Remember the Wii U, Nintendo’s console that, while innovative, seemed to be just a little bit ahead of its time?
(Perhaps it was just a little misunderstood). One of its gems, the sprawling open-world RPG Xenoblade Chronicles X, is now making its way to the Nintendo Switch. Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition launches this week on March 20th.
For those who missed it the first time around, this is a chance to dive into a truly massive adventure. Earth is gone, and humanity has crash-landed on the alien planet Mira. It’s your job to customize your character and help carve out a future for the survivors. The trailer showcases the game’s key features: the breathtaking scale of Mira’s five distinct continents, the bustling hub city of New Los Angeles, a fast-paced combat system with customizable “Arts,” a wealth of missions, and the iconic, transforming Skells – powerful mechs that let you traverse the landscape and dominate in battle. This “Definitive Edition” even boasts enhanced visuals and new story content, promising a more complete experience than the original.
Weird timing for Xenoblade Chronicles X on the Switch?
However, for those of us who did trek across Mira on the Wii U back in 2015, the timing of this release feels a tad… bittersweet. We’re now firmly in the Nintendo Switch era, and whispers (or perhaps louder murmurs) of its successor – let’s informally call it the “Switch 2” for now – are becoming increasingly frequent.
Here’s the rub: Xenoblade Chronicles X was always a technically ambitious game for the Wii U hardware. Its vast, seamless world often pushed the console to its limits. While the “Definitive Edition” promises visual enhancements for the Switch, one can’t help but wonder if releasing this so close to the anticipated arrival of more powerful hardware is a missed opportunity.
Imagine experiencing the colossal scale of Mira, the intricate details of the alien environments, and the fluid transformations of the Skells with the horsepower of a next-generation console. Could a “true” next-gen upgrade have delivered the definitive definitive edition, one that truly realized the original vision without the technical compromises inherent in even the upgraded Switch version?
Ambition vs. Wii U
It’s a familiar story for Wii U owners. Games with grand ambitions sometimes felt held back by the hardware, leaving us dreaming of what could have been on a more powerful system. While the Switch has certainly proven its capabilities, the timing of this re-release begs the question: is this the best possible version of Xenoblade Chronicles X, or a solid but perhaps slightly underpowered stopgap before a potential, more significant upgrade down the line?
For newcomers, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition on Switch is undoubtedly a compelling package, offering a massive and unique RPG experience. But for those who braved Mira on the Wii U, the launch so close to the rumored next-gen hardware might leave a lingering sense of “what if?” Could this beloved title have soared to even greater heights with a release tailored for more powerful technology?
When can you get Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition?
We’ll have to explore Mira once more on March 20th to see just how “definitive” this edition truly is, but the timing certainly raises an eyebrow for those looking towards the future of Nintendo gaming. Buying on the eShop before April 6th gets you an additional Exploration Support Package with credits, weapons, armor and more. Physical purchases from GameStop will get a code for the same. Buying Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition on Amazon may cost less, but you won’t get the Exploration Support Package.
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is currently £49.99 (or $59.99) on the Nintendo eShop.
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