Square Enix dropped a surprise holiday gift this week with playable Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade demos for Switch 2 and Xbox Series X/S. Digital Foundry immediately dissected the technical performance, and their findings contain a genuine shock. Despite running at lower native resolution and being locked to 30fps, the Switch 2 version sometimes produces a sharper, better-looking image than Xbox Series S. The secret? AI upscaling doing work that raw horsepower can’t match.
This revelation comes just weeks before the full game launches on January 22, 2026, finally ending Final Fantasy 7 Remake’s multi-year PlayStation exclusivity. The demo features the iconic opening chapter where Cloud and Avalanche bomb the Mako reactor, giving players a solid taste of the combat system and visual presentation. More importantly, save data transfers to the full game, and playing the demo unlocks Revival Earrings and Survival Set bonus items.
Xbox Series X Matches PS5 Perfectly
Digital Foundry’s analysis confirms what most expected for Series X. The Microsoft flagship delivers performance identical to PS5 across both graphical modes. Graphics mode targets 4K resolution at 30fps, while Performance mode hits 1512p at 60fps. Both modes lock to their target frame rates without drops based on brief testing. Visual characteristics, pixel counts, and everything else appear identical between Series X and PS5.
This makes Series X the definitive Xbox experience for Final Fantasy 7 Remake. If you own Microsoft’s premium console, you’re getting the same quality Square Enix delivered on PlayStation 5 when Intergrade launched in 2021. The port team clearly prioritized feature parity with Sony’s machine, ensuring no platform gets shortchanged on visual quality or performance.
Xbox Series S takes the expected hit as the budget option. Graphics mode drops to 1440p at 30fps, while Performance mode runs at 1080p targeting 60fps. These are solid figures for less powerful hardware, and Digital Foundry notes both modes maintain stable performance. For players who value frame rate above all else, Performance mode delivers smooth gameplay at Full HD resolution.
Switch 2’s 30fps Surprise
Here’s where things get interesting. Switch 2 runs Final Fantasy 7 Remake locked at 30fps with no performance mode option. That sounds like a massive compromise in 2025 when 60fps has become the standard expectation. Yet Digital Foundry describes the experience as “really good” with impressive visual preservation. Square Enix prioritized graphical fidelity over frame rate, making minimal compromises to maintain the game’s stunning presentation.
The technical achievement becomes clear when examining what Nintendo’s handheld accomplishes. The lighting model, textures, and environmental detail closely match PlayStation versions rather than being dramatically scaled back. This isn’t a PS3-era port. It’s a genuine current-gen experience running on portable hardware. Players report the 30fps feels smooth without frame pacing issues, though anyone sensitive to lower frame rates will notice the difference immediately.
Digital Foundry called the Switch 2 version “the best looking thing I’ve seen on Switch 2,” which speaks volumes about both the port quality and Nintendo’s new hardware capabilities. The game takes up 90 to 99GB of storage, a massive footprint on the Switch 2’s 256GB internal memory. Players will need to shuffle games or invest in expanded storage, but the visual payoff justifies the space requirements.
The AI Upscaling Advantage
The most surprising finding from Digital Foundry’s analysis is that Switch 2 occasionally produces sharper image quality than Xbox Series S despite lower native resolution. How? AI upscaling technology similar to Nvidia’s DLSS. While Series S runs at higher pixel counts, Switch 2’s upscaling algorithm reconstructs the image with better clarity in certain scenarios.
This represents a fundamental shift in how console graphics work. Raw resolution no longer tells the whole story. Smart upscaling can produce results that look superior to native rendering at higher pixel counts. Switch 2 apparently uses machine learning to fill in detail and sharpen edges, creating a final image that sometimes outperforms what Series S delivers through brute force rendering.
The comparison isn’t universal. Series S still has advantages in specific scenarios, particularly scenes with fine geometric detail or complex alpha effects. But the fact that Nintendo’s portable occasionally beats Microsoft’s home console in image quality shows how much AI upscaling matters. Digital Foundry noted the Switch 2 version’s docked mode comes close to PS5 Performance mode sharpness, a remarkable achievement for handheld hardware.
Performance vs Graphics on Switch 2
The 30fps lock on Switch 2 remains divisive. Some players report feeling queasy initially, especially those who always choose performance modes on other consoles. However, most adapt within an hour of playtime. The consistent frame delivery without drops or stutters helps considerably. Square Enix clearly optimized for stable presentation rather than chasing higher but inconsistent frame rates.
Comparisons to Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2 highlight what might have been possible. CD Projekt’s port runs at 40fps, splitting the difference between 30 and 60. That middle ground feels noticeably smoother than 30fps while remaining achievable on portable hardware. Why didn’t Square Enix target 40fps for Final Fantasy 7 Remake? Likely because maintaining visual parity with PlayStation required every bit of GPU power, leaving no headroom for higher frame rates.
Handheld mode performs identically to docked based on early testing. Players don’t sacrifice visual quality or performance when playing on the go, which matches expectations for Switch 2’s hardware design. The control scheme translates perfectly to handheld play, with combat feeling intuitive and responsive despite the 30fps limitation.
What This Means for Switch 2’s Future
Final Fantasy 7 Remake sets a high bar for third-party AAA ports on Switch 2. If Square Enix can deliver this level of visual quality on portable hardware, other publishers have no excuse for lazy downports. The AI upscaling technology gives Nintendo a genuine advantage in making older games look modern without requiring PlayStation 5 equivalent raw power.
The full trilogy is confirmed for Switch 2, meaning Rebirth and the upcoming Part 3 will eventually arrive. Rebirth presents a much bigger technical challenge with its open-world environments and particle-heavy battles. How Square Enix handles that port will determine whether Switch 2 can truly run current-gen games or if Remake represents the ceiling.
Director Naoki Hamaguchi mentioned in recent interviews that “the specs for the Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam Deck are really getting comparable to the PS5 and Xbox consoles.” That’s marketing hyperbole, but the sentiment reflects developers’ growing confidence in portable hardware. Switch 2 won’t match PS5’s raw capabilities, but smart technology like AI upscaling narrows the gap considerably.
The Ridiculously Easy Mode Nobody Asked For
Both Switch 2 and Xbox versions include a new Streamlined Progression mode that makes the game literally impossible to lose. Players get unlimited HP and MP, unlimited limit breaks and ATB gauges, every attack deals 9,999 damage, and you always have maximum items. It’s more extreme than the existing easy difficulty or Classic mode with automatic combat.
Square Enix positions this as a pure story mode for players who just want to experience the narrative without gameplay challenge. Whether anyone will actually use it remains questionable. Final Fantasy 7 Remake’s combat is one of its best features, and removing all challenge guts the experience. But for accessibility purposes or replays focused purely on story, the option exists.
FAQs
When does Final Fantasy 7 Remake release on Switch 2 and Xbox?
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade launches on Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series X/S on January 22, 2026. The demo is available now for free on both platforms.
Does the Switch 2 version have a performance mode?
No, Switch 2 is locked to 30fps in a single graphics mode. There is no option to prioritize frame rate over visual quality like on PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X.
Can I transfer my demo save data to the full game?
Yes, save data from the demo carries over to the full game when it launches in January 2026. Playing the demo also unlocks bonus items including Revival Earrings and Survival Set.
How does Switch 2 compare to Xbox Series S visually?
According to Digital Foundry, Switch 2 sometimes produces sharper image quality than Xbox Series S despite lower native resolution, thanks to AI upscaling technology. However, Series S runs at higher frame rates with 60fps performance mode.
How much storage does Final Fantasy 7 Remake take on Switch 2?
The game requires 90 to 99GB of storage space, a substantial portion of the Switch 2’s 256GB internal memory. Players may need expanded storage or to delete other games.
Will Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth come to Switch 2 and Xbox?
Yes, Square Enix confirmed the entire Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy is coming to both platforms. Rebirth and Part 3 will release after the initial Remake launch.
What is Streamlined Progression mode?
A new difficulty setting exclusive to Switch 2 and Xbox versions that gives unlimited HP/MP, unlimited limit breaks, 9,999 damage on all attacks, and maximum items. It makes the game impossible to lose.
Does Xbox Series X match PS5 performance?
Yes, Digital Foundry confirmed Xbox Series X has identical visual quality and performance to PS5, with the same 4K/30fps graphics mode and 1512p/60fps performance mode.
The Upscaling Revolution
Digital Foundry’s Final Fantasy 7 Remake analysis reveals how much AI upscaling has changed the console landscape. Raw hardware specs no longer determine visual quality alone. Smart reconstruction algorithms can make lower-powered devices punch above their weight, sometimes delivering results that look better than machines with superior raw performance. Switch 2’s occasional advantage over Xbox Series S would have been impossible five years ago. Now it’s reality, and that changes everything about how we evaluate portable gaming hardware. Square Enix nailed this port, delivering a proper current-gen experience on Nintendo’s handheld. Whether you choose Xbox for 60fps smoothness or Switch 2 for portability with surprisingly strong visuals, both versions prove Final Fantasy 7 Remake transcends PlayStation exclusivity without compromise. The demo is free. Download it, see for yourself, and prepare for Cloud’s return to Midgar next month.