Test conditions: We played the Switch 2 version of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade for around fifteen hours, mainly in portable mode while testing in docked mode. In the comparisons you will see below, the Switch 2 image is always the one on the left, and the PS4 image is always on the right.
Six years later
In the event that you missed a chapter and this remake completely flew under your radar, just know that Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is the first “episode” of a trilogy aiming to bring the cult JRPG up to date, but in a sometimes unexpected way. The remake indeed takes some liberties in order to offer a denser and more complete adventure, in particular by taking more time to develop certain story arcs (or even add more) as well as certain characters who until now only had a functional role.
All these changes did not necessarily please those who were waiting for a true copy of Final Fantasy VIIsimply updated with Unreal Engine 4, but Square Enix’s gamble still paid off. Even when it came to shaking up the fundamentals of the combat system, a sacrilege for many. This remake is decidedly more action-oriented thanks to real-time combat, even if the presence of an active pause is decisive as you climb the difficulty level.
A great success which easily makes us forget the turn-by-turn, especially when the show is carried by a sublime reinterpretation of the cult themes of this episode, with pieces which adapt to the rhythm of what is happening on the screen. And if we talk about Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergradethis is because this version includes with it the DLC dedicated to the character of Yuffie, which can be played independently.
One of the best Switch 2 ports
This version was also released on PS5 and PC, and yet, when playing this Switch 2 version, everything makes us think more of the PS4 version. And don’t think that we are slipping a jugular tackle for this port here, as the PS4 version was already doing very well. Of course, in 2026, on a very recent console, this is not necessarily what everyone expects, but given the technical limitations of Nintendo’s new machine, the result remains satisfactory. And believe us, the Switch 2’s capture system doesn’t quite do justice to what we saw on screen. You can see this in these comparisons below, which also show that the Switch 2 version sometimes manages to offer better rendering than the PS4 version.
Also understand that the biggest difference with the more “modern” versions of the title lies in the framerate of this port. On Switch 2, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is limited to 30 frames per second, which is only really annoying during the first moments, while your eye gets used to this frequency again. And it will do it quickly since the framerate has the merit of remaining stable in the vast majority of cases. Even in the shantytown of sector 7, which is quite busy, nothing is worth noting despite a display distance of the NPCs which is not yet optimal (but we are in the realm of small details). Same thing for Wall Market, which is nevertheless very loaded with visual effects.
Only a few lesser cutscenes seemed to have a tiny bit more difficulty in the early chapters, but that was perhaps caused by some lighting effects that needed fixing. However, the rest of the lighting is quite correct and sometimes comes close to that of the PS5 version with nice particle effects.
The result therefore remains very correct on the big screen, but it is in portable mode that this port particularly shines. Here again, no drop in framerate to note in the middle of the action, and seeing this entire remake running on a “small” screen such as that of the Switch 2 is quite impressive. From there to saying that this is currently one of the most beautiful games on Switch 2, there is only one step that we will take without much hesitation.
A few clouds on the horizon
So yes, Square Enix did not take advantage of this new version to correct everything that was wrong in the base game. The ugly textures of the slums are still there, the JPG format horizon does not move and certain faces outside of the cutscenes do not do justice to the characters. But it was expected.
The publisher still offers a comfort update (on all platforms) adding some valuable options, especially if you have already played the remake on another platform or if you simply don’t want to complicate your life. We’re talking about options to constantly adjust your HP and MP level, or to maximize your damage.
In short, features to activate if you want to play with one hand without looking at the screen, and if only the story of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade really interests you. Conversely, if you’re tired of hearing Cloud and company talking, you can now activate fast forward in the cutscenes. An option to skip them already existed, but this mainly allows certain intermediate sequences (which are not really cutscenes) to be accelerated. It’s a gadget, we grant you that.
Closer to the PS4 version than the PS5 version, this Switch 2 version of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade never fails. In portable mode, the port impresses, despite a framerate that is certainly stable but limited to 30 fps. Not enough to push those who have already finished the game elsewhere to fall for this new version, but for others who only have a Switch 2 at home, there is no question of depriving themselves. To see if Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will do just as well despite much larger settings, which may require other concessions.