The Final Fantasy series has all sorts of high points over the years, and Final Fantasy IX is absolutely one of those. The story is the most obvious really exceptional element of the game, with Zidane and Vivi both serving as characters that players remember just as fondly today, though it’s also worth mentioning the unique charms of Steiner as well.
The return to the classical fantasy setting after the preceding two games was also a welcome one, and the art style holds up well, even if it does inevitably show some of its age in 2026. Though there were some issues with the pacing of the combat and some other minor elements, it’s just as worth a playthrough today as it was back then.
Now, Square Enix has released a new product that marks that extensive legacy, and it’s one of the more interesting physical releases tied to the game that we have seen to date.
Over on the official Square Enix website, the developer has released the FINAL FANTASY IX Music Box – Roses of May. Featuring an image of Beatrix on the front, it essentially plays the titular song every time you lift up the lid, transporting you back to your childhood playing the game in an instant.
That’s not the only effort available on the website if you’re a fan of FFIX but Roses of May isn’t your favorite, as you can also pick up similar items for Not Alone, Melodies of Life, and A Place To Call Home. Available for £24.99/$25.99, they are all currently available for pre-order, with the exception of Melodies of Life which is available now, and actually at a 50% discount at the time of writing.
There are similar products available for most of the other games in the Final Fantasy series as well, including the Final Fantasy VII Remake, as well as other Square Enix releases like Nier: Automata.
Final Fantasy fans have a very exciting year or so on the cards, even without new physical releases coming down the pipeline. The headline act is undoubtedly going to be the arrival of the final part of the FFVII Remake trilogy, Revelation. That recently got a release date of April 8, 2027, and if it carries on the legacy of the first two games, then it should be one of the best arrivals of next year.
That’s not all though, as fans will be able to occupy the intervening period with the very imminent arrival of HD-2D effort Final Fantasy Resonance. That’s launching on October 22, with pre-orders available now, and though the gameplay is very different, it looks like it could be a very welcome return to a beautiful era in the franchise’s history.
- Created by
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Hironobu Sakaguchi
- First Film
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Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within
- Latest Film
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Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV
- First TV Show
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Final Fantasy: Legend of the Crystals
- Latest TV Show
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Brotherhood: Final Fantasy XV
- First Episode Air Date
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October 2, 2001
Final Fantasy is Square Enix’s flagship fantasy RPG franchise and one of gaming’s defining anthology series. Created by Hironobu Sakaguchi, the property spans standalone mainline games, direct sequels, spin-offs, films, anime, and live-action adaptations, with each major entry introducing a new world, new heroes, and a new conflict while preserving recurring franchise DNA. Across decades, Final Fantasy has built its identity around ambitious storytelling, technological leaps, and a willingness to reinvent itself without losing its core sense of wonder.
