Final Fantasy 10 on Switch 2 offers no free upgrade for existing Switch owners

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Square Enix just released Final Fantasy 10 and Final Fantasy 10-2 for Nintendo Switch 2

The bundle now runs at a higher resolution with improved textures and some quality of life additions

There is no upgrade path for existing owners of the original Switch version, however

Square Enix just released new versions of its iconic role-playing games Final Fantasy 10 and Final Fantasy 10-2 for Nintendo Switch 2, but there's some bad news if you own the existing Switch editions.

The two games come as a combined HD Remaster bundle, which is currently available on the Switch 2 eShop for $49.99 / 44.99 / AU$79.95. There's no upgrade path if you bought the same remasters when they released for the original Nintendo Switch back in 2019. This means if, like me, you have a copies for Nintendo Switch, your only option to get your hands on these new ports is to buy them again at full price.

It's a huge shame, especially considering the fact that the Nintendo Switch 2 ports do look better in my experience.

Nintendo Switch (running on Nintendo Switch 2 with handheld mode boost enabled). Square Enix Native Nintendo Switch 2 version. Square Enix Nintendo Switch (running on Nintendo Switch 2 with handheld mode boost enabled). Square Enix Native Nintendo Switch 2 version. Square Enix Nintendo Switch (running on Nintendo Switch 2 with handheld mode boost enabled). Square Enix Native Nintendo Switch 2 version. Square Enix Nintendo Switch (running on Nintendo Switch 2 with handheld mode boost enabled). Square Enix Native Nintendo Switch 2 version. Square Enix The publisher provided a copy of the Switch 2 game earlier this morning and, weirdly, it turns out that it does not offer a save transfer feature — so I've only been able to compare very early sections in Final Fantasy 10 .

Still, as you can see from the images above (captured in handheld mode), the Switch 2 port has a noticeably higher resolution picture (even with the Switch 2's handheld mode boost option enabled) and much better looking textures — especially if you pay attention to the background terrain while characters are speaking.

Unfortunately, it seems like the game is still locked to 30fps, though that shouldn't come as much of a surprise as every version so far has had the same restriction.

The Switch 2 edition also comes with some quality of life features that were previously added to the PC port of the games but absent on the original Switch. This includes the ability to speed up the game, turn off annoying random encounters, give yourself loads of items, and so on.

It's the kind of extra content that you would want from a $10 upgrade, but certainly does not justify paying full price. If you haven't played Final Fantasy 10 and Final Fantasy 10-2 this new port is likely to be a more tempting option, as these small changes still mean that it is the best version on Nintendo platforms right now.

First released in 2001 for PlayStation 2, Final Fantasy 10 sees protagonist Tidus as he navigates a fictional world inspired by the tropical islands of Southeast Asia in a quest to defeat a powerful evil creature.

Despite its age, it's considered one of the best RPGs with fans praising its distinctive art direction and emotional narrative. Its sequel, Final Fantasy 10-2 , dropped in 2003 and continues the story in the same setting.