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I have been waiting for the Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Nintendo Switch 2 port with the utmost excitement. As a handheld gamer and a Final Fantasy VII super fan, the ability to pick Rebirth up and play anywhere at any time is beyond exciting. However, with games as large as FFVII Rebirth, there are always concerns about optimization, battery life, and performance. While a few changes have been made to ensure that Square Enix’s latest installation in Cloud’s storyline runs smoothly, I am extremely excited to confirm that the world outside Midgar runs like a dream.
It’s hard to believe that it has been over two years since Final Fantasy VII Rebirth first debuted on the PlayStation 5. The second chapter of the Remake saga sees Cloud and his team take to the road as they search for answers about what is happening to the planet, and what seems to be haunting Cloud.
Final Fantasy VII Remake was recently released on the Nintendo Switch 2, and the performance of Remake bolstered my hopes for Rebirth. However, the massive world in the second installment is no small undertaking, and it could very easily overwhelm a portable console. I was surprised to find that the game runs exceptionally well, though with just a few tweaks.
Key Details
- Developer: Square Enix
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC via Steam, Xbox X|S, Nintendo Switch 2
- Price: $49.99
- Release Date on Switch 2: June 3, 2026
- Review Copy Provided: Yes, for Nintendo Switch 2
A Visually Stunning Adventure
I will never get tired of starting Final Fantasy VII Rebirth from the beginning. The game is a visual masterpiece, mixing high-stakes action with detailed landscapes. The visuals draw you in, set the stage for narrative drama, and deliver an immersive wonderland that ignites a desire to explore.
On the Nintendo Switch 2, Rebirth is just as stunning as on PS5 or PC, with crystal clear water, gorgeous urban and scenic views, and polished character models.
That said, it is clear that some of the foliage isn’t as dense as the original game, and the hair on character models doesn’t free-flow in as many strands. A good example of this is at the start of the game, before Chapter One, where Aerith’s hair falls over her shoulders in large clumps, rather than flowing.
Despite this, the characters don’t look stiff, with big emotions looking organic and crisp. Clothing doesn’t look blocky, and nothing has a plastic shine that can sometimes occur in ports with hyper-realistic graphics.
The compromises made by the development team are a good balance between performance and presentation. I didn’t feel like I was missing the PlayStation 5 or PC while playing on the Switch 2, though I do have one tiny frustration that is more of a personal preference.
When playing in handheld mode on the Switch 2, there are times when the character in play appears quite small, or when it is easy to miss chests, action prompts, or fine details. Like most games designed for bigger screens, it can sometimes feel a bit cramped or pinchy – even on the Switch 2’s impressive screen. I had this issue with Remake, and have also experienced it with Diablo 3 and Skyrim. Because of this, I did find that there were times I preferred to play docked. Primarily, when needing to see areas on a large scale.
FFVII Rebirth Runs Better Than Pokopia
It might seem odd to compare a large-scale JRPG like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth to Pokémon Pokopia, but the most recent entry in the Pokémon franchise is a solid benchmark for the Switch 2’s greatest weakness – Battery life.
The Switch 2 has a terrible problem with battery optimization in handheld mode. Games with more demanding graphics or world sizes can quickly suck the life from the console, creating a cycle of constant charging breaks.
Thankfully, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is not a battery guzzler. While you won’t get as much cable-free playtime as Stardew Valley allows, I found that I could get three or four good hours in handheld before my Switch 2 began to throw a charge alert. It’s not as long as I would like, but a big improvement from the hour and a half I could get in Pokopia.
Unfortunately, the console does like to run hot while playing FFVII Rebirth, especially when playing cutscenes. This issue has more to do with the console than game optimization, but it is good to know. Especially if you like to put your Switch in tabletop mode on a bed or sofa while playing on detached Joy-Cons, this is a game where good ventilation is needed, or it could cause the Switch 2 to overheat.
Another Ride Through An All-Time Favorite
When it comes to the game itself, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth continues to steal my heart on the Nintendo Switch 2. This is my fourteenth playthrough of the game, and it has been just as wonderful and intoxicating as the first time I ventured forth into the world beyond Midgar.
In fact, I would say that the Switch 2 port of Rebirth may be its ultimate form, due to accessibility. I have many friends who don’t own a PS5 or a heavy-duty gaming PC, but they do have a Switch 2. By releasing on a portable home console, more people will have the chance to play Rebirth for the first time, and that is something I am extremely excited about.
Final Score – 10/10
Final Fantasy VII is a series that holds so much of my heart, and I can’t think of anything better than sitting in a room with friends as we all explore and play together on our Switch consoles. There is so much magic in Cloud’s story. There is so much heartache in the journey he takes.
From the minute Remake was announced, I knew this project was going to be special. The team at Square Enix has delivered, over and over, a modern rendition of a nostalgic timepiece with care and precision unmatched in any facet or form. The love, care, and passion that drive this project are evident in the Switch 2 port, just as they were preserved in the original formats at the time of release in 2024.
Replaying Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on the Switch 2 comes in tandem with my replay of the original FFVII in preparation for the third and final installment of the Remake trilogy. I know I won’t be ready when the day comes, but I am so grateful I have all the current chapters stored safely in a console I can take anywhere. FFVII has held my heart for two decades, and I genuinely can’t wait to see what comes next.
**Bonus Action was provided with a Nintendo Switch 2 code of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth for the purpose of this review**
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