Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition launched last year on the Nintendo Switch, finally allowing players to experience one of Monolith Soft’s most unique entries on modern hardware. While that version was a significant visual step up from the Wii U original, it notably lacked 60 FPS gameplay, despite a high framerate mode being discovered hidden deep within its files.
As many speculated at the time, that discovery was clearly groundwork for the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, which officially launched digitally worldwide today.
Announced via a new launch trailer, this updated version brings 4K resolution support in Docked mode and 60 FPS gameplay to the planet Mira. The announcement's wording suggests that 4K resolution shouldn't be expected at all times with dynamic resolution scaling in place, which is to be expected given the game's massive, taxing environments. In handheld mode, the game targets 1080p at 60 FPS. In both cases, the new resolution ranges are a considerable improvement over the original Switch's 504p-720p handheld, 760p-1080p docked resolution ranges.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is available today as a standalone digital release on the eShop or as a digital upgrade pack for existing owners of the Nintendo Switch version. Those holding out for a physical copy will have to wait a bit longer, as the retail version is scheduled for an April 16 release.
With Xenoblade Chronicles X - Definitive Edition receiving the Switch 2 upgrade treatment, the chances of the rest of the series following suit have increased considerably. While the first game is already in a solid state, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and Xenoblade Chronicles 3 would benefit immensely from similar upgrades. Seeing the advanced tech of the second entry running without the severe resolution drops necessitated by the original Switch hardware would be a dream come true for longtime fans of the series, myself included.
About the author: Francesco De Meo has been covering video games and technology since 2012, starting his career at small outlets like Gamersyndrome and GeekSnack. After joining Wccftech gaming section in 2015, he quickly expanded his video gaming coverage with in-depth reporting, interviews with iconic industry figures such as Grasshopper Manufacture founder and No More Heroes creator Goichi "Suda51" Suda, Resident Evil series creator Shinji Mikami, Team NINJA's president and Nioh series director Fumihiko Yasuda, and Silent Hill creator Keiichiro Toyama, reviews and on-the-ground coverage of major industry events such as Gamescom and E3. When he's not reporting or reviewing, Francesco can be found playing the genres he loves most, spending time with his six cats, reading, writing music, playing guitar and drumming for his progressive rock band.
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