Why Isn’t Bravely Default HD Coming to Switch 1?

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Enthusiasts of Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs) are quite pleased that Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster might be a title launching alongside the Switch 2, despite the fact that it doesn’t seem to offer significant graphical enhancements compared to its 3DS counterpart. However, the original game’s distinctive art style ensures it still looks appealing, even if it may not push Nintendo’s upcoming hardware to its limits. Regardless, it’s heartening to see a well-loved JRPG such as this one included in the launch lineup.

Although it’s exciting that the remaster will debut as a launch title for Switch 2, one can’t help but wonder, what’s the reason behind not releasing this game on the existing Switch console instead?

As a devoted fan, I’m thrilled that Bravely Default HD is here, but I can’t help but wonder why it’s only available as a Switch 2 exclusive. A remastered game for the 3DS doesn’t exactly shout “must-have exclusive,” considering it seems capable of running on the decade-old hardware. If they had completely revamped the game and given it the visual overhaul seen in its sequel, that would be a whole different story. However, as it stands, that’s not what we’re seeing.

This remaster isn’t necessarily unattractive; quite the contrary, its art style remains impressively intact. With visuals reminiscent of Final Fantasy Tactics and a storybook aesthetic, Flying Fairy is a visually appealing RPG on the Nintendo Switch 2. Admittedly, it was already quite striking during its days on the 3DS, but the fact that Square Enix didn’t significantly alter the art style makes it even more so.

While Bravely Default HD receives much acclaim for its graphics, it’s important to note that the game won’t push the boundaries of the standard Nintendo Switch hardware at all. Given that games like Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD and Miitopia (3DS remasters) are already available on the Switch, it’s quite reasonable to think that this JRPG could also make its way onto Nintendo’s first hybrid console.

As an enthusiastic gamer, I can’t help but speculate that Square Enix might eventually bring this game over to the original Nintendo Switch. It seems like they might be trying to give the old console a bit of a new lease on life before it transitions into a platform for more affordable licensed games. Titles such as Jedi: Survivor have been ported down in quality before, so it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary if this game eventually makes its way to Switch 1.

It’s possible that Bravely Default HD, which is currently only available as a temporary exclusive for Switch 2, may also appear on other platforms such as PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC in the future. Given the game’s impressive visuals, it wouldn’t be surprising if developers decided to expand its availability beyond just the first Switch.

Supergiant Games is currently leading ahead of Square Enix, as they’ve announced that Hades 2 will be available on the original Nintendo Switch, plus any potential future versions like the Switch 2. It’s possible there are contractual constraints making it a Switch 2 exclusive only, but we’ll find out more about that later.

It’s beneficial for now to include this game in the list of titles available at the debut of the latest hardware, although it may not stand out visually.

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2025-04-11 14:13