Gaming

Square Enix celebrates Final Fantasy IX 25th anniversary

With New Artwork, Merchandise, and Community Events

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Final Fantasy IX

Square Enix is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Final Fantasy IX. And while fans are clamoring for a remake, the company instead is serving up a whole bunch of other things.

Available are a wide array of commemorative content and collectibles. The milestone campaign includes new illustrations, exclusive merchandise, major discounts, and fan-driven projects, all highlighting the legacy of one of the franchise’s most beloved titles.

New illustrations

To mark the occasion, original character designer Toshiyuki Itahana has created two new illustrations featuring the iconic Iifa Tree—one from the perspective of Zidane and his companions, and another centered on Kuja. Updated character art was also released alongside a new anniversary video reflecting on the game’s legacy.

Final Fantasy IX discounted, events, merch

As part of the celebration, Final Fantasy IX is currently available at a 70% discount on multiple platforms. The promotion runs through July 10 on Steam and until July 16 on the Nintendo eShop.

Fans are also invited to participate in a special art showcase, with submissions open through October 31. This community event encourages artists around the world to share their love for the game through original artwork.

Looking ahead, Square Enix is set to release a new illustrated picture book starring Vivi Ornitier, one of the game’s most iconic characters. Titled Final Fantasy IX: Vivi’s Story – Memories of My Grandpa, the book explores Vivi’s quiet life with Grandpa Quan. Written by Kazuhiko Aoki and illustrated by Itahana, the 48-page hardcover will be available on May 19, 2026, for $17.99.

In August 2025, the company will also launch a 25th anniversary vinyl album titled Timeless Tale. The release includes newly recorded versions of classic tracks, including “Melodies of Life,” with liner notes by composer Nobuo Uematsu. Each copy will include an MP3 download code and feature new art by Itahana. The vinyl is priced at $52.99.

Official merchandise

A range of official merchandise, including acrylic figures, apparel, and stationery, is available through the Square Enix Store. The company has also made a commemorative July calendar featuring the Final Fantasy IX cast available for download via its social media channels.

In a related collaboration, Japanese eyewear brand Zoff is launching a limited-edition Final Fantasy IX collection. Available from July 7 to August 3 in select Tokyo and Osaka locations, the line includes three character-inspired glasses, each packaged with exclusive cleaning cloths, themed cases, and capsule toy novelties.

The campaign highlights Final Fantasy IX’s enduring appeal, combining nostalgia with new creative expressions and collectible releases. While fans continue to speculate about a potential remake, Square Enix’s official anniversary celebration reinforces the game’s lasting significance in the Final Fantasy legacy.

Final Fantasy XI Remake?

The Final Fantasy official social media account has been pushing these updates over the past few weeks. This has led to a speculation that a Final Fantasy IX Remake is on the horizon. After all, it was one of the titles seen during the massive NVIDIA leak from a couple of years back. All of the titles listed then had since come out, save for FFIX Remake. 

Curiously, a group of experienced game developers came out with a fan-made trailer showing their take on what an FFIX Remake could look like.

While Square Enix didn’t announce the remake on the exact date of the title’s 25th anniversary, some fans are still hoping the announcement will come eventually.

Gaming

The Switch 2 is getting its first Joy-Con color variant

It’s not as showy as the first Switch’s Joy-Cons.

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When the Nintendo Switch 2 and its almost-all-black Joy-Cons launched, you might have wondered about how the dual controllers will rock other colors. After all, the original Switch’s ecosystem constantly tempted users with quirky color options. Because the Switch 2 uses a black shell, will future Joy-Cons look just as tempting? Now, we have our answer.

Today, Nintendo has announced its first color variant for the Switch 2 Joy-Con. We should have seen this coming, but the new variant will not have a completely redesigned shell. Instead, the controller will change the colors of the inner rails and the rings around the joysticks. This pair will rock light purple for the left Joy-Con and light green for the right one.

It’s a tad bit disappointing, especially when you’re comparing it to the previous model. It’s practically impossible to rep the new colors out in public because the inner rails are hidden by the Switch 2. It also doesn’t help that the console itself will still have its red and blue colors, clashing with the new variant.

That said, the Joy-Cons still look pretty cool when separated from the console. But it all depends on when the console gets more games that use only a single Joy-Con.

Thankfully, that’s coming soon. The color variant will launch alongside the upcoming Mario Tennis Fever, the perfect game for single Joy-Cons. Both will come out on February 12.

The new colors will sell for an eye-watering US$ 99.99.

SEE ALSO: Yes, someone made a fries holder for your Nintendo Switch 2

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CES 2026

Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable Concept was possible thanks to TCL

Also responsible behind the foldable display of the new motorola razr fold

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TCL CSOT x Lenovo
Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

At this year’s CES 2026 in Las Vegas, TCL CSOT (China Star Optoelectronics Technology) and Lenovo have further proved their long-term partnership. The newest Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable Concept and the motorola razr fold are equipped with displays by TCL CSOT.

Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable Concept

The continuous collaboration of the two mighty Chinese companies bring out something that has been envisioned in laptops for quite a while now.

Ever imagined of a conventional laptop with standard 16:9 display that can instantly stretch into a 21:9 widescreen monitor? Well, the Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable Concept proves it’s more than possible.

Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable Concept

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Pioneering this partnership starts with TCL CSOT’s rollable display. Dubbed as the Lenovo PureSight OLED Gaming display. From a regular 16-inch 16:9 display, it completely transforms into an ultra-wide screen — stretching between 21.5 all the way to 24 inches.

For gamers and even e-sports athletes who seek visual flexibility (literally and figuratively), the display adapts to three (3) different training phases.

  • Focus Mode (16 inches) for honing reflexes
  • Tactical Mode (21.5 inches) for enhanced situational awareness
  • Arena Mode (24 inches) for full-scale competitive simulation

Behind that rollable display tech by TCL CSOT lies a dual-motor, tension-based system. This not only means that the rollable display can unroll smoothly, the expansion is not just controlled, its contraction also delivers minimal vibration and noise.

There’s also a dedicated tensioning mechanism that ensures consistent tautness across the OLED panel. Low-friction materials then secures durability throughout the rolling cycle.

motorola razr fold

Finally, after a long wait, motorola finally unveils their first ever book-style foldable.

The motorola razr fold headlines TCL CSOT’s 8.1-inch 2K LTPO flexible inner display. And unlike most foldable offerings in the market today, it supports a stylus!

motorola razr fold

When closed, its 6.6-inch external display delivers the familiarity of a candy-bar smartphone. Furthermore, its sleek, striking, and slim silhouette will feel comfortable in one’s hands.

Not much has been shared but more details will soon be unfolded by motorola.

The Co-Innovation Legacy

The steady legacy of TCL CSOT and Lenovo has already delivered consumer-ready products past the convention center show floor showcase.

Those include the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i with a flexible 4K OLED display unveiled at CES 2025. Even the motorola razr 60 series flip-style foldables launched last July 2025 was not missed.

And, with the introduction of the Legion Pro Rollable Concept and the motorola razr fold, both companies continue to turn advanced display research into practical, user-focused products — setting new standards for performance, comfort, and sustainability.

motorola razr fold

With past display innovations, these newer advancements offer a more immersive viewing experience, better eye comfort, and flexiblility across various user applications.

This continuous collaboration highlights the companies shared commitment to advancing display technology and elevating the visual experience for users worldwide.

TCL CSOT’s constant strive for innovation is mainly driven by their APEX values:

  • A-mazing Display Experience
  • P-rotective of Eye Health
  • E-co-Friendly to build and use; and
  • X-Unlimited Imaginative Potential

Jun Zhao, the Senior Vice President of TCL Technology and CEO of TCL CSOT, states that the company is dedicated in providing Lenovo high-quality displays and custom diplay solutions that turn advanced technology into something  “We are dedicated to providing Lenovo with high-quality, custom display solutions that turn advanced technology into everyday excellence, and

He also says “they look forward to exploring new frontiers together.”

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CES 2026

This Razer AI companion can tell you how much of a noob you are

The brand also unveiled an AI headset and an immersive gaming chair.

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Whenever you’re playing a single-player game, do you miss the toxic banter of teammates telling you how bad you are? Sometimes, it feels impossible to play without another voice in your ear. For those moments, Razer reintroduced Project AVA, an AI desk companion designed to keep you company while gaming and for more.

Project AVA

Technically, Razer already introduced the AI companion during last year’s CES 2025. This year, however, the brand has added more functionalities to the upcoming product, turning the device from a mere esports coach into an actual companion.

Previously, the assistant can use your camera, eye-tracking, audio input, and the screen to tell you how to get better in your chosen game. Now, Razer has added the ability to help you with everyday tasks like organizing schedules and suggesting fits.

Additionally, users can choose between a variety of 5-inch animated holograms as avatars, such as Kira, Zane, and even Japan’s favorite salary woman SAO. Users can also pick personalities for them from sassy to friendly.

Since it’s still a concept, there’s no word on when Project AVA will be available as a finished product.

Project Motoko

Last month, we reviewed the BlackShark V3 Pro, one of the most comfortable gaming headsets we’ve tried. Not content with prioritizing comfort, Razer has now added AI to a headset.

Project Motoko showcases a headset that uses AI technology to anticipate your needs. Besides a flurry of microphones, the headset uses two cameras positioned at eye level to analyze your surroundings. Razer says it can even track how many reps you’ve done at the gym and summarize a document you’re looking at.

Because the software is specifically designed to detect your surroundings, it can reportedly heighten your senses and find things you might have missed from your peripheral vision. Additionally, it can heighten your hearing and amplify conversations and sounds you might find important.

Project Madison

To cap it all off, Razer also unveiled an immersive gaming chair. Project Madison is a chair that uses lighting, audio, and haptic feedback to deliver an immersive gaming experience.

First of all, the chair uses Razer’s iconic Chroma RGB to simulate your surroundings while playing a game. With 16.8 million colors, it makes you feel visually immersed in your game.

Secondly, the chair has THX Spatial Audio. On its own, the chair’s speakers can provide audio immersion. Further, if you pair it with front speakers, you can upgrade this to a 7.1 surround sound system.

Thirdly, Project Madison features Razer Sensa HD Haptics to deliver a tactile sensation that makes you feel every impact and explosion.

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