The Final Fantasy VII Remake* isn’t just a visual upgrade over the original—it’s a showcase of how hardware constraints can be outmaneuvered. On paper, Nintendo’s Switch 2 holds an advantage: 9GB of RAM versus the Xbox Series S’s 8GB. Yet, in practice, Square Enix’s remake delivers sharper, more detailed textures on Microsoft’s console, according to a technical breakdown by Digital Foundry.
The discrepancy stems from how each system handles asset streaming. The Xbox Series S, despite its lower RAM capacity, leverages its Zen 2 CPU—nearly identical to the Series X’s but with modestly reduced clock speeds—to prioritize high-resolution textures. The Switch 2, while equipped with more memory, relies on an ARM Cortex-A78C CPU that struggles to keep up, forcing it to blend lower-quality assets from the PlayStation 4 version into its visuals. Meanwhile, the Series S version mirrors the full asset pipeline of the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, suggesting Microsoft’s console isn’t just competitive but technically ahead in this case.
Performance tradeoffs remain. The Series S offers two presets: 1080P at 60 FPS or 1440P at 30 FPS, while the Series X and PS5 push higher resolutions (up to 2160P/4K) in Quality Mode. Shadows and other effects on the Series S sit between the PS4 and PS5 versions, but the texture clarity stands out as a win for Microsoft’s budget-friendly console.
Why It Matters
This isn’t just about Final Fantasy VII Remake—it’s a glimpse into how developers optimize for hybrid architectures. The Switch 2’s extra RAM doesn’t translate to better visuals here because its CPU can’t stream assets efficiently. The Series S, by contrast, uses its CPU as a secondary buffer, offloading texture data dynamically. For players, this means the Series S version feels more polished despite its hardware limitations.
Looking ahead, the next installment—Final Fantasy VII Rebirth—will push these systems further. Open-world sections on PS5 already required resolution scaling to maintain smooth performance. Whether the Series S and Switch 2 can replicate that balance without sacrificing visuals remains an open question.
Key Specs: Final Fantasy VII Remake on Xbox Series S
- Resolution Options: 1080P @ 60 FPS or 1440P @ 30 FPS
- Texture Quality: Matches Xbox Series X/PS5 (higher than Switch 2)
- Shadows/Lighting: Between PS4 and PS5 versions
- CPU: AMD Zen 2 (8-core, lower clocks than Series X)
- RAM: 8GB (vs. Switch 2’s 9GB)
- GPU: RDNA 2 (identical to Series X)
- Engine: Unreal Engine 4 (no UE5 transition for the trilogy)
The Series S’s ability to deliver near-flagship visuals on a tighter budget could redefine expectations for mid-range consoles. For developers, it’s a reminder that raw RAM isn’t the only factor—CPU efficiency and asset management play just as critical a role.
Availability for Final Fantasy VII Remake is already live on Xbox Series S and Switch 2, with Rebirth* expected later this year.
