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The last Nintendo Direct segment on Xenoblade 2 was an unexpectedly deep dive, so a dedicated presentation just about this one game should be absolutely stuffed with info.
We’ll see November 7 at 6am PT (9am ET), I guess. Man, the global nature of Nintendo’s business means that the same thing -- a Nintendo Direct -- could happen at 11pm or 9am, whatever day.
Featuring a character designed by Tetsuya Nomura?
Yay, Switch RPGs.
Comes with the game, artbook, “matted art card,” and a USB drive with the soundtrack, all in an imposing-looking box. But by far the best feature of this special edition is “being available at more than one store,” something the Wii predecessor could never figure out.
The game, and this bundle, are out December 4.
It’s nice to have a vacation or break from school or just a couple days off work to dig into a giant RPG -- that’s basically the only time I can ever get into one -- and Xenoblade Chronicles X is out in North America December 4.
It’s no surprise that the New 3DS version of Xenoblade Chronicles looks blurry compared to the Wii version, since the resolution of the 3DS screen is so much lower than even the Wii’s SD output. But I like the effect of seeing stuff move back and forth along the screen split here.
Remember those alternate covers Nintendo made for Xenoblade Chronicles’ Wii release? They’re back, in 3DS boxart form! While the images aren’t as high res as I’d like, you can grab them all from this Facebook page.
We’re a week away from Xenoblade Chronicles 3D’s release in the West for New 3DSes! You can tell this because we have a UK launch trailer, reviews are coming out today (and they’ve been very positive so far), and the number of tweets in my timeline using the phrase “feeling it” have spiked 1000%. You can also tell this because I finally remembered to post about the game since it’s coming out soon. Here is a link to preorder it. Maybe that’s useful to you.
The reviews I’ve seen so far have essentially said this “might not be the best version of this modern-day classic, but it’s a satisfactory way to play one of the boldest, biggest games in recent memory” (Nintendo World Report).
If you don't want to fool around with GameStop exclusivity, you can order the Shulk figure from J-List, at a bit of a premium ($30+shipping). It's the Japanese version, but these guys are region-free. [Update: Sold out! :o( ]
Here's their full stock. They also have (as of right now) Sonic, Mega Man, and Toon Link, to name a few.
In other exciting Amiibo news: Play-Asia's got Marth!
You know, for New 3DSes. The standard-sized ones. The ones that are available in all other regions except North America.
The design will release in Japan on April 2 -- it'll be great for those looking to replace their other perfect face plates like the Black Triforce one.
The upcoming Wii U game received a huge update on its Japanese site today, offering these concept art pieces from Tsukamoto Yoko. I focused so much on the series' imminent handheld port for the New Nintendo 3DS, I forgot Monolith Soft is also putting out the action RPG's spiritual sequel this year!
If you need more stuff to spend money on so you can justify buying a New 3DS XL (since you can't spend that money on cover plates), here's this! Amazon has it available to preorder and will ship out the game on April 10.
I guess you might also want to buy this if you're interested in owning one of the best modern RPGs, ported to a handheld. That's another acceptable reason to purchase this. 3DS trailer right here, y'all.
You'll need a New 3DS XL to play this one, as the weird rotated box art will alert you. You can also use your Shulk amiibo, as well as Streetpass tags, to unlock "tokens" for 3D models and music. If you happen to get a Shulk amiibo, which won't be easy given its GameStop exclusivity...
New trailer after the break!
Along with debuting new hardware this morning (special edition new 3DS XLs for Smash Bros. and Monster Hunter 4G for Japan also snuck out), Nintendo announced a 3DS port for acclaimed Wii RPG Xenoblade.
Xenoblade is the first announced title (for Japan) that will take advantage of the new 3DS models' improved CPU -- meaning it won't be playable on the older 3DS, 3DS XL, or 2DS systems. The situation is similar to the DSi, which received DSi-only games that older DSes couldn't run. I remember quite a bit of confusion and anger over how that was handled..
I'm all for games that take advantage of increased capabilities in what's effectively a new system, but not everyone's happy to see the 3DS userbase split. Frequent contributor Daniel Feit justified his annoyance by pointing out that handheld lifespans are getting shorter: "Game Boy to Game Boy Color: 9 years. Nintendo DS to DSi: 4 years. Nintendo 3DS to *new* 3DS: 3.5 years."
Oh, and Nintendo formally announced that Xenoblade's hero Shulk is a playable fighter for the new Smash Bros.
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Club Nintendo (Europe) commemorative coins for Xenoblade Chronicles, The Last Story, and Pandora's Tower. This image is from a confirmation email for the promotion, tweeted by Nintendaan.
Club Nintendo is handing these out for a limited time to anyone who registers all three games. And for once, European Club Nintendo is looking pretty good! Putting aside the fact that it is, as yet, theoretically impossible to register all three of these games in North America, there's nowhere near the same kind of fanfare for the two that are confirmed – one's a GameStop exclusive and the other is in the hands of another publisher.
Not that I don't appreciate the opportunity to play them. Just, you know, coins are neat.
Vote on Xenoblade Chronicles' alternate boxart (click for larger images). As was the case in Europe, Nintendo is asking fans what artwork they want to see for this Wii RPG's reversible cover -- most of the options are different from what our friends across the Atlantic chose from.
We are fast becoming the leading site reporting news about "stuff that companies are putting on their game boxes." Soon, you won't even see Tiny's face on our site -- we'll instead feature images of the case he came in.
See also: More Xenoblade posts
Rumor: Xenoblade Chronicles coming to the U.S. in April, possibly as a GameStop exclusive, according to this alleged photo of the retail chain's slate of upcoming Wii releases.
If this is true, Xenoblade would join the company of other illustrious GameStop exclusives like Chulip and Tenchu: Dark Secret. But who cares, at least we'll be getting this!
And I definitely want it to be true, as this is the same Monolith Soft-developed game that Simon Parkin called "the strongest JRPG to emerge in years" in his review when Xenoblade released in Europe.
Also, all those people who called The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword the Wii's swan song would look awfully silly -- serves them right for forgetting about Rhythm Heaven Fever, which will finally come out here in February (or early March, if this photo is to be trusted).
[Update: Nintendo of America just updated its Facebook page with Xenoblade artwork. Looks true!]
See also: More Xenoblade posts
[Via Square Triangle]
An excerpt from Simon Parkin's extolling review for Xenoblade. How can you not want to get your hands on this game after reading praise like this?
"No Japanese RPG has more successfully married its various components this hardware generation. It's a game that invites us to reassess an entire genre, pointing to a bold future while nodding its respect towards the past. It's a towering triumph."
As you already know, while Xenoblade hits Europe this week, Nintendo of America still has no announced plans to release it here. No worries; you could always import a copy and softmod your Wii to run it!*
My hope is that Nintendo of America will see all this great European press and feel compelled to get its own localization engine going, so we don't have to go through (and spend) all that just to play a decent Wii game.
*Don't pirate it like a jerk.
See also: More Xenoblade posts
[Via Eurogamer]
