Final Fantasy and Nintendo go way back, but their relationship has had its ups and downs. The series debuted on the NES in 1987, shaping the RPG genre for decades. Yet, most mainline entries have called PlayStation home since the iconic Final Fantasy VII. Now, that's changing in a big way—Final Fantasy XIV has finally made its way to the Nintendo Switch 2, and it's bringing its legendary free trial along for the ride.
This is a huge moment for fans who've been waiting to dive into Eorzea on a Nintendo console. The last mainline FF game to hit a Nintendo system was Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age, so this is a long-awaited return. Director Naoki Yoshida and his team at Creative Business Unit 3 have been vocal about wanting to bring both FFXIV and FFXVI to Switch 2, and now the MMO has taken that leap.
What's Included in the Switch 2 Launch?
Players can grab the Starter Edition, which covers everything up to the Shadowbringers expansion, or the Complete Edition with all current expansions. There's also a Complete Collector's Edition for those who want digital extras. Each purchase includes a 30-day free subscription, and for the first month, Square Enix is waiving all fees—so your game time won't even tick down while they ensure a smooth experience on Switch 2. After that, you'll need to buy FFXIV Coins via the Nintendo eShop to keep playing.
The Free Trial: A Generous Taste of Eorzea
If you're not ready to commit, the free trial is a fantastic way to start. You can play through the entire base game and all of Shadowbringers, reaching level 80 with no time limit. That's hundreds of hours of content at no cost. There are some restrictions, though: free trial players can't use the marketboard, form parties outside the Duty Finder, hold more than 300,000 gil, hire retainers, use certain chat commands, or join Free Companies (guilds). But story progression is completely open, and you can enjoy raids, crafting, gathering, deep dungeons, the Gold Saucer, and more.
What Is Final Fantasy XIV About?
FFXIV is a love letter to the entire franchise, weaving in familiar elements from other games. The story kicks off on the planet Hydaelyn, where the Warrior of Light is called by the Mothercrystal to save the world after a devastating calamity. You'll unite nations, battle the Garlean Empire, and face off against summoned deities and ancient evils. It's an epic, ever-evolving narrative that has won countless awards.
Switch 2 players are jumping in at a perfect time, with the latest expansion, Evercold, arriving in January. And if you're new to the series, you might want to check out some classic fantasy games from the 90s to see where it all began. For those who love deep lore and political intrigue, the world of Eorzea is as rich as any bloody fantasy saga on TV.
Final Fantasy XIV is now available on Nintendo Switch 2, alongside Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. Whether you're a veteran or a newcomer, this is your chance to experience one of the most beloved MMORPGs ever made—on the go.
