Final Fantasy VII & VIII Twin Pack Switch Review Verdict
Few remastered bundles spark as much debate as the Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VIII Remastered - Twin Pack (Nintendo Switch). With an average score hovering around 8/10 across multiple platforms, this double cartridge delivers two of Square Enix’s most iconic PS1-era RPGs — but not without quirks that seasoned fans are quick to point out.
Quick Verdict: Conditional buy — perfect for nostalgic portable play, but presentation and gameplay imbalances may frustrate purists.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Both games fully on cartridge — no download required | Blurry backgrounds clash with sharper models in FFVIII |
| Portable play transforms classics into travel-friendly | Some textures misaligned despite remaster claims |
| Extra features like 3x speed and battle boosters | FFVIII's junction system easily broken, reducing challenge |
| Faithful preservation of original music in FFVII | Occasional crashes in FFVIII remaster reported |
| Affordable bundle price (avg. $29–$30) | Limited graphical overhaul compared to other remasters |
| Solid controller support with clear button prompts | Dialogues and story pacing feel dated to some players |
| Beloved stories with cult status among RPG fans | Lack of FFIX inclusion frustrates completionists |
Claims vs Reality
Square Enix markets this pack as a faithful remaster with helpful gameplay enhancements. Official descriptions boast “3x speed mode,” “ability to turn battle encounters off,” and “battle assist options” designed to make both games more accessible. For newcomers, these boosters are a major selling point.
Yet feedback reveals a gap. Reddit user observations note that "character and monster models do look pretty good, [but] it is a sharp contrast in quality to the blurry backgrounds… stuck in 1999." Multiple Steam users echoed this, saying the remaster "retextures a few characters" but leaves many assets untouched. The promised polish feels uneven — especially in FFVIII, where modernized models seem grafted onto dated environmental art.
Another claim is that controller integration and speed hacks improve gameplay flow. This rings mostly true for players on Switch. A Steam forum member praised: "gamepad support is way better… shows Xbox buttons instead of button 1 2 3 etc. boosters like 3x speed, no encounters…" However, this convenience comes at the cost of occasional technical instability, as one admitted: "the remastered version crashes sometimes… I’ve had to replay several battles."
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Across Amazon, Trustpilot, and Metacritic, one theme shines through: the nostalgia factor amplified by portability. A verified buyer on Fnac wrote, "2 des 3 meilleurs FF de la ps1 sur la même cartouche ! pouvoir y jouer en portable est incroyable!" For commuting RP grinders or travelers, these cartridges remove the hassle of emulation and disk-swapping, presenting legendary narratives in a pocketable form.
Music scores near unanimous praise. Reddit user commentary on FFVIII’s soundtrack borders on reverent: "This is probably my favorite work from Uematsu… top 5 in gaming for me." Long-time fans cherish that original compositions are largely preserved, lending emotional weight to key cutscenes whether docked or handheld.
The bundled pricing structure also earns kudos. Twitter critic ⚡xe⚡, despite complaining about packaging choices, conceded: "this collection cost 25–30€, what is… okay price for both games." Given that each title sells individually for similar rates on other platforms, the twin pack maximizes digital nostalgia per dollar.
Common Complaints
The single most repeated frustration comes from FFVIII’s junction and draw systems. Reddit feedback explains how early-game exploits like refining tents into Curaga turn the campaign into a walkover: "Enemies stay stagnant but you keep getting stronger… boss battles will be done in a flash." This imbalance leaves min-maxers bored and casuals confused, especially since optimal play demands avoiding experience gains.
Graphically, both remasters reveal their seams. A Steam user summarized: "texture alignment is still screwy… Squall's barbie doll face" undercuts cinematic engagement. On Switch, backgrounds that weren’t reconstructed clash with updated character models, creating jarring visual juxtaposition.
Technical issues, while not rampant, are disruptive. One Steam player warned of "crashes sometimes… pick your poison," suggesting potential replay of lost progress. Such instability is particularly aggravating in RPGs with lengthy battle sequences.
Divisive Features
The story arcs of FFVIII split audiences sharply. On Quora, one fan declared it "one of the best… fascinated by concepts of time & memories," while another dismissed it as "weak… characters forgettable… junction system easy to abuse." The central romance between Squall and Rinoa becomes a litmus test; some find it endearing, others contrived.
Even the inclusion of FFVII in largely untouched form divides opinion. For purists, keeping its original PS1-visual fidelity is a virtue. For modern console owners accustomed to full remakes, however, it can feel like a missed opportunity.
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot entries and Amazon verified reviews paint this bundle as generally reliable for casual play, with timely deliveries and accurate product descriptions: "produit conforme… disponible dans les temps." The twin cartridge build reduces reliance on network downloads, thereby sidestepping common remaster pitfalls like missing files.
However, the long-term technical reputation of FFVIII’s remaster is mixed. Steam commentary reveals occasional frame drops and crashes persisting well after launch. A Quora respondent advised, "buy a physical copy or another non-steam version… this one is awfully bugged," which reinforces the Switch cartridge as the safer investment for stability, but caution remains warranted.
Alternatives
This twin pack’s main competition is piecemeal digital releases of each title. FFVII’s Switch port is identical to what’s in this bundle, so buying separately offers no advantage unless FFVIII is not desired. Some Twitter voices lamented the absence of FFIX in physical form, musing that a triple pack could have offered definitive PS1-era coverage for collectors.
For players seeking more aggressive graphical overhauls, modded PC editions — particularly of the 2013 FFVIII release — can address texture and interface flaws absent in the official remaster. As one Steam veteran put it: "original PC port has… large assortment of mods" that still edge out the Switch version in customization potential.
Price & Value
Market data from eBay and Amazon sets current pricing between $29.90 and $32.98 new, with imports or collector bundles spiking as high as $59.99. Given the portability and booster features, most buyers judge this fair. Resale listings hover steadily near retail price for sealed copies, suggesting minimal depreciation and potential collector interest.
Buying tips from community voices stress verifying regional editions — especially since Asia versions sometimes differ in packaging and language options — and preferring sealed cartridges to dodge instability found in certain digital releases.
FAQ
Q: Do both games come fully on the cartridge?
A: Yes. Multiple sources note that both titles are contained without requiring extra downloads, making the pack ideal for offline or travel play.
Q: Does the remaster fix FFVIII’s balance issues?
A: No. While boosters allow for convenience, core mechanics like junctioning still enable early-game overpowered setups that trivialize combat.
Q: Is the music altered in these versions?
A: FFVII’s music is preserved; FFVIII features improved audio quality over older PC ports but maintains core compositions, retaining fan-favorite tracks.
Q: Are there known stability problems on Switch?
A: Occasional crash reports exist for FFVIII’s remaster, but they’re less frequent than in certain PC versions. Physical cartridge mitigates file corruption issues.
Q: Why is FFIX excluded from the twin pack?
A: Square Enix opted to release FFIX digitally or via code-in-box in many regions, frustrating fans hoping for a complete PS1 trilogy on Switch.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a returning fan seeking portable access to two genre-defining RPGs, or a newcomer wanting to experience classic Square Enix storytelling with modern conveniences. Avoid if graphic fidelity or challenge balance is critical to your RPG experience. Pro tip from community: Use boosters selectively to preserve game progression and avoid trivializing boss encounters.
