This is the sixth Creator’s Voice feature following interviews with FromSoftware’s Hidetaka Miyazaki on The Duskbloods, Supergiant Games on Hades II, Hazelight Studios on Split Fiction, Avalanche Software on Hogwarts Legacy and CD Projekt RED on Cyberpunk 2077. Each week, the series highlights how studios are using Nintendo Switch 2’s capabilities to evolve their games. This includes upgraded visuals, motion controls, and tools like GameChat and VRR.
With Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade making its Nintendo debut, Square Enix shares what makes this version special, how it benefits from the Switch 2’s improved specs, and why the project carries personal meaning for the team.
Coming Home with Final Fantasy VII
Naoki Hamaguchi is the Series Director for Final Fantasy VII Remake at Square Enix. For him, working on the Switch 2 version felt deeply personal. His childhood was shaped by TV, manga, and especially games. But, it was the interactive nature of games that left the strongest impact. Unlike other media, games offered direct involvement, which inspired him to one day create his own.
Hamaguchi also spoke about his early experiences with Nintendo hardware. As a child, Nintendo systems were his first hands-on introduction to gaming. That connection stuck with him, and now, developing Final Fantasy VII Remake for a Nintendo console felt like a meaningful return. It wasn’t just a port—it was a project that tied into his past and the origins of his game development journey.
This personal connection was even stronger because Final Fantasy VII played a major role in inspiring his career. Working on the remake, and bringing it to Nintendo hardware for the first time, felt almost like destiny.
Building for Switch 2: Power, Portability, and Possibility
Naoki Hamaguchi’s first impression of Nintendo Switch 2 was simple—it felt like a high-end evolution of the original system. He was immediately drawn to its dual-function design, combining handheld and docked play, but what really stood out was the technical upgrade. Once he saw the improved specs, Hamaguchi believed it could run Final Fantasy VII Remake without compromises. That moment sparked his interest in bringing the remake series to the platform.
From a development perspective, he found Switch 2 approachable. Because the team already had experience developing on the original Switch, the process was smooth. Hamaguchi described the system as highly developer-friendly. The increased memory capacity gave the team more flexibility and removed some of the constraints present on older hardware. That, in turn, made it easier to deliver a version of the game that stayed faithful to the experience they had already created.
He also emphasized that this wasn’t just another platform. This was his first time working on a game for Nintendo hardware, even after more than two decades in the industry. That made the project feel different. Add in the fact that the game was Final Fantasy VII Remake—a series that inspired his career—and it became something even more meaningful.
Looking at Switch 2’s portability, Hamaguchi mentioned how playing Final Fantasy VII Remake on the go opens up new ways to experience the game. Whether during a commute or on a break, being able to pick it up anywhere adds a layer of flexibility that didn’t exist before. That flexibility, along with the hardware improvements, helped shape their vision for what this version of the game could be.
Honouring the Past, Reimagined for Today
When revisiting Final Fantasy VII, Hamaguchi said the team’s goal wasn’t to change everything. Instead, they wanted to respect the original while reworking the parts that couldn’t be fully expressed with the technology of 1997. With Switch 2’s capabilities, they finally had the tools to show those moments as they had originally envisioned them.
He described the remake series as a chance to rebuild—not rewrite—what Final Fantasy VII meant to fans. The goal was never to discard the original’s emotional core or narrative beats. Instead, the team focused on enhancing moments that were limited by older hardware. For example, environments like Midgar could now be fully realized thanks to the Switch 2’s improved specs, which allowed the team to present key scenes in greater detail and at full performance.
Hamaguchi made it clear that this version of Final Fantasy VII Remake isn’t just about technical improvements. It’s also about preserving the impact of the story. He wants longtime fans to feel the same excitement and surprise they did in 1997—and hopes new players can experience that feeling for the first time.
While the remake was originally designed for more powerful systems, the Nintendo Switch 2 version aims to deliver that same experience without cutting corners. Hamaguchi sees the port as a way to reintroduce the game to a new audience while staying faithful to what made it resonate in the first place.
On-the-Go Play and New Ways to Connect
Hamaguchi expressed excitement about how Final Fantasy VII Remake fits into everyday life with Switch 2. He talked about the convenience of being able to play on the go—whether on the train or during a commute. For him, the idea of continuing progress through a major RPG in handheld mode was something that hadn’t really been possible before.
He also pointed to how this flexibility changes how people interact with the game. Sharing progress or saying, “Look how far I’ve gotten,” becomes more natural when you can take the game anywhere. Events and scenes can become moments to talk about in real-time, adding to the overall experience. That kind of social exchange wasn’t really part of previous Final Fantasy titles in the same way.
On top of that, Hamaguchi highlighted GameChat and screen sharing as features he’s looking forward to. Being able to talk while playing, or share your screen mid-session, opens up a different kind of interaction. He sees these tools as a way to create new, real-time conversations around the game. It’s a new layer of experience that complements the portability of the system.
This combination of on-the-go play and built-in communication features makes the Switch 2 version feel more connected than past entries in the series. It’s not just about playing alone anymore—it’s about being able to experience, discuss, and share the journey as it happens.
Square Enix Looks to Expand Final Fantasy VII’s Legacy on Nintendo Switch 2
Toward the end of the video, Hamaguchi shared his hope that Final Fantasy VII Remake on Switch 2 will bring new fans into the series. For those unfamiliar with the original game, he wants them to meet Cloud and Sephiroth and understand why these characters have remained iconic for decades.
He mentioned that both characters already appear in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, which helped introduce them to a younger audience. Now, with Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade launching on Nintendo Switch 2, he hopes that interest will deepen. He even imagined families talking about the characters together—parents and kids becoming fans side by side.
Hamaguchi also spoke about the future of the series on Nintendo platforms. He expressed strong hopes that this release will strengthen the relationship between Square Enix and Nintendo. For him, it’s not just about this one title—it’s about building a long-term partnership where more Final Fantasy projects can grow on Switch 2.
He ended the video by asking viewers to look forward to the Final Fantasy VII Remake series on Nintendo’s new hardware. It was a simple message, but one that showed clear enthusiasm for what comes next.
What are you most excited to see on Nintendo Switch 2—Cloud’s story, the upgraded visuals, or the ability to play anywhere? Let us know what you think of this Creator’s Voice installment.
As always, remember to follow us on our social media (e.g., Threads, X (Twitter), Bluesky, YouTube and Facebook) to keep up with the latest news.
