TheFinal Fantasy 9remake project may have been shelved, according to a known gaming industry leaker who cited a source familiar with the game. The leaker’s statement came on the 25th anniversary ofFinal Fantasy 9, as Square Enix marked the occasion with a video and various pieces of new merchandise that players can pre-order.
Final Fantasy 9was first launched on the PlayStation on July 13, 2025, nearly four months after the PS2 hit store shelves in Japan. As the last mainlineFinal Fantasytitle of Sony’s first console,FF9took the series back to its medieval fantasy roots with its colorful cast of characters like Zidane, Vivi, and Freya, and a tale regarded by fans as one of the franchise’s most memorable. Ahead ofFinal Fantasy 9’s 25th anniversary date,Square Enix posted various pieces of artworkby original character designer Toshiyuki Itahana that included the game’s main cast posing at notable locations like the Iifa Tree and Tantalus' theater stage.
Though all rumors must be taken with a fine pinch of salt, a credible leaker statedahead ofFinal Fantasy 9’s anniversary datethat a remake may not happen after all. According toa ResetEra post by known leaker NateTheHate, theFinal Fantasy 9remake project could be in trouble. NateTheHate said, “As of last check, it remains in development, to my knowledge, but I need to do a fresh check and see what a more current status is – as I did hear a month or so ago that it was in trouble and possibly canceled.” NateTheHate added that it was only one source that claimed theFinal Fantasy 9remake was canned, and said he needed to verify further if the information was correct, or ifFF9’s remake is still being worked on. Although theFinal Fantasy 9remake was first reported in the notorious GeForce Now leak of 2021, no further information about the project has been revealed.
Final Fantasy 9 Remake Could Be In Danger
As of this writing, Square Enix has neither confirmed nor denied the existence of a remake ofFinal Fantasy 9, so fans should temper expectations accordingly. While Square Enix revealed new merchandise and a short video to commemorate the game’s 25th anniversary, the movedrew concerns fromFinal Fantasy 9fansover the company potentially missing a chance to reveal a potential remake.
Some products thatFinal Fantasy 9fans can pre-order for the 25th anniversary includean art book that delves into the origins of Vivi, one of the most beloved Black Mages in the franchise. Only time will tell if or when Square Enix will break its silence about theFinal Fantasy 9remake.
