KessCo Teams Up With Square Enix for Exciting New Final Fantasy Tabletop Lineup in 2026
KessCo is stepping into the Final Fantasy universe in a big way. The company has secured a new licensing partnership with Square Enix, opening the door to a full line of tabletop products inspired by the Final Fantasy I–VI Pixel Remaster era. The announcement covers a multi‑game board game deal and a series of collectible RPG dice sets, all set to debut publicly at New York Toy Fair 2026 at the Javits Center.
Alex Kessler, CEO of KessCo, summed up the excitement behind the collaboration:
“We’ve seen how powerful Final Fantasy can be in the tabletop space recently, bringing longtime fans and brand-new players into a shared experience. We’re excited to partner with Square Enix and continue that momentum with our own faithful adaptation that honors what fans love most about the Pixel Remaster Era while delivering something fun, accessible, and collectible for the tabletop community.”
A Board Game Series Built Around the Pixel Remaster Era
The first release in the partnership is a board game based on Final Fantasy I–III, arriving in Q3 2026. KessCo is aiming for a streamlined tabletop experience that still captures the tone and charm of the early Final Fantasy titles — the ones that shaped the JRPG genre long before it became a global powerhouse.
This isn’t a one‑off project. It’s the opening chapter in a multi‑game deal, with more adaptations planned after the first release.
How the Final Fantasy Board Game Plays
KessCo hasn’t revealed every system under the hood yet, but the studio has outlined the core structure of the Final Fantasy I–III board game — and it’s clear they’re aiming for something streamlined, fast to learn, and faithful to the early JRPGs.
At its heart, the game is a cooperative adventure, built around party‑based exploration and classic turn‑order combat. Players form a Light Warriors–style team, choose their jobs, and move across a modular map that shifts from session to session. Encounters trigger battles that play out using simplified versions of the familiar Final Fantasy flow: choose actions, manage abilities, and work together to clear enemies before they overwhelm the party.
Progression is tied to short, self‑contained quests rather than long campaigns, which keeps the pacing tight and makes the game easy to replay. Each run pushes players toward a final boss encounter inspired by the early NES titles, with job abilities and party composition shaping how each group approaches the fight.
Kessco’s goal isn’t to recreate a 40‑hour RPG on a table — it’s to capture the rhythm, charm, and tactical beats of the Pixel Remaster era in a format you can finish in a single evening.
Collectible Dice Sets for Fans of the Classic Era
Alongside the board game, KessCo will launch a line of Final Fantasy I–VI Pixel Remaster‑inspired RPG dice sets, also scheduled for Q3 2026. These aren’t simple dice bags — each set comes in a sculpted container topped with a character figure from the pixel era. They’re designed to be used at the table, displayed on a shelf, or both.
The goal is clear: celebrate the look and feel of the early Final Fantasy games in a way that feels tangible and collectible.
A Closer Look at the Final Fantasy Dice Designs
KessCo isn’t treating the dice sets as simple accessories. They’re building them as display pieces first, game tools second — the kind of collectibles that feel pulled straight out of the Pixel Remaster era. Each set is housed in a sculpted container topped with a character figure from Final Fantasy I–VI, designed to echo the chunky charm of the original sprites without feeling overly nostalgic or toy‑like.
The containers themselves are shaped with clean, angular lines that mimic the geometry of early Final Fantasy UI elements. The lids double as miniature character pedestals, giving each figure a sense of presence whether the dice are in use or sitting on a shelf. The dice inside follow the same philosophy: bold, readable numbering, subtle pixel‑inspired accents, and color palettes pulled directly from the early games’ battle menus and job classes.
It’s the kind of design work that understands why the Pixel Remaster era resonates. The sets aren’t trying to modernize the look — they’re celebrating it. Fans who grew up with the NES and SNES titles will recognize the aesthetic immediately, while newer players get something that feels iconic without needing the nostalgia to appreciate it.
A Franchise Built for Tabletop Expansion
Final Fantasy’s move into tabletop gaming has been gaining momentum for years. The franchise’s crossover with Magic: The Gathering in 2025 became the best‑selling MTG set in history, pulling thousands of Final Fantasy fans into card gaming for the first time. With more than 207 million units sold worldwide, the series has the kind of reach that naturally spills into other formats.
KessCo’s new lineup aims to tap into that energy — nostalgia, accessibility, and the enduring appeal of the pixel era.
A Strong Match Between Two Brands
KessCo has built a reputation for approachable, inventive tabletop experiences, and Square Enix brings one of the most iconic RPG franchises ever created. Together, they’re shaping a tabletop line that leans into nostalgia without feeling stuck in it — something that honors the classics while giving fans something new to play with.
