RPG titles are very special experiencesthat can often connect with audiences in a very different way than other games. These epic, expansive games lend themselves to sprawling stories where it’s hard to not get invested on the huge journeys that the heroes embark on. TheFinal Fantasyseries has always been at the forefront of the RPG genre and while there are many things to love about the franchise, the advent ofpowerful summons in battleis an exciting recurring element in the games.
Related:Final Fantasy: 10 Lore Details You Never Knew About Summons
Every summon is impressive in its own way, but Bahamut has definitely taken the lead as one of the most prominent, yet there’s a lot more to this dragon than players may realize.
10He’s Been Given His Own Video Game
Bahamut is a summon that’s not only appeared in the majority of theFinal Fantasygames, but he’s a character that’s gained such a beloved reputation that a whole new RPG series was actually centered around the dragon.Bahamut Lagoonis a Super Nintendo title that originally began asFinal Fantasy Tacticsand never made it out of Japan.
Related:5 Most Overrated Final Fantasy Summons (& 5 That Need More Love)
Bahamut Lagoondisconnected from the largerFinal Fantasyuniverse, but it features much of the same development team and the game makes heavy use of summons, with Bahamut being the centerpiece of the technique.
9He’s Considered To Be A God In Some Titles
TheFinal Fantasyseries is not only made up of incredibly powerful fighters, but the addition of other entities like summons, espers, and Eidolons incorporates even more cosmic power into the mix. Bahamut’s reputation and lore differs betweenFinal Fantasygames, but bothFinal Fantasy IVandXVboth indicate that Bahamut is actually a God that rules over others.
Related:The 10 Most Powerful Summons In Final Fantasy 7, Ranked
InFinal Fantasy IVhe’s referred to as the “God of Eidolons” and has never experienced defeat.Final Fantasy XVrefers to Bahamut as the “God over Astrals,” which gives the summon major significance in the game’s deeper lore.
8He’s Fought Against Mario
One of the most satisfying games for fans of both RPGs and the Mario titles is Nintendo’s collaboration with Square forSuper Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. ThePaper Marioseries that has spun off of this game has loosened up on the RPG elements, butSuper Mario RPGembraces these customs and even features the famousFinal Fantasysummon. Admittedly, this version of the character is named Bahamutt and he receives a bit of the Mario makeover, but it’s crazy to see Mario fight against this dragon and that Magikoopa has the magical strength to summon it.
7There’s Only One Mainline Final Fantasy Game That He’s Not In
The bulk of theFinal Fantasytitles take place in different universes even if they may play with common themes and ideas. As a result, sometimes elements from games can be dropped between titles, but Bahamut is fortunate enough to be a presence that’s practically become a foregone conclusion with any newFinal Fantasygame. Bahamut is there since the very first title and it’s strangely onlyFinal Fantasy IIthat he’s omitted. Bahamut is back inFinal Fantasy III, but his absence in the previous title makes the game a strange outlier.
6Many Different Versions Of Bahamut Exist
Bahamut is one of the most important summons in theFinal Fantasyseries and he’s even referred to as The Dragon King, which emphasizes the power behind this beast. Not only is Bahamut extremely strong, but the character has grown and evolved over the course of the series that there have become an increasing number of variations on the character, which usually represent contrasting motivations or even deeper reservoirs of power. Bahamut has expanded into Dark, Lunar, and Chaos versions of himself, but then there’s also Neo Bahamut and Bahamut ZERO, which are even more apocalyptic in nature.
5He’s The Only Summon Given Preferential Treatment In Final Fantasy Spin-Offs
There are a wealth of spin-offs in theFinal Fantasyseries that try to reinterpret the universe in creative ways or even push the games into an entirely different genre. Bahamut isn’t the most important or signature summon, which makes its prominence in other games so surprising. For instance,in the mobile titleFinal Fantasy: All The Bravest, Bahamut is the only summon that’s featured at all. In other titles likeTheatrhythm Final Fantasy, Bahamut is made the rarest and most prestigious of available summons.
4He Was Nearly In Kingdom Hearts
One of the most unusual series to come out of Square isthe bewilderingKingdom Heartsseriesthat mashes together universes fromFinal Fantasyand Disney and somehow makes it work. There’s a lot of fun crossover from theFinal Fantasygames inKingdom Hearts,but Bahamut was also supposed to make the transition. Summons were supposed to be in the game to some capacity with the proof of a Bahamut summon even remaining in the game’s code. Bahamut’s physical form didn’t make the cut, but the character’s name and signature Megaflare move still get incorporated.
3He’s Originally An Extension Of The Job System Mechanic
Square’sFinal Fantasyseries has changed in major ways since the beginning and the series' utilization of Bahamut is a prime example of this. Bahamut is present in the very firstFinal Fantasygame, but at this point there are no summoners, so the dragon helps out players in a different capacity that speaks more to the original game’s vision. Appeasing Bahamut results in him upgrading the characters to special new job classes like Knight, Black Wizard, and Ninja, which allows characters to become stronger and learn more magic.
2He’s Appeared As A Human In The Chocobo Series
The adorable Chocobo are such a delightful aspect of theFinal Fantasyseriesthat it’s not surprising to see them be given their own games and spin-off titles. In many of these games likeChocobo RacingorChocobo’s Mysterious Dungeon, Bahamut is portrayed in a less threatening light than the mainFinal Fantasygames. Bahamut fills the role of a helpful guardian type figure for the Chocobo. However, theFinal Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Talesgames actually depict Bahamut in human form as a helpful professor to the Chocobo. It’s a radical re-design.
1He’s A Part Of The Assassin’s Creed Canon
Bahamut has made some particular unusual cameos outside of theFinal Fantasyfranchise. Some of these at least make sense in an RPG context, like his appearance inBravely Defaultor a fitting nod to the character, likeMonster Hunter 4armor that’s modeled after the dragon. However,Assassin’s Creed: Originscrosses over withFinal Fantasy XVin a very strange way where Bahamut is treated like an ancient god of Egypt that’s able to bridge worlds and bringFinal Fantasy XV’sArdyn to meetAssassin’s Creed’sBayek.
Next:Final Fantasy: 5 Amazing Boss Fights In The Series (& 5 Of The Worst)
