I thought Final Fantasy VII Remake was phenomenal back in 2020 when I played it at launch on PS4 Pro. I enjoyed it just as much when I returned for the INTERmission DLC chapter, which came bundled with its native PS5 port the following year. And, it’s very much a case of good things coming in threes with the recent release of FFVII Remake on Nintendo Switch 2.
Having this excellent RPG experience available on the hybrid device is a real boon. It allowed me to enjoy its cinematic spectacle on my television, and then slowly chip away at some side-quests on the go with my Switch 2 in handheld mode. Of course, this inherent novelty of playing in two unique modes is nothing new. It’s been the Switch’s USP for almost a decade.
What is a little more novel is just how gorgeous Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (to use its full name) looks on Switch 2. I’ve been impressed with the likes of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition and Hitman: World of Assassination – Signature Edition on Switch 2, but could immediately spot the visual downgrades made to get these games playable on Nintendo’s weaker hardware. With FFVII, it’s sometimes hard to spot the difference.
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Final Fantasy VII Remake is a Switch 2 graphical showcase
FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE – Launch Trailer – Nintendo Switch 2 – YouTube
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Even before its launch last summer, I always said my “dream” follow-up to the best-selling Nintendo Switch would be the same core console with beefier internal components. And that’s pretty much exactly what Nintendo delivered. Final Fantasy VII Remake is the proof of it.
The game is a real stunner on PS5 and Xbox Series X (and even more so on one of the best gaming PCs), but the version on Nintendo’s comparatively less powerful platform more than holds its own. Upon booting up the game for a new playthrough on both PS5 Pro and Nintendo Switch 2, I genuinely struggled to tell them apart. You can see just how closely aligned the PS5 and Switch 2 versions are in the comparison slider below.
The sacrifices made to get the game running on Switch 2 become more apparent once you get into the thick of the action. When enemies are flying across the screen, and the luminous magic effects start bursting from your party’s fingertips, the Switch 2 resolution does take a hit. But it’s a minor downgrade that only the most eagle-eyed will spot. Fortunately, it’s significantly less noticeable when playing in handheld mode, which is how I do the vast majority of my gaming on the Nintendo Switch 2 anyway.
However, there is one area where the Switch 2 edition is most definitely a downgrade: framerates. On PS5, players can pick between Performance and Fidelity, the former offering buttery 60 fps at the cost of resolution. On Switch 2, it’s 30 fps max. As a player who ranks a higher framerate above all else, this is a little disappointing, but it’s to be expected with the Switch 2 ports (Cyberpunk 2077 is the same), and it’s certainly no dealbreaker.
(Image credit: Square Enix)
I’m still in the early stage of Final Fantasy VII Remake on Switch 2 (an embargoed game has been sucking up most of my spare time), but it’s become my go-to title to showcase the hybrid console’s graphical prowess. And I’m extra curious to see how Nintendo’s console handles its sequel, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. It’s been confirmed to be also heading to Switch 2 this year, and it’s an even more demanding title. Can Switch 2 handle it?
Final Fantasy VII Remake on Switch 2 appears to be popular
Final Fantasy VII Remake only arrived on Nintendo Switch 2 last week, on Thursday, January 22, but it’s quickly become a top seller. Over on the Nintendo eShop, it’s currently ranked No. 1 in the digital storefront’s charts, and the physical edition (which, sadly, is a controversial Game-Key Card) even sold out at multiple retailers over the launch weekend.
(Image credit: Square Enix)
At the time of writing, Best Buy is still out of stock, but fortunately, Amazon and Walmart have replenished their inventory. However, Walmart already has a “low stock” notification on its listing, so don’t wait around. I suspect the well-positioned $39 MSRP is helping sales. And I appreciate that publisher Square Enix opted to price the Switch 2 port lower than a $59 release. That’s not always the case with Switch 2 Editions.
All in, Final Fantasy VII Remake is a fantastic game, and it looks (and plays) supremely well on Nintendo Switch 2. If you’ve yet join Cloud and the gang on their quest through the steampunk city of Midgar to find Sephiroth, you should absolutely consider picking up a copy. Even if you’ve already played FFVII Remake, the Switch 2 port makes a compelling case to double-dip.
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