Which is the best version of Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster? PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch 2, Switch, & PC tested

The original Final Fantasy X celebrated its 25th anniversary this week. After getting a remaster back in 2013, Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster, a new Nintendo Switch 2 port is also launching this week. Final Fantasy X is one of my favorite games ever and I was originally going to do a big comparison for the anniversary. The Switch 2 port timing pushed this by a few days, but it also let me cover that version. In fact, this is one of the largest comparisons I’ve done across platforms as is usually the case with anything Final Fantasy. I’ve also included basically a Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster Switch 2 port review later on in this article to cover how the Switch 2 port looks and runs compared to the Switch 1 version played on Switch 2. 

For this Final Fantasy X comparison, I have tested Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster on PS Vita, PS4, the PS4 version on PS5, the PS4 version on PS5 Pro, the PS4 version on PS5 Pro using the ‘Enhance Image Quality’ option, the Switch version on Switch, the Switch version on Switch 2, the Switch 2 version, the Xbox One version on Xbox Series X, the Windows Store / Xbox on PC version on ROG Ally, the Steam version on Steam Deck, the Steam version on ROG Ally, and even the Steam version on AYN Thor. I also tested the Vita version. 

Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster Release timeline across versions and platforms

Before getting to the versions and other differences, Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster have had an interesting release timeline across platforms. 

• July 2001: Final Fantasy X launches in Japan on PS2.
• December 2001: Final Fantasy X launches in North America for PS2 with various tweaks.
• January 2002: Final Fantasy X: International launches in Japan on PS2 with gameplay changes, superbosses, balance adjustments, and more.
• May 2002: Final Fantasy X: International launches as Final Fantasy X in Europe and Australia on PS2.
• March 2003: Final Fantasy X-2 launches in Japan for PS2.
• November 2003: Final Fantasy X-2 launches in North America for PS2.
• February 2004: Final Fantasy X-2 launches in Australia and Europe for PS2.
• December 2013: Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster launches on PS3 and PS Vita in Japan. This brings a visual upgrade, changes to character models, widescreen support, a new font, UI improvements, a lot of gameplay changes, cross save between PS3 and PS Vita, audio drama, and much more. 
• March 2014: Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster launches for PS3 and PS Vita in the West.
• May 2015: Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster launches for PS4 adding in an original soundtrack option, retaining cross save, and improving resolution and performance beyond the PS3 and PS Vita versions.
• May 2016: Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster launches for Steam with new quality of life features, in-game boosters, 4K support, and more.
• April 2019: Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster launches for Xbox One, Microsoft Store for PC (AKA Xbox on PC now), and Nintendo Switch. These versions don’t have any of the new PC features.
• July 2026: Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster launches for Nintendo Switch 2 with some of the PC features included.

Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster feature differences

Just like with most Square Enix releases for classic Final Fantasy games, each new port had some benefit over prior versions. This ranged from quality of life features, visual upgrades, and even soundtrack options. With Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster, the feature differences are a bit more confusing because we recently had Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age deliver feature parity. With Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster, the PS3 and PS Vita releases are the originals. The Vita version had a touchscreen quick heal option, but was basically the same when it comes to features like the PS3 version. The PS4 version added a new soundtrack toggle to play with the new arranged soundtrack or the original PS2 soundtrack for Final Fantasy X. All three of these support cross save between versions. 

Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster PC boosters and other features

When Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster was ported to PC, it added a new supercharge option for characters in combat, two new speed up options, the ability to skip some FMV cut-scenes, autosave, an encounter rate option (more, none, normal), autobattle, and also boosters to unlock all skills, get all items, and maximum gil. When Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster was ported to Switch, Xbox One, and also made available on the Xbox on PC / Microsoft Store on Windows. The Switch and Xbox One versions are at feature parity with the PS4 version and not the PC release. The Xbox on PC / Microsoft Store / Windows Store version does not have the new features in the Steam release barring autosave. It is also not Play Anywhere and save syncing is not available between the console and PC versions here. I originally thought this was just a port of the Xbox One version, but it has autosave and PC graphics options meaning Square Enix did a new port just for the Microsoft Store on PC but didn’t include all the features the Steam version had. Yes, I’m as confused as you are.

Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster Switch 2 boosters

The new Switch 2 version launching this week features all the prior console version features in addition to boosters and some quality of life features from the Steam release. It does not have the autosave option and lacks the cut-scene skip option. It does however retain the Switch and PS Vita touchscreen quick heal option. I’ve summarized the feature differences across Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster across all versions below:

Version	OST Option	Booster	Autosave	Cut-scene skip	Quick heal
PS3	No	No	No	No	No
PS Vita	No	No	No	No	Yes
PS4	Yes	No	No	No	No
Xbox One	Yes	No	No	No	No
Xbox PC	Yes	No	Yes	No	No
Steam	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some	No
Switch 1	Yes	No	No	No	Yes
Switch 2	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes

In its current state, the Steam version has the most features of all versions, but it has a few notable issues holding it back. These have to do with it being one of the early PC ports from Square Enix during the PS4 generation. I’m glad they kept the quick heal feature on Switch 2 as you couldn’t use it via handheld boost mode on Switch 2 when playing the Switch 1 version. The lack of autosave and cut-scene skip on Switch 2 are baffling omissions given this port has been released many years after the last one. The F5 option on PC that lets you hide the HUD also appears to be missing on Switch 2. 

Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster visual differences across consoles and PC

While Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age had many differences depending on the platform, Final Fantasy X HD is pretty close, but there are some notable changes and cuts. For the purposes of this article, the PS4 version will be used as the base since all future versions were based on it. The PS4 version itself delivered a native 1080p image with good anti-aliasing. When moving to Xbox One, Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster was released post Xbox One X. Square Enix actually put in the work and delivered a native 4K output on Xbox One X (carries over to Xbox Series X as well) making it the best of the console versions for image quality. 

The PC version had the most visual options of the lot, but it is still capped at 30fps since the game logic is tied to the frame rate from what I can tell. Yes, all versions are capped at 30fps including this week’s Switch 2 port. The Switch 1 version of Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster delivered 1080p docked and 720p handheld, but it had notable texture and filtering cuts compared to Xbox and even PS4.

This brings us to Switch 2. The Switch 2 version isn’t a 4K experience docked and it appears to be around 1440p in the few locations I pixel counted on while the Xbox Series X delivers a full 4K experience. It stands in between the PS4 and Xbox One X versions right now. The Switch 2 version is definitely improved over the PS4 version played on PS5 when docked. The Switch 2 version also improves over the Switch 1 version in textures and anti-aliasing.

In its current state, the Xbox One version on Xbox One X or Xbox Series X delivers the best visuals on console followed by the Switch 2 version. The PS4 (including PS4 on PS5) version is below that with Switch 1 being the worst of the lot. For portable play, The ROG Ally or any PC handheld with a 1080p screen delivers the best experience with Switch 2 following closely. This isn’t the complete picture though with the handheld experience as I’ll get to later on in this feature.

Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster performance differences

Since all versions of Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster are capped at 30fps, the main thing to keep in mind here is load times and input latency. The Switch 2 version, in QTEs like Tidus’ overdrive feel like they have more latency on Switch 2 and 1 compared to the Xbox One and PC versions. The game itself doesn’t feel bad to play, but I noticed the delay in the QTE specifically. As for load times, the version differences and ports make for an interesting experience across so many years of releases and quirks. 

Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster load times across PS5, PS5 Pro, PS4 Pro, Switch 2, Switch 1, Xbox, Steam Deck, and PC

To test load times, I installed Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster on PS4 Pro, the PS4 version on PS5 internal storage, the PS4 version on PS5 via external hard drive, the Xbox One version on Xbox Series X via external hard drive, the Xbox One version on Xbox Series X internal storage, the Switch 1 version on Switch OLED SD card, the Switch 1 version on Switch 2 internal storage, the Switch 2 version on Switch 2 internal storage, the Steam version on Steam Deck internal SSD, the Steam version on ROG Ally internal SSD, the Steam version on AYN Thor internal storage, and the PS Vita version through the cartridge. I measured the time taken to get to the main launcher on each platform and the time taken to load a similar early save file. The results below are in seconds.

Platform	Dashboard to title	Loading save
PS Vita	14-15	5-6
PS4 Pro	21-22	7-8
PS4 on PS5 HDD	23	3-4
PS4 on PS5	22	3-4
PS4 on PS5 Pro	20	3-4
Xbox One on XSX HDD	22-23	8
Xbox One on XSX	21	1-2
Switch 1	21-22	7-8
Switch 1 on S2	15-16	2-3
Switch 2	16	3
AYN Thor	18*	3
Steam Deck	7	3-4
ROG Ally Steam	3	3
ROG Ally MS Store	9	2-3

The AYN Thor for some reason only lets me boot into Final Fantasy X and not the other games. I will look into sorting that out later. As for the other platforms, there are a few things to keep in mind. The Xbox on PC / Windows Store version constantly had pop ups about Xbox account sign in saying “Cancel” or “Let’s Go” as if it was verifying the license across every single launcher menu or when getting into a game. I also had it boot up in Japanese and had to change to English in the settings. It should have asked me for the language on initial boot instead. 

All console versions based on the PS4 release take a bit too long initially because of the forced Square Enix logo splash screen. The Vita version actually loads faster than most of the consoles initially, but the load time for a save is fastest on the internal storage on Xbox Series X. No version takes too long barring PS4 and Switch 1 on the original hardware.

Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster Switch 2 port review

A lot has been said about Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster on Switch 2 offering no upgrade path or save transfer. Given the many years since the Switch 1 port, I understand why they wouldn’t give this for free, especially since there was no discount for PS3 and PS Vita owners when the PS4 version released, but no save transfer is awful. Square Enix remains inconsistent about its Switch 1 and 2 cross generation support as I covered in a dedicated article. The final issue is the price. Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster is priced at $24.99 on PS4 and $29.99 on PC. Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster on Switch 2 is $49.99 like the Xbox and Switch 1 versions. 

With that out of the way, Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster on Switch 2 is my favorite console version by far, and I’d even play it above the Steam release on PC handhelds. I say this because Square Enix has not fixed any of the issues with the PC version and how jank its controller support feels. It also still has crashing issues. A game breaking bug early on with boosters still hasn’t been fixed either. I verified that last week.

Note: For the comparison above, I used off-screen photos of the Switch 1, Switch 1 via handheld boost mode, and Switch 2 native versions running on my Switch 2 using the accessibility zoom features to show the differences. 

Speaking of boosters, I am glad to see a console version finally bring those in as I never want to replay Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster without them. I am disappointed in the lack of autosave and cut-scene skip though. Cut-scene skip is something Square Enix needs to add in general to this release on all platforms or through a potential new console SKU for PS5 and Xbox Series. 

As for whether Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster on Switch 2 is a worthwhile upgrade over Switch 1, it definitely is. Even if you play in handheld mode only, Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster on Switch 2 is a better visual experience than Switch 1 via handheld boost mode on Switch 2 thanks to texture upgrades and more. I would like to see Square Enix add autosaves at least in a patch later.

Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster PC port issues

Anyone who has played it on PC knows how lacking the controller support is. It works for basic stuff in-game, but you cant activate the boosters without the keyboard or manually remapping the F1-4 keys like I do on Steam Deck. The launcher also doesn’t work properly with a controller in the Steam version, but it does on the Xbox on PC / Microsoft Store version. The PC version has the most features of any port, but you still have stability issues that modders have been fixing for years.

Just like Final Fantasy VII’s new version on Steam and GOG that addressed some of the early PC port quirks, we need a more modern (port wise) release for Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster on Steam that adds full controller support and actually makes it so the game functions on modern operating systems without crashing after playing for a while or randomly.

Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster features that Square Enix needs to add for all

Before concluding with the best versions and what I think you should play based on your needs, I want to cover what I hope to see patched into Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster on Switch 2 and potentially brought to other platforms. If Switch 2 is the final port we get for console, Square Enix needs to sort the features left out at least. I also would like a save transfer option. I was going to replay FFX so it doesn’t sting as much, but this is poor form. I also would like to see Square Enix finally add a dual audio toggle instead of locking voiceover languages by text language. 

Which version of Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster is the best?

If you play on TV, the PC version and Xbox One on Xbox One X / Series X are the best followed by Switch 2. I would avoid the PS4 version and Switch 1 version when playing docked or on your TV. I know it is more expensive on Switch 2, but the quality of life features and boosters make up for it as far as I’m concerned. Sure, Square Enix should’ve patched all versions to bring everyone up to speed like with The Zodiac Age, but they haven’t done that yet.

For portable play, the Switch 2 version so far is the best plug and play experience. The Steam version on Deck or other PC handhelds has added friction with the launcher or setting up the boosters using the back buttons. If you purely play on a controller on your PC, you have to do even more work on PC for this. That might not matter to many, but it is annoying that Square Enix has not even fixed those basic issues all these years later. Note that even if you have the Switch 1 version, playing it via boost mode is not as good as the native Switch 2 release handheld as I covered above.

Note: If you’re curious about the PS2 original and PS3 versions, I recommend watching AustinSV’s excellent video.

Which version of Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster should you buy to play today?

Everyone has their own priorities for what they want, so I’m going to list the advantages and disadvantages of every single version of Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster as a conclusion to this feature below:

• Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster on PS4: If you have old data from the PS3 or PS Vita versions and care about trophies more than image quality and features, the PS4 (and on PS5) version is the one to get. It also works via remote play.
• Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster on Switch: This is only worth buying if you have no other console to play it on.
• Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster on Steam: If you are ok with some controller issues and play both at home and own a Steam Deck or PC handheld, this is the one to get. It has the most features, but requires some tweaking to get working well.
• Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster on Xbox One: This is the best looking version of FFX on console and is worth getting if you play on Xbox One X or Xbox Series X.
• Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster on Xbox PC: Don’t buy this. I bought it just for this comparison. It is not worth it until save syncing is added.
• Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster on Switch 2: This is by far the best console version now all things considered. While the lack of an upgrade path and save transfer is disappointing, this is the only version I’d buy to play on console right now. 
• Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster on PS Vita: If you want to play the PS4 version and sync saves to a handheld natively, this is the one to buy in addition to the PS4 version. 

Hopefully this helped you decide where you should get Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster and if you already own it, got you to finally play or revisit it because it is one of the best Final Fantasy game releases ever. 

Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster is now available on Switch, Switch 2, PS4, Xbox One, and PC (Steam, Xbox on PC).