Square Enix has really gotten the fans of Bravely Default stirred up-well, they call this the “Square Enix Spotlight” since every month they cast a spotlight on select titles. And so, this month, it is the world of Bravely Default that is under that spotlight, much more specifically, the recently released Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster for Nintendo Switch 2 (yes, I kid not, Switch 2!) and Bravely Default II. More details to come, but the hype is really now and getting very mixed responses.
Now let’s talk about the HD Remaster. Came from a 3DS darling, Bravely Default Flying Fairy is being polished until it gleams for its Switch 2 outing. Now, let’s say-it is the customersmad as hellabout this physical release—or the lack of. Instead of being given a full-fledged cartridge game to play anywhere, Square Enix gives them a box that contains inside it a “game key card.” Yeah, collectors are very unhappy on this.
One gamer going by the moniker TigusVaton said, “I won’t buy this until it has an actual physical release.” In turn, Jean-Paul Bartolomei (aka ultimablackmage) chimed in, “How are those sales numbers? Game-Key Cards a booming success?” Chantal, willing to pay more, begged Square Enix to grant the full physical release worthy of that price. So you know the demand exists; it is just Square Enix that has not caught on—yet.
And then Switch 2 came up. Hold on! Has Square Enix just casually confirmed the new Nintendo console? Or was it an accidental slip? Either way, it created some chatter, with the likes of Combative Raccoon waiting for the PS5/Switch 2 release before jumping in.
Now, there are some good yarns amid the complaints. Some gamers are glad the series is getting any kind of attention at all. EastCoastTone47 commented, “I’m playing Bravely Default for the first time right now and I finally understand all the hype.” Davidvinc is looking ahead, however, and is toasting Bravely Default 3.
Being a gaming announcement, it meant that “port begging” was soon going to follow. The replies are chock-full of requests for PS5, Xbox, and PC versions. Crusader II Elessar stated simply, “Put it on other platforms,” while aboris26 answered with a flurry of emojis begging for Xbox and PS5 releases. BigRed replied with “Sacarlo en PS5 y PC” (Release it on PS5 and PC).
What GoldenBoy1982 was doing remains a mystery. Instead of discussing the game, the guy decided to launch an attack on Square Enix‘s profile pic. Class act.
Meanwhile, DoorMatt took the balanced route, saying that they had already purchased the digital version but were still holding out hope for Nintendo to put out smaller, cheaper game carts in the future.
So what now? Square Enix promised “more information to come,” so maybe—just maybe—they might address all this physical release backlash or drop a surprise multi-platform announcement. Or maybe they’ve just going to ignore the crowd at large and carry on with their business. Either way, Bravely Default fans are loud and proud on the issue.
The HD Remaster is available now, so if you’re good with digital and a key card, enjoy. But if you’re holding out on a real cartridge? Well, good luck. You might just be waiting for a while at least.
