undertake.

Good news for those gamers who haven't grabbed one of the FF1/FF2 remakes yet and who own a PSP: Final Fantasy I and II are heading your way this summer.

Originally announced only for Japan, the remastered versions of the first two games in our favourite series will mark the twentieth anniversary of Final Fantasy. The original Final Fantasy will appear on 26 June 2007, followed shortly by Final Fantasy II on 24 July. Both games will go for $29.99.

Source: Gamespot

Honestly, I have a hard time getting excited over this. You can already buy these games together on the original Playstation for far less than the combined price of $60, and can't you rip PS1 games onto memory sticks if you just have to make them portable?

I just don't see the appeal. Square is releasing two of the weaker games in the series separately at an expensive price for a handheld no one can afford to own. Why bother?