Final Fantasy XIV Heads to Nintendo Switch 2 This August with a Separate Subscription

Square Enix has announced that Final Fantasy XIV will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 this August, but players will need a separate subscription to play on the platform. The news was revealed by FFXIV director and producer Naoki Yoshida (Yoshi-P) and Square Enix president Takashi Kiryu during Final Fantasy XIV Fan Fest 2026 today. While the announcement ends a long wait for Nintendo fans, it comes with a twist: the subscription model for Switch 2 differs from other platforms. Instead of a single subscription covering all platforms, Switch 2 players must purchase an additional, separate subscription. Yoshi-P explained that this decision came after extensive discussions with Nintendo, acknowledging it's a change from the previous approach. However, he noted some concessions: a Nintendo Switch Online membership is not required to play FFXIV on Switch 2, and players with active subscriptions on other platforms will get a 50% discount on the Switch 2 subscription. The Switch 2 version doesn't have a specific release date beyond August, but early access will include a free one-month trial. The presentation ended with a live demo of the game running on Switch 2. Yoshi-P thanked Nintendo for their cooperation, despite initial concerns about playing the Switch 2 on stage. Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn originally launched in 2013 and is finally coming to a Nintendo platform after years of teases. Additionally, the upcoming expansion Evercold was announced for January 2027, and a Neon Genesis Evangelion crossover 24-player raid series will follow after Evercold.