Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade | Nintendo Switch 2

Gaming

Now playing: Final Fantasy VII Remake INTERGRADE on Switch 2

Final Fantasy VII Remake, handheld again

Published

January 23, 2026

There are two ways I ended up playing Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on the Switch 2: handheld, and docked. And in many ways, that split mirrors what this release is really about—flexibility, familiarity, and a little bit of re-learning.

Relearning muscle memory

Let’s get the small friction point out of the way first. Button prompts. Even after all this time, my brain still defaults to PlayStation glyphs. Triangle means something very specific to me in Final Fantasy VII Remake, and retraining that muscle memory on a Nintendo layout took a bit longer than expected. That’s not the game’s fault—it’s just the reality of revisiting something you’ve deeply internalized on another platform. And honestly, it’s something I’ll just have to get used to as more of these previously PlayStation-first titles land elsewhere.

Once that adjustment period passed, the bigger surprise came quickly—especially in handheld.

Midgar in the palm of your hand

Without even stacking it up against the PS4 or PS5 versions, the Switch 2 version already looks impressive on its own. In fact, it looks really good. There’s a moment of quiet disbelief when you realize you’re holding Midgar in your hands, running locally, and still retaining that sense of scale and atmosphere the remake is known for.

I’ve played Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on devices like the ROG Ally and Legion Go, and the feeling here is similar. Not in raw power comparisons, but in that same sense of admiration—Square Enix managing to package something this dense, cinematic, and emotionally loaded into a handheld experience without it feeling compromised at first glance. That same awe of seeing this classic reimagined is still intact, even on a smaller screen.

Living with 30fps

Performance-wise, the most noticeable limitation is the 30fps cap. It’s there, and anyone coming from a 60fps playthrough will notice it immediately. That said, it never felt like a dealbreaker to me.

Command inputs still land cleanly, combat remains responsive, and nothing about the experience felt sluggish. If you’re sensitive to frame rate shifts, this might take some adjustment. But in motion, and especially in handheld, it rarely pulls focus away from the game itself.

Streamlined progression, real relief

One feature that quietly made a big difference for me is the new Streamlined Progression option. Being able to start with maxed-out stats, unlimited resources, and reduced friction is a genuine quality-of-life win—especially for players who’ve already finished the game once and don’t necessarily want to grind their way through Midgar again.

It turns Intergrade into a smoother re-experience, letting you focus on the story beats and combat flow rather than progression systems you already know by heart.

The storage reality check

The less glamorous reality check comes with storage. At roughly 90GB, this is a heavy install, particularly if—like me—you lean heavily toward digital purchases. I had to delete three games just to make room.

If you have the option to go physical on Switch 2, that might be the more practical route, especially as more large-scale ports make their way onto the platform.

A familiar journey, made portable

Contextually, this release matters beyond just another port. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade arriving on Switch 2 is part of Square Enix’s broader push to bring the entire remake trilogy to more platforms, with the final entry already in development.

It also reinforces Intergrade as the most accessible entry point into the series—bundling the main campaign with the Yuffie-led EPISODE INTERmission, and now offering features that lower the barrier for newcomers while respecting returning players’ time.

At US$39.99, it lands at a price that feels fair. Whether you’re completely new to Final Fantasy VII Remake or just want a portable version of a game you already love, this is an easy recommendation—storage caveats aside.

Overall, this is an impressive Switch 2 port. Not perfect, not trying to outmuscle the PS5 version, but confident in what it is. Seeing Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade run this well, this comfortably, on a handheld still feels a little surreal—and that alone makes it worth playing again.

If you’re looking for deeper technical breakdowns and direct comparisons with the PS4 and PS5 versions, Digital Foundry continues to do excellent work on that front. But as a lived-in experience, this one already earns its place on the Switch 2.

Gaming

Kirby and the World Beyond is Kirby’s first open-world game

Kirby and the World Beyond launches in the spring of 2027.

Published

September 9, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Apple isn’t the only company doing a “One More Thing” today. In today’s Nintendo Direct, Nintendo unveiled its next major project, Kirby and the World Beyond. To celebrate Kirby’s 35^th anniversary next year, the lovable pink blob is getting an open-world game.

In the latest effort to make all of its franchises into open-world games, Nintendo is plopping Kirby into a much larger map. Now, if you’ve seen the trailer, you might have had a pesky thought: “Wow, for an open world game, this one seems… sparse.” After all, Kirby looks like he’s trapped in one small map with King Dedede as the sole boss.

Well, that’s because he is trapped. After an attack sends Kirby cannonballing into the clouds, his squishy exterior busts a literal hole in the sky itself.

Yes, Kirby is in The Truman Show. (Not really, but you get the idea.)

A mystical being appears and gives Kirby a magical sword, which he uses to completely dismantle the fake sky and discover the world beyond. The trailer conveniently cuts off as Kirby begins to explore this whole new world, but we’re beyond excited.

After the hero entered the 3D space in Forgotten Land, Kirby and the World Beyond takes the next step and gives the protagonist a much more massive playground to eat and fight. If Breath of the Wild, Mario Odyssey, and Donkey Kong Bananza are any indication, this should be a worthy addition to your Switch collection.

Kirby and the World Beyond drops on the Switch 2 sometime in the spring of 2027.

Gaming

Metroid finally returns to its 2D roots in new Metroid Ravenous

The new 2D side-scroller comes out next year.

Published

September 9, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Metroid, the iconic franchise that lent its name to the Metroidvania genre, is finally coming back to its 2D roots. In the latest Nintendo Direct, Nintendo unveiled the series’ latest 2D outing, Metroid Ravenous.

Sapped from her energy, Samus finds herself trapped underground by a group of mysterious kasa-touting beings. She must struggle against treacherous enemies and puzzles in a quest to emerge once again on the surface and face her foes.

But she won’t be powerless. She will have energy-sapping abilities of her own. The trailer even has her pick several creatures and seemingly drain them of their energy. Since this is a classic Metroidvania, this might be how Samus gets abilities to get her across the map.

It’s a unique take on the formula that will surely provide its fair share of epic moments, if the trailer can be believed.

Beyond that, the trailer reveals little more. Thankfully, the wait won’t be long. Metroid Ravenous will be available on the Switch 2 starting January 28.

In the meantime, Metroid Dread is still available on the original Switch and the Switch 2. The Switch 2 version even maximizes the console’s mouse mode.

Gaming

Here’s a list of big games coming to the Switch 2

Prepare for Monster Hunter Wilds, Resident Evil, and Final Fantasy.

Published

September 9, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Though yesterday’s Nintendo Direct presented the most interesting announcement in the current duology of Directs, there are a lot more to be excited about from today’s event. Though you might not see much of the usual array of hotly anticipated games, you’ll see several unexpected titles coming to the Switch 2.

Here’s a quick list:

Monster Hunter Wilds

Teased earlier this year, Monster Hunter Wilds finally has a release date: December 4. The upcoming port will feature local play, all title updates, and compatibility for the upcoming paid expansion, Ascendance, coming next year.

Final Fantasy VII Revelation

Announced via PlayStation recently, Final Fantasy VII Revelation is also coming to the Switch 2 on April 8. The final entry in the remake trilogy will conclude the refreshed story started from Rebirth years past. In addition, the prequel, Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Reunion is already available on the platform today.

Meccha Chameleon

This year’s most popular “friend slop” game is now available. The multiplayer game pits two teams against each other: one team hides by painting themselves into the background, while the other team hunts for them.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Royal Edition

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II continues the story of Henry of Skalitz as he seeks vengeance for a vicious attack on his hometown and the death of his parents. Tagged as one of the most realistic RPG series, it’s coming to the Switch 2 via a Royal Edition which comes with all the game’s DLCs.

Professor Layton and the New World of Steam

The popular puzzle-solving professor is coming back to Nintendo systems in a new game, Professor Layton and the New World of Steam. Touting more puzzles than ever, the professor will solve what it’s calling the most compelling mystery to date. It’s coming to Switch 2 on December 10.

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight

Combining two franchises in one, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is coming to the Switch 2 on September 18.

Resident Evil 2 Deluxe + Resident Evil 3 + Resident Evil 4 Gold Edition

The Switch 2 is getting a trio of the classic Resident Evil games. All three titles will get their definitive editions, combining the base games with their DLCs. The trio is coming out on October 16.