Ultimate Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster has formally made their solution to Nintendo Change 2, and whereas on the one hand, such a port feels a tad odd provided that the sport is already out there by way of unique Change, there’s nonetheless loads of room for enchancment with a model that takes benefit of the brand new console’s specs.
A little bit of a historical past lesson first: we’re speaking a couple of sport that got here out for the PS2 in late 2001, and a sequel from a few years later. We’re additionally speaking about their 2013, “HD Remaster,” which debuted on PS3 and Vita earlier than steadily hitting PC, PS4, Xbox One, and the aforementioned Change. At this level, FFX and X-2’s remasters have been in the marketplace for longer than the video games existed with out it.
So, what could be stated for the most recent in a protracted line of gadgets to assist this high-definition (full phrase feels prefer it flows higher right here) enterprise? Does Nintendo Change 2 deliver something massively noteworthy to the desk? Nope. Probably not. However there wasn’t any purpose to consider in any other case; in addition to, this has at all times been a reasonably wealthy package deal. Not solely do you get each video games, however a prolonged FMV interlude sequence, a (middling) audio drama, and – notably for North American followers, who lacked entry till HD Remaster, all of the Worldwide variations’ distinctive content material. Which means the Darkish Aeons in FFX, the ‘Final Mission’ postgame dungeon in FFX-2, and a goodly variety of baseline enhancements to each video games.
In different phrases, it’s the identical baker’s-dozen-years-old FFX and X-2 HD Remaster that so many people know and love. However it takes benefit of the Change 2’s considerably souped-up {hardware} versus the unique Change, thereby offering Nintendo followers with a visit by means of mystical Spira that appears and runs nearly as good as any of the extra highly effective {hardware} choices. Docked, the sport runs at 1440p decision. That’s clearly not fairly the 4K that PC can pull off, but it surely’s nonetheless superior to the Change – and the PlayStation 4, for that matter.
In handheld mode, the sport hits a easy 1080p, versus the 720p on Change. What’s extra, whereas I’m not an knowledgeable on these issues, I’ll say that there’s a little bit of added fuzziness to the Change 1 iteration which I’m owing to primary bilinear texture filtering as probably the most possible offender. Sq. Enix appears to have favored anisotropic filtering for Change 2, as textures look extra crisp throughout the board, with sharper character fashions as well. So, that 1440/1080p enchancment over the previous 1080/720p is definitely doing a bit extra heavy lifting than the uncooked numbers counsel.
If there’s any type of tradeoff right here, it boils all the way down to the {hardware}, not the software program. As of 2026, Nintendo has not but launched a Change 2 with an OLED display screen; the OG Change’s OLED kind sports activities a superbly vivid display screen that, whereas technically inferior in different elements, provides richness to paint that the Change 2’s extra primary display screen simply can’t present. Spira is gorgeously colourful—in reality, that’s the very first thing that involves thoughts for me at any time when I consider FFX, so not having such a vibrant handheld display screen is a little bit of a bummer. However it’s a minor caveat subsequent to the broader-ranging profit of upper decision and higher textures.
The Nintendo Change 2 model consists of a number of high quality of life “boosters” designed to mitigate probably tedious parts. At any level, you’ll be able to both take away or improve random battles; velocity up the sport; and even set fight to computerized. (Automated fight with elevated encounter charge makes for a heck of a breezy grind.) There’s additionally a “Supercharge” function which tops off your get together’s HP and MP everytime you press it throughout fights.
I’ve very particular tastes relating to the boosters which Sq. has added to many Ultimate Fantasy re-releases. I like the choice to hasten grinding, as a result of I genuinely take pleasure in grinding, but it surely’s much more enjoyable to do shortly. (Because of this the 2x EXP/3x AP modifier is the one factor I allow in Ultimate Fantasy VII Rebirth’s recently-added ‘Streamlined Development’ menu. Every thing else is an excessive amount of.) So, I’ll voice a private critique right here and lament that the best way to entry the “Supercharge” is just too just like the opposite boosters. It’s ZL + Left, Up, Proper, or Down for every of them, and since I take prepared benefit of the time-saving tweaks, I often hit ZL + Down accidentally, refueling my get together and successfully making them repeatedly invincible.
Private grievance apart, the notable factor right here is that the boosters aren’t out there on every other system besides PC. Which implies not solely does this enhancement put the Change 2 launch forward of the Change’s; it additionally eclipses PS4 and Xbox (to not point out PS3 and Vita). I’d have a tricky time going again to my PlayStation 4 copy now that I’ve loved sped-up random encounters for thus many hours.
If the boosters are the very best purpose to purchase FFX on Change 2, the shortage of an improve path is the worst purpose to take action. Following within the footsteps of a number of different Change 2 re-releases, just like the upcoming Octopath Traveler Assortment, Sq. has elected to not supply a reduced value for Change 1 homeowners who want to make the leap to Change 2. Should you don’t personal the sport on Change, that is in fact irrelevant, however for those who do, then a $10 improve value would have been fairly good given this port is hardly a paradigm shift general. As a substitute, it’s a $50 buy a technique or one other.
To be blunt: this isn’t a $50 online game. Not in 2026. I don’t suppose this can be a affordable value for such an previous product, nor do the Change 2’s personal upgrades justify it when the common value on Steam is $30, and on PlayStation it’s $25. These are usually not sale costs, these are permanently-discounted listings. (All referenced costs listed below are USD.) If $50 a bit steep for what’s on faucet right here, it’s seemingly that we’ll see related momentary reductions for Change 2 within the months and years to return…
Don’t let the sticker shock right here shroud the truth that these are nice video games crammed with content material and heaps of memorable narrative moments. They’re. It’s simply that it’s been 1 / 4 of a century for the reason that first one launched, and half as lengthy for the reason that HD facelift, so graphical fine-tuning and console-exclusive boosters aren’t essentially a $50 prospect – particularly for those who personal this inside Nintendo’s umbrella already.
However, let’s speak a bit about what you’re for those who’ve not performed FFX and X-2 since their nascent PS2 days. First, the one actual draw back; Tidus’ and Yuna’s capability for facial features was significantly diminished regardless of the HD Remastered’s enhanced texture resolutions. and that’s by no means not been the case. It’s a perpetual thorn in my facet. The newer fashions listed below are a web unfavourable. It’s bizarre, it’s a step again, but it surely’s right here to remain.
That tidbit apart, for those who’re a North American Ultimate Fantasy fan who hasn’t performed the remaster (and also you didn’t dabble in costly sport imports from different areas again within the day), you’ve in all probability by no means skilled what the video games’ “Worldwide” re-release needed to supply. Right here’s the deal: FFX and FFX-2 every launched first in Japan, then North America. By the point they made their solution to Europe, the builders had tossed in additional content material, which was then mirrored by a second-wave launch in Japan. Notably, North America didn’t get a relaunch, so we have been caught with the vanilla editions.
What did Ultimate Fantasy X Worldwide add? Rather a lot. Eleven super-bosses: darkish types of every of Yuna’s Aeons, adopted by the extremely powerful Penance A brand-new sphere grid possibility that gives extra to experiment with earlier on, plus tweaks to the unique board. Over a dozen new talents. Altered stats for a lot of monsters, most appreciably a 900% HP improve bump for non-compulsory enemy Omega Weapon. Lastly, “One other Story,” a cutscene bridging the hole between X and X-2, was added. This alone was out there to NA followers, however solely by means of buying a problem of The Official PlayStation Journal. (I used to be fortunate sufficient to have completed in order a child.)
As for Ultimate Fantasy X-2 Worldwide, it added a Creature Creator which permitted gamers to recruit fiends (monsters) and even some precise characters. A pair of latest superbosses, Main Numerus and Almighty Shinra, have been tossed in, plus two new Dresspheres, extra Garment Grids, and largest of all, the “Final Mission” mini-campaign set three months after the principle sport and serves as an epilogue for the Gullwings’ adventures.
Technically past the bounds of both entry, there’s additionally an audio drama, entitled “Will.” It’s set six months after FFX-2’s epilogue, after a heavily-maligned novella known as “Eien no Daisho” that has by no means been formally localized into English, so the result’s an audio drama packed right into a remaster that’s offered tens of millions upon tens of millions of copies throughout a number of platforms that lacks some extremely useful context. It’s approachable sufficient regardless of this, however neither of the central characters—Chuami and Kurgum—are notably compelling, nor can I say that I’m keen on the truth that that is the place the canon has technically been left off. No spoilers, however suffice it to say, it’s form of a cliffhanger, and the chances that it’ll ever be resolved appear thinner with every passing 12 months. I might strongly suggest treating it as extra of a “what if” than something.
Taken collectively, it’s a far simpler suggestion to fetch this or every other model of HD Remaster in case your solely expertise with Spira pre-dates entry to those options. The distinction between unique NA and Japanese launches and the next Worldwide launch can’t be understated.
It’s all relative, then, as as to whether this port is well worth the funding. Should you’ve acquired HD Remaster on any of the pretty latest {hardware}, and the addition of boosters isn’t a large attract its personal proper, then you must not less than anticipate a sale. Should you’ve by no means checked out the remaster, and actually need it for Change 2, then by all means, you’ll have a blast. And, for those who’ve by no means performed Ultimate Fantasy X, what are you ready for? This one’s an all-timer.
Disclaimer: Code for the Nintendo Change 2 model of Ultimate Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster was supplied by the sport’s writer Sq. Enix.