When Final Fantasy VII Rebirth first launched, I spent dozens of hours with it on the PlayStation 5, completely absorbed in its world. It’s the kind of game that sticks with you, not just because of its scale, but because of how confidently it builds on everything that came before it and how it wasn’t afraid to push the classic story we all know in different ways. So when I recently got invited to check out the game running on the Nintendo Switch 2 ahead of its upcoming release, I was curious to see if the game could achieve the same heights as the recent FF7 Remake port, given the much grander scale of this part of the story.
During my session, I had the chance to play through two distinct sections of the game. The first was right from the beginning, revisiting Chapter 1’s flashback sequence in Nibelheim. It’s a strong opening, one I already knew well, but it felt like a smart place to start for this version. It immediately sets the tone, both narratively and technically. Even on different hardware, that same sense of tension and intrigue was intact. Exploring Nibelheim again, seeing the familiar story beats unfold, it didn’t feel compromised in any major way.
From there, I jumped ahead to the start of Chapter 2, “A New Journey Begins.” This section opens things up considerably, giving a glimpse at the game’s broader world and its early city environments. It’s here that I really got a sense of how the Final Fantasy VII Rebirth experience translates to the Nintendo Switch 2. Moving through these areas, engaging in combat, and simply taking in the environment gave me a clearer picture of what this version is aiming for.
My first impression was honestly surprise. It still shocks me when I see a game of this scale running on a Nintendo handheld. Rebirth isn’t a small game. It’s dense, detailed, and constantly shifting between intimate character moments and sprawling environments. Seeing it all functioning on the Switch 2, in handheld mode no less, was impressive.
Performance is where things really stood out. Going in, I expected some trade-offs, maybe noticeable frame drops or inconsistent performance in busier scenes. But that wasn’t my experience. Across both sections I played, the game held up remarkably well. Combat felt smooth and responsive, traversal didn’t hitch or stutter in any major way, and I didn’t encounter the kind of frame dips you might assume are inevitable for a port like this.
It feels like a lot of care has gone into making sure this version runs as it should. And honestly, it’s not entirely surprising. We saw something similar with Final Fantasy VII Remake when it arrived on Switch 2 a few months back. That release proved that with the right optimisation, these games can translate well. Rebirth seems to be continuing that trend.
That said, there are clear visual compromises. If you’re coming from the PlayStation 5 version and expecting the same level of graphical fidelity, this isn’t it. What’s here is impressive given the hardware, but it’s also noticeably scaled back in certain areas.
As I explored the open world in Chapter 2, I started to notice some asset pop-in. It’s not constant, but it’s there, especially when moving quickly through larger environments. Character models also take a bit of a hit. They’re still expressive and recognizable, but they lack the same sharpness as their PS5 counterparts. Hair in particular stands out as less detailed, which is something you tend to notice more during close-up scenes.
There’s also a slight fuzziness to the overall image. It’s subtle, but it gives the game a softer look compared to the crisp presentation on more powerful hardware. If you’ve played other large scale console games ported to Nintendo systems, it’s a familiar trade-off. The important thing is that it doesn’t completely undermine the experience. It’s noticeable, yes, but not distracting to the point where it pulls you out of the game.
It’s also worth noting that my entire session was in handheld mode. I didn’t get a chance to see how the game performs or looks when the Nintendo Switch 2 is docked. There’s a good chance that some of these visual compromises are less noticeable on a larger screen, or that the game includes different graphical modes depending on how you’re playing. That remains to be seen, but it could make a meaningful difference.
Even with those caveats, there’s something undeniably appealing about having a game like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth in a portable form. Being able to jump into its world, chip away at quests, or push through story moments on the go changes how you engage with it. It becomes more flexible, easier to fit into shorter play sessions, without losing what makes it special.
If you’re someone who prioritises the absolute best visuals, the PlayStation 5 or PC version is still the way to go. There’s no getting around that. But if your goal is to experience Rebirth in a more portable format, or if the Nintendo Switch 2 is your main platform, this version is shaping up to be a strong alternative.
Coming away from this preview, I’m impressed. Not just because the game runs, but because it runs well. It feels carefully adapted rather than simply squeezed onto different hardware. There are trade-offs, as expected, but they’re balanced against solid performance and the flexibility of handheld play.
I walked in curious, maybe even a little skeptical. I walked out convinced that this could be one of the more interesting ways to experience Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. If the final release holds up, this looks set to be another strong example of how big, ambitious games can successfully make the jump to Nintendo’s ecosystem without losing their identity.
And if you want to check out the game and how it performs for yourself, you now can. As Square Enix has just released a playable demo that you can download and play now, with your progress carrying over into the full game when it launches on June 3rd 2026.
For my full thoughts on Final Fantasy Rebirth, you can also check out my previous review for the PS5 version here.
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