A Beloved PS4/PS5 Game is Losing Its Console Exclusivity Status in 2026, and That’s for the Best

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PlayStation has become known for games you can only play on their consoles, but now one of their biggest hits is becoming available elsewhere. Both Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth are coming to Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series consoles in January 2026, which some might see as Sony losing control of a popular franchise. However, the story behind Final Fantasy 7‘s expansion is more complex than it appears.

Although Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth received excellent reviews in 2024, sales didn’t reach what Square Enix had hoped for, according to their September financial report. While it’s unclear exactly what those expectations were, many believe they were ambitious. The report also revealed that Final Fantasy 16, which was initially a PlayStation exclusive, didn’t sell as well as expected. These announcements followed Square Enix’s May 2024 statement that they would be releasing more games on multiple platforms, signaling a move away from being closely tied to Sony. This strategy should improve the company’s profits, but it raises questions about how these changes will affect players.

Forspoken, a PlayStation exclusive game released by Square Enix in 2023, didn’t sell as well as expected.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake & Rebirth Deserve To Be Bigger

  • Final Fantasy 7 Remake & Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Switch 2 & Xbox release date: January 22, 2026

It’s understandable that Square Enix hoped Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth would sell well, considering how ambitious the game is. You can really see the large investment they made while playing – it features impressive graphics, a huge open world to explore, lots of different things to do, and some truly spectacular moments that stand out even in the JRPG genre.

Publishers, particularly large companies like Square Enix, need to see a good return on big investments like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Final Fantasy 7 Remake. Releasing these games on more platforms also helps more people discover and enjoy the Final Fantasy 7 series, which benefits both Square Enix and players.

Better FF7 Remake & Rebirth Sales Will Likely Mean More Final Fantasy Remakes

Okay, so the Final Fantasy 7 remake has definitely caused some debate – I’ve seen a lot of older fans worry it changes too much from the original, or maybe makes it too simple. But honestly, it’s been hugely popular, and for good reason! While maybe a little too detailed at times, the remakes are really fun, look amazing, and play so well. They feel like a fresh take on the FF7 story that fits what gamers expect today. And the best part is, if you’re not into the remakes at all, the original Final Fantasy 7 is still there, exactly as we remember it from the late 90s!

The remakes of Final Fantasy are worthwhile not just for fans of the older games, but also as excellent modern action RPGs that can compete with today’s titles. A remake of Final Fantasy 8 would be a great start, and even more recent games like Final Fantasy X or Final Fantasy XII could be successfully updated with improved graphics, gameplay, extra content, and modern conveniences.

While new remakes of classic games like Final Fantasy could be creatively exciting, Square Enix needs to be sure they’ll make money. To help fund future development – and potentially bring Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Rebirth to Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series – the current remakes need to be successful on multiple platforms. Simply put, if fans want more remakes, supporting the existing games financially through purchases on various consoles is key.

Are There Any Downsides to Bringing FF7 Remake & Rebirth to Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S?

Console exclusives are often a tricky subject. Some players get upset when games previously exclusive to one console become available on others, feeling it devalues their initial investment in that console. This is a valid concern, though not the whole story. There are also arguments against making games like the Final Fantasy 7 remakes available on multiple platforms, such as:

  • Development support: Sony has been known to offer support for Square Enix studios developing PlayStation exclusives. This could decline or cease altogether if the companies grow further apart.
  • Competition: There’s also concern that, without big console exclusives, there is less reason for multiple platforms to exist, which could lead to certain companies moving away from consoles down the road and there being less competition in the gaming space — leading to less motivation to make great games.
  • Performance: While more powerful than its predecessors, the Switch 2 still falls behind the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S on the hardware front. This could result in compromised scope, scale, or visuals in future Final Fantasy projects.

While there are a few drawbacks, the advantages of releasing the Final Fantasy 7 remake on multiple consoles are significant. Increased sales and popularity make future Final Fantasy remakes more probable, and making the games available on different platforms is great for players, letting everyone enjoy these updated versions no matter what system they own.

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2026-01-03 03:04