Final Fantasy IX review

Final Fantasy IX is the RPG to play after Final Fantasy VII. Square Enix's page says it has sold over five million copies since its 2000 release, and describes a story that starts when Zidane and the Tantalus Theater Troupe kidnap Princess Garnet, only to find she wanted to escape the castle anyway. Characters learn abilities by equipping items and keep them once mastered, a Trance gauge fills as you take hits, and Synthesis combines items into better gear, with minigames such as Tetra Master on the side. A used PS1 disc lists at $56.99 at DKOldies before sales. PC players can buy the Steam release, which adds achievements, autosave, high-definition movies and seven boosters, including high speed and no encounter modes, useful for players short on time. It overlaps with Final Fantasy VII and costs about the same, which is why it sits lower here.

Who it is for

RPG fans who finished Final Fantasy VII and want a lighter, classic fantasy story.

Price

Used PS1 disc from $56.99 at DKOldies (regular price, before sales).

Original price: $56.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 10, 2026.

Key features

• Story of Zidane and the Tantalus Theater Troupe, who kidnap Princess Garnet
• Abilities learned by equipping items, usable without the item once mastered
• Trance mode that grants new skills when the gauge fills in battle
• Synthesis to combine items into stronger gear
• Minigames such as Chocobo Hot and Cold, Jump Rope and Tetra Master

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Square Enix reports over five million copies sold since 2000
• Strength: Ability system gives lots of room to customize characters
• Strength: PC version adds high speed and no encounter boosters
• Weakness: $56.99 used before sales
• Weakness: Third Square RPG on the list, so it overlaps with Final Fantasy VII
• Weakness: Long, like the other RPGs here

Key facts

• Publisher: Square Enix
• Original release: 2000
• Copies sold: Over five million
• Main characters: Zidane, Garnet, Steiner, Vivi
• PC boosters: Seven

Where it ranks

Final Fantasy IX is No. 9 in our Best PS1 Games of All Time verdict.