Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition may be the best way to play Nintendo's hit RPG, according to a video comparing each version of Xenoblade Chronicles from a graphical and performance point of view. From the beginning, the recently released Switch 2 port on Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition immediately stood out from its predecessors.
Xenoblade Chronicles first launched on the Wii in Japan in June 2010, with releases in other territories in 2011 and 2012. Xenoblade Chronicles tells the story of Shulk, a boy who experiences brief visions of events seconds before they happen. Wielding a mystical sword called the Monado, Shulk and his companions travel across the titanic bodies of Bionis and Mechonis on a journey that includes the most iconic plot twist in the JRPG genre. Years later, Xenoblade Chronicles was ported to New Nintendo 3DS in April 2015 and to Nintendo Switch in May 2020.
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Xenoblade Chronicles looks better than ever on Switch 2
Now, one of the best games in the Xenoblade ChroniclesThe s series looks even better thanks to the arrival of its Switch 2 port. A YouTube video by ElAnalistaDeBits shared some insights into how the first few hours of Xenoblade Chronicles played out across the Wii, New Nintendo 3DS, Switch and Switch 2 editions of the game. From the beginning, the video noted how the first three versions of Xenoblade Chronicles ran at 30 frames per second (FPS) at various resolutions.
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The New 3DS and Wii versions were locked to 240p and 480p resolutions respectively, while the original Switch version of Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition ran at a dynamic 540p resolution in handheld mode and dynamic 720p while docked. By comparison, the Switch 2 version can of Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition runs at a consistent 60 FPS in most situations, with a 1080p resolution in handheld mode and an upscaled 4K resolution while docked.
Given that the Switch 2 is stated to have 10 times the graphical power of the original Switch, the upscaled 4K textures in Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition likely used Nvidia's DLSS technology. However, the graphics upgrade isn't the only change that Switch 2 players may experience. Most of the Xenoblade Chronicles' Heart-to-heart conversations between characters have been given full expression. Additionally, after completing the “World-Changing Whatchamajig” quest near the refugee camp on Bionis' leg, players can access a vehicle called the Ether Jet. The jet can then be used to traverse the open worlds of the base Xenoblade Chronicles the game and Future Connected expansion if necessary.
The Switch 2 version of the Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition marked a turning point for Nintendo and Monolith Soft. Earlier in 2026, the Switch 2 port on Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition was marred by controversy as players reported performance issues compared to the original Switch version. In response to the performance issues, Nintendo granted refunds to Xenoblade Chronicles X player who requested one.
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As of this writing, the digital version of the Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is available for $69.99 on the Nintendo Store, with an upgrade pack for $9.99 for players who already own the Switch version. Also, the Switch has 2 ports for Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and Xenoblade Chronicles 3 will also be released digitally on July 30 and December 3, respectively.
- Released
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May 29, 2020
- ESRB
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T for teens due to blood, mild language, partial nudity, use of alcohol and tobacco, violence
- Publisher
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Nintendo
