Final Fantasy (NES) Complete Walkthrough

Introduction

This guide aims to be the French-language reference on the NES version of Final Fantasy (1987). You will find:

• A step-by-step walkthrough covering every location, boss, important item, and event.
• Optimization tips (team composition, spell management, XP routing).
• Side quests, secrets and ultimate equipment (Excalibur, Masamune, Ribbons, Warmech, etc.).
• Recommended level markers to minimize grind while remaining comfortable.

Whether you’re rediscovering the game or playing it for the first time, follow the guide: your Warriors of Light will surely save Cornelia!

1. Before you start: choose the best team

“Safe beginner” recommendation: Warrior + Monk + White Mage + Black Mage (tank/damage/healing balance).

2. World Map and Fast Forward Order

1. Cornelia → Temple of Chaos
2. Pravoka → Pirates → Ship
3. Elfheim / Elven Castle → Swamp Cavern → Northern Castle → Astos
4. Unlock the Mystic Key then loot the locked chests (Chaos Temple, Cornelia’s Castle, etc.)
5. Mont Duergue (dwarves) → TNT → Canal to Melmond
6. Earth Cavern (Lich)
7. Ice Cave → Floater → Desert → Airship
8. Dragon Island (Bahamut) → Rat’s Tail for upper class
9. Gurgu Volcano (Marilith)
10. Onrac → Caverns of the Sea (Kraken)
11. Mirage Tower → Flying Fortress (Tiamat)
12. Final Preparations (Excalibur, Ribbons, Lv.8 Magics)
13. Temple of Chaos (2000 years in the past) → Chaos

3. Detailed step by step

3.1 Cornelia & Temple of Chaos (Level 1 – 2)

• Objective: Save Sarah and recover the Lute.
• Buy 2 healing tonics per character, one Fire (Black Mage) and one Healing (White Mage) spell.
• Boss: Garland (weak). Use Fire and attack.
• Reward: Bridge (access to the world) + Lute (will be useful… at the very end!).

3.2 Pravoka & Ship (levels 2 – 4)

• Fight the eight Bikke Pirates; win the Ship.
• Farm sharks around for gold and XP.
• Buy level 2 spells: Ice, Toxic, Heal+.

3.3 Elfheim, Swamp Cavern & Astos (level 4 – 8)

• Elfheim: The Prince sleeps (needs Awakening Herb).
• Swamp Cavern: Recover the Crown (antidote level!).
• Northern Castle: Give the Crown, fight Astos (weak: Lightning).
• Obtain the Crystal Eye, trade it to Matoya for the Awakening Herb.
• Wake up the Prince → receive the Mystic Key.

3.4 Loot from Mystical Chests & Mount Duergue (levels 8 – 11)

• Open all locked rooms (several Rune Swords, Nitro Powder, etc.).
• At the Dwarves, offer Nitro Powder: they open the Canal to Melmond.
• Collect the Adamantite for Excalibur (keep it).

3.5 Melmond & Earth Cave (lvl. 11 – 15)

• Buy Life, Lightning 2, Ice 2.
• In the Earth Cavern, go down to B3 for the Mithril Hammer and Mithril Sword.
• Boss: Lich – Fire weakness 2. Earth Crystal rekindled!

3.6 Airship & Higher Class (Level 15 – 18)

• Ice Cave: Take the Floater (watch out for the Wizard-Mages).
• Use it in the Desert to raise the Airship!
• Dragon Islands → get the Rat’s Tail, return to Bahamut: your classes evolve (Warrior → Knight, etc.).
• Buy level 6–7 magic (Knight can cast level 1–3 magic).

3.7 Gurgu Volcano (level 18 – 22)

• Prepare Fire resistances (Ribbons, Fire Cape).
• Boss: Marilith (Ice weakness). Two out of four Crystals.

3.8 Onrac & Sea Caverns (level 22 – 25)

• Buy the Bottled Faerie from Gaia → oxygen for Onrac’s Submersible.
• In the Underwater Temple, target the Ghost Witches (Lightning) first.
• Boss: Kraken (weak Lightning). Third Crystal.

3.9 Mirage Tower & Flying Fortress (level 25 – 29)

• Get the Cube from the floating map robot.
• Explore the Fortress: Priorities = Ribbon(s), Masamune.
• Boss: Tiamat (Lightning/Ice weakness). Fourth Crystal active!

3.10 Final Preparations

• Bring the Adamantite back to the Dwarves: forge Excalibur.
• Buy Heal 3, Haste 2, Holy.
• You should be level 30-32; otherwise farm around the Fortress or fight Eyes in the Ice Cave for quick XP.

3.11 Temple of Chaos (2000 years ago)

• 5 floors, lingering mini-bosses (Lich 2, Marilith 2…).
• Save your high level magic charges for Chaos.
• Chaos Strategy:
  • Round 1: Haste 2 on Knight / Ninja & Invisible 2 on group.
  • Turn 2+: Knight → Excalibur/Attack, Ninja → Masamune/Attack, White Mage → Heal 3, Black Mage → Holy or Lightning 3.
  • Replace Haste if dispelled.
• Congratulations! End credits.

4. Side quests & secrets

• Warmech (Tiamat Front Bridge): 1/64 spawn, crazy XP drop.
• Health Sphere Status: Gives +2 HP/level to the Knight if used early.
• Easter-Egg “Neslour”: Name a “NES” character for a wink (Dawn of Souls port).
• Rare Magic: Flare (Lvl. 8) for sale only after activating all four Crystals.

5. Quick Leveling Guide

6. Management of Magic & Key Equipment

• White Mage Priorities: Heal, Life, Healthy, then Heal 3 and Invisible 2.
• Black Mage Priorities: Fire 2, Lightning 2, Haste 2, then Flare.

Essential items:

• 3 × Ribbons (immune status)
• Masamune (any class can use it)
• Protect Ring to resist Sudden Death

7. Express FAQ

Q: Can you finish the game without a higher class?

A: Yes, but you will lose access to 7-8 magics and some weapons, making Chaos much more difficult.

Q: What is the “sweet spot” level for Chaos?

A: Around 34-36 with optimal equipment; 30 remains doable with a good strategy.

Conclusion

This walkthrough covers 100% of the content of Final Fantasy on NES, from the first step outside Cornelia to the defeat of Chaos. By following this guide, you will:

• Drastically reduce your grind time.
• Not miss any legendary items.
• Discover every secret that Square had hidden in its 8-bit cartridge.

Happy adventures, Warriors of Light – and remember: “The last page is just the beginning of another story.”

Map Locations

You can now download the full item compendium for Final Fantasy (NES):

Download the “FF NES – items” workbook