Square's hotly anticipated Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles appeared in stores today in Japan, signaling the series' debut on Nintendo's latest system. The game, which features action-oriented gameplay and some enhanced multiplayer features that utilize Game Boy Advance connectivity, has been fairly well received by the Japanese media, most notably garnering a 32/40 (Gold Award) from the Weekly Famitsu publication.

Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles was recently pushed back for its North American debut, and will arrive here February 4, 2004, at an expected retail price of $49.99 US. No word on a European localization has been given as of yet, and given Nintendo's recent draconian attitudes towards game shops in the area, it may well be some time before such an announcement is made, if indeed one is forthcoming.