Final Fantasy 9’s Rumored Remake May Miss The Boat, With An Asterisk Attached

On July 7, Final Fantasy 9 will turn 25 years old. In the lead-up to the anniversary, Square Enix has released celebratory merchandise, including two character figurines and new T-shirts. Yet the one thing many fans have been anticipating for years remains noticeably absent: confirmation of the long-rumored remake.

Although the remake has never been officially announced, Final Fantasy 9’s remake existence has been heavily hinted at through NVIDIA leaks, developer resumes, and industry insiders. It remains one of the worst-kept secrets in recent memory. Despite that, with the 25th anniversary not far away and no major announcement yet, the chance to make the remake part of the celebration may be slipping away—unless Square Enix has something bold planned.

Magic: The Gathering Vivi Card Final Fantasy 9 Remake Clue

One Magic: The Gathering Card May Secretly Be Another Final Fantasy 9 Remake Clue

One of the inclusions in Final Fantasy’s recent crossover with Magic: The Gathering could hint at the long-rumored FF9 Remake.

Final Fantasy 9 Remake Deserves a Thoughtful Approach

The heart of Final Fantasy 9 lies in its character-driven plot, turn-based battles, and theatrical tone. FF9‘s Zidane, Vivi, and Garnet aren’t just heroes with tragic pasts; they embody archetypes from classic fantasy, brought to life with warmth and sincerity. Any remake that discards this tone for spectacle would miss the point entirely. The game’s original ATB system, town design, and thematic pacing must be respected in a hypothetical remake, even if visuals and menus are modernized.

One key narrative thread fans still debate today is Vivi’s fate at the end of FF9, and a remake could offer clarity or emotional expansion without undermining the ambiguity that made it so memorable.

Final Fantasy 9’s Anniversary Plans Raise Questions

With only two weeks until the 25th anniversary, Square Enix has been unusually quiet. A special anniversary website was launched, and merchandise continues to trickle in, but no game announcements have been tied to the occasion. In contrast, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth had months of trailers and previews before launch. The silence surrounding Final Fantasy 9 feels intentional, and not in a good way.

There is, however, a possibility that Square Enix is planning a shadow drop. This approach has become more common in recent months as Final Fantasy 16 recently shadow-dropped on Xbox, and other developers have seen success dropping titles with minimal warning. A Final Fantasy 9 remake could benefit from that surprise factor, especially if it arrives during a celebratory livestream or fan event.

Still, the odds are thinning. A shadow drop would be exciting, but Square Enix typically promotes its major projects with long marketing cycles. Unless a reveal is imminent, it’s hard to imagine a full remake arriving this July. The company may instead be holding it for a later release window and, if so, risks missing out on the symbolic resonance of the 25th anniversary.

It’s worth mentioning that Square Enix has yet to deliver a full remake or modern version of Final Fantasy 6, a game equally revered. That delay may point to a broader challenge in updating older titles without alienating their core identity.

A Final Fantasy 9 Remake Still Feels Necessary

Even if a remake doesn’t arrive this July, it still feels like an essential move for some point in the future. The current-gen version of Final Fantasy 9 is a lightly enhanced remaster, but it lacks polish. The character models look out of place against blurry pre-rendered backgrounds, and the few improvements to speed and combat don’t go far enough.

Other remasters, such as Final Fantasy 10 HD, have aged far better. That makes the current state of Final Fantasy 9 all the more frustrating. Despite its strong narrative and timeless charm, the presentation is difficult to recommend to new players. Therefore, a remake would allow Square Enix to reintroduce the game to a wider audience without compromising its identity.

Unlike Final Fantasy 7 Remake, this is not a remake that should include alternate timelines, fate, or flashy reinterpretations. It needs careful restoration, and a remake that retains the original’s tone, updates its visuals, and polishes the systems could finally give Final Fantasy 9 the legacy treatment it deserves. Even if the anniversary passes without fanfare, demand will not have gone away.