6 Final Fantasy Games Still Glaringly Missing on Nintendo Switch

Final Fantasy VIII

Final Fantasy VIII always seems to get the short end of the stick in the Final Fantasy family. It hasn’t received any kind of remastered version on any system, even on PS4, which has pretty much every other Final Fantasy game.

Square Enix has consistently ignored Final Fantasy VIII for years, even as they rereleased and celebrated VII, IX, X, and more. Now would be the perfect time to fix that, and Final Fantasy VIII would feel right at home on Switch, as many JRPGs do.

Squall Leonhart remains one of the most interesting and complex Final Fantasy protagonists, and the game’s mind-bending story is something that absolutely deserves to be experienced by more modern players.

On top of this, because Final Fantasy VIII tried to use more realistic character models, an HD upgrade could do a lot of good to clear up those muddy models. You can also keep the suite of helpful options added into the Steam version of the game, like high-speed mode.

Final Fantasy VIII is a hugely beloved entry in the franchise, even if it doesn’t get the same level of attention as Final Fantasy VII, IX, and X. It’s an absolute crime that we don’t have this game on modern consoles.

Final Fantasy Type-0

Final Fantasy Type-0 makes total sense as a Switch title, considering then game originally released on a handheld system, the PSP. One of the original Fabula Nova Crystallis projects, Type-0 focuses on Class 0, an elite class of students from a magical academy in Rubrum.

Despite their inexperience with actual combat, Class 0 is called into action when Rubrum is invaded by the Milites Empire. Type-0 uses many of the typical Final Fantasy tropes, but it’s hugely rich on world building and lore, with a lengthy story to dive into.

Type-0 sports a lot of similarities to Crisis Core and Final Fantasy XV, which makes sense considering all three games were directed by Hajime Tabata. The 14 different students of Class 0 each have a totally different moveset and strengths, making it a blast to switch between them and find which ones you like best.

The school setting also helps diversify the game from the rest of the series, and while I’m remiss to really compare it to Persona, there are definitely at least a few minor similarities.

Bringing the HD version of Type-0 to Switch could give it an entirely new lease on life, and add another great game to the library of JRPGs. 

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII

Final Fantasy VII is the most popular game in the entire franchise, purely by looking at the impact and sales numbers. Square Enix capitalized on this fact by creating the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII, a number of games and media projects that expanded and tied into the main game. Chief among these is Crisis Core, the 2007 PSP game focusing on the life of Zack Fair.

Crisis Core was a phenomenal game in pretty much every regard; it introduced interesting original characters, had a fast-paced action combat system, sported impressive graphics for the PSP, and meaningfully expanded on the world and story of the original FF VII.

The truly sad thing is that there’s literally no way to play Crisis Core unless you own a PSP without breaking some laws. This might be in part due to licensing issues on using the likeness and voice of Gackt for the character Genesis.

However, with the Final Fantasy VII Remake coming sometime in the future, it seems like a no-brainer that Crisis Core should become available again.

A remastered and upgraded version would be the perfect thing to promote the remake, and this gem needs to be more accessible to players.

Theatrythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call

The Theatrhythm games are pure fun and nostalgia boiled down into an adorable little package for Final Fantasy fans. The musical rhythm game has you playing through countless Final Fantasy songs by tapping on your 3DS in time with the music.

Along with the music are cute little chibi character either exploring through the world or battling enemies, depending on the song.

Considering the Theatrhythm games already appeared primarily on the Nintendo 3DS, it seems like no problem to have the game get ported over to the Switch.

Since the Switch has the touchscreen gameplay could work exactly the same, but it’d also be nice to have the option to use Joy-Con’s to hit the beat, maybe like a drumstick.

There’s no doubt Theatrhythm would be popular on the Switch, especially if you added new songs to the game from more recent releases, like Final Fantasy XV or Dissidia Final Fantasy NT. It’s an easy and appealing title for a digital-only release on the eShop.

My Life as a King and My Life as a Darklord

Another Nintendo-centric Final Fantasy title are the WiiWare titles My Life as a King and My Life as a Darklord. Both games are hugely overlooked little games, ones that put a kind of sim-management twist on the Final Fantasy formula.

Both games take place in the Crystal Chronicles world, and although the games are tied together by story they sport very different types of gameplay. My Life as a King is a city-builder sim, that has you building your very own fantasy town from the ground-up.

You’ll need to manage your citizens and building, installing new options and services in the town, while also sending out young fighters and adventurers to dungeons in order to gain resources.

It may not be as deep as other city builders out there, but My Life as a King is a fun little game that has a ton of charm.

Meanwhile, My Life as a Darklord is a tower defense game that plays out from a side view, and has you laying down traps and units to defend your tower from nosy adventurers.

The truly sad thing about these two titles is that there’s currently no way to purchase them, due to the Wii Shop Channel closing down permanently. If you already own them, great, but if you don’t you’re out of luck. It’s sad to see fun little titles like this fade into obscurity, and it’s the sad truth of digital-only games.

That’s why it’d be great to see Square Enix bring these titles to Switch, with an HD sheen and a new lease on life.

Final Fantasy III and IV Remakes

The Nintendo DS sported a pair of brilliant Final Fantasy remakes, updating the classic titles Final Fantasy III and IV into 3D games.

Both titles provide huge updates to the gameplay and visuals of their respective games, Final Fantasy III especially in terms of gameplay, and voice acting and minigames in Final Fantasy IV.

The updates make the games much more approachable, and they’re undoubtedly the best way to play either title. With over six final Fantasy games making their way to Switch now, Square Enix might as well keep the ball rolling and bring even more, especially considering they continue to sell.

With the Switch becoming the perfect JRPG machine, it only makes sense that the bulk of Final Fantasy, the most prolific JRPG series ever, would make its way there.

Final Fantasy IV is one of the all-time greats of the franchise, and while Final Fantasy III doesn’t hit the same heights, it’s an enjoyable game in its own right and features a deep job system which would become iconic.

Give the two games a little bit of an HD upgrade and boom, you have two more lengthy JRPGs for Switch owners, and they even sport a similar art style to Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition.