Final Fantasy IX has had a lot of buzz lately, as the classic role-playing game celebrated its 25th anniversary on July 7th. The celebration hasn’t ended, as Square Enix has shared new artwork of the game.
The artwork, which showcases Zidane and Vivi, has appeared on the cover of Famitsu magazine in Japan. The image, courtesy of @Genki_JPN, showcases the two heroes in a nighttime scene backlit by a glowing moon. This latest issue of Famitsu features an 18-page article on Final Fantasy IX. Character designer Toshiyuki Itahana and composer Nobuo Uematsu contribute interviews to the article, TwistedVoxel reports.
While the 25th anniversary of the beloved fantasy game is cause for celebration in and of itself, there is another reason why fans are excited. Talk around a rumored remake of Final Fantasy IX has built to a fever pitch. Rumors around a remake have swirled since a reported leak in 2021. But the increased attention from the anniversary has helped bolster them.
Earlier this year, Square Enix shared a number of new products coming out to celebrate the anniversary in Japan. These include figures of Zidane and Garnet, music records, a picture book, and more. While you can ship these products from Japan, the picture book will see localizations arriving in May of next year.
It’s possible that Square Enix is using the anniversary to gauge fan interest in a remake of Final Fantasy IX. It has yet to be teased or announced in any official form. Yet the game could be slightly closer than we think. Codenames in the Epic Games Store recently revealed some pre-order bonuses that seem to be for a Final Fantasy IX game, such as a “Tetra Master Starter Pack.”
All of this information is certainly tantalizing (or Tantalus-izing). We may find out more in the next few months. But until then, it’s still a good time to be a Final Fantasy IX fan, as Square Enix gradually rolls out products, artwork, and more relating to the 2000 title.
