Here at Nintendo Life we're big fans of Xenoblade Chronicles, Monolith Soft's 2012 epic JRPG for Wii. We were big fans of it then, we were big fans of it when it was squeezed onto a portable console in Xenoblade Chronicles 3D for New Nintendo 3DS in 2015, too. However, if you somehow missed either of its previous iterations, fear not - Nintendo has announced that Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition is Switch-bound in 2020.
We've already had Xenoblade Chronicles 2 on Switch (and if you can follow the pattern, you can probably guess we were fans of that, too), so it's fabulous news that the original adventure starring Shulk (also a Smash Bros. fighter, of course) and Fiora is also coming to the console.
Once this Definitive Edition of the original game lands on Switch we'll only be missing the also-excellent Xenoblade Chronicles X from Wii U. Reckon there's any chance that'll get the port treatment, too? Let us know below.
Comments 119
DIRECTLY INTO MY VEINS PLEASE. It looks so amazing! I was actually wondering just the other day what this would look like remastered! And honestly I'm glad they didn't make the art style look like Xenoblade 2. That's one of the main things that's kept me from getting that game.
So now we're pretty much confirmed to be getting a Xenoblade X port right?
Edit: Also I really love that we're apparently getting the unused Bionis shoulder area this time around!
This is the best announcement ever!
If you've never played this game, this is the time. In the running for my favourite JRPG of all time
Be still my heart. Best JRPG ever. ^^
This was the one thing I was really hoping to happen, and it finally did. Yesssss, so much yes. Definite Day One buy for me, finally we can have this masterpiece in HD and in handheld mode.
A weak way to end the direct in my opinion but still a good direct.
Got this on the 3ds and never finished it because it looked so bad..cant wait to play this on switch!
This definitely was the best part of the direct. It even seems to include the cut content. This is a day one buy from me.
Really glad this got annouced so more people will get to play this masterpiece. I really don't need to get it again but I probably will considering it's my favourite JRPG ever.
X fans on suicide watch.
Going to be a great 2020.
I am so excited, even though I've played it it's one of my favourite games. As soon as I heard that main theme I just had the most enormous grin
Fun fact, that last area they showed is an unused area from the beta. Yup, they're adding new areas )
I'M SOOOOOOOOO HAPPPYYYYY!!!!! SOOOOOOOO HAPPYYYYYYYYYY!!! I almost cried honestly hahaha. Loved this direct and LOVE this game!!!
I was hoping for Chronicles X as well, but I'm looking forward to playing this.
Xenoblade Chronicles is one of my all-time favorite games, I love it so much I imported the complete soundtrack. One of the things that captivated me was just how beautiful the game was. After playing Xenoblade Chronicles 2 I wished so much for a HD remake but I didn’t think it would ever happen. When I saw that it has happened I screamed at the top of my lungs with joy.
Best direct ever.....
If this game sells, they have no excuse to not bring over an XCX port, it doesn't even need any work.
I actually started shouting in happiness when I saw this! So stinking happy! I can finally play it on the go on a screen that doesn't look like 2007 YouTube on dial up!
I can't help but feel this was a missed opportunity to not be bundled with X and released as some form of bundle.
As we know this got ported to 3DS, but it also got the Wii U "port" treatment as a downloadable Wii Game that was fully playable with the gamepad if people remember. That version cost a fraction of what this one will though
@Deku-Scrub Needs more Reyn
Easily the highlight of the direct for me, though that’s not really saying much, unfortunately. Very happy that they’re adding in new content; I thought that part at the end was Outlook Park at first. Makes more sense now why they ended the trailer on that shot.
Played it for hours, loved it and despite all that I actually never got beyond the first half of the adventure (if not even the first quarter XD)
A truly massive game, maybe this new release may be the chance to get on board again and finally finish it.
I've wanted to play this and even have it on N3DS, but couldn't get with the graphics, this better graphics version definitely has me interested. I absolutely loved XC2. I'd also really like to try out XCX though.
This is really cool, yeah!
But can someone confirm if that's the Bionis Shoulder, the area that was cut in the original Xenoblade Chronicles? My memory is a bit hazy.
I will get it! One of my favorite games!
But here's hoping for XC3.
Oh yeah baby I am so IN!!!
Insta buy. I was so excited when I saw this reveal.
Finally!
Now we need XCX.
I've had the 3DS version until recently, but just couldn't stand knowing it's an objectively inferior version and sold it without really playing it. Pleased to see that I will be able to enjoy the game in its full glory on Switch.
Now port of X seems to be only a matter of time.
Yes!!! This is gonna be so awesome.
@Dawn-Shade Seems like it! Soo excited if it's indeed that!
@link3710 I have played all three Xenoblade game and one and two have some issues but they didn’t amount to too much. Now X on the other hand needs some more polish cause its got more than a few problems that add up fairly quick and hurt the game.
@GrandScribe Oh I agree, I misspoke. I meant, graphically, it doesn't need any work. Any port should still have QoL work.
Wow that direct was awesome for me personally and now this! God I love my switch now, and knowing they are finally bringing SNES games to online! Well I’m finally getting a subscription as it will only get better.
Bravo Nintendo
Like I said, it's one amazing game I'll be ironically hesitant to buy and start again - after all the 75 hours of roaming Bionis, battling tough fauna, collecting gear and questing around with residential areas' entire social life taking shape around the cast party, there's a certain sense of dread about deliberately abandoning that save file, and a cross-platform transfer frankly sounds like a pipe dream. But you bet this port will be teasing me with its very existence regardless, especially as the "Definitive" tag appears to ensure that Japanese audio will make a comeback.
@Quarth they set the story up for a XC3 with Ontos disappearing leaving behind only Pneuma (Pyra and Mythra), and Logos (Malos).
The first Xenoblade is so milked, Wii release, followed by Wii U & New 3DS ports. And the latter one is till not discounted. Bring the new title, Monolith, Xenoblade Chronicles 3, X2 or at least a some nice spin-off like Xenoblade Chronicles: Colony 9 Afteryears.
It's great news, but come on Monolith, can you give us Disaster: Day of Crisis remastered too?
Amazing game. When I heard the music,it stirred emotions inside ofmeI never knew could be evoked by agam. Loveit. Can't wait.
Oh and jedi outcast was a pleasant surprise.
But the rest of Direct... bad, for me.
I am starting to dislike Nintendo I must add. I don't want to, but I do. "Switch" Lite, improved switch version with better battery life than a dedicated handheld... Joycon drifts... Their hardware used to be top notch quality, but now...I don't know... their logic puzzles me... I'm turning into a hater. Nooooooo!
So much yes. This'll be my third time playing it, having tracked down a copy for Wii, and then buying the NN3DS version, and boye does it look damn pretty. I'm so looking forward to what they put into it. If it's just putting Bionis' Shoulder (Which was the area in the end shot, at least going from what I've seen of the datamines), then so be it, but I'm rather hoping they redo out some of the end and postgame quests, just to tie up a few loose ends.
Whilst XCX would be nice, I kinda feel like that game needs to have some fairly hefty work done on it to make it feel more... complete? The pacing of the end segments feel rushed, especially the exploration of Cauldros, and the cap at 60 also feels really off. The online segments could also do with some work, as they also feel bizarrely separate. (And let's not forget the audio issues...) I just get the feeling the whole game suffered from some serious time constraint issues, and it would be much nicer if they took their time, built on what they had, and improved upon it to be the experience they intended. We're only 2.5 years into the switch anyway. There's still time for XCXDE, XCX2 or XC3 to be done up before the Switch breathes its last hurrah.
I wonder if it is a remake or just a hd remaster?
The environment look like its just a remaster but the character models look so much better (like they were from XC2)
Also there isnt that great of a graphical jump between XC and XC2 so we probably woulndt even notice if it is a remake or remaster ^^
My favorite announcement this direct.
No longer need to dust off the Wii this year, can't wait to give this one another run.
Is that the damn Bionis Shoulder?
I am gonna have to buy this again, don't I?
Let's just hope this won't be a GameStop exclusive, where they will charge a premium price for it, even if it's pre-owned.
Also, here's hope that Xenoblade Chronicles X will make it to the Switch, sans the censorship in the North American version.
I couldn’t get into 2, will I like this one? I enjoyed the combat somewhat, but didn’t care for the characters or the performance on handheld.
Wow it’s surprising to see all the rave reviews here for this one,, I never gave it a whirl. Was pretty disappointed that this was the big end reveal tbh, but maybe I’ll have to give it a go!?
I really really hope we get an X port.
@GrandScribe Please also play Xenogears and Saga.
I'm really Feeling it!!
To make everyone feel old:
Xenoblade Chronicles originally released in 2010 in Japan.
Xenoblade Chronicles DE will release in 2020, 10 years later.
@Trajan if I can get my hands on them I certainly will!
Best announcement! I love this saga, and this has some new stuff it seems. Ufff 2020 is looking so good...
I'm glad Shulk is coming back. I hope they remastered all of Operation Rainfall games including The Last Story and Pandora's Tower. I also hope for a Xenoblade Chronicles X Remastered.
Reyn time in HD
Goodness, and I was just listening to the soundtrack and reminiscing about the game earlier today.
A proper HD remaster is exactly what this game deserved.
This game looks so good. Looks like it mixes a bit of XC2's artstyle in with the original, and it looks so much better than even an emulated XC1. I cannot wait for this. Here's hoping we get an XCX port to complete the collection.
So I wonder if this is an actual remake given the inclusion of at least one new area. I'd imagine it also means more cutscenes.
What I'm almost 100% sure of is that they'll definitely do one big (and I'd say necessary) design change. I'd spell it out in spoiler tags, but have no idea how to do it. Anyway, I'm sure all my fellow Xenoblade fans know what I'm referring to.
@retro_player_22 I’m with you. Yeah Nintendo should definitely remaster Last Story and Pandora’s Tower. And Sin and Punishment Star Successor HD would be cool too
@personauser93 This game won awards for a reason.
I was hoping this would happen. I’ve been predicting this for almost two years now. I’m so happy to see that it’s finally coming soon. The game is just begging for an HD remaster. So exciting!
I’m playing this on the 3DS. And I am so glad it is coming to Switch. Far more people need to play this game!
I cried when I saw this. I'm not kidding
Nice. A better looking version. Now, I’m glad I stopped playing beyond 10 hours. I’ll be picking this up.
This is the single game that catapulted the Direct straight from "decent" into "amazing* territory for me. Finding a physical copy of the current two iterations is expensive! Needless to say I'm thrilled!
Day 1 buy. This Direct was amazing, a lot of great surprises!
I'll admit that I was a bit disappointed that this was the end reveal since I was hoping they'd uphold the 2019 pattern of Zelda reveals (TP/WW HD or SS HD). I've never played any of the Xenoblade games.
I'm now glad I didn't buy the 3DS version when I seriously considered it after buying a New 2DS XL a few months ago. Perhaps it's time to give Xenoblade a try.
I'm just about to finish the game for a second time on the N3DS... I don't know if I have it in me... Oh my god... I know I will do it eventually.
I finished X and haven't even started 2 or Torna... but still I know I will end up buying this... DANG IT!!!!
BTW, they should bring the Xenogears Saga to Switch and just put a lock on my free time.
This needed to happen. The Wii version arrived fairly late into the Wii's life (Even later in the US) and copies are not exactly cheap these days. While having a 3DS port helped, you needed a New 3DS to play it, something not everyone had or were on the fence about upgrading. The Wii U download....yeah barely anyone had a Wii U so no help there
Now we're getting an even more complete experience with no hurdles like the other versions. It will reach way more JRPG fans than ever before and will sit very nicely with its sequel.
I may prefer XC2 (It is my fav game ever after all) but XC1 is still a all time Top 10 game for me. You can bet I am going to quadruple drip on this and playthrough again for the cut content alone.
This was a very nice surprise from a Direct that had a fair few leaks ad rumors come true. And not to mention perfect for me to return to XC2 for unfinished business.
@Coach_A Its a complete remake though, not just a remaster so a bundle with X wouldnt make sense.
There's my excuse to getting into this series. Sorry, wallet.
Got this game day one when it was a gamestop exclusive and it completely took over my life like no other rpg has done before. Got X and 2 and neither of them hooked me like this one did. I will definently get this again!
A little disappointed it isn't a new game from Monolith (Baiten Kaitos 3, XCX2, or a new series altogether) but I can't hate this game. Easily one of my favorites. I hope they add more scenes/voice acting (FE; Three Houses spoiled me...). Adam Howden (Shulk's Voice actor) did mention he finished recording lines recently. Either they've redone all the voice work, or added new stuff.
If they've redone the voice work they better not have replaced Reyn or Dunban...at least the trailer hinted Alvis is the same. I couldn't even fathom Reyn-Time with another voice actor.
@personauser93 I couldn't get into 2 either (though I did like the cutscenes and voiceacting and characters from it).
I prefer this game and XCX, the battle system of XC2 killed it for me, but the battle systems of these 2 prior entries are much better imo
New location as well. Looks like the deleted “shoulder”
This is my all time favorite game!!!
Hopefully we get Xenoblade X next
Literally just picked up a used 3ds copy the other day. Guess I'll just wait to play the better version
may i ask.
do switch owners ever look forward to actual new games not games that have been released multiple times, downgraded that have been released 10 years ago
I adored this game on Wii. It was the first JRPG I really got into and I spent a crazy amount of time in its world but the entire time, I couldn't get away from the fact that it would have looked so much better in HD. My hype for X was through the roof..... and then I played it and it put me off the series. This remaster will be mine day one though, cannot wait.
@The_ghostmen I'm playing Fire Emblem Three Houses right now. Then I'd like to play Astral Chain (both very new) then I want Daemon X Machina. And my kids want Luigi's Mansion 3. (All of which are out between now and October) there are plenty of New games to play
Was hoping for Xenoblade Chronicles X guess I will just have to go off and Shulk.
i love this series so much and couldnt believe xenoblade 2 was connected to the first one after seeing the creator.
Nothing can top this announcement for me!
Game looks glorious. Can't wait to dive into this masterpiece again.
@BakaKnight I was the same. The side quests seemed endless and is the ultimate reason why I gave up on it.
Man, just when I thought I could forget about it because its price is impossible on Wii, and that it wasn't that bad after all because I don't need more time consuming RPGs...
I totally loved XC2, so I'll be delighted to finally play XC1 too! At some point I considered getting 2DS to play it. Glad I held it off!
@MonadoBoy yeah, I was really confused for a moment when they seemed to be in Outlook Park and then what appears to be Alcamoth was sitting there in the sky.
@personauser93 depends on why you didn't like XC2. 2 has some annoyances that are unique to it, like the infuriating RNG blade system, but in many respects they're similar.
If your only problem with 2 was poor graphical performance in handheld, that probably won't be present here.
I need X... guess I need to wait 4 more years for it.
Great news ! Xenoblade Chronicles was one of my favorite Wii games. Xenobalde X in the WiiU was... not for me. Too empty, too slow placed and eventhough I really WANTED to like it and put 30 hours into it, I was dissapointed in the end. But luckily Part 2 for the Switch was great again
The Switch is absolutely decimating my allowance...
@Scoopz this ain't a remake. At least not from the trailer. You can still clearly see the low res assets
Shared some screams with the boys when this was shown. Unbelievably hyped for this, especially considering I've been dreaming of seeing the original Xenoblade Chronicles reimagined in its sequel's style for the last couple years.
Wasn't expecting this — especially not with a graphical update!
@personauser93 Well, the characters are a lot better in XC1, in my opinion.
So, If that was your issue, XC1 might be better for you.
Regarding performance, we have to wait wait and see, of course.
Considering that XC2 got performance enhancements through Patches and especially the addon being already a lot better than the main game... I am not too worried.
Now that's good news! Gonna get it for sure, only ever played the 3ds version and the graphics and slowdown hurt.
Cya
Raziel-chan
I bought the Wii version about 9 months ago and finished it, with all available side quests and such about a month ago. Gonna be a hard pass from me as I can already new game plus and kill the five super bosses and get a story catch up.
So, I was holding out on Xenoblade Chronicles 2, since I had never had the opportunity to play part 1... well...
That’s cool I guess, never played it, but I expected something like Xc3 in development/2020
@Giygas_95 Looks pretty close to the XC2 art style to me...
It’s Reyn time!!!
@frabbit It's the eyes. The eyes in this remake don't look completely stupid. 😂
@Giygas_95 haha fair!
I would have liked a new Xenoblade game but i will take this got Xenoblade one for the 3DS put around 30 hours into it and stopped playing so excited to jump back into it will say maybe this shouldn't have closed the Direct because it is just a HD port
i need to go back to the original version and beat it. glad to see a remastered though.
I really enjoyed this game on the New 3DS, but I never did finish it. It'll be nice to have it on the Switch with a larger, clearer image.
I really hope they add a fast-forward button. The pacing of this game feels numbingly slow at times...
So this was the surprise at the end, huh? I wonder how "definitive" it will be! I see it's actually being remade on the XC2 engine, which means it's much more than a simple remaster, similar to Shadow of the Colossus I guess.
But anyway, while this is looking exciting for me, I'm glad they're saving the bigger announcements for next year
The only thing that irked me about the original was Shulk's running animation.
The models were rough looking but they fit the environment well enough.
Y E S P L E A S E
I'm over the moon right now, it's literally a dream come true!
It's Reyn time!
This is great, I've been waiting for the original since I finished up XC2! I played it on the N3DS since I never had it on Wii. It was OK, but I was missing out on what it could be. A chance to revisit it properly really is exciting, even with the plot twists spoiled already.
I do hope they find a way to port X as well, just to have the complete series available on Switch.
@Coach_A low res assets is your only counter? The art style is completely different and matches xenoblade chronicles 2 (suggesting use of this newer engine) the polygon count is substantially increased, the textures are different and higher resolution as is the lighting model. Its not just a hd remaster its clearly a remake. Go youtube a video of xenoblase chronicles 1 for the Wii. I think youve forgotten what that looked like
I hope they fix the game's more obnoxious UI elements.
I'm really feeling it!
Nintendo, how could you make me triple dip? I wonder what kind of naughty special edition they'll have? My one regret is not buying the special edition of the original.
@Scoopz
My bad on the low res textures. That was just my low quality stream of the direct.
I'm still in the boat of "remaster" though as a side by side comparison shows every camera angle and movement to be nearly identical. I'd say all the coding it the same as it was with new models.
Funny how monolith can do this in a couple of years, while final fantasy 7r is still in development
It's such a beautiful world and environment, the Wii's graphics really didn't do it justice and I've always felt if it was on the PS3/360 it would have been talked up as one of the best games of the era. Instead it was tucked away on Wii in it's last days and even kept from America until it was really too late for people to appreciate. They attempted to give people the chance to play it on 3DS but you had to buy a new model to do that, and it still didn't look any better (actually worse, which was obvious). So the fact we are finally getting this in HD, and not just up-scaled from the Wii version (which people have been able to play for years on the internet) but completely remodeled character faces to give them more expression is amazing. If I had to name one game I ever wanted to see given a modern day polish, this is it.
Man, what a bunch of jokers.
One of my fave ever games although not sure i have enough free time to play through it again gven the backlog!
Literally just started xc2 this week and enjoying it so far. Loving the regional voices again, very different.
I hope, they'll make a remaster of the Cross, too.
@mariomaster96
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiuDtvs-71Q
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...