Few games in the Final Fantasy series represent as significant of a turning point as Final Fantasy X. As the franchise's first fully voice-acted entry, it serves in many ways as a bridge between the classic turn-based games that came before and the cinematic, action-oriented RPGs the series has become today. If you're a Final Fantasy fan and somehow haven't experienced it yet, you owe it to yourself to give it a try. Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster is the latest re-release of this collection, this time for the Nintendo Switch 2, and it's a straightforward port of the existing HD versions with a small handful of additions to help it stand out.

The first game in the collection, Final Fantasy X, remains a modern classic. It follows Tidus, a young blitzball star who is seemingly swept 1,000 years into the future by a mysterious creature known as Sin. There, he joins Yuna, a summoner on a pilgrimage to obtain the Final Aeon and defeat Sin once and for all, while struggling to make sense of a world completely unlike the one he once knew. It's also the last mainline Final Fantasy to feature a fully turn-based battle system, and its unique take on combat is still widely regarded as one of the series' finest.

Like previous releases of Final Fantasy X HD Remaster, this version is based on the game's later international edition rather than the original release. That means it includes the Expert Sphere Grid, which offers greater freedom when developing your characters, along with the challenging Dark Aeons and the optional super-boss Penance for players looking to truly test their skills. It also features a variety of smaller tweaks and additions, but most of them are unlikely to make much of a difference to newcomers.

For the most part, Final Fantasy X has aged remarkably well. As mentioned earlier, its combat remains incredibly fun and engaging, blending fast-paced turn-based battles with a variety of abilities that keep every encounter interesting. While the story can be a tad convoluted at times, it's held together by excellent worldbuilding and a cast of genuinely likable characters. An overreliance on minigames and the game's heavily linear structure occasionally slow down the experience, but if you're even remotely a fan of JRPGs, it's still an essential game to play.

Also included is Final Fantasy X-2, the direct sequel to the original game. This time, Yuna takes center stage as the story explores the aftermath of Final Fantasy X and the challenges she faces in a world that's trying to move on after Sin's defeat. Its combat builds on the foundation of the first game while introducing the Dress Sphere system, a job-based mechanic that lets party members switch classes, abilities, and roles in the middle of battle. Each change is accompanied by a flashy transformation sequence that feels like it's straight out of Sailor Moon.

Like Final Fantasy X, this version of Final Fantasy X-2 is also based on the game's international edition rather than the original PS2 release. As a result, it includes a wealth of additional content, including new Dress Spheres, extra bosses, and a surprisingly robust Creature Creator mode that lets you capture, train, and battle alongside monsters. On occasion, you can even fight alongside NPCs, including several fan-favorite characters from the original game. If you've played any version of Final Fantasy X-2 since its initial PS2 release, however, you've likely experienced most of these additions already.

Final Fantasy X-2 is one heck of a follow-up to Final Fantasy X. Trading the original game's linear structure and serious tone for something far more playful, it's intentionally silly, energetic, and full of personality. Its fast-paced combat reflects that same shift, encouraging constant job swapping through the Dress Sphere system to create battles that feel far more frantic and dynamic than those in its predecessor. The result is a game that's more unconventional and may take some getting used to, but if you're willing to embrace it on its own terms, it can be even more fun than the original.

Also included in the collection is another bonus game, Final Fantasy X-2: Last Mission. This Mystery Dungeon-style roguelike takes place after the events of Final Fantasy X-2, sending the protagonists on one final adventure through a massive tower filled with monsters. It's a fun little diversion, but it's completely optional if the roguelike genre isn't your thing. I had a great time with it, but that's also because I'm a big fan of the Mystery Dungeon series. The game is approachable enough that most players can likely make their way through it with some effort, but the additional story elements aren't essential to enjoying X-2 if the gameplay doesn't click with you.

There are also two short story-based features included in the collection: one that bridges the gap between Final Fantasy X and X-2, and another that takes place after X-2 and appears to set up a potential Final Fantasy X-3 that may or may not ever happen. The first, Eternal Calm, was originally released as a preview for X-2 and mostly serves to provide some extra context for Yuna's situation at the beginning of the game. The other is a much more complicated addition; calling its reception controversial would be an understatement. While it's an interesting curiosity for dedicated fans, it's far from essential unless you're eager to experience every last piece of the Final Fantasy X universe.

New to the Switch 2 version, and easily the biggest addition compared to the existing Switch release, are the bonus features previously available in the PC version. These include a speed-up option with 2x and 4x settings that works during exploration and battles, but not during cut scenes or certain scripted sequences. It also includes the now-standard collection of optional "cheat" features, such as disabling random encounters, unlocking all items, and enabling infinite health. Some of these options can be toggled on and off, while others are permanent once activated.

Truthfully, these bonus features are the main reason to pick up the Switch 2 versions, and it's difficult to say they're enough to justify the upgrade on their own. The speed-up function is a welcome addition, but its limited availability means it only helps in certain situations. Longtime fans who have replayed FFX multiple times may also be disappointed that a cut scene skip option is still missing. The ability to disable random encounters makes exploration less tedious, while the remaining cheat options are mostly there as fun extras rather than meaningful additions.

The rest of the port is largely unchanged. The game's resolution is slightly higher than the original Switch version, and it appears to run a bit smoother overall, but since this is an updated port of a PS2-era game, there aren't exactly any major technical improvements to highlight. The original Switch release already performed well enough in most situations, so the upgrades are relatively minor.

Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster is largely the same collection it has been for the past decade. The included games are still excellent, offering two excellent RPG experiences, and the newly added speed-up and cheat features are welcome additions for players who have already revisited them multiple times. However, at its core, this is still a fairly straightforward native Switch 2 release, and there's little reason to rush out and buy it if you already own a previous version of the collection.

Score: 8.0/10