The Reunion of Final Fantasy 7 and Nintendo!
- AfroCloud
- Jan 26
- 4 min read
Final Fantasy has returned home to Nintendo through FF7R launching on the Switch 2!
Final Fantasy 7 Remake has finally launched on the Nintendo Switch. To say that the launch is successful is an understatement! The game holds the number one spot in the Nintendo eShop and on Amazon. The digital version holds the number 9 in the E Shop.
Physically, the game is sold out everywhere. GameStop, Target, Best Buy, and many other retailers have sold all of their copies of FF7R. If you go to purchase the game on Amazon, you may be waiting until February for your copy.
There is also a lot of excitement on social media about the game. A lot of people are experiencing the game for the first time. And they are loving it!
Remake is selling out everywhere, holding the top spots in best seller lists, and attracting a multitude of first-time players. You would think the game actually came out for the first time. I feel like this is the first time I played the game, despite already playing and streaming both Remake and Rebirth on Playstation.
Now, why does it feel this way? What makes Final Fantasy 7 Remake launching on the Nintendo Switch 2 so monumental? Why do veterans like me feel like this the first time we have played the game all over again? Let’s take a trip down memory lane first.
The Divorce Between Nintendo and Square
In the past, Nintendo was the home of Final Fantasy. The first six Final Fantasies launched on Nintendo. Final Fantasy 7 was also set to launch on the Nintendo 64. But there were some issues.
Square Soft was taking some ambitious risks with Final Fantasy 7. Unfortunately, the Nintendo 64 was not up to the task. Mainly, the cartridges were limited in space. Soon, a new player in the console space would debut. You all know that player as the Playstation.
The original Playstation had the specs and media needed for Final Fantasy 7. CDs possessed much larger storage space for developing high-level games. Squaresoft moved the production of Final Fantasy 7 to the Playstation. This caused a rift between Nintendo and Square that lasted several years.
However, Final Fantasy 7 was a huge success for both Square and Playstation. This huge success made Final Fantasy a mainstream AAA game in RPGs and gaming. Playstation would be the home of Final Fantasy going forward. FF7 also set Playstation on the path of being a powerful console, which we all know it is today.
Healing The Rift
While Nintendo was angry with Square Soft. Nintendo’s then-president, Hiroshi Yamauchi, was so angry that he declared that if Square was going to leave. They should never come back.
After Hiroshi's retinue, Square and Nintendo would begin healing the rift between them. This started to happen with Game Cube era. Over the years, Square and Nintendo started to collaborate on later titles such as Bravely Default and Octopath Traveler initially.
The Switch
Later, Nintendo developed the Switch. Unbeknownst to everyone, Switch would go on Nintendo's most popular system. Gradually making Nintendo a major player in the console market. Mostly, it was because of the Switch’s unique main feature of being a console-handheld hybrid.
Many developers wanted to get their current games on the Switch. But the hybrid console’s limited RAM and specs made it difficult. It was impossible for major IPs like Resident Evil, Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, modern Final Fantasy, and many others.
All that would change with the Nintendo Switch 2. The new console possesses greater RAM, power, and specs. The Switch 2 is the grand evolution of the Switch. The evolved Switch is gradually making Nintendo into a major powerhouse that challenges and influences Playstation and gaming. This includes Final Fantasy, especially the FF7R.
The Reunion of Final Fantasy and Nintendo
Now, Final Fantasy 7 Remake finally launched on Switch 2. Everything has come full circle. Final Fantasy 7 has returned home to Nintendo. It also helps that Hamaguchi and his team ensure that Final Fantasy 7 Remake will be the best port for the Switch 2. In addition, Hamaguchi extensively promoted the game coming to the Switch 2. Needless to say, his efforts have paid off tremendously.
It was also personal to Hamaguchi, being not only the director of Final Fantasy 7 Retrilogy. He is also a gamer and a Nintendo fan. He was personally invested in bringing FF7R to the Switch 2.
Personally, this is the best version of Final Fantasy 7 Remake. I have played this game numerous times on the Playstation. But it feels like I’m playing this game for the first time over again. I am laughing, crying, and enjoying this game all over again. I am experiencing the same feelings as before and even some new ones.
I think I am feeling this because of the excitement of many people experiencing Remake for the first time. There is also the history of Square and Nintendo’s divorce and reunion. Final Fantasy has returned home to Nintendo. It’s an awesome feeling, and the future is bright.
Images and Video provided from my Switch 2.
Source for Nintendo and Square Fallout:
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