"Being able to bring the game to a much wider audience is a wonderful thing" — Naoki Hamaguchi talks FF7 Remake on Switch 2 and Xbox
Ahead of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade launching on January 22, 2026 for Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S, I had a chance to chat with Naoki Hamaguchi from Square Enix about bringing the Final Fantasy VII remake series to more platforms, the new Streamlined Progression feature, when work began on the new ports, working with Nintendo, potential new FF7 series amiibo, the possibility of an Xbox physical release, coffee, and more. This interview was done on a call. It has been slightly edited for clarity.
RPG Site: Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do at Square Enix?
Naoki Hamaguchi: My name is Naoki Hamaguchi and I'm currently serving as the studio head for Creative Studio I at Square Enix. At the studio, I have a wide range of responsibilities. I'm currently producing several game titles, some of which are not released or announced yet. I also handle game direction for series like Final Fantasy VII which we are discussing today.
Naoki Hamaguchi: My name is Naoki Hamaguchi and I'm currently serving as the studio head for Creative Studio I at Square Enix. At the studio, I have a wide range of responsibilities. I'm currently producing several game titles, some of which are not released or announced yet. I also handle game direction for series like Final Fantasy VII which we are discussing today.
RPG Site: How does it feel to finally announce that all three games in the Final Fantasy VII remake series are now multi-platform?
Naoki Hamaguchi: As a creator, I do think being able to bring the game to a much wider and broader audience without the obstacles or confinement of hardware is a very positive and wonderful thing. With our current President's company philosophy of expanding to multi-platforms in order to broaden the audience as well, I'm aligned with that and I feel very positively towards this as well.
Naoki Hamaguchi: As a creator, I do think being able to bring the game to a much wider and broader audience without the obstacles or confinement of hardware is a very positive and wonderful thing. With our current President's company philosophy of expanding to multi-platforms in order to broaden the audience as well, I'm aligned with that and I feel very positively towards this as well.
RPG Site: Can you go into the thought process behind adding the Streamlined Progression options to Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox. Also will this be added to the PS5 and PC versions in the future?
Naoki Hamaguchi: In terms of Streamlined Progression, we did announce that this is going to be coming out to the Switch 2 and Xbox versions of this title. As far as the background or reasoning behind why we decided to implement this is there's many users that would be interested in playing this title. However, maybe some of them would want to play in a certain way. So looking at it as one play style, we wanted to cater to those users as well to expand upon that and allow the users to access this title as well.
In terms of whether this will be applied to the PS5 and PC versions, we do have plans. We're also going to be proceeding sequentially based on the various task priorities and also, we've now been able to identify a feasible approach to extend lighting enhancements from the PC version to PS5. So that's something that we also hope to implement in this update at an appropriate time. In terms of various features and upgrades, our hope is to bring this to as many platforms as possible. At the same time, this is going to be based on various test priorities that we'll be balancing.
Naoki Hamaguchi: In terms of Streamlined Progression, we did announce that this is going to be coming out to the Switch 2 and Xbox versions of this title. As far as the background or reasoning behind why we decided to implement this is there's many users that would be interested in playing this title. However, maybe some of them would want to play in a certain way. So looking at it as one play style, we wanted to cater to those users as well to expand upon that and allow the users to access this title as well.
In terms of whether this will be applied to the PS5 and PC versions, we do have plans. We're also going to be proceeding sequentially based on the various task priorities and also, we've now been able to identify a feasible approach to extend lighting enhancements from the PC version to PS5. So that's something that we also hope to implement in this update at an appropriate time. In terms of various features and upgrades, our hope is to bring this to as many platforms as possible. At the same time, this is going to be based on various test priorities that we'll be balancing.
RPG Site: Are there any plans to bring the Streamlined Progression system to Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on PS5 and PC?
Naoki Hamaguchi: I'm not able to confirm anything at this time, but I hope to see the player feedback from Remake this time around and if there is a great demand and positive feedback on that, that would be great to look into.
Naoki Hamaguchi: I'm not able to confirm anything at this time, but I hope to see the player feedback from Remake this time around and if there is a great demand and positive feedback on that, that would be great to look into.
RPG Site: Can you comment on when work began to bring Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade to Xbox and Nintendo Switch 2?
Naoki Hamaguchi: In terms of releasing on Xbox, this was decided at the same time our company's direction or overall philosophy of approaching multi-platform releases was decided. As for the Nintendo Switch 2, later on it was when Nintendo was sharing details on the specs of their hardware with us, it came to us that perhaps Final Fantasy VII (Remake Intergrade) can be released and optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2.
This not only sort of aligns with our company's multi-platform vision, but we'd be able to deliver Final Fantasy VII (Remake Intergrade) to an even broader audience of the Nintendo and Xbox fans that we have not been able to reach yet for this title. That kind of gave us the momentum and we were very much forward thinking on approaching that.
Naoki Hamaguchi: In terms of releasing on Xbox, this was decided at the same time our company's direction or overall philosophy of approaching multi-platform releases was decided. As for the Nintendo Switch 2, later on it was when Nintendo was sharing details on the specs of their hardware with us, it came to us that perhaps Final Fantasy VII (Remake Intergrade) can be released and optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2.
This not only sort of aligns with our company's multi-platform vision, but we'd be able to deliver Final Fantasy VII (Remake Intergrade) to an even broader audience of the Nintendo and Xbox fans that we have not been able to reach yet for this title. That kind of gave us the momentum and we were very much forward thinking on approaching that.
RPG Site: Did the team get much support from Nintendo with optimization for the Switch 2 version?
Naoki Hamaguchi: I think over the years and currently, our relationship and partnership with Nintendo is very strong. We have been able to align and work together in that sense. But in terms of optimization, I think our in-house lighting engineer really focused on optimizing to align more so with the PS5 version's lighting levels. That's something I feel was great that we were able to accomplish within our team.
Naoki Hamaguchi: I think over the years and currently, our relationship and partnership with Nintendo is very strong. We have been able to align and work together in that sense. But in terms of optimization, I think our in-house lighting engineer really focused on optimizing to align more so with the PS5 version's lighting levels. That's something I feel was great that we were able to accomplish within our team.
RPG Site: When I played Final Fantasy VII Remake in 2020 on PS4, it was very good, but I thought the DualSense features on PS5 really elevated the experience making it a lot more immersive. It ended up becoming my favorite version of the game and those features were also good in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Are there any plans to do anything with HD rumble 2 on Nintendo Switch 2 to deliver a similar experience?
Naoki Hamaguchi: The rumble feature is already supported for the Switch 2 for this title. Something unique I found is that for the Switch 2 the screen itself would be sort of shaking from that, and I thought that was very intriguing and adds to the game experience.
Naoki Hamaguchi: The rumble feature is already supported for the Switch 2 for this title. Something unique I found is that for the Switch 2 the screen itself would be sort of shaking from that, and I thought that was very intriguing and adds to the game experience.
RPG Site: Is there any possibility for new Final Fantasy VII series amiibo or amiibo support being added for Switch 2 for the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate series Cloud and Sephiroth amiibo?
Naoki Hamaguchi: We don't currently have clear plans for that, but if there is a lot of positive player demand for that, it would make for really great discussions with Nintendo I believe.
Naoki Hamaguchi: We don't currently have clear plans for that, but if there is a lot of positive player demand for that, it would make for really great discussions with Nintendo I believe.
RPG Site: When you brought Final Fantasy VII Remake to Steam after it debuted for PC on the Epic Games Storer, there was a big showcase for how it was optimized for Steam Deck including in the announcement event. I played Final Fantasy VII Remake on Steam Deck and it was a fantastic experience. How has the response been to bringing it and also optimizing Final Fantasy VII Rebirth for Steam Deck that you've seen both in and outside Japan?
Naoki Hamaguchi: With the Steam Deck, I see a very positive and great response to the Steam Deck. From our data as well, I see that actually many players play the game on Steam Deck which is really wonderful. I think overall the sort of culture of being able to experience games on handheld is only going to continue to grow, and I do see it as a fairly vital gaming environment for now and to come.
Naoki Hamaguchi: With the Steam Deck, I see a very positive and great response to the Steam Deck. From our data as well, I see that actually many players play the game on Steam Deck which is really wonderful. I think overall the sort of culture of being able to experience games on handheld is only going to continue to grow, and I do see it as a fairly vital gaming environment for now and to come.
RPG Site: Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on Switch 2 and Xbox is a budget-priced release. I have two questions about that. How did you decide to have Magic: The Gathering Play Booster as a pre-order bonus for the Nintendo Switch 2 version and are there any plans to offer a physical Xbox release in any region?
Naoki Hamaguchi: So with Magic: The Gathering, this was an excellent collaboration that was in partnership between Square Enix and Magic: The Gathering. I think from this very strong partnership and alignment, we were able to align with the release of the game on Switch 2 and this type of incentive came to be.
In terms of the physical Xbox version release, we currently don't have plans for it, but it also does depend on the player demand. If there's a lot of demand for it within the users, that is something that would be great to consider.
Naoki Hamaguchi: So with Magic: The Gathering, this was an excellent collaboration that was in partnership between Square Enix and Magic: The Gathering. I think from this very strong partnership and alignment, we were able to align with the release of the game on Switch 2 and this type of incentive came to be.
In terms of the physical Xbox version release, we currently don't have plans for it, but it also does depend on the player demand. If there's a lot of demand for it within the users, that is something that would be great to consider.
RPG Site: I remember when Final Fantasy VII Remake was first revealed at Sony's E3, which was considered the "E3 of dreams", a lot has changed for the game's marketing since then across both Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade and then Rebirth You have obviously done multiple media tours worldwide. I wanted to know what learnings you have taken away from showcasing the games over the years.
Naoki Hamaguchi: Final Fantasy VII itself is a game I played as a child. I think it is a title that was extremely pivotal and sort of remains in people's memories from playing during their childhood. On these media tours, I've had the experience of being able to speak to media and reporters, many of whom are from the same generation or around the same age as me where they also have had a similar experience of where Final Fantasy VII was kind of this iconic game that they played as a child. From there, we kind of share that similar bond of having this love and fondness towards Final Fantasy VII.
At the same time, this very much made me reflect on my great responsibility of reconstructing and bringing this iconic title again to these fans that very much adore Final Fantasy VII. So in that sense, I think this experience, and speaking to these fans, and going on these media tours really helped me as a creator and led to my own growth as well.
Naoki Hamaguchi: Final Fantasy VII itself is a game I played as a child. I think it is a title that was extremely pivotal and sort of remains in people's memories from playing during their childhood. On these media tours, I've had the experience of being able to speak to media and reporters, many of whom are from the same generation or around the same age as me where they also have had a similar experience of where Final Fantasy VII was kind of this iconic game that they played as a child. From there, we kind of share that similar bond of having this love and fondness towards Final Fantasy VII.
At the same time, this very much made me reflect on my great responsibility of reconstructing and bringing this iconic title again to these fans that very much adore Final Fantasy VII. So in that sense, I think this experience, and speaking to these fans, and going on these media tours really helped me as a creator and led to my own growth as well.
RPG Site: What game have you played from 2025 that you really enjoyed?
Naoki Hamaguchi: So in terms of Switch 2 titles, I'd say the Donkey Kong game (Bananza) on Switch 2, I thought it was amazing. I guess you can't really call it a real open world, but then, I felt that the sort of interaction that one can gain with the world inside of it was truly amazing. It's definitely one of the top picks for me for this year.
Naoki Hamaguchi: So in terms of Switch 2 titles, I'd say the Donkey Kong game (Bananza) on Switch 2, I thought it was amazing. I guess you can't really call it a real open world, but then, I felt that the sort of interaction that one can gain with the world inside of it was truly amazing. It's definitely one of the top picks for me for this year.
RPG Site: How do you like your coffee?
Naoki Hamaguchi: I usually take my coffee black. I don't drink too many sweet things, but the North American PR team always recommends boba (tea), but since I don't drink too many sweet things, I usually decline (laughs).
Naoki Hamaguchi: I usually take my coffee black. I don't drink too many sweet things, but the North American PR team always recommends boba (tea), but since I don't drink too many sweet things, I usually decline (laughs).