FF9 Remake Rumors Surge Amid 25th Anniversary Project Listings

Excitement is building among fans as Square Enix celebrates the 25th anniversary of the beloved RPG, Final Fantasy 9. With the launch of a special anniversary website, the gaming community is abuzz with speculation about what's in store for this iconic title. Let's dive into the details and explore the potential projects on the horizon for Final Fantasy 9.

25th Anniversary Website Launched

Square Enix has marked the 25th anniversary of Final Fantasy 9 with a dedicated website that promises a range of exciting projects. The site hints at "various projects such as goods and collaborations" to celebrate this milestone. Fans can already explore a variety of FF9 merchandise, including character figures, plushies, vinyl records, CDs, storybooks, and more. The excitement doesn't stop there, as Square Enix teases additional announcements in the lead-up to the anniversary.

First released on July 7, 2000, for the PlayStation console, Final Fantasy 9 has sold over 8.9 million copies worldwide. It was later included in the Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary Ultimate Box in Japan in December 2012. A remastered version was made available for iOS and Android devices in February 2016, followed by a PC port later that year. The game continued to reach new platforms with releases on the PlayStation 4 in September 2017, and on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Windows 10 in February 2019.

Possible Final Fantasy 9 Remake and Seemingly Forgotten Anime

The launch of the anniversary website has fueled rumors of a potential Final Fantasy 9 remake. Given the success of the Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth, it's no surprise that fans are hopeful for a similar treatment for FF9. Although the website doesn't confirm a remake, FF9's high ranking in a 2019 NHK poll as the 4th best FF game adds weight to these speculations.

Another project that has been quiet for some time is the FF9 anime series, "Final Fantasy IX: The Black Mages' Legacy," announced in 2021. This series was set to explore the lives of Vivi's six children a decade after the original game's events. However, updates have been scarce since the initial announcement. The project was to be produced by Paris-based Cyber Group Studios, which had secured distribution and merchandise rights in collaboration with Square Enix. Unfortunately, Cyber Group Studios declared bankruptcy by the end of October 2024 and entered judicial recovery. Despite this setback, potential buyers like United Smile and Newen Studios have shown interest in acquiring the studio's IPs and assets, with intentions to continue the FF9 animated series.