Final Fantasy IX Remake Teased for Nintendo Switch 2

Excitement is building once again for the long-rumored Final Fantasy IX remake, following the launch of an official 25th anniversary website for the game by Square Enix.

The Japanese-language site marks the original release date of Final Fantasy IX (July 7, 2000) and acknowledges that the title celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

"We are working on a variety of commemorative projects, including merchandise and collaborations, so please stay tuned for more details!" the website adds.

This seemingly simple statement, along with the website's mere existence, has fuelled speculation that Square Enix might finally be preparing to unveil the Final Fantasy IX remake that fans have been eagerly awaiting.

Fans are also noting the timing of the site's launch, pointing to Nintendo's upcoming Switch 2-focused Direct presentation scheduled for April 2. Could this be the moment Square Enix announces the Final Fantasy IX remake for the Switch 2? Some are certainly hopeful.

Of course, this could all be much ado about nothing. While the site specifically mentions merchandise and collaborations, the phrase "various projects" has certainly got people talking.

Last year, Final Fantasy XIV producer Naoki 'Yoshi-P' Yoshida shared some thoughts on what a potential Final Fantasy IX remake might entail, suggesting its sheer scale could make it a challenge to fit into a single game.

"Naturally, I'm aware of the demand for a Final Fantasy IX remake," Yoshi-P stated. "But when you consider the massive volume of content in Final Fantasy IX, I question whether it's feasible to remake it as just one title. It's a difficult proposition. A tough question indeed."

Yoshi-P seemed to hint that a potential remake could follow the path of Final Fantasy VII Remake, which is being released as a planned trilogy.

Earlier in 2024, Yoshi-P revealed Final Fantasy IX-themed collectibles for the Collector’s Edition and Digital Collector’s Edition of Final Fantasy XIV's Dawntrail expansion. These include the Ark summon from Final Fantasy IX as a mount in Final Fantasy XIV, and a wind-up Princess Garnet minion (Garnet, also known as Dagger, is a key character in Final Fantasy IX). Players who pre-ordered Dawntrail also received a wind-up Zidane minion, honoring the protagonist of Final Fantasy IX.

While on stage at PAX East to announce these bonuses, Yoshi-P playfully teased: "You might have spotted quite a few Final Fantasy IX references here, but the reason behind them is a secret." He then pantomimed zipping his lips shut.

Final Fantasy XIV Dawntrail Final Fantasy IX Bonus Content

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Rumors of a Final Fantasy IX remake have circulated since the unannounced title appeared in a 2021 Nvidia leak of upcoming games. The list, which Nvidia confirmed was legitimate but potentially outdated, included several Square Enix games that have since been announced or released, such as the Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition remaster, Kingdom Hearts IV, and the PC version of Final Fantasy VII Remake. However, both the Final Fantasy IX remake and a Final Fantasy Tactics title, which were also on the leaked list, have yet to be officially revealed. Just months before the Nvidia leak, in June 2021, reports indicated that a Final Fantasy IX animated series was in development, though there have been no updates on that project since.