FF9 25th Anniversary Site Teases Switch Remake

Excitement is reigniting around the highly anticipated Final Fantasy 9 remake following Square Enix's launch of an official 25th anniversary website for the classic RPG.

The Japanese-language site commemorates Final Fantasy 9's original release date (July 7, 2000) and highlights this year's silver anniversary celebration.

"We're planning various commemorative projects including merchandise and collaborations for the 25th anniversary, so stay tuned!" the announcement continues.

This seemingly routine statement - along with the website's existence itself - has fueled speculation that Square Enix might finally unveil the Final Fantasy 9 remake that fans have long awaited.

Observant fans note the timing coincides with Nintendo's upcoming Switch 2-focused Direct presentation scheduled for April 2. Could this be when Square Enix announces the Final Fantasy 9 remake for Nintendo's next-gen console? Many enthusiasts are crossing their fingers.

However, cautious optimism is warranted. While mentioning "various projects," the website primarily references merchandise and collaborations - though the vague wording has certainly sparked discussions.

During 2023, Final Fantasy 14 producer Naoki 'Yoshi-P' Yoshida shared insights about potential approaches to a Final Fantasy 9 remake, suggesting the project might be too expansive for a single release.

"I'm aware of fan demand for a Final Fantasy 9 remake," Yoshida noted. "But considering the game's massive scope, I question whether it could be adapted into just one title. It presents significant challenges."

His comments hinted that a potential remake could follow Final Fantasy 7 Remake's trilogy approach rather than being a standalone project.

Earlier this year, Yoshida revealed Final Fantasy 9-themed bonuses for Final Fantasy 14's Dawntrail expansion Collector's Editions, including FF9's Ark summon as a mount and a Princess Garnet minion. Pre-orders included a Zidane companion character.

During a PAX East presentation unveiling these collectibles, Yoshida tantalizingly remarked: "You might notice many Final Fantasy 9 references here, but the reason remains a secret," before playfully miming zipping his lips.

Final Fantasy XIV Dawntrail Final Fantasy 9 Bonuses

3 Images

Rumors about a Final Fantasy 9 remake first surfaced in 2021's Nvidia leak of unannounced games. While containing several Square Enix titles later confirmed (like the Chrono Cross remaster and Kingdom Hearts 4), the FF9 remake and Final Fantasy Tactics entries remain unfulfilled. Around the same period, reports emerged about a Final Fantasy 9 animated series, though updates have since gone quiet.