Xenoblade Chronicles 2 & 3: Nintendo confirms no DLC included in Switch 2 Editions, but free update for stand-alone Torna ~ The Golden Country
Yesterday’s Nintendo Direct had some neat surprises for fans of the Xenoblade series with the announcement of a brand new entry (Xenoblade Genesis), but also Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrades for all three numbered entry (Xenoblade Chronicles X got one earlier this year).
Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is already available digitally (with physical release slated for July 30th), while Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition will launch on July 30th (digital) / October 1st (physical), with Xenoblade Chronicles 3 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition releasing on December 3rd (digital / physical).
They will offer the following improvement and additional content/features:
Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Definitive Edition
- Experience a journey across Titans in 4K resolution in TV mode, and full HD in handheld mode, at 60 frames per second.
- Discover a new rare Blade, complete with a quest for you to take on. Directly control the Blades you send on mercenary missions in a new action battle mode.
- Unlock new equipment designs for Pyra and Mythra.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Definitive Edition
- Traverse massive, fantastical landscapes in 4K resolution in TV mode, and full HD in handheld mode, at 60 frames per second.
- Recruit a new Hero, complete with a quest for you to take on.
- Put your strength to the test in defensive battles against waves of enemies.
- Experience fully voiced event scenes.
For those who were wondering whether the Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and Xenoblade Chronicles 3 would include their respective Expansion Pass, Nintendo has confirmed that they will not. Both will have to be purchased separately (if you don’t already own them).
In other words, no all-in-cart release (with base game + DLC) for either games. This will likely not come as a surprise to Zelda fans, seeing that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition did not include the Expansion Pass released for the Nintendo Switch version either.
Now, you might be wondering: what about the stand-alone release of Torna ~ The Golden Country? Well, there will not be a stand-alone release on Nintendo Switch 2, unfortunately. However, that does not mean that those who purchased it will be left in the dust.
Indeed, Nintendo has announced that the stand-alone version of Torna ~ The Golden Country (physical and digital!) will get a free update with the performance improvements from the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of the main game. In other words, you will be able to play at 60fps, with up to 4k in TV Mode, and at 1080p in Handheld Mode.
However, do note that this free update is only for the stand-alone version of Torna ~ The Golden Country. In order to get the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition improvements and additional content/features for the main game, you will need to purchase either the Upgrade Pack (if you already own the game) or the full Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (if you don’t, or if you want a physical copy of the full game on Nintendo Switch 2).
Finally, if you bought Torna ~ The Golden Country as part of the Expansion Pass, the free update will not work for you, because the game is part of the base game. Therefore, you will need to purchase the Upgrade Pack for the base game to get the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition improvements.
