With Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth on the horizon, players will soon have no shortage of the spikey-haired hunk Cloud Strife. But what if players want to see the ex-SOLDIER take on something different? Believe it or not, the Final Fantasy protagonist has been in many different games, from Tekken-style fighting to titles under the Disney banner.
While it might be fun to look at how the character is portrayed on the big screen or in other ventures, we’ll just be looking at Cloud Strife’s official gaming appearances.
Final Fantasy 7 (1997, PlayStation)
This game holds the iconic original appearance of Cloud Strife. It’s an RPG set in a world where the heroes try to stop a planet-draining megacorporation and a mad demigod. Final Fantasy 7 has been ported countless times over the years, readily available on modern platforms.
Final Fantasy Tactics (1997, PlayStation)
Final Fantasy Tactics is a tactical RPG like the Fire Emblem games. This title was the first to introduce the setting of Ivalice, later featured in Final Fantasy 12. Cloud Strife shows up after getting pulled out of his world. Final Fantasy Tactics is still accessible today, mainly through mobile releases of the PSP’s updated Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions.
Ehrgeiz: God Bless the Ring (1998, Arcade, PlayStation)
Designed and directed by former Tekken and Virtua Fighter designer Seiichi Ishii, Ehrgeiz slammed onto the Japanese arcade fighting scene. Cloud and Tifa were playable in the arcade version, with even more Final Fantasy 7 characters coming to the PlayStation port. Currently, there’s no easy way to experience this title.
Chocobo Racing (1999, PlayStation)
Chocobo Racing was a PlayStation racing title akin to Mario Kart. Cloud appeared as an unlockable secret character. As it stands, players’ best bet for this title is to find a physical copy.
Kingdom Hearts (2002, PlayStation 2)
Cloud has a significant cameo in the action RPG Kingdom Hearts. During Sora’s quest to seal the keyholes in various Disney worlds, Cloud appears as part of the story. Kingdom Hearts has been ported to newer consoles over the years and is available on all modern platforms.
Before Crisis: Final Fantasy 7 (2004, Mobile)
Before Crisis was a Japan-only mobile prequel to Final Fantasy 7, where players control a member of the Turks. As a direct, canon prequel to Final Fantasy 7, Cloud appears, albeit younger. The game was shut down in 2018, though the story will eventually be remade as content for the mobile game Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis.
Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories (2004, Game Boy Advance)
An RPG card battler, Chain of Memories sees Sora retreading through his memories, where he reencounters Cloud. Chain of Memories was remade for the PlayStation 2 and has since become available on modern platforms.
Itadaki Street Special (2004, PlayStation 2)
This Japan-only digital board game franchise has a lot in common with Monopoly. Players manage properties and play mini-games, competing for a winning score. Cloud and other Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest characters appeared as playable characters in the 2004 entry. In 2006, PlayStation Portable also received an entry where Cloud appeared.
Final Fantasy 7: Snowboarding (2005, Mobile)
The mini-game from Final Fantasy 7, but remade as a mobile experience. Players controlled Cloud ripping down courses on a rad snowboard. Unfortunately, the title was shut down in 2018.
Kingdom Hearts 2 (2005, PlayStation 2)
As Sora continues his action RPG romp across Disney worlds, Cloud finds his way into the series again. Kingdom Hearts 2 can be readily experienced on modern platforms.
Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy 7 (2006, PlayStation 2)
A sequel to Final Fantasy 7, this title is a third-person shooter starring Vincent Valentine. Cloud does make an appearance in-game, though it’s rather abrupt. The title has not been remade or released on newer platforms, but the story will appear as Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis content.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 (2007, PlayStation Portable)
In another prequel to Final Fantasy 7, Crisis Core directly precedes the original game. This action RPG stars Zack Fair, a SOLDIER and coworker of Sephiroth. Cloud is a central part of this game’s story. In 2022, an HD remake titled Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion was released on all major platforms.
Kingdom Hearts Coded (2008, Mobile, DS)
Initially a Japan-only mobile action RPG, Kingdom Hearts Coded made its way onto the DS and then to other regions. Cloud makes a cameo as the game retreads through familiar setpieces from Kingdom Hearts. Story content from the game is available as cutscenes and audio logs, part of modern Kingdom Hearts rereleases.
Dissidia Final Fantasy (2008, PlayStation Portable)
Dissidia is a fighting game featuring characters across the Final Fantasy franchise, including Cloud. The title received sequels and spawned a series, but was never released on other platforms. In 2011, the remake/prequel Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy was released, iterating on the original.
Little Big Planet 2 (2011, PlayStation 3)
The Little Big Planet series lets players handcraft platforming stages or whatever their creativity can muster. Soon after the sequel was released, a Final Fantasy 7 pack allowed players to turn themselves into Cloud. Little Big Planet 2 is only available on PlayStation 3.
Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade (2012, Mobile)
Airborne Brigade was a social-based mobile RPG that encouraged players to team up. Cloud was featured as a summon. The game ended in 2014 in the US and 2020 in Japan.
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy (2012, 3DS, Mobile)
Theatrhythm is a rhythm game featuring music from the Final Fantasy franchise. Cloud is available as a party member. The title is no longer available to download.
Final Fantasy All the Bravest (2013, Mobile)
A much-maligned mobile game, All the Bravest featured Cloud as a playable character. By 2023, the title was unavailable on all storefronts.
Pictlogica Final Fantasy (2013, Mobile, 3DS)
This Japan-only puzzle game featured Cloud as a playable character. The game initially appeared on mobile devices before hopping to the 3DS a few years later. The game was delisted in 2019.
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, Curtain Call (2014, 3DS)
A sequel to Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, Curtain Call featured more music and playable characters. The title was only released for the 3DS.
Final Fantasy World Wide Words (2014, Mobile)
A typing game that featured characters from the Final Fantasy franchise. While the idea sounds cool, it has since been delisted.
Final Fantasy 7 G-Bike (2014, Mobile)
A short-lived free-to-play mobile racing game starring Cloud. The title was shut down just over one year after release.
Final Fantasy Record Keeper (2014, Mobile)
Record Keeper is a free-to-play mobile gatcha game showcasing characters and narrative threads throughout the Final Fantasy franchise. Cloud and other Final Fantasy 7 characters are available as party members. Service ended in 2022.
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U / 3DS (2014, Wii U, 3DS)
Super Smash Bros. is Nintendo’s premiere fighting series. Cloud made his first appearance on the Wii U and 3DS iterations as DLC.
Final Fantasy Explorers (2014, 3DS)
Explorers is an action RPG that can be played solo or with friends. While Cloud doesn’t make an appearance on his own, players can turn into the hero to perform specific abilities.
Dissidia Final Fantasy NT (2015, Arcade, PlayStation 4, PC)
Originally released as an arcade game, Dissidia Final Fantasy NT was eventually released on PlayStation 4 and PC. In contrast to the previous entries, this title focused on 3v3 combat instead of 1v1.
Final Fantasy Brave Exvius (2015, Mobile)
Final Fantasy Brave Exvius is a free-to-play mobile turn-based RPG. Cloud makes a cameo as a summon.
Theatrhythm All-Star Carnival (2016, Arcade)
All-Star Carnival is an arcade-only entry in the Theatrhythm series where Cloud appears again.
World of Final Fantasy (2016, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, PC, Switch, Xbox One)
World of Final Fantasy is a spin-off RPG with a world comprised of stitched-together locales from previous entries. Cloud appears in-game as a summon.
Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia (2017, Mobile)
Opera Omnia is a free-to-play turn-based mobile RPG. Many Final Fantasy 7 characters are playable, including Cloud. Service ends Febuary 28 2024.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018, Switch)
Cloud made his return to Super Smash Bros. with the Switch’s Ultimate. In time, he’d be joined by Sephiroth as DLC too.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake (2020, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC)
Final Fantasy 7 Remake is the first in a three-part remake series for the original game. The game sheds moves from the ATB system into an action RPG.
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line (2023, Switch, PlayStation 4)
The most recent Theatrhythm game, Final Bar Line, brings the series to modern platforms. As always, Cloud is present.
Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis
Ever Crisis is a turn-based mobile gatcha RPG with the goal of recreating all of Final Fantasy 7‘s story, spin-offs included. Cloud is available as a party member.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (2024, PlayStation 5)
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is the direct sequel to Final Fantasy 7 Remake. The title features Cloud as the main protagonist and continues the story where it last left players off.
Published: Feb 26, 2024 12:25 pm