The Ultimate Final Fantasy Game the Rumors Can't Ignore

Highlights

The development of a Final Fantasy 9 remake is rumored to be in progress, with increasing momentum following the release of Final Fantasy 16. This has positioned it as a strong possibility for Square Enix's upcoming remake endeavor.

Final Fantasy 9 should be remade because of its stunning visuals, possibilities for technical enhancements, and its ability to capture the essence of the "Final Fantasy" saga.

A remake of Final Fantasy 9 has the potential to be a nostalgic and fulfilling experience for fans, providing a contemporary iteration of a beloved game that was originally launched 23 years ago on the PS1.

Fans eagerly anticipating the release date for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth were finally rewarded during the September PlayStation State of Play. The game is set to arrive on February 29, 2024. As the release of Rebirth approaches, the focus now shifts to the future of the franchise. With a substantial gap expected between Rebirth and the third installment of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy, speculations are running wild about potential remake projects.

Square Enix has openly discussed the interest of its key developers in exploring their impressive back catalog for potential game remakes. The latest addition to the rumor mill is the possibility of a Final Fantasy 10 remake. However, it must be acknowledged that Final Fantasy 10/10-2 HD has already demonstrated its resilience in the modern gaming landscape. Therefore, it seems more probable that Square Enix would set their sights on a different game for the remake treatment. In this regard, the highly anticipated remake of Final Fantasy 9 takes precedence.

The History of the Final Fantasy 9 Remake Rumor

The first mention of a potential Final Fantasy 9 remake came from the Nvidia GeForce Now leak, which mistakenly revealed several unannounced titles. Although Nvidia claimed the leak included false information, some of the leaked titles have since been confirmed or released, suggesting that a Final Fantasy 9 remake might happen. The existence of the remake was also supported by the announcement of a Final Fantasy 9 animated series in development, leading to speculation that the game remake will coincide with the show.

Rumors about the Final Fantasy 9 remake gained more traction after the release of Final Fantasy 16 this year. Industry insiders confirmed the remake's existence but were unsure about its scope. It is unclear whether the remake will be a smaller-scale project like Crisis Core or a full-fledged re-imagining like the Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy. However, considering the long-standing rumors about the Final Fantasy 9 remake, it is possible that fans will see it sooner than potential remakes of Final Fantasy Tactics or Final Fantasy 10.

Why Final Fantasy 9 Deserves the Remake Treatment Before Other Games

Despite the possibility that Final Fantasy 9's remake will be released before Square Enix starts working on another game from its previous lineup, there is an argument that it deserves a remake more than the other rumored projects. The use of visually appealing pixel art sprites on 3D backgrounds in Final Fantasy Tactics has aged better than most games from the PS1 era, and Final Fantasy 10 still remains as one of the most visually stunning and engaging RPGs from that time. Although Final Fantasy 9 is not lacking in terms of visuals, the idea of envisioning this beloved game with modern graphics is undeniably enticing.

Apart from potential technical improvements and a modern visual makeover, Final Fantasy 9 embodies the true essence of the "Final Fantasy" experience. With the mixed reactions from fans towards Final Fantasy 16 and the longing for the series to return to its roots and core elements, a remake of Final Fantasy 9 seems like the ideal way to satisfy fans and pay homage to the original game, which was a game-changer when it first released on the PS1 23 years ago. Final Fantasy 9 brought a breath of fresh air back then, and the remake has the potential to do the same now.

The Final Fantasy 9 remake is rumored to be in development.