FF9 Remake Buzz Grows With Anniversary Teasers

The beloved JRPG Final Fantasy IX kicks off its silver anniversary celebration with an official website teeming with upcoming projects. Here's everything we know about Square Enix's plans for FF9's 25th birthday - plus some intriguing possibilities on the horizon.

Final Fantasy 9 Celebrates 25th Anniversary This Year

25th Anniversary Website Launched

Square Enix has fired up an anniversary website packed with nostalgic goodies and promises of more to come. While detailing commemorative figures, plush dolls, vinyl records, and art books currently available, the site notably mentions additional "collaborations and projects" still in development.

Originally launched on PlayStation in July 2000, FF9 remains one of the franchise's most cherished entries with over 8.9 million copies sold. The game has seen multiple re-releases across platforms including mobile devices in 2016 and current-gen consoles in 2019. Each new version introduced slight graphical upgrades while preserving the game's timeless charm.

The Elephant in the Room: That FF9 Remake Rumor

Naturally, fans are buzzing about the possibility of FF9 receiving the FF7 Remake treatment. The anniversary announcement strategically avoids any concrete details about new game developments, but given FF9's consistent high rankings in fan polls (placing fourth in NHK's massive 2019 survey) and Square Enix's current remake strategy, the pieces seem to align.

Meanwhile, another intriguing project remains in limbo - the previously announced FF9 animated series. Revealed in 2021 with the working title "Final Fantasy IX: The Black Mages' Legacy," the show was set to explore Vivi's descendants a decade after the original story. Original production company Cyber Group Studios faced financial troubles in 2024, but with multiple studios expressing interest in resurrecting the project, there's still hope for anime fans.