Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Everything new in Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition on Nintendo Switch

First released on the Wii in 2010, Xenoblade Chronicles went on to spawn a sequel — Xenoblade Chronicles 2 — and even earned a rerelease on the Nintendo 3DS. Now, the game is making its way to the Nintendo Switch in the form of Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition. And not content to simply update the graphics and call it a day, Monolith Soft and Nintendo are doing everything they can to make it live up to its name. Here’s all the new content you can expect to see in Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition on the Nintendo Switch.

Further Reading

New Epilogue

Image used with permission by copyright holder

There are plenty of reasons why veteran Xenoblade players might want to pick up the latest edition on the Switch. Whether they want to experience the game with improved visuals, relive a classic tale, or just have the game available in a portable form, the Switch version will offer it all. However, Definitive Edition owners will also be receiving exclusive story content in the form of the “Future Connected” Epilogue.

Details are vague as to what players can expect — Monolith Soft doesn’t want to spoil the new narrative — but we do know that it will run for approximately 11 hours. That’s just for the main story of the epilogue — if players choose to complete all the side-quests, they’re looking at a solid 24 hours of new content. Diehard fans certainly won’t want to miss out on this new chapter of Xenoblade lore.

Updated UI

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Along with the updated high-definition graphics, Xenoblade Chronicles will be getting an overhaul of its user interface. Not only are the menus much clearer and easier to read than they were on the Wii — all thanks to sharper visuals — but they’ve also been reworked from the ground up. Both the inventory and combat menu look drastically different than they did ten years ago and do a much better job of conveying info to the user.

The first thing you’ll notice about them is how crisp and clear they look compared to their predecessors. Gone are the muddy textures and overly complex designs. Instead, they are replaced with minimalist graphics that do a better job of showing the stats you’re interested in without bogging down the screen. There’s a lot to keep track of in Xenoblade Chronicles, and the enhanced menu system makes it easier than ever to manage your party.

New Soundtrack

???? Kick back and enjoy the remastered Colony 9 theme from Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition, coming to Nintendo Switch on 29th May! pic.twitter.com/bpMGpWFBVe

— Nintendo UK (@NintendoUK) April 23, 2020

In another welcome change, most of the original soundtrack has been reworked for the Definitive Edition. The game is taking advantage of the technological advancements the Switch has over the Wii, meaning the audio files won’t have to be compressed like they were in 2010. This translates to a much cleaner sound, and the difference is immediately apparent — at times it almost sounds like a brand-new soundtrack. If you really want to relive the 2010 experience you can choose to do so, as the Definitive Edition will let you switch between the original and remastered soundtrack at will.

Editors' Recommendations

Jon Bitner
Jon Bitner is a writer covering consumer electronics, technology, and gaming. His work has been published on various websites…
Can you play the Nintendo Switch Lite on a TV?
nintendo new switch lite model fcc joy con drift blue

The Nintendo Switch Lite is the smaller, more affordable sibling of the standard Nintendo Switch. This makes it a great option for frugal shoppers, as it's capable of playing all the same games yet carries a much friendlier price tag. However, the Switch Lite doesn't share all the same features as the standard Switch. A big difference is that it won't fit in a traditional Switch dock. That means you'll need to pick up a third-party model if you want somewhere to store and charge your handheld while it's not in use.

But can you play the Nintendo Switch Lite on a TV while it's docked? And is it possible to play Switch Lite on a TV using an HDMI cable or other workaround? Here's everything you need to know about the device.
Can you play the Nintendo Switch Lite on a TV?

Read more
The best single-player games
The Master Sword in Tears of the Kingdom.

It's never been a better time to be a multiplayer gamer, with fantastic titles such as Fortnite, GTA Online, and Call of Duty: Warzone taking the industry by storm. However, the same can be said about single-player experiences, especially in recent years thanks to the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Dedicated single-player games are some of the richest, most beloved experiences in the medium, and in this list, we'll go through the very best. These are the best single-player games.

Read more
The best Switch games for 2024
Mario, Mallow, and Bowser sit in a clown car in Super Mario RPG.

The Nintendo Switch has had a lot of success in the nearly six years since its release. The console-handheld hybrid has been on the market since 2017, and a slew of fantastic games from first- and third-party developers have launched over the course of the system's life cycle. Recently, heavy hitters such as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder have boosted the system's appeal, while a healthy list of upcoming Switch games continues to drum up excitement.

There are plenty of incredible games to enjoy on the Switch right now. But which ones should you check out? These are the best Nintendo Switch games (including free-to-play titles) for 2023.
Action

Read more