We at NerdLeaks are following a troubling rumour about a potential remake of Final Fantasy 9 that, if true, could mean a project many fans were quietly hopeful about is now on ice. According to Nintendo Life, an Editor at RPG Site claimed on Reset Era that the remake is "no longer moving forward." Take this with a pinch of salt — the claim is coming via industry chatter rather than an official announcement — but the details being circulated are specific and worth parsing.
What Was Reported
Per Nintendo Life, Alex Donaldson (Editor, RPG Site) posted on Reset Era that there was an active remake of Final Fantasy 9 that "was a single game" and was "very far along." Donaldson allegedly added that development "stalled out" for "various reasons" and that the project is now "no longer moving forward."
He also reportedly referenced comments from Yoshida which the editor interprets as attempts to manage fan expectations. Donaldson said the work on the remake still exists and "is still there waiting to be revisited," but noted a symptom that made him "feel the game was truly dead" — illustrations created as potential box art and key art were apparently tweeted out for the anniversary and seemingly repurposed instead of being used for the remake.
Also mentioned in the same context: while Square Enix continues development on Final Fantasy VII Revelation, rumours about a Final Fantasy 9 remake persisted. For broader company context, Nintendo Life pointed out that Square Enix recently posted strong financial results for Q1 of FY2027, noting the "strong performance" of titles like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, and that operating profit rose 88.6% year-on-year.
The Source & Credibility
We should be clear about where these claims come from. The specific claims are attributed to Alex Donaldson via a Reset Era post, and were relayed by Nintendo Life. That chain — community forum comment picked up and reported by a gaming outlet — is not the same as an official statement from Square Enix.
Some elements reported are concrete-sounding: an assertion the remake would have been "a single game" rather than split into multiple releases, and that it was "very far along." Those phrases, if quoted accurately, suggest meaningful progress at one point. But the report also includes hedging — Donaldson himself apparently emphasised that "the path can always change again" and used the revival of another title as an example of how a cancelled-seeming project can come back.
This mix of specific claims and hedging is why we advise caution. These are secondary reports of an insider comment rather than a corporate confirmation. In short: interesting, possibly credible, but not definitive.
What It Could Mean
If the claim that work was "very far along" is accurate, the decision to stall or stop could reflect internal shifts at Square Enix, resource reallocation, creative concerns, or a judgement call about scope versus return. The comment that the remake would have been a single release — and not split like other recent projects — suggests the ambition may have been structurally different from recent remake efforts.
There are several plausible outcomes if the report is true:
- Development could restart later if priorities change — Donaldson explicitly noted projects can be revived.
- Work already completed might be shelved indefinitely or repurposed for anniversary material, which the report alleges happened with key art.
- The public may never see the project unless Square Enix chooses to confirm or revive it.
We’re linking this to ongoing chatter about Final Fantasy VII Revelation and how the company manages multiple projects — a topic readers following our coverage of Final Fantasy VII Revelation will recognise. Also, the company's financial performance — and how that shapes project priorities — is relevant; see our own coverage of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth in financial reporting for context.
Why This Matters
Fans of Final Fantasy 9 have long speculated about modern revisits, and a stalled remake — especially one claimed to be "very far along" — would be a disappointment for many. If true, it highlights how even high-profile nostalgic projects can be re-evaluated or paused behind closed doors.
Equally, the report underscores the difference between development reality and fan expectation: comments from figures like Yoshida may be intended to temper hope, and secondary reports may amplify fragments of internal discussion.
We’ll keep digging and will update if we can verify the claim directly with sources or if Square Enix issues any statement. For now, treat this as an intriguing rumour: potentially significant, but unconfirmed — and, as always, take it with a pinch of salt.
