In a recent installment of Nintendo’s Creator’s Voice YouTube series, Naoki Hamaguchi, director of the Final Fantasy VII Remake series, dropped some big news for fans of the iconic RPG franchise. He seemingly confirmed that the entire trilogy—including Remake Intergrade, Rebirth, and the yet-to-be-titled third installment—will be coming to the Nintendo Switch 2.
In the Creator’s Voice video, Hamaguchi expressed, “[The Switch 2] has improved technical specs, I felt it would have enough power to run the Final Fantasy VII Remake series I was creating.” This declaration, while not the most formal announcement, confirms that Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is likely in development for the Switch 2 in some capacity. This has sparked excitement and speculation about the Nintendo Switch 2’s capabilities and Nintendo‘s evolving relationship with third-party developers amongst the community.
Punching Above Its Weight
The most surprising aspect of the Remake trilogy being announced is that this confirms the Nintendo Switch 2 will be able to run Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. The second installment faced performance struggles on the PS5, with issues like pop-in and stuttering, leading many to assume that a game as taxing as it is would be unfeasible on the Switch 2—a console expected to be less powerful than Sony’s current-gen hardware.
In the Creator’s Voice segment, Hamaguchi highlighted the console’s enhanced hardware, particularly its increased RAM, which allows it to handle the demanding visuals of Midgar and beyond. This development signals that the Switch 2 may be a more capable platform than skeptics anticipated, potentially bridging the gap between Nintendo and AAA third-party titles.
The confirmation also raises intriguing questions about the trilogy’s future. The third installment of the Final Fantasy VII Remake series is expected to launch on next-gen PlayStation consoles, with a likely release on Xbox’s next-gen hardware as Square Enix continues its multi-platform strategy. However, Hamaguchi’s comments suggest that the Switch 2 will not be left behind. Final Fantasy has never been known for cross-gen titles, so I’m curious to see how they’ll pull off the Switch 2 version when the power disparity between it and its competitors expands.
Why Stop There?
The announcement also opens the door for other Final Fantasy titles to make their way to the Switch 2. Final Fantasy XVI, which launched as a PS5 exclusive in 2023, has yet to be confirmed for Nintendo platforms, but its eventual PC release and Square Enix’s recent multi-format approach make a Nintendo Switch 2 port plausible.
Hamaguchi expressed hope for a “strong partnership” between Nintendo and the Final Fantasy brand, hinting at broader collaboration. Given the Nintendo Switch 2’s technical capabilities, we can speculate that Final Fantasy XVI—and potentially future mainline entries—could find a home on the upcoming hybrid console.
The Nintendo Switch has dominated Japan’s console market, while Final Fantasy‘s popularity has waned in recent years. By targeting the region’s leading platform, Square Enix is poised to revitalize the franchise, sparking renewed interest and driving sales growth.
A New Era
With the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy making strides, AAA third-party support for Nintendo appears to be bolstering. Historically, Nintendo has struggled to secure consistent AAA backing for its consoles since the GameCube era due to its indifference to matching current power standards.
Nintendo has long leaned on its stellar first-party titles to fuel sales, and that strategy remains central. Yet, with their first-party lineup now stronger than ever, the addition of major third-party franchises like Final Fantasy could prove transformative for the Nintendo Switch 2. As the launch approaches, the prospect of unprecedented third-party support heralds an exciting era for fans of Nintendo and AAA gaming alike.
