Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will be one of the largest games released on Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2, with file sizes potentially surpassing 100GB. This unprecedented scale presents practical challenges for distribution and storage on the new console, as revealed by recent game listings ahead of the anticipated launch.
Store details from different regions list varying file sizes, with Japan’s My Nintendo page citing 102GB and the European site estimating 91.5GB. Although not officially finalized, these figures confirm the game’s size will push beyond previous large Switch titles such as Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade and Cyberpunk 2077 Special Edition.
The enormous file size stems from the game’s open-world design and advanced technology. Unlike earlier series entries, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth uses continuous data streaming to maintain immersive environments without lengthy loading screens. According to project director Naoki Hamaguchi, the game does not load all data upfront but constantly swaps data in and out during play, demanding significant storage and faster loading speeds.
This technical choice affects how the game is delivered. Due to the size, it will not fit on a traditional physical game cartridge. Instead, it will be distributed using a Game-Key Card format that requires players to download most of the content digitally. Hamaguchi pointed out that current cartridge technology cannot hold such large data volumes, and internal storage solutions like SSD or UFS provide much faster loading times—roughly twice as fast as cartridges.
The speed difference is critical for preserving the game’s pacing and seamless experience. Traditional cartridges, while convenient, cannot match the performance demands of a modern open-world RPG of this magnitude. As a result, players will likely depend heavily on digital downloads and the Switch 2’s internal storage capacity to enjoy the full game smoothly.