Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3: How Queen's Blood and Snowboarding Are Being Enhanced

Director Naoki Hamaguchi has confirmed that Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 will feature major upgrades to two key experiences: the breakout card game Queen's Blood and the classic snowboarding minigame. This news follows the "overwhelming popularity" of Queen's Blood in Rebirth, which has prompted the team to rebuild it as a "more powered-up version" for the finale. Alongside this, the iconic snowboarding sequence is being revived and woven directly into the story. These announcements signal a clear commitment to polishing both the trilogy's newest hits and its most beloved legacy moments into definitive forms.

The Return of a Champion: Queen's Blood Gets a Power-Up

The confirmation came straight from the top. In an interview, director Naoki Hamaguchi stated plainly that the Queen’s Blood card game will return in Part 3, describing the new iteration as a "more powered-up version." This decision wasn't made in a vacuum; Hamaguchi directly cited the minigame's overwhelming popularity in Rebirth as the key reason for its expansion. The development team, it seems, was listening closely to the community’s fervent embrace of this strategic diversion.

But what does "enhanced and expanded" truly mean for players? The possibilities are thrilling. An expanded card pool is a given, potentially introducing new factions, abilities, and synergies that could radically shift the meta. We could see new rules or board mechanics that add another layer of tactical depth. The roster of opponents will likely grow, perhaps culminating in a true "Queen" of the game as a final boss. There’s also strong potential for deeper story integration; could Queen’s Blood tournaments become a plot point, or could key characters use the game as a narrative device? Furthermore, the framework is perfect for a formal competitive mode, allowing players to test their decks against friends or a global leaderboard. Whatever form it takes, the enhancement of Queen’s Blood proves that Square Enix views it not as a mere mini-game, but as a substantial pillar of the Remake project’s gameplay ecosystem.

Blasting from the Past: The Snowboarding Minigame's Story-Driven Return

While Queen’s Blood represents the new, Part 3 is also giving a purposeful glow-up to a piece of classic FF7 nostalgia: the snowboarding minigame. Hamaguchi confirmed its inclusion, but with a crucial, modern twist. Unlike its original incarnation as a fun, isolated sequence or its Rebirth appearance as a Gold Saucer attraction, this version will be "incorporated into the story."

This distinction is significant. It suggests the snowboarding segment will be woven directly into the narrative fabric of Part 3’s journey, likely during the trek toward the Northern Crater. This approach could transform it from a simple reflex-testing diversion into a tense, story-driven escape or pursuit, enhancing the emotional and cinematic weight of the moment. It promises the kinetic thrill of the original but framed within the high-fidelity, cinematic language of the Remake trilogy. This philosophy—taking a beloved, if mechanically simple, classic and re-contextualizing it for a modern narrative—exemplifies the project’s careful balance of reverence and innovation.

The Road to the Conclusion: Part 3's Development Status

Amidst the excitement for enhanced minigames, Hamaguchi also provided a crucial update on the game’s overall development. As of an interview in January 2026, progress on Part 3 is reportedly "very smooth" and on schedule. Perhaps most encouraging for fans is the news that the game has reached a technically playable state.

In development terms, this is a major milestone. It indicates that the core story scenarios, combat systems, world geometry, and key gameplay loops like Queen’s Blood are implemented and functional from start to finish. The team is now in the crucial phase of polishing and refinement—enhancing visuals, balancing combat and card games, optimizing performance, and fleshing out details. While this positive update stokes anticipation, Hamaguchi was clear that no release date or window has been set. The focus remains on quality, ensuring the finale meets the high bar set by its predecessors.

Platform Parity: The Nintendo Switch 2 Factor

The journey to the trilogy’s end will also be reaching a new audience. It has been confirmed that Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and the upcoming Part 3 are in development for the Nintendo Switch 2. For a project known for its visual grandeur and fast-paced combat, this raised questions about potential compromises. However, the development team has committed to ensuring the experience will be "on par with other platforms."

This parity promise is substantial. It suggests that while graphical settings may be adjusted, the core content—the scope of the story, the complexity of Queen’s Blood, the inclusion of all minigames and side content—will remain intact. This strategic move not only expands the potential player base for the finale dramatically but also ensures that the complete Remake trilogy will be accessible on a single, portable console for the first time. The promise of a full-powered Cloud Strife adventure on the go could be a system-seller for the Switch 2 and a perfect way for new players to experience the entire saga.

The planned evolution of Queen’s Blood and the thoughtful integration of classic snowboarding are more than just bonus content; they are promises of a finale being crafted with meticulous care. As development enters its polishing phase, the enhancement of these experiences builds significant anticipation for the culmination of Cloud's journey—a finale poised to deliver a definitive experience, whether on a home console or, for the first time, in the palm of your hands on the Nintendo Switch 2.

Tags: Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Queen's Blood, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Nintendo Switch 2, Video Game Minigames