The battle to bring iconic games like Final Fantasy 7 Remake to the Nintendo Switch has been long and filled with anticipation. But here's where it gets truly interesting: with the upcoming Switch 2, Nintendo finally has the hardware capable of doing justice to a game that originally debuted on PS4. The Switch 2, combined with modern technology like DLSS, promises a port that balances visual fidelity with performance, bridging the gap between the PS4-era graphics and the more advanced visuals of current-gen consoles.
While the port doesn't perfectly replicate any single version of the game, it comes remarkably close, especially considering the hardware constraints. The game runs at a steady 30 frames per second — matching the PS4 version — and incorporates many features from the PS5’s Intergrade update. However, not all of the enhancements from the PS5 version are present, and some new issues have emerged, making the overall experience still engaging and worth exploring.
Visually, one of the most noticeable improvements lies in the textures. The PS4 version was notorious for featuring relatively low-quality textures, with the doors in Sector 7 Slums serving as a prime example that often drew criticism for their blurry, washed-out appearance. The PS5 Intergrade edition tackled many of these problems by providing sharper, higher-resolution textures across the board. Interestingly, the Switch 2's graphics seem to align more with the PS5’s enhanced textures, especially in critical areas like doors, walls, and metallic surfaces, which now appear much crisper and more detailed than in the original PS4 version. Ground textures in the Sector 7 Slums are also displayed with improved clarity, and key signage remains clear and readable, reflecting a quality level similar to PS5. Yet, some textures are still reminiscent of PS4 — not every element is upgraded equally.
Like many assets in the game, geometric details on all platforms tend to be blocky or chunky. Still, the art and 2D textures on Switch 2 tend to be superior, especially during handheld play. The system's RAM and streaming abilities seem to fall somewhere between PS4 and PS5, which explains why certain textures and effects aren't fully upgraded across the board.
When it comes to shadows, the story remains consistent: the Switch 2’s shadow quality is comparable to PS4. Shadow map resolution, cascade lines, and overall detail tend to be similar on both consoles, with the PS5 displaying noticeably finer detail and less blurriness. Most players won’t notice significant differences in everyday scenes unless they closely examine shadow intricacies, although some specific areas might reveal more pronounced variations.
Character rendering and NPC pop-in also align closely with PS4. During long-distance views, NPCs that appear in PS5 are less likely to be visible on Switch 2, unless you approach very close. Strangely, in one instance, NPCs on Switch 2 seemed to pop in slightly later than on PS4, but overall, the differences are minimal and mainly noticeable in town areas, where NPC density is higher.
Lighting modifications introduced with the Intergrade update are quite noticeable and mostly shared between Switch 2 and PS5. These enhancements include more realistic lighting effects driven by enhanced hardware capabilities, with a greater emphasis on volumetric lighting and more accurate physical light behavior — especially in scenes that aren’t illuminated by direct sunlight. The Nintendo hybrid manages to replicate these improvements fairly well, although some volumetric effects display at lower resolutions, occasionally revealing artifacts or less detailed lighting.
In terms of image quality, the Switch 2 impresses. When docked, the game appears to render internally at 1080p, likely utilizing a version of DLSS for upscaling. Still images often look remarkably sharp and clean — sometimes even rivaling PS5’s performance mode, which is impressive given the system’s hardware restrictions. The DLSS implementation is used mainly for anti-aliasing, greatly reducing jagged edges and producing a crisper image compared to the older UE4’s TAA, which was more prone to blurring.
However, this closer look at DLSS reveals its limitations. The so-called "tiny DLSS" or "DLSS lite" mode can produce noticeable artifacts, especially on details that appear suddenly or during rapid movements — with sharp edges and aliasing becoming apparent. Despite these imperfections, overall image clarity remains high, especially when compared with similar titles like Hogwarts Legacy.
Dithering patterns under certain lighting conditions can be problematic. In some instances, especially with close viewing or under specific lighting effects, a visible pattern of noise or grain emerges, mainly due to the interaction between DLSS and the game's lighting. In docked mode, this occasional issue is more subdued, but in portable mode — where DLSS is upscaling from approximately 720p — the artifacts become more noticeable, particularly around hair and particles. Despite these quirks, the portability benefits and overall visual appeal keep the experience enjoyable.
Performance-wise, the port holds up quite well. The game’s frame rate is locked at 30 fps, which might seem outdated by today’s standards but remains quite playable. During intense scenes or fast-town traversal, the game maintains this rate smoothly, with only minor frame drops during cutscenes, which are less disruptive in actual gameplay. In handheld mode, performance remains stable in most situations, with occasional judder during specific camera pans outside Aerith’s house — likely due to limited GPU power and the absence of VRR support.
Loading times are considerably faster compared to PS4. Thanks to the internal SSD and SD Express support, loading screens that once took over 17 seconds are now whittled down to about 6-8 seconds in most cases. While PS5 still has the edge with loading times around 2 seconds, the Switch 2 offers a significant improvement over previous generations, making gameplay transitions seamless and less disruptive.
Here’s a quick comparison of load times for key chapters:
- Chapter 1: PS4 – 17.6 seconds; Switch 2 SD Express – 8.7 seconds; Switch 2 SSD – 6.5 seconds; PS5 – 2.0 seconds
- Chapter 2: PS4 – 18.6 seconds; Switch 2 SD Express – 8.6 seconds; Switch 2 SSD – 6.7 seconds; PS5 – 2.0 seconds
- Chapter 3: PS4 – 31.1 seconds; Switch 2 SD Express – 11.4 seconds; Switch 2 SSD – 8.5 seconds; PS5 – 2.0 seconds
In summary, Final Fantasy 7 Remake on Switch 2 is a commendable port that demonstrates impressive artistry and technical competence, especially considering the hardware constraints. The game runs smoothly, loads quickly, and generally retains the visual qualities that fans love, with many details upgraded to PS5 standards. While certain elements like shadows and textures aren’t universally upgraded, the overall experience feels very close to the PS5 version — a remarkable achievement.
And here’s a question to spark some debate: do you think this portable port can truly replace a dedicated next-gen experience, or does it merely serve as a stopgap for fans eager to take their adventure on the go? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Whether you believe the Switch 2’s port is a game-changer or just a clever compromise, it’s clear that Square Enix’s efforts in bringing such a demanding title to Nintendo’s hybrid have been impressive.
