Final Fantasy demo hits Switch 2

Square Enix released a free Final Fantasy VII Rebirth demo on Tuesday for Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox ahead of the game’s June 3 launch. (xbox.com) (ffvii.square-enix-games.com) On Xbox, the demo went live with an April 28, 2026 release date and support for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC. Microsoft’s store page says players can sample the game through the end of Chapter 2, “A New Journey Begins,” for free. (xbox.com) The same store listing says demo progress carries over to the full version. Square Enix’s official Rebirth site also lists digital pre-order discounts of up to 20% on Nintendo Switch eShop through June 2 and on Xbox Store and Microsoft Store through June 10. (xbox.com) (ffvii.square-enix-games.com) Rebirth is the second game in the Final Fantasy VII remake trilogy. Square Enix describes it as the chapter that follows Cloud Strife and his party after they leave Midgar and head across the planet in pursuit of Sephiroth. (xbox.com) (ffvii.square-enix-games.com) The release lands as Square Enix keeps widening the remake project beyond Sony’s hardware. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade reached Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC on January 22, 2026, after Xbox announced the port in September 2025. (square-enix-games.com) (news.xbox.com) Nintendo is also using the same day to start its Golden Week eShop sale in Japan. Nintendo said the promotion began April 28 at 12:00 a.m. and runs through May 11 at 11:59 p.m., covering Nintendo Switch 2 and original Switch software. (nintendo.com) Square Enix’s North American store page for the Switch 2 edition lists the game from $49.99 and says the physical Day One Edition includes a Zack Fair promotional card for Magic: The Gathering while supplies last. Pre-purchase bonuses listed there end on June 2 at 11:59 p.m. local time. (store.square-enix-games.com) For players, the demo is a low-risk way to test how Rebirth runs on Nintendo’s new system and on Xbox before paying for the full release. For Square Enix, it is another step in turning one of its biggest recent exclusives into a broader multiplatform business. (xbox.com) (news.xbox.com)