Final Fantasy IX is a return to the more fantastical and traditional roots of the FF series and returns back to the original style of the older Final Fantasy games. Due to the new features as well as the compelling storyline, many people consider this the best game of the series. This is the third and last numbered Final Fantasy for the original PlayStation.

Final Fantasy IX centers on a war between a few nations, started by the ambitious Queen Brahne. Players follow a the thief named Zidane Tribal, who is then joined with several others. However, as the story progresses, things are not what they appear and the effort to overthrow the Queen leads to an even darker and more sinister battle to save the world of Gaia. Like other Final Fantasy games, there is also a central love story. This centers around Zidane and the Princess Garnet.

Final Fantasy IX introduced a new form battle system call the Active Time Battle (ATB). Rather than waiting your turn to attack, there is an ATB gauge which fills up. Depending on the speed of your character, the ATB gauge will fill up accordingly. Once it is full you can then perform your actions. FF IX was the first game in the RPG genre to utilize this strategy. Besides a new combat system, FF IX also has a revamped equipment and skill system. Like the earlier Final Fantasies, FF IX has a class system. Therefore the members of your team can be a certain class either black mage, knight, and so forth. Each of these characters have special abilities that only they can use. Black mages are the only ones who can use magic and knights are the only ones that can use sword skills. Each class has a variety of equipment that they can use. Equipment in FF IX allows characters to increase character attributes while weapons allow characters to learn a special ability. When a character gains enough ability points, they do not have to have the weapon equipped to use these abilities. The game has over 40+ hours and spans 4 CDs.