Time has mended what Nintendo and Square Enix (then Squaresoft) have been through after "Final Fantasy VII" left for PlayStation but it is still interesting what happened on that fateful day of divorce. What Nintendo allegedly said gave a nice point of discussion over a cup of coffee now that Square Enix is going all out support to upcoming Nintendo Switch.

Remember that Nintendo and Square Enix have a nice tandem during late 80's when "Final Fantasy" series was reaping everything from the gaming world. Suddenly, the relationship has gone lukewarm after Square Enix decided to hold back "Final Fantasy VII" from Nintendo 64 and route towards PlayStation.

Several Square Enix developers can clearly remember the words uttered by Nintendo back then: "If you're leaving us, never come back." These are exactly how character programmer Hiroshi Kawai remembered the words, according to Gamnesia. Then Kawai added that some peers are trying to downplay what Nintendo said.

At any rate, Square Enix's Hironobu Sakaguchi said that there was no hard feeling back when they told Nintendo of their decision to leave. In fact, everything was talked over very expensive bento meal and few bottles of beer. Sakaguchi said that even after "Final Fantasy VII" leaving, Nintendo's Yamauchi-san gave them a pat over the shoulder and wished them well. The full history of Squaresoft and "Final Fantasy VII" can be traced at Polygon.

The same notion was supported by Square Enix executive vice president for U.S. Yoshihiro Maruyama. He described that Nintendo never gave them a hard time leaving, taking "Final Fantasy VII" with them. Maruyama added that it has always been Nintendo's ethos that their own hardware is for Nintendo exclusives. Any developer can port their game for Nintendo but can also leave if they don't buy the philosophy.

In the end, people have grown up and time changed despite what Nintendo and Square Enix have been through during "Final Fantasy VII" development. What was then Squaresoft have grown into a company with hundreds of employees and the best minds in games development.