Not every game gets a physical release, and Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles seems to be on the edge of that. This is a remake, not a full release, so the question is still up in the air. Luckily, there’s enough information to say definitively, one way or another, whether the game will get a physical copy. Based on what we’ve seen, this game could be considered one of the best games of 2025.
Is There a Physical Copy of Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles?
You can totally grab a physical copy of Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles. This updated version of the classic tactical RPG is actually getting a wide physical release for a bunch of platforms and in different regions. Just like Denuvo, some parts of this are annoying.
For anyone playing on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, you’ll find the standard physical editions are out there. If you’re wondering about other places, the regional availability confirms physical copies are out there. For instance, Southeast Asia is getting physical versions for PS5 and Nintendo Switch, and they’re being distributed by Bandai Namco, which is pretty common for Square Enix in that area.
In Japan, the game is getting a normal physical release on the original Switch and a code-in-a-box for the Switch 2. Importantly, if you buy the physical edition for the older Switch, you get a free update to the Switch 2 version benefits when you play it on the newer console.
Why Is Final Fantasy Tactics: TIC Mostly Sold as Digital?
It looks like Square Enix is really pushing a digital-first strategy for Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles. If you’re a collector who loves having physical copies, you might be a little bummed because they seem pretty limited. There are a few reasons this is happening, and it all comes down to how games are sold these days.
One huge factor is just how game distribution has changed. Digital stores like Steam, Xbox, and PS4 make buying and downloading games instant, and it cuts out all those manufacturing, shipping, and retail costs for Square Enix. That means lower overhead for them and quicker access for us. The biggest clue here is that they aren’t even offering physical editions for PC and Xbox at all. The official announcement says that physical copies are only available for PS5 and Nintendo Switch.
This is a pretty common move for Square Enix lately, and it suggests they’re only targeting specific console players for those sweet physical discs and cartridges, while everyone else gets the broader digital option. On top of that, the game itself is a remastered classic, and that probably plays a role. While we’re getting graphical overhauls, full voice acting, and some nice quality-of-life improvements, the core is still a “nostalgic recreation” of a game that’s almost 30 years old.
For a title like this, a strong digital release makes sure a massive audience can easily jump in without all the logistical headaches of physical production. This means Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles had to stay mostly digital. It really shows how everything is leaning digital, even in a market that traditionally loves physical media.
