The end of the original series
First released in Japan in December 1993, Phantasy Star IV was presented by Sega as the culmination of its original role-playing series. It belongs beside the Mega Drive’s action games as evidence of a different sort of ambition: sustaining characters and a world across a long adventure.
A story told in panels
Illustrated panels give conversations room for an expression or a pause. They suit a game that moves easily from party banter to the weight of the past. Advanced technology keeps intruding on the lives of people left among its remains, while the party’s combination attacks reward thinking about how these companions work together. The smaller exchanges help the larger losses register.
Starting with the fourth game
This is a welcoming place to start the original series. Earlier games add context, but several preliminary playthroughs would be an expensive way to find out whether you like it. Expect random encounters and some terse technique names. Read them carefully and save regularly.
Why we chose it for Mega Drive
Its comic-panel scenes and party relationships give the Mega Drive a substantial science-fiction RPG to set beside its better-known action games.
Explore this console’s game selection ↗Release record
Original worldwide release: 1993. Release records above identify the console editions covered by this collection.
Sources and further reading2 references
- Phantasy Star IV: Mega Drive Mini ↗SEGA · Accessed 2026-10-27
Japanese release in December 1993; the fourth entry and conclusion of the original series.
- SEGA Mega Drive: Nintendo Switch Online game library ↗Nintendo · Accessed 2026-10-27
UK catalogue checked October 2026. Requires Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack; availability can change.
