Square Enix’s beloved RPG makes a strong debut on Nintendo’s next-gen hardware with native performance options and new possibilities for future ports.
Although the Final Fantasy VII Remake has already established itself as one of the most well-known contemporary role-playing games, its release on Nintendo’s anticipated Switch 2 is creating a new buzz. Digital Foundry, a group of dedicated technical experts, says that Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is the most visually stunning Switch 2 game to date.
Even though the library for the console is still very new, that comment carries significant weight. Square Enix’s plan to release a high-quality native version instead of a cloud-based compromise is a big step forward for third-party studios this generation when making games for Nintendo hardware.
Square Enix’s backing for Nintendo consoles hasn’t always been the same. Some games, like Octopath Traveler and Dragon Quest, were praised for being great on Switch, but other big series, like Kingdom Hearts, were given dull cloud streaming versions. Fans who wanted a real, movable experience were let down by that move.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade coming out on Switch 2 shows that Square is paying more attention to this device this time. It’s not enough to just put the game on the system; it needs to be tweaked to make the most of the hardware’s special features, like the 120Hz display.
One of the most interesting technical features is that the Switch 2 port has a performance option for 40fps. 30fps has long been the standard for Nintendo hardware, but 40fps makes the experience better and more responsive without locking the game at 60fps.
This sweet spot, which is already popular with PC gamers who play games on the go with devices like the Steam Deck, could become an important part of Switch 2 games. Since every unit has a display that can handle 120Hz, developers can add 40fps modes with confidence, knowing that all players will be able to use them. This isn’t always the case with other systems, where TV refresh rates are all over the place.
Fans will like this because it’s a compromise between the movie-like look of 30fps and the very smooth response of 60fps. This is proof that Nintendo’s new hardware aims to meet current performance standards while still being power-efficient.
If Final Fantasy VII Remake does well on Switch 2, it could lead to a lot of other games from Square Enix. It seems like the next step should be the Kingdom Hearts series, especially if Square is finally ready to stop making cloud versions and give us fully native releases.
After that, other big Square Enix games like Final Fantasy XVI or even Forspoken could be ported to the Switch 2 if the hardware works well enough. There are more and more chances for RPG fans to get their hands on a real portable library of Square’s best games.
The message this growth sends is what’s most encouraging about it. It gives people hope that third-party publishers will not treat the Switch 2 badly if Square Enix is ready to put in the work to make Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade shine on it.
Digital Foundry’s positive first views back up what fans have been hoping for: Nintendo’s next console won’t just have Mario and Zelda as its main games. On the other hand, it might finally make a real connection between mobility and new AAA games. Big-budget RPGs and immersive experiences might become the rule rather than the exception for people who own a Switch 2.
