Squaresoft had enjoyed moderate success in the North American market with the 1990 release of Final Fantasy for the NES. Two sequels were already out on the Nintendo Famicom in Japan, and a new installment was in production for Nintendo's upcoming 16-bit successor.

The success of the Final Fantasy series in Japan gave Square several options for their follow-up release in the North American market. Ultimately, they repackaged the Japanese release of Final Fantasy IV for the Super Famicom and renamed it Final Fantasy II to hide any continuity issues.

But early in 1991, that decision was far from final. At one point in time, Square explored the possibility of bringing the original Famicom version of Final Fantasy II to the NES.

-By Chris Collette

In a world so far beyond the horizon

The everlasting peace was about to come to the end

The Emperor of Palakia began to conquer the world

with monsters he summoned

.... 4 young from Fin lost their families ....

And now, trying to escape from the enemy’s obstinate pursuers……

Who would have though that someday NES gamers all around the world would be playing a Final Fantasy II USA prototype? Who even knew that one existed? I’m sure allot of people thought one did at least, or hoped. Not me, I didn’t have any clue. I don’t consider myself an RPG gamer of any sort, by nonetheless when I found out about the Final Fantasy II prototype that was released by Lost Levels, even I was really excited, about something I didn’t know anything about. 

According to the Lost Levels review, FFII has many more characters and a better plot than its predecessor. After playing the game for about 40 minutes, I am confident to say that, it’s true! The game is a masterpiece, and who knows, if it had been released and maybe a little more legible than the prototype, it would probably be one of the most popular NES games of all time in my opinion.

The game starts out with your party of four fighting DarkNites. After a short battle which they lose, our red warrior (needs food badly, lol) wakes up on a strange symbol surrounded by priestess’ (I think). He meets up with two of his party however the fourth member is missing. We go and talk to the young Princess Hilda who tells us the secret password so we can talk to other rebels… Ivy. Afterwards, you are told to go off towards the town of Fin, slightly north and across a lake. The story begins…. I made it just after the section with Fin, and as I found out,  it’s also pretty hard. I hate those damn LegEaters!   

The gameplay is magnificent, stunning graphics, a strong, hard plotline (that could just be the translation talking though) and a Final Fantasy classic theme made what I played of it, very enjoyable. I like the characters very much, and hated the battles like I do with most RPGs, and all around thought that it was really fun. 

There wasn’t anything wrong with it as far as I could tell, other than it wasn’t released. It is damn magnificent, and I highly recommend anyone who has ever played a game to download it and give it a try. And of course, if you ever have the chance to pick one up, I highly recommend buying it of course.

I give it a 10/10 - It was unreleased, and a really, really, great game.

Bad points: Unreleased, Engrish translation hard for me