RPG titles are very special experiences that 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. The Final Fantasy series has always been at the forefront of the RPG genre and while there are many things to love about the franchise, the advent of powerful summons in battle is an exciting recurring element in the games.
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.
10 He’s Been Given His Own Video Game
Bahamut is a summon that's not only appeared in the majority of the Final Fantasy games, 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 Lagoon is a Super Nintendo title that originally began as Final Fantasy Tactics and never made it out of Japan.
Bahamut Lagoon disconnected from the larger Final Fantasy universe, 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.
9 He’s Considered To Be A God In Some Titles
The Final Fantasy series 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 between Final Fantasy games, but both Final Fantasy IV and XV both indicate that Bahamut is actually a God that rules over others.
In Final Fantasy IV he's referred to as the "God of Eidolons" and has never experienced defeat. Final Fantasy XV refers to Bahamut as the "God over Astrals," which gives the summon major significance in the game's deeper lore.
8 He’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 for Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. The Paper Mario series that has spun off of this game has loosened up on the RPG elements, but Super Mario RPG embraces these customs and even features the famous Final Fantasy summon. 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.
7 There’s Only One Mainline Final Fantasy Game That He’s Not In
The bulk of the Final Fantasy titles 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 new Final Fantasy game. Bahamut is there since the very first title and it's strangely only Final Fantasy II that he's omitted. Bahamut is back in Final Fantasy III, but his absence in the previous title makes the game a strange outlier.
6 Many Different Versions Of Bahamut Exist
Bahamut is one of the most important summons in the Final Fantasy series 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.
5 He's The Only Summon Given Preferential Treatment In Final Fantasy Spin-Offs
There are a wealth of spin-offs in the Final Fantasy series 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 title Final Fantasy: All The Bravest, Bahamut is the only summon that's featured at all. In other titles like Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, Bahamut is made the rarest and most prestigious of available summons.
4 He Was Nearly In Kingdom Hearts
One of the most unusual series to come out of Square is the bewildering Kingdom Hearts series that mashes together universes from Final Fantasy and Disney and somehow makes it work. There’s a lot of fun crossover from the Final Fantasy games in Kingdom 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.
3 He’s Originally An Extension Of The Job System Mechanic
Square's Final Fantasy series 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 first Final Fantasy game, 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.
2 He's Appeared As A Human In The Chocobo Series
The adorable Chocobo are such a delightful aspect of the Final Fantasy series that it's not surprising to see them be given their own games and spin-off titles. In many of these games like Chocobo Racing or Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon, Bahamut is portrayed in a less threatening light than the main Final Fantasy games. Bahamut fills the role of a helpful guardian type figure for the Chocobo. However, the Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales games actually depict Bahamut in human form as a helpful professor to the Chocobo. It's a radical re-design.
1 He's A Part Of The Assassin's Creed Canon
Bahamut has made some particular unusual cameos outside of the Final Fantasy franchise. Some of these at least make sense in an RPG context, like his appearance in Bravely Default or a fitting nod to the character, like Monster Hunter 4 armor that's modeled after the dragon. However, Assassin's Creed: Origins crosses over with Final Fantasy XV in a very strange way where Bahamut is treated like an ancient god of Egypt that's able to bridge worlds and bring Final Fantasy XV's Ardyn to meet Assassin's Creed's Bayek.