Xenoblade Chronicles Xwas considered an obscure Nintendo title until quite recently, but theXenobladefanbase is happy to see it finally get new attention. WithXenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Editionheaded to the Switch, it cements the series as the newest member of an unusual pair.
The recent announcement thatXenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Editionwill be heading to the Switch this coming March surprised Nintendo fans. Seeing another Wii U exclusive become more widely available is a good sign that the company is showing love to all of its IPs. With the title soon available on the current generation console, theXenobladeseries joins thePikminseriesas only the second first party Nintendo franchise to have all of its mainline games released on the Switch. Seeing these two titles receive this honor over mainstay franchises such as theMarioandZeldagames might be a head-scratcher for some, but the decision may signify that Nintendo is considering a new direction, giving more attention to its underappreciated IPs.
Xenoblade Chronicles X Comes to Nintendo Switch
Xenobladehas become one ofNintendo’s most unique, and complicated, seriesin recent years, blending the JRPG style with action, excellent storytelling, and incredible environments, but it started life as a hidden gem. Developed by Monolith Soft, a first party Nintendo developer,Xenoblade Chronicleswas first released for the Wii without much fanfare. It wasn’t until its protagonist, Shulk, was selected to join theSuper Smash Bros.roster that the game began to see more mainstream appeal, leading to a port of the game on the New 3DS.
This success would also lead to a second and third title, both initially released on the Switch, and a Switch native definitive edition of the first game. That would leave only the series’ second title,Xenoblade Chronicles X, as a Wii U exclusive - until recently, that is. Theannouncement trailer forXenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Editioncompleted the process of bringing everyXenobladegame to the same console for the first time.
The Most Elusive Xenoblade Game Finds a New Home
TheXenobladefanbase is particularly excited about the recent announcement because even some of the series’ biggest fans have yet to experienceXenoblade Chronicles X. Due to the game originally being released for the Wii U, one of Nintendo’s worst selling consoles, and because it came out just as the series was starting to take off, it wasn’t a particularly high selling title. Despite that, fans who have played it typically consider it one ofthe bestXenobladegames, preferring it toXenoblade Chronicles 2. The choice to bringXenoblade Chronicles Xto the Switch ensures that existing fans can now experience the whole franchise, while also making it easier for new fans to break into the series.
Pikmin is Becoming a Flashship Franchise
LikeXenoblade,Pikminis another Nintendo IP that debuted fairly recently compared to the company’s classic titles. The firstPikmingame was released for the Gamecube in 2001, with a sequel coming 3 years later for the same console. The series would go dark, though, untilPikmin 3came out for the Wii U in 2013. The third game’s success would lead toPikmin 4, which was released on the Switch last year. President of Nintendo, Shuntaro Furukawa, has even said that he seesPikminas a flagship franchise for the company, so it’s likely that more games are on the way. Some even believePikmin 5may be in the works for the Switch 2. This could be why both thePikmin 1+2 BundleandPikmin 3were rereleased on the Switch.
A Pikmin Spin-off in the Works
As evidence of the importance of thePikminfranchise, it has already been confirmed that another game is being worked on.It is believed that this game will be aPikminspin-off titlerather thanPikmin 5, joining two other spin-offs that remain relegated to mobile and the 3DS. The upcoming game, whatever it may be, is believed to be coming out for the Switch’s successor, ensuring thatPikminhas a future as a Nintnedo mainstay. That future looks bright for bothPikminandXenoblade, and fans can pick upXenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Editionon August 02, 2025.
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition
WHERE TO PLAY
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