Does anyone know/like the Final Fantasy game franchise?

Final Fantasy was an RPG series that began when the gaming company Squaresoft was going under. Their last few games were busts, and Final Fantasy was meant to be their final hurrah; however, that was before the unprecedented sells and fame. Final Fantasy soon became so popular, that the creators felt it would be a smart idea to make second. The pattern continued, and still continues to this day. Now, they are getting ready to release the Final Fantasy XIII saga, and Final Fantasy Dissidia, a fighting game celebrating Final Fantasy's tenth anniversary.

The first time I played Final Fantasy was when my uncle bought Final Fantasy IX for my tenth birthday. Since then, it has been my absolute favorite video game series EVER MADE. In fact, without it, I probably would have never been introduced to Elfen Lied. (The friend who recommended Elfen Lied to me I had met through a Final Fantasy website. ^.^)

Final Fantasy, to this day, plays a big part in my life. Many of my oldest, closest friends became from a result of sharing a common love for Final Fantasy. In fact, I rarely ever play a non-Final Fantasy game anymore; you can say I've become an FF girl all throughout. ^.^

So, for any other Final Fantasy fans in this guild, I feel the desire to ask...what was the first Final Fantasy you ever played? What is your favorite Final Fantasy game?