Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 81 | 10 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 95% | 90 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 93 | 86 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 96% | 92 | 46 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 89.2, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 16,347 player reviews, a largely self-selected fanbase. As more players weigh in, the ceiling rises (full scale unlocks at 100,000 reviews).
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 130 reviews sampled · 117 total reviews in window · weighted 107.9 up / 4 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (49)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 80
“Warts and all, Final Fantasy IX remains a great RPG to this day; you likely won't regret picking this one up.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Final Fantasy IX is an amazing experience, with a fantastic cast and story, it’s truly a masterpiece of the PlayStation era. This upgrade means that fans don’t have to wait years to experience it again without all the pitfalls of the original.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Final Fantasy IX is an absolute must-buy and must-experience classic JRPG that deserved a home on a Nintendo console, and should have had one a long time ago.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“The modern ports of Final Fantasy IX are a great way to play one of the greatest RPGs of its generation, despite a few technical shortcomings that weren’t present in the original.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Not all aspects of Final Fantasy IX hold up perfectly in 2017, but the PSone swansong is still a stone cold classic. Although you could argue that the PS4 port should do more to enhance the experience, the adventure's core strengths in world building and storytelling remain, and they're as flawless as ever. When all's said and done, masterpiece is still a word that we'd use to describe Final Fantasy IX.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Final Fantasy IX still holds true as being an amazing entry in the series for JRPG lovers but be prepared for a lackluster porting of the classic experience.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“That's not to say people should avoid this re-release, because despite the problems there's a strong game here that's worth playing and experiencing. FFIX is reminiscent of a simpler time, boasting a strong narrative and quality of life features that make it easy to get into. I just wish it had a better presentation, one that a game of this quality truly deserves.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“As with Final Fantasy VII and VIII, the music arrangements are distinctly synthesized and sound 16-bit. ”
read full review ↗ - 90
“EXCELLENT - The Switch port of Final Fantasy IX is a great way for new players and veterans alike to experience the timeless tale in the best looking version of the game to date. There are a few annoyances that come along for the ride, but nothing that’s going to hinder this fantastic game. Get ready to fall in love with Vivi all over again.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“Some of the earlier Final Fantasy games simply transcend time and need to be made available for the newer generations, and this is one that I hope to see them experience”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Although this is nothing more than a port of the inferior PC version, Final Fantasy IX feels great on the Switch and will introduce a whole new generation to the game's many charms.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Eighteen years after its original release on PlayStation, Final Fantasy IX is back on Switch, but with all the flaws inherited from the PC/PS4 port of 2017. But in the end, its compressed soundtrack and smartphone interface will not make us forget the greatness of such an adventure, which could have benefit from a sweeter launch price.”
read full review ↗
Nintendo Life
RPGamer
Cubed3
Gamer Guides
Push Square
Capsule Computers
NintendoWorldReport
GameSpot
Nintendo Times
SwitchRPG
We Got This Covered
Gameblog…and 37 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- UpdateAug 6, 2020