This is the "must-have" of the series. Skip VIII, get IX and X, and throw yourself into the mists of time to rekindle that old flame called Final Fantasy VII. This game brought the non-hardcore gamers and hardcore gamers together. (much like Star Trek IV did with non trekkies, trekkers...) The CG effects left a mark on the people who played it and introduced Final Fantasy to the mainstream. I never played any FF before this and wasn't the least bit interested, but, I tried it...the rest is history. The Statue of Mario was replaced in '97. One last thing, don't let the release year fool you...VII stands as outstanding graphically as it did then and weaves a tale that will still amaze.