REVIEW: ‘Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition’ Is Beautiful On Switch 2 But Still Carries Some Issues

Nintendo continues porting past titles to its latest console, with Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition for Nintendo Switch 2 being the latest to make the journey. Monolith Soft’s iconic franchise brings another entry to the Switch 2, following Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, which was released back in February.

While that port was solid, with a relatively solid 60fps, it did suffer from upscaling issues that made the entire game have a smear-like visual effect. Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition for Nintendo Switch 2 doesn’t suffer anywhere near as much, making it a fantastic way to play a classic, but still has its own issues to contend with.

Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition for Nintendo Switch 2 follows the story of Shulk and his companions as they set out to take revenge on a Mechon invader that attacked his home. It’s a solid and engaging action RPG that is as good now as it was then, with the narrative and gameplay loop holding up despite the original game launching back in 2010. 

Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition for Nintendo Switch 2 adds even more to an already complete package.

We reviewed the original launch of the definitive edition, which included updated visuals, re-recorded music, quality-of-life improvements, and a new epilogue. We gave it a 9, saying “Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition is an amazingly beautiful game with a great story, coupled with an awesome soundtrack, and cinematics that play out like a movie.

There are tons of side quests to keep you busy and level you up, and while there might not be character creation, you can change the way your characters look with different armor pieces and see your style play out in the cutscenes. The characters seem well-rounded and are enjoyable, and when it comes to battles, there is never a dull moment due to their roles and abilities. Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition is a must-have in your Switch library.” 

With the Switch 2 edition, Nintendo and Monolith Soft add even more to an already seemingly complete package. Visual enhancements aim for 4k resolution docked and 1080p handheld, targeting 60fps on both. Heart-to-hearts, short scenes between characters, are now fully voiced, making them more engaging than before. The epilogue is similarly enhanced, with smooth performance and visuals.

Performance upgrades are hit-or-miss, but the quality-of-life improvements are excellent.

The best new addition is the Ether Jet, a high-speed vehicle that you get relatively early on by completing a side quest. Once you do, you can use it basically anywhere to quickly traverse. Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition for Nintendo Switch 2 has many large, open areas that are now much more manageable and fun to move around in, letting you blast through the environment at faster speeds than before.

It takes a lot of the running around needed for quests and streamlines the process. It’s a great addition that is a ton of fun to use. You can basically use it anywhere, from the halls of Alcamoth to the dense vegetation of Makna Forest, making traversal much more enjoyable. There are even time trials and races to compete in that reward the player with new equipment. 

The performance upgrades, though, are hit-or-miss. The targeted 60fps is largely solid, but it does take some dips. In bigger, wider areas like the Eryth Sea, the frame rate can drop pretty severely, especially in combat. As more enemies come on the screen and multiple attacks pop off at once, it can drop pretty quickly to as low as 30fps. These dips don’t usually last long, but they are noticeable, especially in combat. 

The Switch 2 version is a great way to experience Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition.

Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition for Nintendo Switch 2 also suffers from the same visual issues that Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition does, but the latest port does do a better job. Farther environments do get the same smear effect due to the upscaler used by Monolith Soft, but it isn’t as drastic as before.

Character models look sharp and defined, and the environment does look beautiful, but look too far, and you notice. It is most noticeable with the Ether Jet moving at boost, where the environment melts a bit, almost struggling to keep up. 

Overall, Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition for Nintendo Switch 2 is a solid port that further refines a classic. While visual and performance issues exist, being able to hit a relatively consistent 60fps and a sharper image is worth it.

The Ether Jet is a fantastic addition that genuinely makes traversal enjoyable, and the fully voiced Heart-to-Heart moments are a nice inclusion. For those who have never played it, or even those looking to revisit a classic with new additions, Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition for Nintendo Switch 2 is a great way to go. 

Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition for Nintendo Switch 2 is available now on the Nintendo Switch 2.