Here is a neat trick for playing
Final Fantasy IX:
If you want to enable the two player mode, (yes, FF9 come equipped with this!) do the following...
1. Go to your menu and choose CONFIG.
2. Go to Battle Control and select Custom.
This way, you will be able to choose who the second player controls during your battles. Remember, communication is key when you're in a battle. You don't want to duplicate certain actions like healing characters when they have already been healed by the other person.
I usually just watch my girlfriend play the game and I'd make suggestions along the way. (Backseat gaming.) Mostly, though, I would just watch and enjoy the storyline as it unfolds.
Also, remember to disable this feature when you're playing by yourself. She found out the hard way when the game seemed to have "frozen" during a battle.