Rumors of a Final Fantasy IX remake have been circulating in RPG circles for at least a year, and fans of the series are hoping that they will soon be able to return to one of the most beloved entries in the series. However, if a remake of Final Fantasy IX actually happens, it may face grave challenges.
I’m talking to the website Video gamesFinal Fantasy XIV producer Naoki Yoshida talked a little about what a remake could look like. He warns that not everything can fit into one match.
“Of course, I know there are requests to release Final Fantasy IX, but when you think about Final Fantasy IX, it’s a game with a lot of games in it,” Yoshida says. “When you think about this whole volume, I wonder if it’s possible to turn it into one title. It’s tough. That’s a tough question.”
Yoshida seems to suggest that a potential remake could go in the direction of Final Fantasy VII Remake, which is in the middle of a planned trilogy. Fans have long had mixed feelings about the game being divided into several parts, which gives the opportunity to add many new elements, but also slows down the action. Currently, the third part of the trilogy will be released in 2026 at the earliest.
Yoshida is right that Final Fantasy IX is a great game. It’s filled with side quests, mini-games, and other content, and takes place in a very large world. Recreating all of this material won’t be easy for any development team tackling the remake.
As for Yoshida himself, he is interested in remaking another game in the series. “I think I’d like to make Final Fantasy III myself.”
For long-time fans of the series, Yoshida means the version released on the Famicom, not the Americanized Final Fantasy VI. This is a deep cut from Final Fantasy releases, but very much in line with Yoshida’s approach as producer of Final Fantasy XIV.
Yoshida touches on several other details in the interview, including his favorite minigame from Final Fantasy VII (snowboarding), the Xbox release of Final Fantasy XVI (“we want to release it on Xbox”), and more. Meanwhile, the wait for the Final Fantasy IX remake continues.
Kat Bailey is IGN’s news director and co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Got a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.
