Final Fantasy 14 has finally arrived on Nintendo Switch 2, but the new version is already experiencing a noticeable problem. Some players are reporting unusually long loading times, with the screen remaining dark for much longer than expected.

The issue appeared shortly after the MMORPG launched on Nintendo's new console on August 4. Square Enix has acknowledged the problem and says it is working on improvements, although there is currently no confirmed date for when a fix will arrive.

Final Fantasy 14 was first announced for Switch 2 during the 2026 Anaheim FanFest event in April. The port gives Nintendo players access to the long-running MMO on the company's latest hardware, bringing it to another major gaming platform alongside PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.

While the Switch 2 version has generally received positive feedback for its performance, its loading behavior appears to be different from the game's other versions. According to Square Enix, the problem can happen when players enter areas containing large numbers of characters.

Players may notice particularly long delays when the screen fades to black while entering or leaving certain areas. This can happen in crowded cities, during dungeon combat, in PvP matches, or when using teleportation inside a dungeon.

In these situations, the screen may remain dark for an extended period before the game finally continues. For an MMO like Final Fantasy 14, where players regularly move between different locations and activities, these delays could become frustrating if they occur frequently.

Square Enix has confirmed that the development team is looking into the issue. The company says it is working to optimize the processes used to load the game safely on Switch 2. However, it has not provided a specific timeline for when players can expect the problem to be resolved.

The Switch 2 release also comes with some differences compared with the game's other platforms. Like the Xbox version, the Switch 2 edition uses a separate currency called FFXIV Coins for subscription payments.

The Switch 2 subscription is also separate from the subscription used for the PlayStation, Xbox, and PC versions. Players who already subscribe to Final Fantasy 14 on another platform can receive a 50% discount when subscribing on Switch 2, however.

One benefit for Nintendo players is that a Nintendo Switch Online subscription is not required to play Final Fantasy 14. That makes the MMO somewhat easier to access compared with other online games on the platform.

At the moment, Switch 2 players are also taking advantage of a month-long trial period during which the normal subscription charge does not apply. Once that period ends, players will need to pay the regular monthly subscription to continue playing.

Another thing Switch 2 owners need to consider is storage space. Final Fantasy 14 takes up more than 110GB on the console, making it one of the largest games currently available for Switch 2.

That won't be the record for long, however. Kingdom Hearts Collection [1~3] is expected to require around 128GB when it launches, meaning Nintendo's latest console is already becoming home to some very large games.

For players experiencing the loading problem, installing Final Fantasy 14 on the Switch 2's internal storage may help reduce loading times. A microSD Express card is also recommended for players who need additional storage for the MMO and other large games.

Despite the current technical issue, the Switch 2 version gives Nintendo players a new way to experience one of Square Enix's biggest online games. With Patch 7.56 scheduled for September 8, Final Fantasy 14 is also continuing to receive new content.

If Square Enix can resolve the loading problems soon, the Switch 2 version could become a solid option for players who want to take the MMO on the go. For now, though, some patience may be required when that screen fades to black.