Some things are no longer a fantasy, like playing Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on the Nintendo Switch 2.
Those of us who have been around a while remember how exciting it was when the original Final Fantasy arrived on the PlayStation. I remember buying my copy while on vacation in Edmonton, Albert, at Toys R Us. I didn’t know what to expect from the game; all I knew was that the clerk at the store said Final Fantasy VII was awesome. And for the time and place, it certainly was.
Over the years, people have come back to Final Fantasy VII again and again, with the epic remake found on various consoles blowing original players’ minds while opening up the world of Cloud and Sephiroth to a whole new generation. I’ve played the game in its Remake Integrade edition on both the PlayStation 4 and 5, as well as on the Steam Deck, and now on the Nintendo Switch 2. Truthfully, this might just be my favourite way to get into the game.
Here’s the logline: The award-winning FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE* retells the original story up to the escape from Midgar, with breathtaking visuals, fast-paced gameplay, and additional story elements.
This RPG delivers unforgettable characters, a powerful narrative, and a hybrid battle system that blends real-time action with strategic, command-based combat.
It also includes FF7R EPISODE INTERmission, a side story starring Yuffie Kisaragi that offers a fresh perspective running in parallel to Cloud’s journey.
While this version doesn’t necessarily pack the graphical punch of a PS5, the handheld aspect of the Switch 2 more than makes up for whatever it may lack in its image. And you know, I really don’t think there’s a hell of a lot of difference. If you love Final Fantasy VII, you know what you’re getting into here, but considering just how great the Switch 2 is undocked, you might find yourself a little more engaged than when playing it across from you on a tv screen. Having played the game on the much heavier Steam Deck, I found myself really enjoying Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on the Switch as I lay back on the couch.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is not a device I think of when it comes to hardcore gamers; it’s the family-friendly console, after all. But while this iconic game may be a solo player experience, having Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade available on it, and looking and playing so well, is, in my mind, very family-friendly. Moms and dads who grew up on the game know what they’re getting if they give it to their kids (ok, maybe with a bit more salty language, so the kids should be the right age, but I’m not the swear police). I actually love the idea of turning to my nearly 16-year-old and saying, “Check this out, I grew up on this game.”
Some games stand the test of time more than others, and Final Fantasy VII remains one of the best of its kind or any, for that matter.
