‘Final Fantasy IX’ Is A Bit Discriminating In Smartphone Release

We’re all stoked Final Fantasy IX is finally getting resurrected to come to PC and smartphones. After Square Enix came out with the Final Fantasy VII Remake news, we’re all hoping another one of our favorite Final Fantasy titles make a comeback, too. And our wish was answered.

Indeed, Final Fantasy IX is one of the best in the franchise. In fact, Final Fantasy IX sold 5.30 million units worldwide by March 31, 2003, even if it was released on the PlayStation One already two years after the PlayStation 2 was released, Attack of the Fanboy notes. But while news of the comeback of this much-loved Final Fantasy title brings overflowing happiness on Final Fantasy fans, will we be all as happy when we find out that Final Fantasy 9 won’t run on all iOS and Android devices?

Just this Thursday, Square Enix announced in Japan that Final FantasyIX will be making a comeback on the PC and smartphone platforms, Kotaku reports. While Square Enix hasn’t really made a solid announcement about Final Fantasy 9 coming to the U.S. shores, we do know that every single Final Fantasy port gets a U.S. release date, no matter what. If you’re still too cynical about the U.S. release, Square Enix already made an English version of the website that announces “Final Fantasy IX comes to PC and Smartphones! Coming Soon!” If that isn’t a dead giveaway, we don’t know what is. But as of now, we still have not a single clue when this “coming soon” could be, or if how much the delay will be between the Japanese and North American and European releases.

So what’s new with this smartphone and PC port? Before anything else, watch the trailer released by Square Enix below to begin your trip to nostalgia lane.

From the tiny tiny bits of the new PC and smartphone gameplay included in this latest Final Fantasy IX promo video, we do note that we’re going to expect a bit better and crisper graphics in this remake. Reminiscing the old FF 9 gameplay, the bits shown in the video give a glimpse of a particularly modified battle interface.

Aside from that, Square Enix hasn’t been very particular what to expect from the Final Fantasy IX comeback. However, PC Mag writes the following.

“We also don’t know all of the changes coming to the game with its remake, but we do know a few: Square Enix is going to be updating the game’s graphics and adding in a few more modern conveniences, like autosave and high-speed modes. It’ll also come with achievements, for those who like showing off everything they do in a game, and various other ‘game boosting features.’ “

Excited yet? There’s a catch. The Final Fantasy IX coming soon page reads as follows.

Available Platforms:

• iOS
  Operating System: iOS 7.0 or later
  Recommended Devices: iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus
  iPad (4th Generation), iPad Air, iPad Air 2
  iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 4, iPod touch (6th Generation)
• Android
  Android 4.1 or later (may not operate on certain devices.)
  We cannot guarantee proper performance on devices other than those listed above. Please confirm your device model before downloading this app.

It seems Final Fantasy IX will be pretty demanding in terms of specs! PC specifications are yet to be announced by Square Enix, but these device “recommendations” are pretty much carved in stone already. So, if you are itching to get your hands on this Final Fantasy IX comeback, better make sure you have one of those devices listed above just to be sure. If you’re an Android junkie who isn’t really into upgrading just because, then you might have to start evaluating your chances on getting a decent playable version of the upcoming Final Fantasy comeback.

With Final Fantasy VII Remake for Xbox One and PlayStation already in the works, in addition to this Final Fantasy IX Comeback for the PC and various smartphones and handhelds, we are left thinking whether we will be hearing anything soon about Final Fantasy VIII. It’s another pretty decent Final Fantasy title anyway. Maybe after Square Enix finishes all its promises to its fans. We have quite a bunch of Final Fantasy titles lined up for release, after all.

[Image via Final Fantasy IX Coming Soon page]