Naoki Yoshida, the producer behind Final Fantasy XIV and Final Fantasy XVI, has hinted that Final Fantasy XVI might be heading to Nintendo Switch 2. This unexpected possibility came up during a recent livestream, sparking excitement among fans eager to see major AAA titles on Nintendo’s upcoming hardware.
A Casual Comment That Sparked Speculation
The discussion during the livestream primarily focused on the recent launch of Final Fantasy XVI on Xbox Series X|S—its first release outside the PlayStation 5. However, what grabbed attention was Yoshida’s offhand remark:
“Only Nintendo is left.”
This seemingly casual comment has fueled speculation that Square Enix is considering a Switch 2 port of Final Fantasy XVI—a move that would align with the company’s recent shift in platform strategy.
Square Enix’s Changing Strategy: Moving Beyond Exclusivity
Over the past year, Square Enix has made significant changes to its release strategies. Once heavily reliant on platform exclusivity—especially with Sony—Square Enix has begun embracing a multi-platform approach.
Both Final Fantasy XVI and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth were launched exclusively on PS5. However, neither game performed as strongly as expected commercially. This underperformance reportedly played a major role in the company’s decision to broaden its publishing model. Now, upcoming titles are expected to release simultaneously across PlayStation, Xbox, PC—and potentially Nintendo platforms as well.
Final Fantasy VII Remake: A Sign of Things to Come
A strong indicator of this new direction is the treatment of Final Fantasy VII Remake. The second part of the remake, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, has already made its way to both PlayStation and PC. Square Enix has officially announced that this title will also release for Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S in the future.
With this cross-platform trend in motion, fans are anticipating that the third and final chapter of the remake will release day-one across all major consoles—an approach that would likely apply to Final Fantasy XVI as well.
Can Switch 2 Handle Final Fantasy XVI?
One of the biggest questions is whether the Switch 2 hardware will be capable of running a game as demanding as Final Fantasy XVI, which was originally developed for high-performance platforms like PS5 and PC. According to various industry reports, the Switch 2 is expected to include significant hardware upgrades—possibly with NVIDIA DLSS support, ray tracing capabilities, and faster memory.
If these rumors are accurate, the Switch 2 should have enough power to handle current-gen titles—either natively or through smart optimization. Square Enix has already shown its ability to bring large-scale RPGs to portable platforms, so a well-tuned version of FFXVI for Switch 2 is certainly within the realm of possibility.
What This Means for Nintendo Fans
If Final Fantasy XVI does come to the Switch 2, it would mark a major milestone for Nintendo fans. The Final Fantasy series, once a mainstay on Nintendo platforms during the NES and SNES era, drifted away to Sony’s systems in the late 90s. A return to Nintendo with a mainline, high-budget Final Fantasy game could represent a full-circle moment for the franchise.
This move would also strengthen Nintendo’s third-party support, giving the Switch 2 a strong foothold in the AAA market—something Nintendo has struggled with in the past.
Looking Ahead: Will Square Enix Bring More to Switch 2?
Beyond Final Fantasy XVI, fans are also wondering what other Square Enix titles might come to the new console. With games like Dragon Quest XII, Kingdom Hearts, and future original IPs in the works, the Switch 2 could become a major home for JRPGs in the next generation.
If Square Enix’s new strategy holds, we may witness a golden era of multi-platform support where Nintendo is no longer left behind when it comes to blockbuster titles.
Final Thoughts
While nothing has been officially confirmed, Naoki Yoshida’s comment and Square Enix’s evolving strategy suggest that a Switch 2 port of Final Fantasy XVI is a real possibility. With more information likely to surface once the Switch 2 is officially unveiled, fans can remain hopeful that the next generation of Nintendo consoles will no longer be left out of the biggest RPGs of the decade.
