Genre: 3D / Menu Based / RPG CDs: 4 (645, 599, 635, 599 Megs) Players: 1 Player ESRB: Teen
Animated Violence
Mild Language
Publisher: Squaresoft Retail Barcode: 6 62248 90010 0 Memory: 1 Block
Developer: Squaresoft Sony ID: SLUS-01251, 01295, 01296, 01297 Accessories: Analog Controller, Vibration Function
Released: November 13, 2000 PSRM: 020480, 021230, 021240, 021250

       
     
       

Box Copy
The Crystal Comes Back

Discussion
Of the three original, numbered, made-for-the-system Final Fantasy games, IX is by far the best game of the three. While it's true VII (Seven) made waves with its tragic hero and sacrifices, and VIII (Eight) will be the most debated game in the series history, IX was the one that tried to appease the original, hardcore fans after the mixed reactions both previous games had.

This was done with humor, in-jokes, and retained enough classic game play meshed with newer features that it truly stood out from the rest. The game's only true downfall was that you could tell Square gave up on it about 5 to 10 hours till the end of the game. For no reason, there's suddenly an abrupt shift in the story line and an end boss that comes out of no where, much less made any sense.

Poor final battles aside, the game is a gem, a true treasure among the historical archives of PlayStation's gaming library. New comers will love the characters and graphics, and the hardcore will appreciate the fan service.

Trivia
  • Variants released, including a silver bottom! See below.
     
  • The original black label release of Final Fantasy XI came with a small manual for the Play Online Guide collaboration down with the Squaresoft web-site and Brady Games. It is pictured below:



    Sadly, the concept turned out to be a huge failure. There was an actual physical guide printed, but many of the actual secrets you would expect to be in the guide had to be accessed via the PlayOnline site. The mini-manual was left out of all Greatest Hits releases.
     
  • There is a nifty in-joke and cameo in the game, among others. In a weapon's shop, Cloud from Final Fantasy VII's Sword can be seen on the wall. If you Hit the Action Button while near it, Zidane will comment "I think I remember a guy with spikey hair carrying something like this."
     
  • At 4 CDs, Final Fantasy is one of the largest games on the system. The only game that can not be rivaled for number of discs per one game is Riven at 5.
     
  • Contains one of the most amusing 'weddings' ever. 
Variants / Misprints
Pretty straight forward in the variants department. The original GH was still under the Squaresoft moniker and carried the SLUS-GH set-up.

After the merger, they changed it to the Square Enix Logo, and change up the discs.

What's peculiar is the first Square Enix version - the case designer felt it necessary to move the back insert's ESRB Panel to the far left. It was put back to the right on the sequential releases.

With the silver bottom release at the end, there is unfortunately no way to tell from the case itself if you're looking at a sealed copy, other than the absolute black color of the case shell. 

Final Fantasy IX - Greatest Hits Variant: Squaresoft Release
SLUS-SLUS-01251GH, 01295GH, 01296GH, 01297GH  / PSRM-020480, 021230, 021240, 021250

Final Fantasy IX - Greatest Hits Variant: 1st Square Enix Release (Relocated ESRB)
SLUS-SLUS-01251GH, 01295GH, 01296GH, 01297GH  / PSRM-020480, 021230, 021240, 021250

Final Fantasy IX - Greatest Hits Variant: Square Enix Release
SLUS-SLUS-01251GH, 01295GH, 01296GH, 01297GH  / PSRM-020480, 021230, 021240, 021250

Final Fantasy IX - Greatest Hits Variant: Squaresoft Release (Silver Bottom Discs)
SLUS-SLUS-01251GH, 01295GH, 01296GH, 01297GH  / PSRM-020480, 021230, 021240, 021250
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