Switch 2 Exclusive Remaster Challenges Square Enix’s Strategy

The Nintendo Switch 2 may have had a rocky reveal, but there’s no denying that its launch lineup is turning heads. Headlining the console’s debut is the exclusive Mario Kart World. But it’s the third-party offerings that truly amplify the excitement. Titles like Split Fiction, Cyberpunk 2077, Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut, and Hogwarts Legacy are all part of the package. However, the most intriguing addition might just be Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster. This game is a revamped version of the beloved 2013 Nintendo 3DS JRPG, originally crafted by Square Enix and Silicon Studio. This remaster, courtesy of Cattle Call, is going to be exclusively available on the Nintendo Switch 2.

From the start, the Bravely Default series has found a home on Nintendo platforms. Every installment has launched first on these systems, with Nintendo handling their global release. The sole exception was Bravely Default 2, which made its way to Windows PCs less than a year after its initial Nintendo Switch release. Given this history, it’s not too shocking that the upcoming remaster will also be exclusive to Nintendo. However, it does stand in contrast to Square Enix’s recent promises of broader platform support.

Square Enix has a long history of releasing games exclusive to select consoles. Unlike Capcom, EA, or SEGA, the company often limits its reach, sometimes through deals with platform holders. This trend has seen big titles like Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and Final Fantasy 16 initially confined to PlayStation before eventually reaching PCs.

Yet, during recent times, Square Enix has publicly aimed to shift strategies. The company realized that exclusives, which worked in the PlayStation 1-3 eras, are no longer as effective. Missed sales expectations, particularly with Final Fantasy titles, prompted Square Enix to announce a significant change in May 2024. Under the “Square Enix Reboots and Awakens” plan, they propose a comprehensive transition towards developing games for multiple platforms.

Promisingly, Square Enix declared an aggressive multiplatform strategy, set to include Nintendo systems, PlayStation, Xbox, and PCs. Many fans expected future releases, especially the beloved Final Fantasy series, would eschew exclusivity. While several newer releases have lived up to that expectation, the impending Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster brings back old habits of console exclusivity.

Limiting Bravely Default remaster to just the Switch 2 could be a misstep. The game is essentially an enhanced 3DS port and could easily run on the original Switch. Given the relatively niche appeal of the series, this remaster alone might not drive massive sales of the new console. Opening its availability to PlayStation, Xbox, and PC could broaden its audience significantly. It’s a real opportunity for Square Enix to bring the world of Bravely Default to a wider community and boost its global popularity. Sticking to their multiplatform commitment seems essential, especially to avoid slipping back into restricting access to their games, even the smaller ones like Bravely Default.