Nintendo has announced Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition for Nintendo Switch, coming out on 30th March 2025 for the game’s 10th anniversary, and removing one more reason to keep you Wii U plugged in… or maybe even to keep it at all!
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition promises to enhance the sci-fi RPG epic on its way to the Switch, with the original game pushing the Wii U to the limits and making certain sacrifices to stick to 30FPS – though it did manage to hold this target a lot.
The Definitive Edition does also promise some new story elements. It’s not clear what this will be, and could be integrated into the main story alongside other side-missions and quests, or a separate addendum, similar to what we’ve seen with the most recent Xenoblade Chronicles remaster.
Compared to other entries in the series, there’s a pretty big tonal shift for Xenoblade Chronicles X, with more of a sci-fi feel, some clashing art styles, and more. The game takes us to the year 2054 with Earth destroyed in the crossfire of an alien war, and just a small number of survivors surviving to make it to the planet Mira. It’s up to you to explore this land as part of BLADE, help found New Los Angeles, and take on online missions and grand multiplayer Global Nemesis Battles for up to 31 players – the online is returning for this Nintendo Switch remaster.
Xenoblade Chronicles X is one of the last major Nintendo Wii U games that will be ported to Nintendo Switch – and quite possibly doing so right around the launch of the anticipated Switch successor. Pretty much everything else, from Mario platformers, to Donkey Kong, and even other niche JRPGs like Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore have been ported across. At this point, it’s really just the run-of-the-mill sports and Mario RPGs, and games that can only work with the Wii U Gamepad’s second screen that are trapped on the system – your Affordable Space Adventures, Star Fox Zero and Star Fox Guard, Nintendo Land are the last few standouts (for better or worse)
Looking back at the original release and our Xenoblade Chronicles X review, Dom said, “Xenoblade Chronicles X is a genuinely enthralling game. It doesn’t take it easy on you though, and the perseverance and attention required may override the spectacle and beauty found here. Fans of the last game may also struggle with the tonal and technical shift, but if you want to experience one of the most involving, creative and expansive open worlds ever created, Xenoblade Chronicles X is essential.”
