Square developed and published the original Final Fantasy in Japan. Released for the Family Computer in 1987, the role-playing game was Square’s first entry in what became one of the industry’s best-known franchises.
The project was led by Hironobu Sakaguchi, who had wanted to make a role-playing game for some time. Square became more receptive after Dragon Quest demonstrated the commercial potential of Japanese role-playing games. The development team drew on Western computer RPGs, especially Ultima, Wizardry, and Dungeons & Dragons.
The game follows four Warriors of Light carrying crystals darkened by four elemental fiends. Its combination of party classes, turn-based combat, exploration, vehicles, and a fantasy quest helped establish recurring Final Fantasy traditions.
“Square” is the answer for the original Japanese release, not Square Enix. Square Enix did not exist until Square merged with Enix in 2003. Nintendo later published the North American NES version, but that does not change the original Japanese developer and publisher credit.