August 11 was Final Fantasy VII protagonist Cloud Strife's birthday, according to Square Enix. While the manual for my original PlayStation copy of Final Fantasy VII says otherwise, I'm always down for celebrating the existence of one of my favorite video game protagonists, particularly one I've been collecting merch and toys for since the game originally launched back in 1997.
Back then, the best toys depicting the spiky-haired boy weren't as easily available as they are now. We had the Extra Knights Action Figure of Cloud and his posse, but finding them in stores was a rarer chance than getting Yuffie as your Gold Saucer companion in the original game. Now, there's a sky full of Cloud-based collectibles, from the Final Fantasy 7 Polygon toy set available for $72 at Square Enix that recreates his in-game model as a tiny figure among the rest of the party, to the massive 1/4 scale Masterline statue that costs $2,400.00 (Amazon), more than my entire Final Fantasy collection (games included) combined.
Do you want a plushie Cloud to hug and help deal with his never-ending trauma? That exists. Want a playmat depicting Cloud about to do some serious damage with his Buster Sword? You can get that too, and I've gathered them all below. If you want to get in on the belated birthday celebrations, there are plenty of Cloud collectibles to spend your hard-earned Gil on, and with Final Fantasy VII Revelation on its way, there's likely even more to come. *Insert fanfare jingle here.*
Want more Final Fantasy goodies? Check out this incoming Final Fantasy Origins of Light board game.
