Naoki Hamaguchi Calls Switch 2 the Toughest Platform for Final Fantasy VII Remake

Naoki Hamaguchi Admits Final Fantasy VII Remake Is Hardest to Develop for Nintendo Switch 2
But says it’s worth the challenge if it means reaching more players

The arrival of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 is more than just a homecoming for the legendary JRPG series on a Nintendo platform. It’s also a showcase of the console’s next-gen potential, proving that an experience approaching PlayStation 5 quality can now be taken on the go. With confirmation that the entire trilogy will eventually make its way to the new hybrid system, fan excitement is higher than ever.

Naoki Hamaguchi, the game’s producer, recently spoke about the challenges of developing for Nintendo’s new hardware in an interview with Popverse. He openly admitted that bringing Final Fantasy VII Remake to the Switch 2 has been the most difficult development task so far. The primary challenge lies in optimizing the console’s power usage while balancing two distinct performance modes: docked and handheld. The team has had to carefully fine-tune the game to ensure it runs smoothly at a stable 30 FPS without sacrificing too much graphical fidelity.

Despite these hurdles, Hamaguchi emphasized Square Enix’s strong commitment to making the Final Fantasy series accessible to as many players as possible. He explained that if expanding the audience means more players can enjoy the story, then the effort is absolutely worth it. And seeing the game run fluidly on the new system is deeply rewarding for the development team.

About Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
The iconic JRPG returns fully rebuilt for modern hardware, powered by Unreal Engine 4. Players will once again follow Cloud Strife and his allies in their fight against the oppressive Shinra Company as they explore the sprawling, futuristic city of Midgar. The new version is set to launch on Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S on January 22 next year.