I guess it depends! He's in one side quest in the game but the side quest is one of the better ones for sure. The games are incredibly worth it to play (FF7 Remake and Rebirth) but its not JUST for Salmon, its also for the destruction of fascist evil corporations, saving the planet, found family tropes, mental health awareness and disorders (in the main character no less!), life and death and what it means to die and what it means to live, changing fate, reclaiming colonized land, anime villains, aliens, and also playing every mini game under the sun and riding a segway on the beach.
But also, Salmon!! because SALMON!! (the dog is 100% a freedom fighter too by the way, he aint no boot licker)
If this convinces you, then yeah, play final fantasy 7. :) FF7 OG can be found in multiple places, FF7 Remake is on PC and PS4, and Rebirth is on PS5 with a PC launch coming later in the year (I can't wait)