Square Enix marked Final Fantasy IX’s 25th anniversary on July 7, 2025 with a year-spanning program of new artwork, fan activities, music, merchandise, events, and collaborations. The announcements included a commemorative vinyl, an illustrated Vivi book, music boxes, a Zoff eyewear collaboration, and an exhibition. Many listed release dates have passed, so those announcements do not establish what is in stock now.
When was Final Fantasy IX’s 25th anniversary?
Final Fantasy IX originally launched on July 7, 2000, making July 7, 2025 its 25th release anniversary. In its 2025 anniversary communication, Square Enix said the game had sold over 8.9 million physical and digital copies worldwide. That is the publisher’s figure from the anniversary material, not an independently audited or current sales total. Square Enix’s anniversary overview
What did Square Enix announce?
The anniversary was a rolling program, not a single July 7 launch. Square Enix’s official announcements covered new art and fan participation alongside releases, events, and collaborations. Its Japanese news index records updates across 2025 and into early 2026, including the exhibition, a pop-up store and cafe openings, a one-week music livestream, game collaborations, merchandise, and a 70% off game sale. Each announcement had its own timing; inclusion in the anniversary program does not mean an item or event is still available. Square Enix’s Japanese anniversary news index
The anniversary vinyl: music from 2000 and new recordings
The most clearly specified commemorative music product was FINAL FANTASY IX 25th Anniversary Vinyl – Timeless Tale – (catalogue number SQEX-11177). Square Enix Music’s Japanese listing gives a July 9, 2025 release date and a listed price of ¥4,950 including tax. The record pairs original tracks with new recordings, including “Melodies of Life”; its track listing separates material into “2000” and “2025” sides and includes English and Japanese versions of the anniversary recording. The anniversary cover art is by Toshiyuki Itahana, with liner notes by Nobuo Uematsu. Square Enix Music’s vinyl listing
#1 Best Overall
- Final Fantasy IX
- Dark times have spread over the world of Gaia.
- Four separate governing nations, some blinded by their short-sighted greed.
- Some persevering in the name of justice, are battling on and off in a deadly game for power.
- One kingdom, that of Lindblum, headed by the honorable and trustworthy Regent Cid, finally decides to take a stand against the unspeakable massacres by the troops of Alexandria.
The North American anniversary page listed the vinyl at a US suggested price of $52.99 with an August 2025 release. That is a regional historical listing, not a current price or stock check. Both the North American overview and Japanese product listing say the vinyl includes an MP3 download code, so listeners do not need a turntable to access the included digital music. North American anniversary overview
Books, music boxes, and other merchandise
The product catalog also included the illustrated book Vivi and Grandpa and the Day of Departure, listed for July 2, 2025, and three music boxes with planned October 31, 2025 dates. Two additional albums—Midnight Jazz: FINAL FANTASY IX and FINAL FANTASY IX – House Grooves—were listed with 2026 release dates. These are dates shown in Square Enix’s catalog, not confirmation of present-day availability. The portal advises checking the individual e-STORE listing for current sale status and notes that release dates may change. Square Enix’s anniversary product portal
Rank #2
- Final Fantasy VI - The following extra features are included:
- 3X speed mode
- ability to turn battle encounters off
- battle enhancement mode
- final FANTASY VIII remastered - The following extra features are included.battle assist options (HP, ATB gauge, and limit break boosts).game speed boost (X3.no random encounters
Other announcements included Zoff eyewear, apparel, figures, collectibles, exhibition goods, and online lottery items. Square Enix’s North American page described a wide selection of goods available to buy or preorder through its store, but stock and regional access can vary; the announcements do not establish current ordering status for each item. Square Enix’s North American overview Japanese anniversary news index
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the anniversary announcements do—and do not—confirm
The official material documents commemorative products, events, art, and collaborations. It is not an announcement of a remake or other new Final Fantasy IX game. For a specific product, check its regional Square Enix listing: the anniversary pages preserve announced dates and details, but do not guarantee current inventory, pricing, or availability.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Release date is tentative, updates will be posted on the page
Rank #4
- Remaster of the original CRISIS CORE - FINAL FANTASY VII-, featuring a complete HD graphics overhaul, a remastered soundtrack, a reimagined UI, and an updated combat system.
- The story begins seven years before the events of FINAL FANTASY VII (1997) and follows Zack Fair, a young and ambitious Shinra SOLDIER operative. Zack is tasked with tracking down a missing SOLDIER 1st Class operative named Genesis Rhapsodos.
- But as his adventure unfolds, he discovers the dark secrets of Shinra's experiments and the monsters they create. The game features a number of characters from the FINAL FANTASY VII franchise such as Cloud, Sephiroth, Aerith and others.
Rank #3
- THE ENTIRE FINAL FANTASY SAGA IS HERE—Step into the unforgettable stories of all 16 FINAL FANTASY core games brought to your tabletop with the strategic gameplay of the Magic: The Gathering trading card game
- CUE THE VICTORY FANFARE—Cast powerful spells, meet iconic characters, and visit familiar locales on the back of a Chocobo with cards featuring FINAL FANTASY-themed art and mechanics
- 9 BOOSTERS FOR PLAYING WITH FRIENDS—Play Boosters are the best way to discover what Magic has to offer; they're perfect for building decks, playing Limited games with friends, and are tons of fun to open
- 2 FOIL EXTENDED-ART CARDS—Each Bundle also comes with 2 Extended-Art cards, cards with their usual card frame removed to put the art on full display, both gleaming with a Traditional Foil treatment
- 32 FULL-ART LANDS—Fill out your decks with 32 Land cards all featuring gorgeous art that fills the entire card, including 16 with a shiny Traditional Foil treatment
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
