TheXenoblade Chroniclesfranchise has been one of Nintendo’s tent pole series, despite living in relative obscurity until recently. Despite successful sales with the originalXenoblade Chronicles, the series only really found great commercial success with the launch ofXenoblade Chronicles 2and3on the Nintendo Switch and the re-release of the first game under the nameXenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition.
However, while fans have been enjoying the Switch releases of all three games, there are many who haven’t had the chance to play the all-important spin-offXenoblade Chronicles X, one of thebest open-world JRPGs. That’s because, until recently, it was trapped on Nintendo’s relatively unsuccessful Wii U. However, Nintendo surprisingly announced thatXBCXis coming to the Nintendo Switch. While it is seemingly not that big of a deal for the publisher - it didn’t even get mentioned in a Direct - for fans, this is a huge deal.
Xenoblade Chronicles Is Finally Complete On Switch
The Last Game In The Series Has Been Ported Over
Xenoblade Chronicles Xcoming to the Nintendo Switch means that the entire series is finally available on the same platform, giving Switch players access to thebest JRPGs of all time. This is important not just as it means that dedicated fans don’t have to splash out on a still surprisingly expensive Wii U, but also becauseXenoblade Chronicles X, despite being a spin-off, has ties to the main trilogy. It is referenced a number of times, with characters appearing as cameos and allusions being made, especially at the end ofXenoblade Chronicles 3.
However, the fact that the entire series is available on the same platform across the world speaks to the enormous success of what was once intended to be a Japan and Europe exclusive. In an alternative future - perhaps one in which humanity lives on the backs of giant titans -Xenoblade Chroniclesfaded into cult classic status likeXenosagaandXenogearsbefore it. However, thanks somewhat to the efforts of the Operation Rainfall movement,Xenoblade Chronicleswas brought over to North America and the rest is history.
Reggie Fils-Aime mentioned in an interview withSiliconerathat Operation Rainfall didn’t directly affect Nintendo’s decision to bringXenoblade Chroniclesto North America. However, it was certainly noticed, and likely had an effect, especially considering that prior to the campaign, Nintendo had stated it had absolutely no plans to releaseXenoblade Chroniclesin North America.
Newcomers and fans alike will finally be able to understand all the various references and see Tetsuya Takahashi and Monolith Soft’s vision for the series in its complete form. Additionally,fans will likely get some clarity about the rather abrupt cliffhanger at the end of the gameas theDefinitive Editionadds new story content. If it’s anything likeXenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition’s additional story content, it will be a huge deal for fans.
The Switch Now Has All The Best Wii U Games
Xenoblade Chronicles X Was The Final Holdover
The Wii U had a number of incredible games that relatively few people had the opportunity to playthanks to the console’s poor sales. This includedMario Kart 8,The Wonderful 101,Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE,Super Mario Maker,Pikmin 3,Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, and so many more. Fortunately, all of these eventually got a Nintendo Switch port, bringing over the majority of the Wii U’s library of excellent games.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3’s Open World Is A Great Blueprint For JRPGs
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 has launched on the Nintendo Switch and features an open world map that should be the blueprint for future JRPGs.
However, the one game that hadn’t been brought over wasXenoblade Chronicles X, the game that pushed the console to its absolute limits and was widely regarded as one of thebest Wii U games of all time. Now that it’s coming to the Nintendo Switch, it marks the end of its exclusivity as well as the final Wii U masterpiece coming to the platform.Xenoblade Chronicles Xfinally launching on the Switch is a dream come true for both fans of the series and fans of Nintendo’s misunderstood console.
