(Image credit: Square Enix)
Back in January, I declared Final Fantasy VII Remake the “new Switch 2 showcase,” and I stand by that statement. But Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, which launches on Nintendo’s hybrid console this week (on June 3), is a different beast. It’s deeper and denser in every way, offering a sprawling open world, hundreds of quests and more iconic characters to meet.Before getting my hands on the Nintendo Switch 2 edition of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, I definitely had my doubts as to how Square Enix was going to cram this huge RPG into less powerful hardware than the PS5, where it initially released in 2024. Even more so because Rebirth had its share of performance and graphical woes on PlayStation’s flagship console.After putting a handful of hours into Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on Switch 2, I’ve come away once again enthralled by this fantastic RPG and generally happy to recommend the version shortly releasing on Nintendo hardware. But with a few more caveats than I had when recommending Remake.Here’s how FFVII Rebirth on Switch 2 compares to PS5 ProTo set out my stall, my experience with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth so far has come with the Nintendo Switch 2 in handheld mode. I’m aware some of the graphical hiccups I’m going to highlight might be alleviated by playing on a TV, but the vast majority of my Switch 2 playtime is in handheld mode. Plus, I’d argue that being able to take FFVII Rebirth anywhere is the selling point of the Switch 2 port compared to playing on PS5, Xbox Series X or PC.On initial boot-up, FFVII Rebirth started promisingly on Switch 2. There is a clear hit to image quality, with textures in the distance noticeably fuzzy compared to PS5 Pro (I replayed the intro on PS5 Pro beforehand to give me a fresh comparison point). But in the largely linear opening that represents the first couple of hours of play, Rebirth looks pretty good.The real downgrades to get the game running on Switch 2 become more apparent as you guide Cloud and his allies out of the city of Migard and into the first open-world section, the Grasslands. Just standing on the cliffside looking out over the lush field, the differences in image quality are stark. This was a show-stopping moment on PS5 Pro, but on Switch 2, the blurry, jaggied textures surrounding the foliage are undeniably hard to ignore.Pop-up becomes increasingly apparent in this section, as little patches of grass in the distance pop into existence as you get closer. Character models also lose detail at a distance. I advise against swinging the camera around to face your party when running around the open areas, but when you get up close, they look good. However, the fuzzy hair problem, which was also very noticeable in Resident Evil Requiem on Switch 2, is definitely apparent.Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.One area that doesn’t suffer too much is the frame rate. Yes, you have to settle for 30 fps rather than having 60 fps like on PS5, but this is a trade-off Nintendo players are used to making, and I noticed only sporadic drops. Personally, I would always exchange a more consistent frame rate for reduced image quality, so Square Enix made the right decision in my book.A quick word on FFVII Rebirth as a game: it’s frickin' epic, and well suited to playing on Switch 2. If I had one criticism of the game back in 2024, it was that it was almost too big, with bloated side activities padding the runtime. However, on Switch 2, I welcome all these little distractions, as they can be tackled in shorter play sessions when on the move or traveling.Should you buy FFVII Rebirth on Switch 2?If you want the best-looking and performing version of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, then playing on Switch 2 obviously shouldn’t be your first choice. You’ll get the best visuals and frame rate on PS5, Xbox Series X, or one of the best gaming PCs. However, that’s a given. If you want the ability to play FFVII Rebirth anywhere, the Switch 2 version offers this USP, and while it does make sacrifices to get there, they’re not dealbreakers by any means.
