History of Bravely Default in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 3, 2025

Bravely Default is a role-playing video game developed by Silicon Studio for the Nintendo 3DS. Originally released in Japan in 2012 as Bravely Default: Flying Fairy, it received an expanded edition in 2013, 'For the Sequel', which was later released worldwide in 2014 as simply 'Bravely Default' (subtitled 'Where The Fairy Flies' outside Japan). Published by Square Enix in Japan and Nintendo overseas, the game features a turn-based battle system, a job system allowing for character customization, and options to adjust battle speed and encounter rates.

2004: Asano Listens to Chronicle 2nd

In 2004, Tomoya Asano listened to the album Chronicle 2nd by Sound Horizon, which led him to contact Revo for a collaboration on Bravely Default's music.

2009: Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light Release

In 2009, Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light was released, and Bravely Default began development as a sequel to it.

September 2011: Bravely Default Announced

In September 2011, Bravely Default was announced as part of Nintendo's 2012 lineup for the Nintendo 3DS platform.

Nintendo 3DS - Flame Red (Renewed)

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September 2012: Release of the Fifth Demo

In September 2012, the fifth and final demo for Bravely Default was released through Nintendo eShop, including features from all previous demos and elements such as Friend Summons, Abilink, and Norende reconstruction.

October 11, 2012: Bravely Default Released

On October 11, 2012, Bravely Default was released by Square Enix, including a standard edition and a collector's edition with an AR poster, soundtrack, artbook, and 3DS protective case. Downloadable content was also made available.

October 2012: Asano States No Localization Plans

In October 2012, Tomoya Asano stated that there were no plans to localize Bravely Default, but encouraged fans to continue expressing their interest.

November 11, 2012: Bravely Default: Praying Brage Open Beta

On November 11, 2012, the browser game spin-off, Bravely Default: Praying Brage, began an open beta. The game was developed by NHN Hangame.

2012: Awards Received in 2012

In 2012, Bravely Default received Famitsu's "Rookie Award", the Dengeki Online Consumer Award, and the Future Game Award at the Japan Game Awards.

2012: Bravely Default Release and Reception

In 2012, Bravely Default was released to strong sales and critical acclaim in Japan and overseas. Praise was given to its gameplay, storyline, graphics, and music, while criticism was aimed at repetitive late-game stages and social gameplay elements.

2012: Original Release of Bravely Default: Flying Fairy

In 2012, Bravely Default: Flying Fairy, a role-playing video game developed by Silicon Studio for the Nintendo 3DS, was originally released in Japan.

Nintendo 3DS - Flame Red (Renewed)

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January 2013: Bravely Default Sales Reach 300,000 in Japan

By late January 2013, Bravely Default had reached 300,000 copies in shipments and sales in Japan, topping gaming charts with impressive sales numbers.

April 2013: Localization Officially Announced

In April 2013, a localization of Bravely Default was officially announced, with Nintendo taking charge of publishing duties overseas.

August 2013: Bravely Default: For the Sequel Announced

In August 2013, Bravely Default: For the Sequel was announced in Weekly Shōnen Jump for a release on December 5th of the same year, featuring over a hundred improvements and adjustments.

December 6, 2013: European Release of Bravely Default

On December 6, 2013, the Western version of Bravely Default, based on For the Sequel, was released in Europe.

December 2013: Bravely Second: End Layer Announced

In December 2013, Bravely Second: End Layer was officially announced as the new game in the Bravely Default series.

December 2013: Release of Bravely Default: The Pocketbook of R

In December 2013, two supplementary books, released under the title Bravely Default: The Pocketbook of R, were released.

2013: Excellence Award at the Japan Game Awards

In 2013, Bravely Default received the Excellence Award at the Japan Game Awards.

2013: Rerelease of Bravely Default: For the Sequel

In 2013, Bravely Default was rereleased in Japan as an expanded edition titled Bravely Default: For the Sequel.

February 7, 2014: North American Release of Bravely Default

On February 7, 2014, Bravely Default was released in North America, with a collector's edition including the soundtrack, an artbook, and AR cards.

July 2014: Bravely Default Reaches One Million Copies Sold Worldwide

In July 2014, it was reported that Bravely Default had sold one million copies worldwide, with 400,000 units sold in Japan and 600,000 sold overseas.

2014: GameSpot's 3DS Game of the Year 2014

In 2014, Bravely Default won GameSpot's 3DS Game of the Year award.

Nintendo 3DS - Flame Red (Renewed)

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2014: Release of Bravely Default in Europe, Australia, and North America

In 2014, the expanded edition of Bravely Default, known as For the Sequel in Japan, was released in Europe, Australia, and North America, simply titled Bravely Default.

2014: Supplementary Drama CDs Released

Throughout 2014, two drama CDs containing supplementary stories were released for Bravely Default.

January 22, 2015: Bravely Archive: D's Report Released

On January 22, 2015, Bravely Archive: D's Report, a mobile spin-off, was released for mobile devices. It followed an alternate scenario stemming from Bravely Default.

2015: Release of Bravely Second: End Layer in Japan

In 2015, Bravely Second: End Layer, a direct sequel to Bravely Default, was released in Japan for the Nintendo 3DS.

Nintendo 3DS - Flame Red (Renewed)

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2015: First Compilation Volume of Manga Released

In 2015, the first compilation volume of the Bravely Default: Flying Fairy manga was released.

2016: Bravely Second: End Layer Released Overseas

In 2016, Bravely Second: End Layer was released overseas after its initial release in Japan in 2015.

2016: Overseas Release of Bravely Second: End Layer

In 2016, Bravely Second: End Layer, the direct sequel to Bravely Default, was released overseas for the Nintendo 3DS.

Nintendo 3DS - Flame Red (Renewed)

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2016: Second Compilation Volume of Manga Released

In 2016, the second compilation volume of the Bravely Default: Flying Fairy manga was released.

January 2017: Octopath Traveler Announced

In January 2017, Octopath Traveler was announced, developed by Asano in partnership with Square Enix and Acquire. The game was influenced by the reception to the Bravely series.

2017: Akihiko Yoshida's Twitter Post

On Christmas Day 2017, character designer Akihiko Yoshida posted an image on Twitter of Edea holding a pair of Joy-Con controllers.

Nintendo Joy-Con (L) neon red / (R) neon Blue

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July 2018: Octopath Traveler Released Worldwide

In July 2018, Octopath Traveler was initially released worldwide for the Nintendo Switch.

Nintendo Switch™ with Neon Blue and Neon Red Joy‑Con™

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2019: Bravely Default II Announcement

In 2019, Bravely Default II was announced exclusively for the Nintendo Switch at The Game Awards.

Nintendo Switch™ with Neon Blue and Neon Red Joy‑Con™

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February 26, 2021: Worldwide Release of Bravely Default II

On February 26, 2021, Bravely Default II was released worldwide. The game features a new world and cast of characters, separate from previous games in the series.

Nintendo Switch™ with Neon Blue and Neon Red Joy‑Con™

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November 2021: Bravely Series Surpasses 3 Million Copies Sold

By November 2021, the Bravely series had shipped over 3 million copies.

2025: HD Remaster Release Scheduled

In 2025, an HD remaster of Bravely Default Flying Fairy, titled Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster, is scheduled for release for the Nintendo Switch 2.