Which is the best version of Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter? PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Switch 1, & PC Covered

Ahead of Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter launching, I wanted to cover Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter across all platforms. Obviously I wanted to do this comparison before, but Falcom's patches across all platforms bringing in first-person mode and visual options on Switch 2, DLSS 4 and FSR 2.2 upscaling support on PC, and recently the Legacy Patch meant I kept having to retest all the platforms. Since Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter is out next month, I thought I'd finally finish my Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter comparison article going over visuals, performance, load times, and more on PS5, PS5 Pro, Switch 2, Switch, and PC. This article is up to date with results as of August 22, 2026 on all platforms including the 1.07 Legacy Patch. 

Trails in the Sky release timeline

Before getting to the versions and other differences, Trails in the Sky has had an interesting release timeline across platforms and versions. 

• June 2004: The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky debuts on Windows in Japan.
• September 2006: The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky gets ported to PSP in Japan
• March 2011: The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky launches in North America on PSP.
• November 2011: The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky launches in Europe on PSP.
• December 2012: Trails in the Sky FC Kai HD Edition launches for PS3 in Japan as a part of the PSP Remaster series.
• July 2014: The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky launches for PC globally.
• June 2015: The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky FC Evolution launches for PS Vita in Japan. This remake has new character art, animated portraits, new music, fully voiced, and much more. 
• January 2016: Trails in the Sky gets a cloud version on mobile in Japan.
• September 2025: Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, a full remake of the original, launches worldwide for PS5, Switch 2, Switch, and Steam.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter feature differences across platforms

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is the same game across all platforms, but there are platform-specific differences. The PC version is the only one that supports mouse and keyboard input options while the PS5 and PC are the only versions that support frame rates above 60fps with PS5 delivering 120fps and PC even higher. The PS5 version also has Activity Cards, DualSense haptic feedback, and the PS5 dashboard hint system support. Since the PS5 version doesn't have bespoke PS5 Pro enhancements, it runs the PS5 version with improvements to dynamic resolution and frame rate targets almost always hitting the upper limit. 

The PC version also supports resuming from the latest save while skipping all splash screens and logos in addition to 21:9 and 16:10 aspect ratio support. The PC version is Falcom's first internally developed PC port in a long time and it is a strong first showing that carried over into the Kyoto Xanadu port. The Switch 1 and Switch versions have no bespoke features barring HD rumble being included. While not a game-specific feature, the only physical versions for Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter are Switch 1 and PS5. The Switch 2 Edition was digital-only while Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter is getting a proper Switch 2 physical release.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter visuals and performance differences across PS5, PS5 Pro, Switch 2, PC Steam, AYN Thor, and Switch

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter on PS5 does not have PS5 Pro enhancements, but it does benefit from the more powerful console. On base PS5, the default mode is a locked 60fps experience, but there is a high frame rate mode that lowers the resolution and uncaps the frame rate to 120fps. It doesn't hit a 120fps locked of course, but this is great if you have VRR. When playing on PS5 Pro, the high frame rate mode feels excellent and I barely noticed drops when playing without VRR as well. The overall resolution also appears better on PS5 Pro in both modes. 

Moving to Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Switch 2 Edition, it is a step down from the PS5 version in foliage, draw distance, environmental density, resolution, load times, and even other graphics like some reflections. In its launch state, it was very bad, but the update adding a performance mode made it at least a version I could recommend with caveats. The performance mode hits its 60fps target very well, but it isn't perfect and it does see cuts from the graphics or quality mode. 

The Switch 2 version even in its prioritize graphics mode is a big step down from the PS5 version in its high frame rate mode all things considered. 

Note: For the two docked / TV comparisons above, I used my 4K capture card for each version in both modes when applicable and then cropped the images to show the differences across platforms and modes. HFR is the 120fps target mode on PS5 while the Performance mode on Switch 2 is the 60fps target mode with the Graphics / Quality mode being uncapped and basically bad. 

The Switch 1 version is the worst of the lot and it barely holds 30fps with drops into the mid 20s even in the opening areas. I think it looks very good all things considered, but the performance leaves a lot to be desired. 

The PC version even on PC handhelds runs very well. The recent update adding upscaling options elevated it from a good PC port to a great one. While I wish it had FSR 3 instead of 2, it is still better than nothing, and this helps the Steam Deck hit 60fps with good visuals and you can even push higher on ROG Ally and other handhelds. The FSR update also helps devices like the AYN Thor where I can now get a solid 30fps with great visuals on the smaller screen.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter load times across Switch 2, PS5, PS5 Pro, Steam Deck, ROG Ally, AYN Thor, and Switch 1

To test load times, I installed Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter on the PS5 M2 SSD, PS5 Pro internal storage, Switch 2 internal storage for Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Switch 2 Edition, Switch 1 (SD card and internal), AYN Thor internal storage, Steam Deck OLED internal storage, and the ROG Ally internal storage. The results below are in seconds. I measured the time taken to get to the title screen and also the time taken to load a save file in the same location.

I want to also note that the PS5 has almost instant or no loading between many areas while other versions have some loading like when you leave the house to get into larger areas or walk back into a house or store. The PS5 version takes longer than expected for its initial load, but everything in-game including loading the save is faster than other platforms. The Switch 2 loads quite a bit faster than I expected, but that's the only aspect of the Switch 2 port I can praise right now.

The asterisk is because the "resume from latest save" launch option on Steam on Steam Deck took 12-13 seconds in total which is about the same as just launching it and loading the save. On ROG Ally it took about 6 seconds so it is a lot more useful here.

Which version of Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is the best?

Normally, the PC version is always the best for a Falcom game given you get Durante and PH3's special features that are exclusive to the PC versions. With Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, the port was done internally at Falcom and while I was not too hot on it at launch (it still is better than most PC ports, but a big step down from PH3 Falcom releases), it is a lot better now. I would say it is the best way to play Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter on TV followed by the PS5 version. The Switch 2 version still feels rushed even today with multiple patches. It is a big step down from the great Switch 2 ports we've had for Ys X: Proud Nordics and Trails beyond the Horizon. 

For playing on the go, the ROG Ally delivers great visuals and solid frame rates. On Switch 2 the prioritize graphics mode feels awful and while the performance mode delivers on its promise, the visuals are notably cut below all other platforms. The Steam Deck with the new updates can scale above Switch 2 and deliver 60fps with better graphics. In fact, even the AYN Thor running the Steam version via GameNative can deliver better graphics (albeit at 30fps) compared to Switch 1 and 2. 

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Switch 2 Edition issues and handheld boost mode

I've seen what Falcom is capable of on Switch 2 and Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter feels like a last minute addition to ship day one when they should have given it more time. Even after multiple patches, it isn't in a great state given the hardware. I hope Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter is better, but I also want to cover how Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter feels with the Switch 1 release via handheld boost mode and without it compared to the Switch 2 Edition. If you haven't gotten the game yet and want to play it handheld only, the comparison below gives you a good idea of what to expect.

As for performance, the Switch 1 version with and without handheld boost mode doesn't deliver 60fps on Switch 2. The vsync implementation is weird when played via backward compatibility handheld. I recommend the Switch 2 Edition in performance mode for portable play if you want the best experience right now. I've been very critical of the Switch 2 Edition, but I still think it is a fine way to play handheld. 

Note: For the comparison above, I used the Switch 1 demo with and without handheld boost mode alongside the Switch 2 Edition. I used the accessibility zoom option to showcase the differences. 

When it comes to docked play, the Switch 1 version ran at 60fps on Switch 2, but the Switch 2 Edition delivers better graphics while hitting 60fps (not perfectly, but a lot better than you'd expect) in performance mode. As of now, I don't see any value in playing the Switch 1 version without the Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack on Switch 2. The latter is just better.

I hope Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter has an actual good upgrade on Switch 2 compared to Switch 1 since Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter still feels lacking on Nintendo's current hybrid. If you played Ys X: Proud Nordics or Beyond the Horizon, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter will feel like a massive step down (when played docked) in performance and visuals when it is a gorgeous game on PS5 and Steam. 

Which version of Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter should you buy today?

Everyone has their own priorities for what they want, so I'm going to list the advantages and disadvantages of every single version of Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter as a conclusion to this feature below:

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter on Switch: All things considered, the Switch 1 version is impressive after how abysmal a lot of modern Falcom ports are on Switch 1 like Ys IX, Cold Steel III/IV, or Daybreak II. It is an acceptable version with caveats if you have no other way to play it. It also has an upgrade path to the Switch 2 Edition and is available physically. Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is almost as good as the Trails Beyond the Horizon Switch 1 port
Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter on Switch 2: Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Switch 2 Edition is actually quite disappointing because Falcom clearly can do better on Switch 2 as we've seen with Proud Nordics. Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Switch 2 Edition feels like a rushed release even today and I hope Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter delivers a better Switch 2 port. It sees massive cuts compared to the PC and PS5 versions in a way we don't really see in other games. If you do want to play it on Switch 2, I recommend the performance mode since the frame rate in the graphics mode is quite bad even today. 
Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter on PS5: Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter on PS5 is a super polished release from Falcom that feels well above the Daybreak games. It has a great 120fps target mode that shines if you have VRR on base PS5 or just in general if you play on PS5 Pro and the 60fps default mode is solid with fantastic visuals. The PS5 version also has Activity Cards and game hint support alongside trophy tracking. While the initial load is longer than Switch 2, every single load in-game including save files is the fastest across all platforms.
Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter on Steam: While Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter on Steam isn't a Durante/PH3 PC port, it can scale above the PS5 version delivering higher frame rates, gorgeous visuals like on PS5, and it has ultrawide and 16:10 resolution support for gameplay. It also has FSR and DLSS support and shines on Steam Deck and ROG Ally that both offer superb portable versions above the Switch 1/2 versions right now. It even delivers a great-looking experience via GameNative on AYN Thor.

Hopefully this helped you decide where you should get Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter and if you already own it, got you to finally play or revisit it because it is one of the best JRPGs in years. Note that there is a save data bonus for Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter and you should play on the platform you intend to continue the story on. If you haven't gotten Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter yet, you can read Junior's review of Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter here.  If you're curious about the DLC available, read my feature on it here.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is now available for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam).