Recently I been thinking of playing a Final Fantasy game and I remember about a year ago when I watched a review of FFIV on G4TV and I thought the game looked really interesting. If you look at my game collection I don't own a single RPG. My only experience with Final Fantasy was about 3 years ago I played a little of FF7. I did some research on FF4 and I know there is a few different versions of the game after the original SNES version

There is the DS remake, GBA version, and PS1 port

There is one problem...I don't own a DS, however, I asked my cousin if I could borrow his for a while and he agreed

I need your help deciding which version would best suit me

I heard stuff about the difficulty of the DS version...I don't know if it's good or bad and if I get the DS version I won't be able to play it when I want all the time, however if the DS version is better for a non-experienced RPG gamer like myself then I think I would enjoy this one

The GBA version...I would probably buy this off ebay or check gamestop...I have a GBA SP so I can play it for how ever long I need

PS1 port....I saw on ebay this version came with Chrono Trigger...i will be able to play this on my PS3

which version would you suggest?

DS or GBA. I'd avoid the PS1 version because of load times.

The DS version is the definitive version, but it is pretty tough. I would still recommend it, but only if you consider yourself hardcore and willing to approach challenges bilaterally.

If you go for this version, remember that status magic is your best friend in the world.

Don't get the PS1 port. The load times on those were TERRIBLE. Random battle..loading....loading...loading. Random battle won...loading...loading...loading. Enter house..loading...loading...loading.

If you aren't going for the DS version, the GBA would be the way to go.

the ds is the best graphical you are goona see of ff 4.

But since you don't own a DS?

The GBA version would do in a pinch. It's not as good as the DS version, but it's still one of the best RPGs there is.

If I buy the GBA version...beat the game and enjoy it, is it worth buying the DS version? I know the DS version has better graphics but is there more content and extra stuff?

The GBA version actually has more content than the DS version, but a lot of it is stuff that you unlock after beating the game. The DS version has content that the GBA version doesn't, too, giving you a better understanding of the story.

I think it's worth owning both, but I am unabashedly biased toward this game and own pretty much every iteration that has been released stateside.

ok thanks for the info
I'll start looking on ebay for the GBA version and if I like the story and gameplay i'll buy the DS version

You made a good choice.

The GBA version is hard, but don't let it fool you: the DS version is considerably harder and deeper in terms of gameplay. It's gonna be tough.

One other thing is that the GBA version gives you the option of bringing characters into the final dungeon that you could not bring there in any other version of the game, DS included. It will be a very different experience depending on how you approach that place.