Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster – First Look

A Game Release That Might Just Keep You Awake

Okay, so here’s the scoop. The Nintendo Switch 2, dropping soon, is giving us "Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster." Yeah, it sounds fancy, but it’s basically the OG Bravely Default from the 3DS, all spruced up and ready to roll. Imagine: A game that first popped up in 2012, like some kind of gaming time capsule, and now it’s back to haunt—or delight—us. Depends on your vibe, I guess.

Now, I won’t bore you with the full-on history lesson of how this thing started as a Final Fantasy spin-off. Wikipedia’s got that covered, anyway. And trust me, some nerd probably penned a wall of text about it, way better than this rambling attempt. So, go search if you want the nitty-gritty. But here’s what you should chew on: It’s your classic turn-based JRPG with this quirky twist where you choose to sit tight for a turn ("Default") or go all berserk with multiple moves in one shot ("Brave"). It’s like saving all your chips for a sudden poker all-in. Got it? Cool.

Anyway—or wait, was I onto something else? Oh yeah, so the thing is, I’ve only ever dabbled in Bravely Default II and Octopath Traveler II. The first one’s been this elusive specter, just outside my gaming grasp. People rave about it, saying it’s this epic 70-hour journey that feels like a nostalgic nod to SNES-era stuff but with fresh spins. Plus, it’s cheaper than those wallet-crunching first-party releases, going for 40 bucks in the U.S. Makes it a bit more appealing, right?

I actually got my hands on this shiny remaster during a brief demo at PAX East 2025. Yeah, mark your calendars or something. Played it with the Joy-Con 2s on this spiffy new grip they’ve got for RPGs—didn’t get the handheld experience, though. Developer kit only; we’re talking pre-release stuff here, so I can’t promise everything will feel as smooth once it’s out in the wild. Joysticks? Felt promising.

So, after running around in the first cave, battling a few critters, I’ll say—it looks sharp. You can tell it’s just a remaster, not a whole redo, but hey, nothing wrong with a well-done polish. Didn’t get to take any snaps or vids ’cause of some preview embargo nonsense. Claims like 60fps seem legit, though; but don’t quote me on that.

And just for kicks, they’ve tossed in two new minigames exploiting the Switch 2’s mouse controls. First, Luxencheer Rhythm Catch—gotta say, trying to catch beats with Joy-Con flails? It’s a workout more than a rhythm game. Maybe I’m just clumsy. Then there’s Ringabel’s Panic Cruise, where you play airship DJ—juggling levers and buttons in sheer chaos. That one’s got all sorts of party game potential, even if it feels like you’re spinning a million plates.

Look, these games are more sprinkles than cake. Cute little extras for the launch. They’ve also given it some single-screen UI magic, revamped the StreetPass thing with network vibes, and thrown in fast-forward. Not earth-shattering, but nice touches.

Bottom line? June 5, Square Enix drops this reimagined beast from retro land. HD sparkle at a comfy price point. Questions still lurk about whether it’s all intact from the original, but it’s looking promising. You might like it—or not. I dunno. Go figure.