Square Enix dropped a massive surprise during yesterday’s Nintendo Direct. The publisher officially revealed Final Fantasy Resonance. This brand-new RPG hits shelves on October 22, 2026. Furthermore, the game will launch on both the original Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.
The First HD-2D Final Fantasy Experience
This upcoming title makes history for the long-running franchise. Final Fantasy Resonance is the first game in the series to use HD-2D graphics. Consequently, it blends pixel-based character art with modern visual effects. Fans of games like Octopath Traveler and Triangle Strategy will immediately recognize this unique aesthetic.
Additionally, the gameplay combines classic and modern mechanics. Players will utilize a turn-based battle system featuring a modern twist. Franchise staples also return in full force. You can expect to encounter chocobos, espers, and airships. Moreover, iconic characters like Cloud, Tidus, and the Warrior of Light will appear in this retro-inspired graphical style.
Square Enix did not write a completely new narrative. Instead, the story adapts the first arc of Final Fantasy Brave Exvius. The publisher previously discontinued this mobile game at the end of 2024.
However, the developers are not simply porting the old mobile title. They refined and extensively rebuilt the source material. As a result, Final Fantasy Resonance will deliver a full-fledged, console-quality RPG experience.
Huge Kingdom Hearts & Zelda Reveals
The June 9 Nintendo Direct delivered more than just Final Fantasy news. Square Enix finally showcased the first gameplay footage of Kingdom Hearts 4 since 2022. Meanwhile, the publisher also announced the Kingdom Hearts Collection [1~3]. This bundle launches on October 8 for Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Nintendo also shared massive news for its own franchises. The company announced a The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake for the Switch 2. This highly anticipated title will launch before the end of the year, though Nintendo withheld a firm release date. Finally, the Switch 2 will receive official ports of the Xenoblade Chronicles trilogy. A brand-new entry, titled Xenoblade Genesis, will subsequently launch in 2027.
