Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade Proves Action RPGs Have a Home on Switch 2 (Review)

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Final Fantasy 7 is a fan favorite JRPG, and it’s no surprise Square Enix decided to remake it. The remake is being released as a three-part series, starting with Final Fantasy 7 Remake in 2020 for PlayStation 4. An enhanced version, Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade, was later released on PlayStation 5 and PC, and now it’s coming to the new Switch 2 console, bringing this reimagining of the classic game to even more players.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade is an enhanced version of the original game, featuring improved graphics and gameplay. It initially launched on PlayStation 5 and PC in 2021, but wasn’t available on other consoles – until now. On January 22nd, it’s coming to Xbox Series X|S and, surprisingly, the Nintendo Switch 2. I recently had a chance to play the game on the Switch 2 to see how well it performs on Nintendo’s new handheld, and I was genuinely impressed with the results.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Pros Cons
The first installment in the FF7 Remake trilogy brings a reimagined classic to Switch 2 No major updates or improvements from prior releases on PS5 and PC
Runs well overall on Switch 2, with no noticeable major graphic or frame rate issues Quest markers can be tricky to see on Switch 2, especially in handheld mode
Solid price makes it one of the more affordable RPGs on Switch 2 to date

Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade On Switch 2 Is a Visually Stunning Triumph 

The original Nintendo Switch sometimes struggled to run games with demanding graphics. So, fans of Final Fantasy might be curious if the new Switch 2 can handle the stunning visuals of Final Fantasy 7 and the city of Midgar. After playing it, I can confirm that the game really shows off what the Switch 2 can do – it’s a clear improvement over the older model. The graphics are crisp, and in some cases, even look better than I remember seeing them on the PS5. Everything from the characters and streets of Midgar to even small details like Aerith’s flowers are beautifully rendered, avoiding the blurry or outdated look that some games on the original Switch had.

When I replayed the first game in the Final Fantasy 7 Remake series, I was especially looking for any problems with how smoothly it ran or how it looked. That’s because people with the new Switch 2 are likely wondering if it can handle FF7 Remake Intergrade, being one of the first big role-playing games to come to the system since its release last year. After playing for a long time, I only found a few small, unimportant issues.

During fast-paced moments, like sliding down ladders, the game’s frame rate occasionally dipped, but generally, cutscenes, exploring, and battles ran well. Sometimes, the lip-syncing for characters didn’t quite match their words, particularly during close-up shots. I remember seeing this happen on the PS5 version too, so it doesn’t seem to be a problem exclusive to the Switch 2.

I was consistently impressed with how Final Fantasy 7 Intergrade looked and played on the Switch 2, whether I was playing it handheld or docked. Even in handheld mode, the game ran smoothly without any lag. The Switch 2 did get warm during longer play sessions, but never overheated or slowed down. The battery life was a bit shorter than with other games, but I never needed to stop and charge it mid-playthrough.

Okay, so I’ve been playing on my Switch 2, and honestly, it’s blowing me away. There’s a little bit of warmth if I’m playing handheld, but when I dock it and use my Pro controller? I seriously couldn’t tell the difference between playing on my PS5 – the game runs that smoothly. And the graphics? I actually think some details looked better on the Switch 2! I was worried about whether it could handle something like the Final Fantasy 7 remake, but it absolutely can, at least from what I’ve played in Midgar so far. It’s a really impressive experience.

The Same Minor Gripes from PC & PS5 Carry Over, But FF7 Remake Intergrade Is Well Worth Its Switch 2 Asking Price

If you haven’t played Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade yet, let me quickly cover the fundamentals. I’ve played through it before on the PS5 and enjoyed it, and I still think it’s a good remake overall, though it has a few rough spots. The Switch 2 version still has some frustrating controls and camera angles in certain parts. Things like slowly walking across narrow beams or being forced to walk at a slow pace haven’t been fixed, and some areas of Midgar just aren’t very enjoyable to navigate.

Overall, this game delivers a strong JRPG experience with plenty of options for players. You can customize the difficulty and choose between traditional turn-based battles or the updated combat system from Remake. Whether you’re new to the story of Final Fantasy 7 or revisiting familiar faces, the game faithfully adapts the characters and narrative on the Switch 2, just as it did on PS5 and PC.

What’s really great is that Square Enix didn’t raise the price for the Switch 2 version. Nintendo has been charging $10 more for its own games when they’re ported to the new console, but Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade still costs the same $39.99 as it does on PlayStation 5 and PC. Considering how much fun and engaging the combat is, that’s a fantastic deal right now.

The story ends with a bit of suspense, continuing directly from where Final Fantasy 7 Remake left off. However, the gameplay itself feels complete after a long journey of exploring and fighting. While Rebirth isn’t out yet, it’s planned for release on the Switch 2 and Xbox consoles. Having played Remake on the Nintendo Switch, I’m now much more optimistic that the whole trilogy will work well on the Switch 2.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade is launching on Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S on January 22nd. It’s currently available on PC and PlayStation 5. We received a Switch 2 code from the publisher to review the game.

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2026-01-21 14:11