Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade Nintendo Switch 2 Impressions

After what feels like forever, Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade is finally arriving on Nintendo Switch 2. Featuring the base game and the Episode INTERmission DLC starring Yuffie, this iteration of FF7 Remake comes with a big question: How does it compare to previous versions of the game? Ahead of the release, Square Enix gave me the chance to find out.

I had previously played FF7 Remake on PS4 and PS5 (and the original on PS1, if we want to get technical about it), so I was curious to discover this answer myself. Despite previous reports that FF7 Remake runs amazingly on Switch 2, I was hesitant. Not because of the game, but because of issues I'd had with ports of games on the original Switch. Everything I've played seemingly runs better on Switch 2, so I was cautiously optimistic it'd be the same for FF7 Remake Intergrade, especially after playing the demo.

Is FF7 Remake Intergrade That Different On Switch 2?

So, is Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade really that different on Switch 2? Yes and no. First off, we have to discuss playing FF7 Remake Intergrade in handheld mode. For me personally, that's always the biggest selling point of any Switch port, and it's definitely the biggest difference here.

Thankfully, FF7 Remake looks fantastic in handheld on Switch 2. When I first tried it out, it was kind of unbelievable, actually. There are some aspects, especially with hair and flames, that don't look quite as good as when the Switch 2 is docked, but I'm convinced FF7 Remake looks just as good and runs just as smoothly in handheld mode as the game ever did on PS4. And the Switch 2's loading times are definitely faster.

FF7 Remake Intergrade Performance & Graphics Comparison

This version of FF7 Remake also comes with the option to begin with a "Head Start," meaning you get equipment, including Materia, that you normally wouldn't have had at the beginning of the game. You're also a higher level and have plenty of gil to spend. Since I'd already played this game a few times, I tried it out. You're pretty OP, and I managed to blow through the early chapters without any real threat of death.

I swapped some Materia around after a few chapters, but didn't really need to upgrade much until halfway through the game. If that's your kind of thing, then by all means use it. If you want a challenge, though, I would advise against starting off this way, since it does make the first few chapters infinitely easier. Either way, it's a cool addition to FF7 Remake, and it makes replays like mine a bit smoother, especially since the earlier parts of FF7 Remake are my least favorite.

Final Verdict: FF7 Remake Shines On Switch 2

I'm impressed by how well FF7 Remake Intergrade runs on Switch 2. I had no issues with lag, performance, or FPS dropping that I noticed. It's an excellent port of Square Enix's RPG, and after playing it in handheld mode (which was the bulk of the time), it's going to be hard to play the game any other way. The convenience of handheld mode combined with how great FF7 Remake looks is a win-win on Switch 2.

It also got me excited for FF7 Rebirth on Switch 2 and other subsequent games that may (or may not) arrive on the console in the future. There's also a free demo of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade on the eShop, so if you want to see all this for yourself, you can check it out there before you decide on making a purchase.