Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call Limited Edition

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call Limited Edition on Nintendo 3DS includes a five-track CD of remixes from the game's soundtrack, and considering this is a rhythm game built entirely around Final Fantasy music, that bonus hits different. This limited edition was also a first edition release, meaning every pre-order and day-one purchase automatically received the upgraded version. No hunting, no lottery, just reward for showing up early.

Curtain Call is the expanded sequel to the original Theatrhythm, and it's massive. Over 200 songs spanning the entire Final Fantasy catalog, from the original NES trilogy through the modern entries, all playable in a rhythm game format that's deceptively deep. The 3DS touchscreen and button controls give you options for how to engage with each track, and the RPG progression system layered on top keeps you coming back long after you've cleared the setlist.

The five remix tracks on the included CD are exclusive arrangements that exist outside the game itself. For Final Fantasy music collectors, and there are more of us than you'd think, that's a physical piece of the franchise's legendary soundtrack library. These aren't pulled from an existing album. They were created for this release.

The automatic first-edition upgrade is a distribution model that deserves more appreciation. Square Enix didn't gatekeep this behind a special retailer or a numbered allocation. They rewarded punctuality. That said, the window for first edition copies is always smaller than it seems at the time. Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call Limited Edition is a celebration of decades of iconic music in one of the best rhythm games ever made for the 3DS. The remix CD is the encore.