PlayStation’s stranglehold on Final Fantasy exclusives is officially loosening. Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth are both headed to Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S on January 22, 2026, marking a major shift in Square Enix’s release strategy.
For years, PlayStation has leaned heavily on must-play exclusives to define its platform, and the Final Fantasy 7 remake saga has been one of its crown jewels. But now, Square Enix is taking these critically acclaimed JRPGs multiplatform—and the reasons behind this decision reveal a lot about the current state of the gaming industry.
Why Final Fantasy 7 Is Going Multiplatform
The move to bring FF7 Remake and Rebirth to other platforms isn’t just about expanding reach—it’s about survival.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Underperformed on PS5
Despite being one of the best-reviewed games of 2024, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth failed to meet Square Enix’s sales expectations, according to a financial results briefing in September 2024.
Other Square Enix disappointments:
- Final Fantasy 16 — Timed PlayStation exclusive that also underperformed
- Forspoken — 2023 PS5 exclusive that reportedly fell short of sales goals
These underwhelming results prompted Square Enix to announce in May 2024 that they would be “aggressively pursuing” a multiplatform release strategy. Translation: PlayStation exclusivity wasn’t generating the returns the company needed.
The High Cost of Modern AAA Development
When you play Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, you can feel the money poured into it:
- ✅ Cutting-edge graphics
- ✅ Massive open-world environments
- ✅ Significant gameplay variety with mini-games and side content
- ✅ Some of the best setpieces in JRPG history
All of that costs serious money to develop, and publishers like Square Enix expect significant returns on those investments. When a game of this scale underperforms on a single platform, going multiplatform becomes the logical next step.
What This Means for Final Fantasy Fans
The decision to bring FF7 Remake and Rebirth to Switch 2 and Xbox isn’t just good for Square Enix’s bottom line—it’s good for players too.
More Sales = More Final Fantasy Remakes
Here’s the bottom line: if you want Square Enix to remake more Final Fantasy games, you should want the current remakes to succeed financially.
Potential future remakes:
- Final Fantasy 8 — Fan-favorite with unique mechanics ripe for modernization
- Final Fantasy X — Already beloved, could benefit from updated visuals and combat
- Final Fantasy XII — Complex systems and world-building that deserve a fresh coat of paint
But none of these will happen unless Square Enix sees the FF7 remakes as profitable ventures. A multiplatform strategy increases visibility, broadens the player base, and ultimately makes future remakes more likely.
Consumer-Friendly Access
Cross-platform releases ensure that all gamers can enjoy these modernized titles, regardless of where they choose to play.
Benefits of multiplatform releases:
- Switch 2 owners get access to AAA JRPGs on the go
- Xbox players finally get flagship Final Fantasy titles
- PlayStation players still get the games, just not exclusively
- More competition leads to better deals and sales
Are There Any Downsides to Going Multiplatform?
Console exclusivity can be a touchy subject. Some players feel that “losing” exclusives undermines their investment in a specific platform. Here are the main concerns:
1. Loss of Development Support
Sony has historically offered development support to studios creating PlayStation exclusives. If Square Enix and Sony grow further apart, that support could decline or disappear entirely.
2. Less Console Competition
Without big exclusives, there’s less reason for multiple gaming platforms to exist. This could lead to:
- Companies moving away from consoles entirely
- Less competition in the gaming space
- Reduced motivation to innovate
3. Performance Compromises
The Nintendo Switch 2 is more powerful than its predecessor, but it still falls behind the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S on raw hardware specs.
Potential issues:
- Future Final Fantasy projects might need to scale back scope or visuals to run on Switch 2
- Developers may need to compromise design to ensure parity across platforms
- The “definitive” version could be unclear if performance varies significantly
Why the Benefits Outweigh the Cons
Despite these concerns, the advantages of bringing Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Rebirth to other platforms are hard to ignore.
✅ Increased sales and visibility make future Final Fantasy remakes more likely
✅ Consumer-friendly approach ensures all gamers can play regardless of platform
✅ Broader audience helps the franchise grow and remain relevant
✅ Multiplatform success could fund even more ambitious projects down the line
The Final Fantasy 7 remake saga is popular for a reason. These games are entertaining, mechanically sound, and visually impressive reimaginings of a classic story tailored for modern audiences. And for purists who prefer the original? Final Fantasy 7 is still available in all its late-90s glory.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake & Rebirth Release Details
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S
Release Date: January 22, 2026
Developer: Square Enix
Genre: Action RPG
Both games will launch simultaneously on the new platforms, giving Nintendo and Xbox players a chance to experience (or catch up on) one of the most ambitious JRPG projects in recent memory.
The Future of Final Fantasy on Multiple Platforms
Square Enix’s shift toward multiplatform releases signals a broader change in how the company approaches its biggest franchises. PlayStation exclusivity might have made sense a decade ago, but in today’s market—with development costs skyrocketing and players spread across multiple ecosystems—it’s becoming harder to justify.
What this could mean going forward:
- Future Final Fantasy mainline entries may launch day-and-date across all platforms
- More remakes and remasters if the FF7 saga proves profitable multiplatform
- Less emphasis on timed exclusives that limit potential audience
For players, this is ultimately a win. More people get to experience these games, Square Enix gets the revenue it needs to keep making them, and the franchise grows stronger as a result.
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