The buzz around a potential Final Fantasy 9 remake has surged once again, fueled by Square Enix's launch of an official 25th Anniversary website dedicated to the beloved game. The site, presented in Japanese, marks the game's original release date on July 7, 2000, and celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. It teases fans with promises of "various projects, including merchandise and collaborations" to commemorate the milestone, igniting speculation about the long-awaited remake.
The timing of the website's launch has not gone unnoticed, especially with Nintendo's upcoming Switch 2-focused Direct scheduled for April 2. Many fans are hopeful that Square Enix might seize the opportunity to announce the Final Fantasy 9 remake for the Switch 2 during this event. However, the website's mention of merchandise and collaborations, rather than a direct reference to a remake, keeps the speculation on a cautious note.
Last year, Naoki 'Yoshi-P' Yoshida, the producer of Final Fantasy 14, hinted at the challenges of remaking Final Fantasy 9. He pointed out the game's extensive content, suggesting that a remake might not fit into a single title, similar to the approach taken with the Final Fantasy 7 Remake, which is being released as a planned trilogy.
In early 2024, Yoshi-P further fueled the rumors by announcing Final Fantasy 9-themed extras for the Collector's Edition and Digital Collector's Edition of the Final Fantasy 14 expansion, Dawntrail. These extras include the Ark summon from Final Fantasy 9 as a mount and a wind-up Princess Garnet minion, with pre-orders offering a wind-up Zidane minion. During PAX East, Yoshi-P playfully hinted at the significance of these references, adding to the anticipation without confirming any plans for a remake.
Rumors of a Final Fantasy 9 remake have been circulating since a 2021 Nvidia leak, which listed several upcoming Square Enix titles, including the yet-to-be-announced Final Fantasy 9 remake and Final Fantasy Tactics. While some games from the leak have since been released or announced, the Final Fantasy 9 remake remains unconfirmed. Additionally, a reported Final Fantasy 9 animated series from June 2021 has yet to surface, leaving fans eagerly awaiting any official news on these projects.
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