Final Fantasy 7 Remake Switch 2 demo performance outshines Xbox Series S and PS4 in tech analysis

With the Final Fantasy 7 Remake demo, the Switch 2 took another step forward with third-party support. According to a Digital Foundry analysis, the Nintendo port is more than a match for the Xbox Series S and PS4 versions. PS5 and Series X gamers may also only have to make minimal compromises.

How does the Switch 2 handle Final Fantasy 7?

Some skeptics may wonder whether the Switch 2 specs can accommodate the demanding Square Enix game. Fortunately, frame rates held near 30 fps, with fewer stutters apparent than in earlier footage. Despite more drops in handheld mode, the testers found the experience comparable to that on the PS4.

As far as image quality, the latest port competes not only with the PS4 but also with the PS5 and Series X. Unlike other versions, Nintendo’s console employs DLSS. Although it’s likely a lighter variation of the upscaler, the result is some surprisingly sharp scenery.

In portable mode, the resolution is boosted from 720p to 1080p, but there is evidence of Dynamic Resolution Scaling (DRS). As a result, some textures appear softer at times. The biggest drawback with the Final Fantasy 7 Remake Switch 2 demo is perhaps an excess of dithering. This results in less well-defined shadows than are visible on other consoles.

Fast motion exposes slight Switch 2 flaws

The still images shared by Digital Foundry display generally sharp textures on the handheld. Even so, when frantic combat begins, objects begin to show more jagged edges. Regardless, particularly when docked, the higher pixel counts at 1080p help to mask these deficiencies.

Surprisingly, the Switch 2 port frequently looks cleaner than the output of the Xbox Series S. Microsoft’s lower-end console runs the game at 1440p in graphics mode, but the handheld’s 1080p resolution triumphs. The analysis again credits DLSS for the feat, which has an edge over the TAA relied on in Unreal Engine 4.

The director of the remake trilogy, Naoki Hamaguchi, devoted a team to each platform. It seems that decision has paid off, but Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth may prove more of a challenge. Before players tackle the open-world setting of that Switch 2 game, Remake Intergrade will release on January 22nd.