Final Fantasy X celebrates 25 years with emotional anniversary trailer

Square Enix has released a new Final Fantasy X trailer to mark 25 years since Tidus first washed up on the shores of Spira.

The commemorative video arrived alongside the RPG’s anniversary on July 19, with Final Fantasy X originally launching for PlayStation 2 in Japan on the same date in 2001. Rather than teasing a remake or another sequel, the trailer focuses on pulling those nostalgic heart strings, revisiting Tidus and Yuna’s pilgrimage alongside showing other familiar faces including Auron, Wakka, Lulu, Rikku and Kimahri.

Naturally, some of Final Fantasy X’s most memorable moments also make the cut, bringing its mixture of colorful locations, battles, and emotional moments.

If you weren’t aware, Final Fantasy X was actually the first mainline entry developed specifically for PS2, the first to feature fully polygonal environments and the first numbered Final Fantasy game to receive a direct sequel.

This makes it one of the more pivotal entries in the franchise, and a big reason why it is still loved by so many.

The anniversary trailer, however, is only one part of Square Enix’s celebrations. A special logo featuring artwork by Final Fantasy character designer Tetsuya Nomura has also been released, while new merchandise and a fan art project are helping keep the festivities going.

The timing is particularly handy for you Nintendo Switch 2 owners, as Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster is heading to the console on July 23. The collection includes both games with remastered visuals and music, content based on the International versions, and quality-of-life options such as high-speed mode and the ability to disable random encounters.

However, if you’re an original Switch owner, be aware that there does not appear to be a free or discounted upgrade path to the newer console version. To get the benefits of the Switch 2-specific release, you have to buy the collection again to experience Tidus’ story in all its updated glory.

Still, the anniversary trailer is a solid reminder of why Final Fantasy X remains one of the series’ most beloved adventures. Twenty-five years later, its story clearly has not lost its ability to hit you directly in the feelings.