Fans of JRPGs are pretty happy that Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster will be a Switch 2 launch title, even if it’s not much of a graphical improvement. The 3DS game’s strong art style makes it look good, though it won’t challenge Nintendo’s new hardware. Nonetheless, it’s good seeing a beloved JRPG like this at launch.
Even though we’re happy this remaster is coming out as a Switch 2 launch title, we have to ask, why isn’t this game coming to original Switch hardware?
While we appreciate seeing Bravely Default HD exist in the first place, why does it have to be a Switch 2 exclusive? A remastered 3DS game doesn’t scream “must-have exclusive,” especially since it still looks like it could run on that decade-old handheld. If the game were remade from the ground up and looked more like its sequel, that would be a different story, but that’s not the case.
That’s not to say this remaster is ugly, as the art style holds up incredibly well. Looking like a Final Fantasy Tactics game with storybook visuals, Flying Fairy is a good-looking RPG on the Nintendo Switch 2. Granted, this was still a looker during the 3DS days, but it helps that Square didn’t mess up the art style too much.
Even with all the praise we have for Bravely Default HD’s looks, this isn’t a game that’s going to challenge regular Switch hardware at all. The Switch is already home to 3DS remasters like Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD and Miitopia, so it wouldn’t be a stretch to bring this JRPG to Nintendo’s first hybrid console.
It’s always possible that Square Enix will eventually port this down to the original Switch, just to give the old console some life before becoming a home for cheap licensed games. Games like Jedi: Survivor have received downgraded ports before, so it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see this eventually come to Switch 1.
There’s also a likely chance that Bravely Default HD comes to other systems after being a temporary Switch 2 exclusive. Based on the game’s visuals, we wouldn’t be surprised if the JRPG comes to PS5, Xbox Series, and PC, in addition to the first Switch.
Supergiant Games has already surpassed Square Enix here, as they confirmed that Hades 2 will be coming to the original Switch, in addition to Switch 2. Maybe there are contractual obligations to keep this a Switch 2 exclusive, but we’ll have to wait and see.
For the time being, it’s good to have this game on the new hardware’s launch lineup, even if it won’t impress visually.