Intro
Final Fantasy IX, originally developed by Square and released for the PlayStation in 2000, remains one of the studio’s most beloved entries.
Over the last decade Square Enix has revisited its back catalog through ports and remasters across modern platforms, and attention has increasingly focused on which classic could be next for a remake treatment.
Industry reporting in 2024–2025 has again placed Final Fantasy IX in the conversation for a full remake, with notable commentary from veteran games journalist and insider Jeff Grubb.
What was reported
Jeff Grubb has publicly reiterated that a remake of Final Fantasy IX is in active development at Square Enix.
Grubb framed the project as different in scope from the multi-part, large-scale production of Final Fantasy VII Remake, saying the Final Fantasy IX remake should be understood in more modest, focused terms.
In his assessment, the remake will employ the series’ Active Time Battle (ATB) turn-based system and preserve the classic game’s structure and feel rather than radically reworking core mechanics.
Grubb also characterized the project as more than a simple high-definition remaster, describing it instead as a proper remake that keeps the original’s core intact while updating presentation and systems.
Context and comparison
Final Fantasy VII Remake, released in April 2020 for PlayStation 4, was a major multi-year production and represented a large-scale reimagining of its source material.
By contrast, Jeff Grubb compared the reported scope of a Final Fantasy IX remake to the distinction between Crisis Core and Final Fantasy VII Remake: that is, a remake that is meaningful and modernized but not necessarily a massive multi-part overhaul on the scale of FFVII Remake.
The Active Time Battle (ATB) system referenced in reporting is a long-standing combat mechanic in the Final Fantasy series that blends time-based gauges with turn-based inputs and has been used and adapted across multiple entries.
Why it matters
A confirmed Final Fantasy IX remake would join Square Enix’s broader strategy of revitalizing legacy titles for contemporary audiences while balancing fidelity to original design with modern production values.
Fans and industry observers will watch for official confirmation from Square Enix, announcements via Nintendo Direct or other publisher channels, and platform details such as availability on Nintendo Switch and digital storefronts like the eShop.
Verified facts cited
- Final Fantasy IX originally released for the PlayStation in 2000 (developed by Square).
- Final Fantasy VII Remake launched in April 2020 for PlayStation 4 and was a high-profile, large-scale remake project.
- Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII originally released for the PSP in 2007 and is frequently cited as a smaller-scale, focused entry within the FFVII subseries.
- The Active Time Battle (ATB) system is a recurring combat framework used throughout the Final Fantasy franchise.
Looking ahead
At this stage, reporting around Final Fantasy IX Remake consists of claims from industry sources and has not been confirmed in a public announcement by Square Enix.
Readers should await official details on release windows, target platforms, and development updates from Square Enix or verified publisher communications.
Final Fantasy IX, originally developed by Square and released for the PlayStation in 2000, remains one of the studio’s most beloved entries.
Over the last decade Square Enix has revisited its back catalog through ports and remasters across modern platforms, and attention has increasingly focused on which classic could be next for a remake treatment.
Industry reporting in 2024–2025 has again placed Final Fantasy IX in the conversation for a full remake, with notable commentary from veteran games journalist and insider Jeff Grubb.
What was reported
Jeff Grubb has publicly reiterated that a remake of Final Fantasy IX is in active development at Square Enix.
Grubb framed the project as different in scope from the multi-part, large-scale production of Final Fantasy VII Remake, saying the Final Fantasy IX remake should be understood in more modest, focused terms.
In his assessment, the remake will employ the series’ Active Time Battle (ATB) turn-based system and preserve the classic game’s structure and feel rather than radically reworking core mechanics.
Grubb also characterized the project as more than a simple high-definition remaster, describing it instead as a proper remake that keeps the original’s core intact while updating presentation and systems.
Context and comparison
Final Fantasy VII Remake, released in April 2020 for PlayStation 4, was a major multi-year production and represented a large-scale reimagining of its source material.
By contrast, Jeff Grubb compared the reported scope of a Final Fantasy IX remake to the distinction between Crisis Core and Final Fantasy VII Remake: that is, a remake that is meaningful and modernized but not necessarily a massive multi-part overhaul on the scale of FFVII Remake.
The Active Time Battle (ATB) system referenced in reporting is a long-standing combat mechanic in the Final Fantasy series that blends time-based gauges with turn-based inputs and has been used and adapted across multiple entries.
Why it matters
A confirmed Final Fantasy IX remake would join Square Enix’s broader strategy of revitalizing legacy titles for contemporary audiences while balancing fidelity to original design with modern production values.
Fans and industry observers will watch for official confirmation from Square Enix, announcements via Nintendo Direct or other publisher channels, and platform details such as availability on Nintendo Switch and digital storefronts like the eShop.
Verified facts cited
- Final Fantasy IX originally released for the PlayStation in 2000 (developed by Square).
- Final Fantasy VII Remake launched in April 2020 for PlayStation 4 and was a high-profile, large-scale remake project.
- Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII originally released for the PSP in 2007 and is frequently cited as a smaller-scale, focused entry within the FFVII subseries.
- The Active Time Battle (ATB) system is a recurring combat framework used throughout the Final Fantasy franchise.
Looking ahead
At this stage, reporting around Final Fantasy IX Remake consists of claims from industry sources and has not been confirmed in a public announcement by Square Enix.
Readers should await official details on release windows, target platforms, and development updates from Square Enix or verified publisher communications.
