Final Fantasy IX U.S. soundtrack revealed

[10.04.00] » Get excited with the exclusive details of Tokyopop's U.S. soundtrack release: the new U.S. title, how many tracks, how much, the cover art, an exclusive extra track and much more.

    The GIA has learned the full details surrounding Tokyopop's highly anticipated release of a special Final Fantasy IX soundtrack for the U.S. market. The CD, entitled "Uematsu's Best Selection, Music from the Final Fantasy IX Video Game," will feature 74 minutes of music in the form of 33 selected tracks. "Composed and compiled" by famed series composer Nobuo Uematsu, one of those tracks will be a bonus track exclusive to the U.S. release: "Fu-Ru-Sa-To (Homeland) original version," which Tokyopop promises will not be released on any other CD.

    Among the other tracks included in the U.S. version will be an English performance of Final Fantasy IX's main theme, "Melodies of Life." While the English vocals were heard in a number of Japanese commerials, the full English version of the song was not included on the import soundtrack. The single disc U.S. release will also feature an eight page color booklet, artwork of the entire cast beneath the CD tray, and (surprisingly) a full translation of the special Uemtasu interview from the Japanese insert.

    Final Fantasy IX follows Parasite Eve II as the first original U.S. releases under a special licensing deal between Square and Tokyopop. "The tracks and the sequences were indeed personally selected by Uemtasu," said David Ponak of Tokyopop, "and we have taken a unique approach to try and bring something special to everyone in the American market." Gamers can compare their own selections with Uematsu's starting on November 13th, for a suggested retail price of $16.98.