Final Fantasy IX turns 25 — the PS1 swan song that fans still cherish

Final Fantasy IX launched in Japan in July 2000, marking its 25th anniversary. As the last mainline entry on the original PlayStation, it brought back beloved classic elements — magical crystals, black mages with pointed hats — earning a reputation as a love letter to the series. It was also Hironobu Sakaguchi's final Final Fantasy before he left Square to found Mistwalker.