Final Fantasy IX Switch Review - I Was WRONG! 

SwitchWatch u hero 🤟

Hey SwitchWatch, I've been wondering if you guys plan on reviewing Constructor Plus? It's a quirky RTS from the late 90s early 2000s for PC that's releasing in the 28th of February. I know there's an overwhelming number of releases nowadays for the switch so I understand if it gets overlooked, especially since it's not exactly a high profile title. I'm just curious since you guys are one of the few sites that seem to review the smaller titles. It's ok if you're not, nostalgia has shown no mercy on my wallet either way. It would just be nice to know if it has any game breaking issues.

Jordan here. I'd like to check it out since I have oddly nostalgic memories of playing on the PS1 and it taking up an entire memory card just to save. Can't promise a review though since we a truly swamped all of the time. I'll try my best!

Great review, thanks. I bought this for IPad, but gave up 5 hours in because of the touch screen. You’ve sold me on the Switch version.

Great story terrible implementation of real time battle system. Regen and summons will win everything because you keep healing during the two minute animation

So I'm guessing you picked this up? 😃

9 is my 6.

Same here, first rpg. I've played it on every device I owned, switch is next

Sadly, not yet, I actually started re-playing it on my psx a few days before the shadow drop, though. It's definitely on my shortlist, now, however.@@SwitchWatch

15 < 10 < 7 < 6 < 12 < 9 My fav FF games to play

I like its art is always been the one I wanted to try most since they made 7 but I didnt have a ps1 so I couldn't get or 2or2 never owned any well a 1 back in 08 but it was missing cords and controllers. But I always wanted to try it.

My favourite in the series & game of all time is FF7 but this is up there & apparently the devs favourite in the series too

Not sure what it is, but I had a lot of issues with scratches regarding this game. Playing it on Switch might be the best option.

similar experience too

You know you’re still able to buy the original 4 disk game, sealed, from Squares website?

Joe C didn’t realize I blamed anyone else. Yea it’s my fault. It’s hard to get back into games for me years later when the quality isn’t up to par with modern graphics. Final Fantasy 9 is one of many games I’ve never completed. All leave a lack of closure feeling. But FF9 might just be one I pick up on my switch and finish. I need to know how vivis story ends in particular, as I felt emotionally attached to that character at a young age.

Joe C why are you delving into the psychology of a random RU-vid commenter? I didn’t have a job when 8 year old me scratched up the game, couldn’t just buy another one at the time. Years later when I could I just didn’t, the graphics of ps1 games kept me from getting back into them. But the story has entered my mind from time to time and I think about it nostalgically. Now is the time to try it, now that it’s on more than just the ps1 which I haven’t owned in 12 years or more. If it was on more than that for longer I just didn’t know it until now. And I’m not so picky on graphics now like I used to be.

Mr. Prince thank you!!!!!

Go back to your grandmother's basement and play Kingdom Hearts. You're welcome.

@@EveryDooDarnDiddlyDay Well you're nasty. Why the aggressive response to a tip? Weird.

@@MegaKirbySuperstar Probably a troll

The Turn Based Gamer how is kingdom hearts a insult in the first place god tier series imo, I suggest you try again on that if gladly go to my grandmas basement any day to play that game.

Hope you have a great time with it buddy!

SwitchWatch You ever play TLOD?

Does the game crash? Because I'm planning on buying it for switch but I've heard it crashes a lot

Doesn't sugar Coat Tellitlikeitis legend of dragoon you speak my fucking language dude

No Searches 👌👊

the reason its popular is cause it was the first 3d disk based game and the first time people got into the series, like how people like 10, first one with ps2 graphics and voice acting

@@omega458 you took the words out if my mouth. I feel that is the only reason why it is so adored by the masses. It's all about the graphics the story and character development be damned

I love both games, but if Yuffie and Vincent are “tacked on”, what are Quina and Amarant?

That would be cool!

Steiner as Assist then?

Oh hell yeah. Doomsday final smash.

We need a petition!

@@youknowmeieatgreens8771 start one up

9 was my first Final Fantasy I ever played & it blew me away how fantastic the game is. I think it's one of those that is an great starting point for those who never played Final Fantasy. This game has age tremendously well & it's personally my favorite Final Fantasy game.

8’s soundtrack is overblown. The great songs it has are the best in the series (Liberi Fatali, Fisherman’s Horizon, etc.), but not every song is a winner.

Everything y'all comment on that I can agree.

I think the lighthearted tone, which is wrought by the pastel, high-contrast colors, and some of the goofiness in characters, can be hit or miss among young audiences. Some younger people want the PG-13 disney feel, a little action but still colorful and welcoming, while others want the edgy in-your-face flair, with flashy limit breaks, personally dramatic emotional questions that they can relate to at that age, etc. Appreciating aspects of both perspectives is necessary to understand FFIX's appeal imo. You have to enjoy the hardcore with a backdrop of fun tone.

I agree. And it's my personal favorite Final Fantasy game.

We probably won't see another one like this again

I hope they go back to FF's roots. This is the reason the modern, futuristic feel of FFXV didn't give me the same feels the old FF games did.

but SciFi is still fantasy though? It doesn't exist, it's fiction. Or do you differentiate between fiction and fantasy? If yes, where do you draw the line? Cause Alexander/Alexandria, those air ships and Vivi clones are also science fiction - not real science/engineering, but fictional science.

@@unfazedo It's because the plot of XV was written by a western writer. It was initially intended to be for a Western FF. They've had the idea of a Western FF with a western studio ever since IX. You can thank Hironobu Sakaguchi for that. It was a Swedish studio back in the days, but then it got scrapped. See: kotaku.com/what-a-western-final-fantasy-could-have-sounded-like-5886413 For XV, when it transformed from VSXIII, they scrapped the original script (do NOT believe Tabata who says that nothing was altered for XV), and they took a script from a Western writer instead. Noctis' story was never about a America-style road trip with bros. What Japanese would come up with that? VSXIII was set in Japan, with Shibuya, Yakuza. Noctis' father was NOT a king, he was a Yakuza boss. He married the queen of Insomnia, thus resulting in Noctis being a prince. But his father was a yakuza. Prompto was a serial killer, not a selfie-taking slapstick-character. Stella accidentally killed herself, and Noctis is addicted to some drug that affects his sleep/dream through which he can talk with her ghost. That was deemed too hardcore, and since no one else had an idea in mind, they took the cheesy Western script. We can all thank Sakaguchi and his obsession with Western FFs like The Spirits Within.

Personally I like the steam punk mixed with under developed world theme. Basically what 7 and to a lesser extent, 6 did. The main thing they did wrong with 15 was that they split the story into 100 different mediums when it was supposed to be in the game. It ended up making the game feel lackluster if you ONLY play the game.

Gibsonfan1989 I wasn’t blown away by Tetra Master, but I found it enjoyable enough. I’m surprised it get as much hate as it gets by the fans.

I enjoyed it as well but would have enjoyed it alot more if they would have implemented a 5 card loadout that you could save so you are not always picking the cards you want before each game. Just would make it less tedious and faster.

You must have completed it by now haha

@@SwitchWatch almost!

Same my guy! 10 hours and counting! I'm also taking my time to explore every nook and cranny and learn all of Quina's Blu Magic this time.

I have gotten it on the Switch & I didn't denied it. 9 is just simply an fantastic game & I'm glad I got to play it.

Foreal man tired of the futuristic stuff

But that would be relatable and interesting, instead of edgey and 'young'.

People should petition square to let ff14 devs make the next FF. And never to let nomura near a FF game ever. I like nomura when he does his own thing, but his edgy style does not fit FF , he even completely ruined cloud's character outside the original. This is also one of the reason I think ff7R is going to suck.

@@aamirsahil9339 thats way too much. Sure Square needs to lay back on repeitive stories but they made greate ones like ff10 and ff7, both of which Nomura had a hand in. These are also some of the games that have been the most popular in the franchise.

@@prodigous21 nomura was an art director of FF 7, the story, characters, design, gameplay and world building ,that people love are done by other people. Also classic FF is mainly sakaguchi's vision. Nomura is great a artist but he is not a great story teller. As I said I like whenever he does original things like kh and twewy. But all of his works are edgy and most of them are filled with plotholes. And also he had more creative control over FF 13 than on FF 7. Snow , hope, lightning etc. are clearly more influenced by his taste as opposed some one like aerith. As I said I like his work, but his taste don't match FF, only someone with similar outlook as sakaguchi can do it justice.

I heard the trophies for this are a real time-sink?

@@SwitchWatch they can be. But the are in game cheats on the ps4 version you can use. Only some of them will disable the trophies. Leveling up to 99 takes a while, finding all the chocobo treasures is a fun time grind. And I actually had to start a new game because you need to get 100% on the stupid fight scene during the initial kidnapping. Lol

Excalibur 2 was as ridiculous in the original game.

@@BJGvideos but in ps4 the is a fast forward mode that doesn't affect the clock. Still difficult though. Lol

So I know this comment is years old, but how’s that jump rope trophy turn out for you?

I couldn't agree more. It's these little things that stopped it getting a higher score, although to be honest I didn't notice the music bug at all haha. Square should patch it though and hopefully improve the battle loads. Maybe there's a technical reason they can't? 🤔 Anyways, thanks for the kind words! 😀👍

True words buddy! 👍

I own XIV and it is very frustrating. I have tried and stopped playing it teice. I might give it a third try after I am done with Assassin's Creed.

It's all about preference, some people like this style, some people like that style. I have to say, the fact that Square made every Final Fantasy pretty much completely different in terms of style, story and setting, they've made it wide open for debate as to which is best.

6 was phenomenal, loved every second if it. 7 will always be the best for me tho, 9 is second and 6 is third.

Did the iOS port change the graphics of VI?

I think most people agree with that. I think if VI was my first, then I'm sure it would have been my favourite. Sadly, being British, I was denied it for a long time haha

I really want a ff6 remaster for switch (with original sprites or completely original sprites)

I want to get 6 a shot one day.

I loved FF8 as well. I know it isn't everyone's cup of tea but I enjoyed the story and gameplay. I wish they would release it for the switch as well.

I enjoyed it too even though it's mechanically a bit of a mess. Would love to play it again!

VIII is also my favourite, it has such a huge impact on me.

Just chill and go with the flow 😉👍

Well its not like the game wanted you to get the Excalibur 2 to complete the game.

i agree!!!

why

this literally makes no sense

There’s no other way!!!

Ey, another Kris. Classic window is the only way.

With Freya, I'm half and half with. I think they tried with her more than the others, but the pay off didn't really work for me.

@@SwitchWatch I could've sworn I read somewhere that part of Freya's story was cut short due to budget. I could be wrong though. Regardless, she is my second favorite character of the game after Vivi, if only because I do like what story for her is presented and I think her outfit is dope. The potential for more was there.

Yea I recall running across similar info at some point. And Amaranth was just a joke story wise, impacting the story in almost no way.

Good man!

Same. I own it for ps1, ps3, ps4, android and now switch

Looking forward to Dragon Quest, never actually played one of them before

It's on sale now

Haha thanks mate, appreciate the positivity!

I'd love to check that HD remaster of FF7!

​@@SwitchWatch Info about it can be found here ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-cfHMIg4FPko.html Its a mod for the PC version. Basically they used an AI system that upscaled the background images 400% with no loss of quality. Its amazing tech.

Apparently the same guy is planning to do FF8 and FF9 too

Wow that looks amazing! Well... the backgrounds do! The character models don't look so good. But Square should throw some money at that guy.

@@SwitchWatch Yeah, I think that the combination of his backgrounds with Squares own remastered characters would be fantastic.

That's an impressive amount of play throughs. I don't think I've done that with any rpg!

I have played through somewhere between 7 and 10 times. It's the best JRPG ever made, but there's also "no accounting for taste," as they say. The story is the best (thanks to a solid translation), the music is the best, the pacing is perfect, and it's thematically brilliant. This game is a master class in subtext, and the only part that CAN hamper the experience is the Chocobo Hot & Cold minigame (or catching frogs for Quina, but I never did that because f**k Quina). But that's the point: they're SIDE quests and 100% optional. FFIX was the first game in the series that explores what comprises the human experience (like they tried to do with Cloud's lifestream sequence). FFIX is the best, but it also depends on what you like in a game. Also, Tetra Master is 100% playable, and there are in-game clues that basically teach you the mechanics. I have collected every card, and I will do so again.

Hi Eric, Juan here, run this channel with both James & Jordan. Wanted to reply personally as Jordan lives in China so would be asleep right now. Just to say glad to have you as a sub and thanks for pointing this out. Great bit of feedback for us and something we feel we will continue to implement. Glad you enjoyed the video and we hope you enjoy our content. Thanks for taking time to comment and we hope to see you again.

@@SwitchWatch so far I am. Keep up the good work.

Buy a Switch! Life is better with it 😂👍

:) I believe it haha@@SwitchWatch

On Switch or back on the PS1?

Haha on Switch! Enjoying it so far. 😁

@@albertog747 i wish i could play this again for the first time..

I'm always curious about how people would find the playstation one final fantasies today :). They dominated my childhood lol.

I’ve never played any but I’m on a jrpg kick with xenoblade 2 and ysviii

You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!

Agreed 👍

Thanks for letting us know 😃👍

You are most welcome 👍

It’s a non-US physical release, but the game is in English. I’d grab it sooner than later. I purchased my copy after being told the game was sold out upon release at a few retro gaming stores. I had an easier time getting the physical dual pack FFVII/FFVIII. 😂

@@NYCJoeBlack i got my european version for 36 bucks on pre order :p

@@shinjid3705 - Nice! I wished that there was a US version. I like consistency, so both games seems out-of-place on my wall of games. Still happy to have a physical copy though. I hope this doesn’t become a trend where many digital-only games receive a physical copy everywhere but the US.

@@NYCJoeBlack well depends on the publishers. Even the limited run games from all sort of companies are restricted to only 1 or 2 companies. Like Shantae was only for limited run games in the US but for europe we could buy on regular stores. Now I just hope we get the new shantae game since limited run games are completely sold out and I dont wanna pay scalper prices for this game.

@@shinjid3705 - Yes, I agree. Good luck. Luckily for us New Yawkers, we still have a few mainline retro stores and they often carry Limited Run titles that are sold out on their official website. So, for us, that is our second or third opportunity to make that purchase for a reasonable price. Best Buy carries selected LRG titles with variant covers. My ultimate hope is that LRG gets the rights to place Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Simpsons, and X-Men Arcade in physical media. I own the GameCube TMNT where you have to unlock the arcade games, but they took out most of the voice overs and all the background music & sound effects have been replaced. I also hope LRG releases Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Reshelled. I purchased my XBOX 360 late in the game, so I missed out when the publisher yankee those games from the store.

Thanks buddy, glad you enjoyed the more personal take on this review 😀👍

Have a good time with it buddy!

Thanks for the comment

I can agree to that. 9 is just simply an awesome game. I wish they could've fixed the Trance system being automatic, don't take forever to load up & such. That's the only problem I have with the game. And while the preload maybe slow everytime you enter an new area, but it does pick up fast after that & there is an option that makes the battle speed of preload go fast. So yeah. It's not an huge problem. Just an minor nitpick. But the rest about 9 is amazing. It's not perfect. No games are. But 9 is still an fantastic game & personally my favorite of the series.

My mind is blown that someone remembers me from my old channel! Thanks for the kind words buddy! 😃👍

Oooh always that pressure haha. Hope it lives up to my review 👍😀

@@SwitchWatch Nah, so far your track record is solid, no worries at all! :)

Haha! Im on the same fence! I may go ahead and snag it up too.. 🤔

@@styxxhs8048 for 20 bucks I don't think it's a bad deal. Yes it's an old game but some of the prices on other games in comparison is not too bad.

Are you enjoying it?

Is it the cartoonish art? Coming off VIII I wasn't huge on 9 at first. Ended up as my most played title with over 15 runs.

@@blurabbit2171 I'm the same. Ff8 is my all time fav and I just can't get into the cartoonish art but I might try it on my gfs switch

Thanks mate. Will be fine tomorrow I'm sure 👍😀

It'll be tough haha

I haven't used Quina that much, but I have a feeling s/he is like Gau from VI. Not a lot of people use him, but he is one of the strongest characters if used properly.

@@retromemories8522 Very much so, only better because you can still control it.

freya and zidane have fixed damage as well.

That about sums it up and what makes it even funnier is I did buy it. Was not even provided by the publisher as a review copy 🤣

And he only likes it because they baked in cheats... That should tell you something about anything he reviews.

Younger me was so hyped to use Alexander as his wings opened up, then so devastated to find out we wouldn't be able to. Older me is still devastated, too.

That seems to be a popular consensus! (I remember when literally everyone said 7, now I think I'm alone 😂)

@@SwitchWatch most picked 7 probably because it's their first ff mine was the 1st one during the nes era. Yep i'm old lol

FF VI is easily the best one imo.

It's also because it's the first ever 3D Final Fantasy games during the 3D console eras. And while I think 7 is an really good game. I vastly prefer 6 & 9 over 7 because it plays balancely well.

I agree, my favs are VI and IX.

I'm all good now thanks buddy!

I've grown to love VIII over the years. It's not perfect, but really, the only reason I could come up with for why it isn't as loved is because it's just really different from VII.

Glad you enjoyed it 👍

You're right. That would be lovely!

The DS version was fantastic, if you haven't played it.

Seriously. They are sitting on a gold mine with that one. The DS version was great, I really enjoyed it, but I couldn't help but wonder, why go the precious moments route, when they could tell that story with PS4 graphics?

@@matthewrileymcleanwilkinson Because graphics don't make a story better. At release, IX was shit on for their graphics, and now it is regarded as one of the best in the franchise.

luminozero I’m playing it now. It is awesome but kind of hard. On my way to the moon now

Funnily enough, I was checking the prices for the soundtrack online after playing this game. It's lovely.

@@SwitchWatch I think they were pretty dear when I bought the soundtracks years ago. Probably £40 to £50 at least. But I could afford it then because I didn't have a family. Now I do and have a 4 year old so glad I bought them in the past. They are worth the money though. They come in lovely white CD cases with superb artwork, Obi and four discs. Final Fantasy VI, VII, VIII and IX have some of the best video game music of all time in my opinion. Nobuo Uematsu and Koji Kondo are two of the greatest computer game composers ever! They add a whole level of atmosphere to the games which wouldn't be the same without their music.

Cheers buddy!

This 7, 10 and 12

Well, me too. But for me X is already a known quantity as I adore that game, so I think I was more intrigued to play this and X-2, both of which I need to go over with fresh eyes and give another shot.

I must admit I haven't paid 4 enough attention. It released in Europe in 2002 on PlayStation together with V and very close to VI and X. It was a busy time and that's one I neglected.

@@SwitchWatch Please give IV another try. Preferably the SNES. The translation is a little silly in some parts, but it isn't as sluggish as the Playstation version. I hold it in high regard in the same breath as VI, VII, and IX.

Actually FF IV is better on the DS

Going to be picking up the others when they arrive?

@@SwitchWatch Absolutely!

Congrats. It is vastly superior to X.

If you like 10, than you'll love 9.

Does it really matter which version of FF9 is better? I don't care if I got an lazy port that people like to nag about. It's still the same game that we all know & love & it still plays tremendously well. I never ran into any bugs whatsoever.

I really enjoyed it back in the day too

You mean 9

@@cruzmedina8287 no i wrote 8 . Squall

8,9, and 12 are tied for my top ff

alucius1 you forgot to include 6

Awesome! Really glad you are enjoying it 😃

But people do. I'd be worried if you were the same person as you were as an 11 year old 😂👍

@@SwitchWatch you pointed out how many different versions you've tried until now and they've been spread over a large timeframe lol. So you wasn't always 11 dude.

@@ShaneThulborn It's not about the game or the console. It's about life circumstance.

@@dycu nah not feeling that. I like a game I haven't liked 3/4 previous times when it's the same due to "life circumstances"

Have you never found love for a movie or music at a certain point in life when you didn't care for it previously? It's the same thing.

We are really glad!

:)

Glad you like it buddy. it's up there with mine now for sure

FF VI is much better and the most complete ff game.

6 & 9 are the best Final Fantasy games in my honest opinion. Some people say 7 or 10 are the best. But I disagree. They're good games. Don't get me wrong. But there nothing compared to 6 or 9 honestly.

Sakiguchi’s favorite Final Fantasy

@@AC-dm9zm Good for him

Really is an excellent track

The music in FFIX in general is one of the best in the entire FF series. My favorite was the overworld track Over the Hills

I'm learning piano just to learn how to play it

I love "You Are Not Alone," but I also feel like "Look Back, See the Frog!" doesn't get nearly enough love. Like the former, it only plays during one scene, but that one scene is a little annoying (sneaking as Frog Cid past the Hedgehog Pie).

You're Not Alone and Roses of May are among my favorite tracks in the series let alone this game.

No matter how many people try to excuse it, they're criminals. They are attempting kidnapping 😂 I mean, they have a criminal code of conduct and everything

Yup! FF 7 is overrated

Oooh 15 at number 3. Don't see that very often! 👍

@@SwitchWatch loved 15 so much! a very flawed masterpiece =P

You're welcome buddy! I actually played 6 a bit later than most (when the PS1 version came out which was 2002 in Europe). So by that point it was my 5th Final Fantasy. Brilliant game.

SwitchWatch 6 is incredible, maybe the best game of the SNES. I personally thought 7 was really disappointing and I could never get into it. I thought it was trying to be too edgy and I didn’t like the characters that much. Zidane > Cloud any day. 9 is my all time favorite though, as it’s the one that really made me fall in love with the series. I thought the characters, story, cut scenes, everything was incredible. Still one of the best games I’ve ever played.

I would like to see 6 come to Switch port if necessary. But for now, 9 is just all I need.

Have done already buddy 😃

They can't because files were erased due to rushing it for release. Once Square got what they needed from the file it was deleted and used for something new. Can't remaster what doesnt exist

@@JTAnarky well they did :)

I think it looks great in handheld, hardly notice the backgrounds at all