Final Fantasy 10 on the Switch 2 is finally a reality, but that good news has also been partially soured by the fact that Square Enix is continuing to opt out of offering an upgrade path for fans who already own the game on the original Switch. The Final Fantasy franchise is vast, but Final Fantasy 10 is still seen as one of the best in the entire series, making its Switch 2 debut that much more exciting. However, Final Fantasy lovers would have a lot more reason to celebrate if they were able to transfer their Switch 1 data to the new console instead of having to buy a game they already own.
Of course, it’s easy to say that gamers who already own Final Fantasy 10 on the Switch 1 should just continue to play the game on the last-gen console, but it isn’t that simple. Final Fantasy 10 and its bundled sequel are getting several key quality of life improvements on the Switch 2 that the older version doesn’t feature. Square Enix’s Switch 2 releases have been bringing great games to the Nintendo console, but the lack of Switch console upgrades has been doing a disservice to the fans that have kept these franchises alive for so long.
Square Enix Is Continuing a Worrying Trend With Its Switch 2 Version of Final Fantasy 10
Final Fantasy 10 is far from the first time that Square Enix has kept Switch 1 owners from upgrading their current copies to the Switch 2 version. Neither Star Ocean: The Second Story R nor Octopath Traveler 1 and 2 on Switch 2 had upgrade options for Switch 1 players. This also means that fans can’t transfer their save files to the Switch 2 version. There are a lot of players who have put an impressive number of hours into Final Fantasy 10, but buying the Switch 2 version will require them to start from scratch.
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As far as it’s known, Square Enix has no plans to offer an upgrade path for the fans who want more Final Fantasy games on the Switch 2. The situation has been frustrating enough, but it’s even more baffling when taking into consideration that Square Enix has offered upgrade paths for games like Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles and Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake.
Final Fantasy 10 Switch 2 Improvements
- Improved visuals and performance
- Disable random encounters
- Auto-Battle
- 2x or 4x speed modifiers to cut down traversal and battle times.
These gameplay upgrades won’t appeal to every fan, but those who have been hoping for a more streamlined experience might find it hard to turn down Final Fantasy 10‘s Switch 2 port. Allowing the option to disable random and encounters and add speed modifiers can reduce playtime in a huge way. Final Fantasy 10‘s story length is hefty, and longtime fans who want a faster playthrough and even newcomers who have wanted to play the game but have been intimidated by the 50-hour main story will likely appreciate these features.
Unfortunately, Final Fantasy 10‘s Switch 2 port is still missing a solid PC port feature. The Switch 2 version doesn’t include Auto Save.
A lot of these Switch 2 upgrades are going to sound familiar to those who have played the Final Fantasy 10 PC port, so fans who have been waiting for a console release to get the same treatment will be happy. It’s just a letdown that it requires buying a game that many have already owned for years. Final Fantasy 10 on the Switch 2 might be a great choice for fans who never got around to buying the original Switch port, but gamers who are in the other camp are getting the short end of the stick.
Final Fantasy 10 Hopefully Marks the End of This Square Enix Trend, But That Feels Unlikely to Be the Case
Octopath Traveler 1 and 2 and Star Ocean: The Second Story R lacking Switch 2 upgrades could have potentially been random decisions on Square Enix’s part, but adding Final Fantasy 10 to that list makes it feel like this is going to be the company’s new standard moving forward. There are plenty of Square Enix games that could get Switch 2 ports in the future, and it’s going to be deeply upsetting if these ports continue to skip the console’s upgrade feature.
The lack of Switch console upgrades has been doing a disservice to the fans that have kept these franchises alive for so long.
With console prices increasing and games like Mario Kart World and GTA 6 making $80 price tags seem like they’re destined to be the new standard when it comes to future AAA releases, gaming is feeling more expensive as this console generation continues marching forward. It’s wild that so many consoles are significantly pricier than when they first launched, and things like Nintendo’s Switch 2 upgrade option present a little bit of relief to gamers.
Final Fantasy 10 for the Switch 2 costs $50. Collectors who were hoping to buy a physical box will be disappointed to find out that the game’s U.S. version is a digital-only release. Physical copies are exclusive to Japan.
The majority of fans who own games like Final Fantasy 10, Octopath Traveler 1 and 2, or Star Ocean: The Second Story R on the first Switch console are going to be more than willing to pay for an upgrade if that means getting solid quality of life improvements. Even if it was on the steeper end of the Switch 2’s upgrade price tiers and cost around $20, it would still be a much better deal than what Square Enix is currently offering.
Only time will tell if Square Enix changes its mind about its current Switch 2 port method. A change of heart would definitely be welcome by longtime fans, but it doesn’t seem like that will be in the cards any time soon. Square Enix has offered gamers decades worth of amazing games, but it’s disappointing that so many of the Switch 2 ports are being handled this way.
- Released
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December 17, 2001
- ESRB
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T for Teen: Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
