Final Fantasy XIV officially launched on Nintendo Switch 2 earlier this week, bringing Eorzea to Nintendo's latest handheld and letting adventurers team up across even more platforms than before.
We've been eager to see Square Enix's long-running online RPG make the jump to Switch 2, and now it's here. Even better, Square Enix is sweetening the launch with roughly a month of waived subscription fees to help players dive in.
Which editions are available on Switch 2?
The Nintendo Switch 2 version of Final Fantasy XIV is available to purchase on the Nintendo eShop. Here's the lineup:
Not sure if you're ready to commit? There's also a Final Fantasy XIV Online Free Trial so you can test the waters first.
How do the subscription fees work?
To help ensure a stable launch experience, subscription fees will be waived for approximately one month following release. After that, the 30-day free play period included when registering a new platform kicks in, and once that time has elapsed a subscription fee is required to keep playing.
One important thing to note: a separate subscription is required to play the Nintendo Switch 2 version, regardless of whether you're subscribed on another platform. There is a nice break, though.
If you have remaining game time on other platforms, the Nintendo Switch 2 subscription will be available at half price. (Please note that the half price discount is not available while free game time is active on other platforms.)
And good news for anyone worried about extra costs - a subscription to Nintendo Switch Online is not required to play Final Fantasy XIV.
How do you pay on Switch 2?
Payment for subscription fees, additional services, and optional items requires FFXIV Coins, which can be purchased from the Nintendo eShop. Once purchased, FFXIV Coins can be used on the Final Fantasy XIV: Mog Station for subscription fees and other account services, or on the Final Fantasy XIV Online Store for optional items.
Here's a handy tip: after purchasing FFXIV Coins, close the game and log in again to the Nintendo Switch 2 version for the coins to be credited to your Square Enix account. The newly purchased coins won't be available for use until you've logged in again.
When playing only on the Nintendo Switch 2 version: Payments will be handled using FFXIV Coins only.
When playing on multiple platforms: When purchasing optional items, you can visit the Online Store and change the platform to select your desired payment method. The Nintendo Switch 2 subscription, however, may only be purchased with FFXIV Coins.
Is there a Nintendo Switch Online perk?
Yes - those with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription can register one additional aetheryte as a free destination, which you can teleport to for free (0 gil). This perk is only available when playing the Nintendo Switch 2 version.
Getting started on Switch 2
A Square Enix account and Nintendo account are both required to play. In short, you'll want to link your Nintendo account with your user profile on the Switch 2, purchase the game on that profile, then launch from the HOME menu and enter your Square Enix account details.
A couple of important warnings from Square Enix: the first time you launch, the Switch 2 user profile is linked to your Square Enix account, and you won't be able to unlink the accounts or transfer to another account once linked - so double-check everything is correct first. Also, if you're already playing on another platform like the Windows version and want to continue with the same character, you must select the service account you've already been using when prompted to register a license. Picking the option to create a new service account means you won't be able to play your existing character.
Registered region also matters here. Square Enix notes the registered region of your Square Enix account (Japan, North America, or Europe) must match the region or country of your user profile - for example, a North American account needs to be purchased on a profile registered in the United States, Canada, or another applicable region.
If this is your first character, you'll be prompted to select a starting World, and special bonuses are offered for creating a character on certain Worlds. You can learn more about New and Preferred World bonuses, and check the Server Status page for which Worlds currently qualify.
Are you planning to move over to Switch 2, or starting fresh for the first time? Let us know in the comments!
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