Square Enix just pushed a major update to Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions on iOS and Android, adding full controller support and a 60 FPS mode. The update went live around October 19-21, 2026, and it’s the first big overhaul the mobile version has gotten in nearly five years.
What happened
The War of the Lions, originally a PSP remaster of the 1997 tactics RPG, has been sitting on mobile with minimal changes for a long time. This update changes that. Players can now hook up a Bluetooth or MFi/compatible gamepad and play the whole game with full gamepad integration instead of tapping through menus on a touchscreen. Square Enix also added a 60 FPS option, a battle UI refresh, and a fast-forward feature for speeding through battles and cutscenes you’ve already seen. The update is live on both iOS and Android right now, so you don’t need to wait for a staggered rollout.
The game itself hasn’t changed in terms of story or content. It’s still the same tactical RPG following Ramza Beoulve through the Lion War in the kingdom of Ivalice, with the same turn-based, grid-based combat and job system that made the original stand out back in the day. What’s different is how it feels to actually play on a phone.
Why it matters
Honestly, this is overdue. A 28-year-old game that’s barely been touched on mobile suddenly getting a controller mode and a frame rate bump is a good sign that Square Enix hasn’t forgotten about it. It also lines up with the timing of Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles, the full remaster that launched on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch/Switch 2. It’s a reasonable guess that Square Enix wants the mobile version to feel a little more current while attention on the franchise is high, though that’s not something the company has said outright.
For mobile tactics RPG fans, this is one of the better touch-to-controller conversions I’ve seen for an older port. Tapping through tactical grid combat on a phone screen has always been the weak point of playing SRPGs on mobile, so native gamepad support actually solves a real problem instead of being a nice-to-have.
What’s next / how to get it
The update is already rolled out, so there’s no pre-registration or waiting involved. Just open the App Store or Google Play, update Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions if you already own it, or grab it fresh if you don’t. Square Enix hasn’t published a full patch notes list beyond the headline features (controller support, 60 FPS, UI changes, fast-forward), so there may be smaller tweaks that haven’t been fully documented yet. If you’re into tactical, turn-based mobile games in general, it’s worth checking our best tower defense games on mobile roundup and our best new mobile games of November 2026 list for more strategy picks.
FAQ
Do I need to buy the game again to get the update?
No. If you already own Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions on iOS or Android, the update applies automatically once you update the app through the App Store or Google Play.
Does the update add new story content?
No. This update is focused on performance and controls (controller support, 60 FPS, UI, fast-forward), not new chapters, jobs, or story content.
Got a controller paired up and tried this update yourself? Let us know how it runs in the comments.
Source(s): Final Weapon, Pocket Gamer
