Hi folks, and congratulations for playing such a great game, one of the best in the series ;)

Okay. The big question. Can it be done? Apparently, yes. I've come across a guide on gamefaqs.com, and I've just started to follow it. It's a trying task, believe you me.

One word of warning though. Apparently the pal version of the PS2 plays the game about 17% slower than (what is for me) the overseas models. This means anyone in Australia, like me, or anyone that has the pal system, is probably not going to be able to complete the task, phenomenal as it is. 12 hours is all you have, after all.

I'm still going to try, to see how far I can get. After a quick scan, and my own experience, it is possible to have ZERO random encounters throughout, and finish five of the final characters on level 1 - perfect for stat maxing (after acquiring E2).

Any thoughts people wish to add to this? Overflowing the time counter is not an option for me, not since I discovered it takes about 2 years of play time before this happens... ;)

The one person I'd consider an authority on the subject of FFIX tried a speed run for E2, and if I remember right, had an episode or six of her sanity wearing away...I've never even pulled the speed run, let alone a LLG (though I may try one...), so best of luck to you.

Fascinating. I know the time counter runs slow on my PC version of FFVII --- I once completed a game of that with less than eight hours on my time-clock, though it wasn't anywhere near perfect. Never considered this sort of thing for a perfect FFIX run though.

I dont know if anyone could play a 100% perfect run through hardly any game, unless it takes like 10-15 minutes to beat. But something as long as the Final Fantasy games, someones bound to slip up at least a tiny bit, but even that little bit can ruin a perfect run.

Kingdom Hearts II --- you actually can, because there are no permanently missable items / fights, etc. and it comes equipped with a journal detailing exact completion with Mickey's seal.

It's possible,just an incredible feat,I wish you success,if you are to come out victorious,then I salute you my friend.

On a side note: Has anyone here beaten Ozma?

On a side note: Has anyone here beaten Ozma?

i have, pretty fun/difficult battle

Interesting replies. Of course, something of this magnitude will take a great deal of time and soft resetting, so it may be a while before I ever pull it off.

Missable items are tough, especially the coffee and mini-items quests. The trouble with the walkthrough I printed is the guy wants to grab everything, including missable regular chests.

There are different levels people think constitutes 100% completion, but I think that is going a bit too far. Something like getting 100 triple triad cards, all different, all with A strength, I might consider afterwards, but stuff like hidden potions, puny gil amounts - I don't think it matters quite so much.

Kingdom Hearts II --- you actually can, because there are no permanently missable items / fights, etc. and it comes equipped with a journal detailing exact completion with Mickey's seal.


...That changes things a bit. I take back most of what i said.

You can cut your game time down by opening the disc tray during a video scene to skip that FMV.

BTW you are crazy for trying this. But good luck mate

One day i just might lose my mind and decide to try this.

Yes, I am probably out of my mind, but I'm loving it ;) I just get sick of having "missing" things. Call me old-fashioned, but I figure they put things in a game so people can get them, so I try and get them ;)

actually you don't necessarily have to beat it within 12 hours...what I did was let the clock restart. Once it gets over 99 hours it goes back to zero...the numbers will be orange but you can do it that way...and yes it does take a long time to restart the clock, but think how much you can get done in that time...all the sidequests and totally level up...just a suggestion.

Resetting the clock by letting it go over 100 hours doesn't work, genius.

You have to get to Licht in 12 TRUE hours to get the Excalibur II.

I've reset the clock back to zero and have gone through Memoria to find the master synth guy and I've gotten it.

Cool, did you get the tangerine chocobo and Kuja's Might Thong, too?

Tangerine? Kuro dearest, that's in the Japanese version. For us lame-o Americans, it's a Cherry Chocobo. It's also Kuja's Kuddly Panties for us.

Actually, it was the FF9 International Plus version. :)

Silly munky, I'm SHOCKED you didn't know that!!

There is an element of truth to what this guy is saying. You can get Exaclibur II if you let the clock reset.

Except it only resets after it has gone through all of its colours (the timer changes colour every 100 hours).

Meaning you would have to keep your PlayStation on for over two years.

And then BAM. Excalibur II is yours.

Well, genius up there said after 99 hours, which you can only do if you have the Online International Plus and/or Final Mix version of FF9. And those were only available through a special promotion in Japan last year, so if you didn't get it, you're out of luck.

*nods sagely*

As for waiting until the thing changes to 00 again after 600 hours...? It may be true, but that's just pointless. And we strive to not be pointless at this here forum, we do. ;) According to the most accurate guide I know, the clock just STOPS after the green counter (ie. 599:59:59 hours). I have no inclination to see it for myself, but if you want to, hell, knock yourself out.

If you'd like to do it and come back with screenshots to prove that getting ExII after 600 hours is true...? Hell, I've been at FFS since 2002, maybe I'll be still be here in 2008. Go for it.

I suppose if you really wanted too, there's a way you could nerf the clock to edit the time...

Actually, it was the FF9 International Plus version. :)

Silly munky, I'm SHOCKED you didn't know that!!

Oh, that's right. MY BAD. What the heck is the matter with me?


I suppose if you really wanted too, there's a way you could nerf the clock to edit the time...

GameShark, anybody?

Oh, that's right. MY BAD. What the heck is the matter with me?



GameShark, anybody?

lol that would work

To clarify, yes, the Excalibur II can be acquired after the cycle of colours is complete - but will take over 2 years. I'm sure people would actually like to 'play' their ps2 during that time tho...

I'm going to try the 'legit' way. Playing the pal version, I've noticed you can't do it after the first reset. (ie the first time it changes colour [yes, Aussies spell colour that way ;)] )

Sorry to burst your bubble, hopefuls. But a gameshark might work. I haven't been able to get one that works on the ps2 console tho, maybe it has something to do with mine being an older model.

It's going wierd at the moment. First run got me a minute ahead of the target time, the infamous "impress 100 nobles" run got me 2 minutes behind, then the next I'm a minute ahead again. I've decided to go back to try and improve the 100 nobles section, and I'm amazed I've remembered to get all the moogle letters so far ;)

I don't know. I've never seen anything about a Gameshark being able to edit the play time on a game. I suppose it's possible, though. Anyone arsed enough to look it up?

I did, once upon a time. It exists, but I'm not sure how reliable it is. I couldn't even get the Shark to load, the ps2 wouldn't recognise the disc, so I Gave Up.

Not sure how they work in the US, tho.

Well, genius up there said after 99 hours, which you can only do if you have the Online International Plus and/or Final Mix version of FF9. And those were only available through a special promotion in Japan last year, so if you didn't get it, you're out of luck.

*nods sagely*

As for waiting until the thing changes to 00 again after 600 hours...? It may be true, but that's just pointless. And we strive to not be pointless at this here forum, we do. ;) According to the most accurate guide I know, the clock just STOPS after the green counter (ie. 599:59:59 hours). I have no inclination to see it for myself, but if you want to, hell, knock yourself out.

If you'd like to do it and come back with screenshots to prove that getting ExII after 600 hours is true...? Hell, I've been at FFS since 2002, maybe I'll be still be here in 2008. Go for it.

I think you missed my sarcasm


I suppose if you really wanted too, there's a way you could nerf the clock to edit the time...

If you were going to use a cheat device to edit the time, why not just cheat ExII in to the game instead?


To clarify, yes, the Excalibur II can be acquired after the cycle of colours is complete - but will take over 2 years. I'm sure people would actually like to 'play' their ps2 during that time tho...

Why are you just repeating what I said?

Sorry about that - but some people aren't as quick-witted as you ;)

Lukey --- I would have thought the answer obvious. Curiosity --- to find out if you can do it --- and also to find out if any of the timer reset rumors are true.

Only the true fanatics would go try something like this...so,basically, almost everyone on this board. ^^

I'm in Evil Forest right now, and my god! The random encounters are appalling! I can't do it with 0 encounters, I keep getting at least 2 of the buggers before the Forest Spring save, and it's really cutting into my time.

Anyone know a way to boost my avoidance tactics? I'm tearing my hair out here X|