Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Switch 2 Review – The Journey Continues on this Fantastic Port

As with the original Nintendo Switch 2 review of the first game, it is amazing what Square Enix has done with the port of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade on Nintendo Switch 2. How they managed to fit such a massive game into Nintendo Switch 2 hardware is nothing short of amazing. It has some obvious trade-offs, but still amazing. Now, the second game, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, is finally here on Nintendo Switch 2,

Naturally, there are many questions. It is a bigger game, and we have more of the world to explore. More activities, mini-games, exploration, and everything in between. On benchmark performance on PS5 and PC, taking up nearly 150 GBs, can it run on Nintendo Switch 2? Even after shrinking the game file down to just 100 GB, I can confidently say it can. Like with the last game, provided with some trade-offs, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth can run on Nintendo Switch 2.

Game Name: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Platform(s): PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch 2
Reviewed On: Nintendo Switch 2
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Square Enix
Release Date: June 3, 2026

** This review will be complementary to the original review on PS5.  This review will focus on the Nintendo Switch 2 Version of the game in terms of performance and stability. The story and content are the same. Please refer to the original review in terms of story and mechanics. **

The Strange Journey on Switch 2

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth picks up right after the end of the first game. We join our cast of Cloud and gang in the city of Kalm, tracking down Sephiroth while branded as terrorists by Shinra. They are no longer being limited by the Midgard plates and are now venturing into the rest of the world. When seeing the beginning chapters, it reminded me of the excitement when I first played on PS5. The flashback to the Nibelheim incident with Sepiroth and Cloud. It created a memorable moment in gaming forever. Seeing the fires and Sephiroth’s descent into madness. It never gets old. Playing as him and using the new dual attacks is exhilarating.

Once again, I am amazed by what the team at Square Enix has done with this port. They managed to shrink the file size by about 50 GB to fit on the Nintendo Switch 2. A big game on a Nintendo handheld console. Sure, you can play on the other handhelds like the Steam Deck, provided you have one or can afford it now, but if you’re on a budget and have a Nintendo Switch 2, this is a good option to have.

The Trade-Offs

Since this is on the Switch 2, of course the concern is the performance and visuals. As with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, to fit on the hardware the visuals and performance have to be scaled back. In Docked TV mode, the performance and visuals are a stable 30 FPS. In handheld mode, it stabilizes at that mark provided that not a lot of effects and actions are happening. For those who played the demo, you will notice the evident differences. namely, the textures and omissions of certain items.

When traveling up the mountain pass in Nibelhiem, if you look carefully at the rock textures, it is not pronounced. It is faded to some extent. Trees and environments are noticeably flat and cannot be displayed in full three dimensions. The best comparison I can give is the triangle grapes that are famous in the Final Fantasy XIV community. When looking at certain items like clocks and curtains, you will notice the lack of details. This is to help loading in environments and while your characters are in motion.

When it is all in motion, you will probably not notice it as much.  You will probably be too focused on the action and traveling the map rather than taking in the environment. While traversing, there will be popping in characters and environments. It doesn’t take away, but it is noticeable. I rarely had moments when I would reach a level, and it would slow down to allow loading in. This is commendable when you first enter your major area in the Grasslands. The mini open zone of monster hunts, collectables, and minigames like Fort Condor and Queen’s Blood. Even quick travel doesn’t take too long.

Now there is one point in the visuals and presentation that is hard not to ignore: The Water effects.

We all know that it wouldn’t be in the same visual prowess or as detailed. But how much is it downgraded? Think late 90s to 2000’s animation with water effects. When I first saw the ocean in the demo, I just got a reminder of early water effects like the show Reboot, Super Mario 64, or an episode of Star Trek. Don’t expect sea foam or the waves to be visible. It is the basic ripples and not much else. It does not affect gameplay, but it’s one point that breaks the illusion.

Other parts they scaled back are the particle effects. Attacks and combat will not be as flashy, and sparks are less pronounced when compared to the other high-power hardware. Still, the high-speed combat attacks are still here. Model features, like the hair, have been scaled to be less visible. Times when I see the hair, it is rendered as a single line to give the illusion of strands. It is more noticeable in cutscenes and side quests.

So again, the graphics and presentation are scaled down for the Nintendo Switch 2. But on a grand scale, it is just a minor inconvenience. The combat, story, music, and gameplay are all intact. That is the main aspect to grade this port on. Sure, it may look a little blocky, but as long as it plays well, that is all it needs.

What Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix

The team knows that they had something good with the Switch 2 port of the first game and knows to continue to bring that to Rebirth. They brought back the streamlined progression options. AKA the modifiers/cheat options to get through the game faster. I recall that on my first playthrough on PS5, I had well over 100 hours and was doing everything in each major area, including Chadely’s battle challenges and minigames. Now going on Hard mode, the challenges are much more difficult. If you are going for the full completionist run, be prepared to spend a good number of hours on it.

If I were still in school and not working a full-time job or in a drought in between games, I would say no problem. But now I just don’t have much time as an adult these days. If you need to breeze through the story, minigame challenges, and battle challenges, you can do so. The max damage, max HP/MP, unlimited limit breaks, infinite money, and others are back. So far, this is just on Switch 2 and Xbox, but I expect these modifiers to be updated to the other consoles soon.

If you haven’t got full completion or the platinum trophy and don’t want to invest hours, now you can. Again, these modifiers are optional, and you don’t need to turn them on. Games are meant to be fun, and if you want to have some crazy fun times, then these options will do just that. You can play the game purely and get the full experience if that’s what you want. As said in my last review, nothing beats the feeling of having limit breaks at any time.

No Promises to Keep

If you had any reservations about the second entry on the Nintendo Switch 2, don’t worry. Yes, the visuals, performance, and some presentation aspects have been reduced, but everything else is intact. The team knows the limits, and they made it the best they can. It isn’t trying to be its bigger brothers. The improved battle system, the Choccobo hunting, minigames, the music, all of it is here. The moments with Zack Fair, the timeline story and plot, the relationship system with your party, nothing was omitted. The fact that we now have both games on Nintendo Switch 2 is already a crazy statement to say. And with the third game also planned to come as well, it only builds on the excitement.

If you have a Nintendo Switch 2 and have Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade in your library, then it’s a no-brainer that you should get Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. I would issue a reminder to have an SD Card with enough memory to download this game’s 100 GB file. To be in this world again on Switch 2 is just a pleasure. From Kalm to Gongaga. From the beaches of Costa De Sol to Nibelheim. Rebirth is a reminder that it is not about the destination, but the journey. So have fun and play the game how you want it.  Part two of this strange journey is worth it on Nintendo Switch 2.Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is available on PlayStation 5 and PC. It will release on Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S on June 3rd, 2026.

Review Disclosure Statement: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth for Nintendo Switch 2 was provided to us by Square Enix for review purposes. For more information on how we review games and other media, please see our Review Guideline/Scoring Policy.

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