A Final Fantasy 14 Switch 2 port is finally starting to sound real, and this time the hint comes straight from the person fans trust most with the MMO’s future. While many Nintendo players are watching for the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy’s arrival, another major Square Enix release may be lining up for Nintendo’s next console: Final Fantasy XIV.
In a New Year’s Q&A, Final Fantasy 14 director Naoki Yoshida offered his clearest response yet when asked about a Switch release, telling fans to “please look forward to it.” The comment was brief, but it stands out because Yoshida has been careful in the past whenever platform plans come up. Combined with earlier discussions about expanding the game’s reach, it reads like the strongest public confirmation so far that Square Enix is actively working toward bringing FFXIV to Switch 2.
Yoshida has previously explained that he wants to bring Final Fantasy 14 and Final Fantasy 16 to as many players as possible, and he’s specifically pointed to Switch 2 as a way to reach a younger audience. Talk between Square Enix and Nintendo about making this happen has reportedly been underway for some time, but the latest statement makes it feel less like a “maybe someday” idea and more like a port that’s moving forward behind the scenes.
Still, Final Fantasy XIV on Switch 2 won’t be a simple plug-and-play conversion. Unlike single-player Final Fantasy entries, FFXIV is a long-running subscription MMO that constantly grows through expansions and updates. That brings a few big questions that will matter to players searching for the best way to enjoy FFXIV on a handheld console.
One potential concern is performance during the game’s most demanding moments. Final Fantasy 14 can be heavily CPU-dependent, especially in busy cities, large group content, and raid encounters where many player characters and effects appear at the same time. Even if Switch 2 is designed to handle more ambitious third-party games than the current Switch, MMO stress tests aren’t always the same as typical action or RPG workloads.
Yoshida has also hinted at how the experience might be best enjoyed on Nintendo hardware. He previously suggested that gatherer and crafter content could be a comfortable fit for handheld play. But for the main scenario and especially raids, he indicated that playing on PC could remain the smoother, more comfortable option. In other words, Switch 2 could become a convenient way to stay connected to FFXIV—while many players keep their PC version installed for high-end group content.
Another challenge is the user interface. Switch 2 is expected to feature a larger 7.9-inch LCD display, which should help readability compared to smaller screens. Even so, Final Fantasy XIV is known for dense menus, hotbars, chat windows, and combat information. A portable version may need UI adjustments or smarter scaling so the game doesn’t feel cramped during combat or when managing inventories, crafting lists, and system settings.
Storage is also a real issue for anyone who has installed FFXIV recently. With major expansions like Dawntrail and years of added content, modern installations can require well over 100GB on PC. That raises obvious questions about how the Switch 2 version will be delivered and maintained, especially if players are juggling multiple large games. Whether the Switch 2 port becomes a full standalone way to play or more of a companion option alongside other platforms is something Square Enix hasn’t clarified yet.
For now, the biggest takeaway is simple: Final Fantasy 14 on Switch 2 appears to be moving closer to reality, with Yoshida offering the most definitive public nudge so far. What remains is the interesting part—how Square Enix will handle MMO performance, UI comfort on a handheld screen, and the huge storage demands of an ever-expanding online world.
