This week has seen the release of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade on the Nintendo Switch 2, but Square Enix is not stopping there. The developer has issued a promising update, confirming that both Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and the upcoming third game in the series are also being developed for the portable platform.
Director Naoki Hamaguchi Provides Reassurance
In a statement on the Nintendo blog, game director Naoki Hamaguchi shared insights into the future of the franchise. He said, "There's not a huge amount of information I can share in terms of future games, but I can reassure players that we’re working on the Nintendo Switch 2 version of FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, the second game in the series, and the third game too."
Hamaguchi emphasised that the Switch 2 versions are being crafted to maintain the same gameplay experience as on other platforms, aiming to reassure Nintendo fans. This news is particularly exciting given that Rebirth, which continues the narrative from the 1997 classic, originally required more powerful hardware and was not released on PlayStation 4 due to technical limitations.
Technical Achievements and Expectations
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade has impressed players with its performance on the Nintendo Switch 2, offering visual quality between PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 levels while maintaining a consistent frame rate, even in handheld mode. This is a significant feat, showcasing the capabilities of Nintendo's latest hardware.
The Nintendo Switch 2 benefits from faster SSD technology, which should help in handling Rebirth's open-world structure, unlike the more linear design of the first game. Previous open-world titles like The Witcher 3, Skyrim, and Hogwarts Legacy have performed well on the Switch 2, setting a positive precedent for Rebirth's port.
What This Means for Gamers
While no release dates have been announced for the Switch 2 versions of Rebirth and the third game, this confirmation is a major boost for Nintendo players. It ensures that the full Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy will be accessible on the portable console, expanding the gaming library and offering flexibility for fans on the go.
Square Enix's commitment to developing these ports highlights the growing importance of the Nintendo Switch 2 in the gaming market. As the company continues to work on these projects, players can look forward to more updates and potentially impressive technical adaptations in the future.