Final Fantasy IX

ファイナルファンタジーIX (Fainaru Fantajī Nain)PlayStation, PlayStation 3, iOS, Windows +62000

  1. JP2000
  2. NA2000
  3. EU2001
  4. RU—

Final Fantasy IX (ファイナルファンタジーIX in Japan, often shortened to FF9) was released under the same title in every region. The easiest legal way to play it today is the 2016 version, sold on Steam and GOG for Windows and also released on PS4, Switch, Xbox One, iOS and Android.

Final Fantasy IX is a role-playing game from Square, released in Japan on July 7, 2000, in North America on November 14, 2000, and in Europe on February 16, 2001. Hiroyuki Ito directed it, Hironobu Sakaguchi wrote it, and Nobuo Uematsu composed about 160 pieces for it, 140 of which ended up in the game. Development took place in Hawaii, and the ending was changed seven times before release. The launch was also delayed so it would not coincide with Dragon Quest VII.

In Japan the PlayStation version later appeared through Game Archives for PS3 and PSP. In 2016 Square Enix released a reworked version for iOS and Android with HD movies and models, autosave and boosters. The Windows version that followed is based on it, and the later PS4, Switch and Xbox One releases share the same additions.

With a Metacritic score of 94, Final Fantasy IX is the highest-rated Final Fantasy on that site.1

Names and releases

RegionTitle on the boxPlatformDatePublisherSrc
NA Final Fantasy IX PlayStation Nov 14, 2000 Square Electronic Arts 1
NA Final Fantasy IXAlso Xbox One; released one day later in other regions. Switch Feb 13, 2019 Square Enix 1
JP ファイナルファンタジーIXFainaru Fantajī Nain PlayStation Jul 7, 2000 Square 2
EU Final Fantasy IX PlayStation Feb 16, 2001 Square Europe 1
JP ファイナルファンタジーIXGame Archives (PS3/PSP); PS Vita support from 2012. PlayStation 3 May 20, 2010 — 2
WW Final Fantasy IXAlso Android; HD movies and models, autosave, boosters. iOS Feb 10, 2016 Square Enix 1
WW Final Fantasy IXSteam; based on the smartphone version. Windows Apr 14, 2016 Square Enix 3
WW Final Fantasy IX PlayStation 4 Sep 19, 2017 Square Enix 1
JP ファイナルファンタジーIXAlso Xbox One. Switch Feb 14, 2019 Square Enix 2

Also known as: ファイナルファンタジーIX JP2Fainaru Fantajī Nain JP2FF9 WW2FFIX WW2

Box art by region

  • Final Fantasy IX box art, North America release
    NA Final Fantasy IX
  • Final Fantasy IX box art, Europe release
    EU Final Fantasy IX
  • ファイナルファンタジーIX box art, Japan release
    JP ファイナルファンタジーIX

Box art © its publishers, shown to identify each release. Scans: libretro-thumbnails.

Version differences

  • GameplayiOS/Android (2016)WindowsPS4SwitchXbox One

    Ports from 2016 onward add seven optional boosters (such as a high-speed mode and no random encounters), autosave, achievements, and higher-resolution character models and movies.1

  • TextWindows (Steam)

    The Steam version includes English, French, Italian, German and Spanish; Japanese is available only when the game is bought from the Japanese Steam store.2

Translations

  • English Official

    Square Electronic Arts / Square Europe2000PlayStation · Japanese versionReleased · complete

    Square Electronic Arts and Square Europe handled the official English localization.1

  • Spanish Official

    Square Enix2016Windows · PC versionReleased · complete

    The current PC version includes official French, Italian, German and Spanish text.3

Where to play legally today

  • GOG Purchase

    FINAL FANTASY IX

    2016 Windows version, DRM-free, GOG Preservation Program

    Checked: 2026-10-134gog.com

  • Steam Purchase

    FINAL FANTASY IX

    2016 Windows version (smartphone-based)

    Checked: 2026-10-133store.steampowered.com

How to run it today

On PC the game is sold on Steam and GOG; the GOG edition is verified on Windows 10 and 11 and supports modern controllers.

4

Reception

Final Fantasy IX has a Metacritic score of 94/100, the series' highest on that site. It sold over 2.65 million copies in Japan by the end of 2000; the PlayStation version passed 5.5 million by March 2016, and all versions together reached 8.9 million by March 2025. It won Console RPG of the Year at the 4th Interactive Achievement Awards.1

Sources

  1. 1en.wikipedia.org
  2. 2ja.wikipedia.org
  3. 3store.steampowered.com
  4. 4gog.com
  5. 5store.steampowered.com
  6. 6ja.wikipedia.org
  7. 7ja.wikipedia.org
  8. 8ja.wikipedia.org

Checked: 2026-10-13Text reviewed: 2026-10-13

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