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Xenoblade Chronicles
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1d ago
Nintendo Support announced on August 5, 2026, via X that several bugs have been confirmed in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, which began distribution on July 30 for the Nintendo Switch 2. The first bug causes accessory equipment slots to decrease from 3 to 2 under specific conditions. This occurs after starting Advanced New Game, using the Accessory Expansion Kit to obtain 3 slots, then loading an amiibo in the menu and receiving Bonus WP. The issue does not happen if anything other than Bonus WP is obtained. The second bug makes the battle BGM quieter. Nintendo is preparing update data to fix these issues, and will announce the distribution date once decided. Until then, players are advised to avoid the bug conditions when using amiibo. The game is available for download on Nintendo Switch 2 at 9,778 yen (tax included), with an upgrade pass for 1,000 yen for those who purchased the Switch version. A packaged version is scheduled for release on October 1 at 9,778 yen.
3d ago
Nintendo's Splatoon Raiders, the first spin-off in the Splatoon series, debuted at number one on Japan's video game rankings for the week of July 20-26, according to Famitsu data compiled by Anime News Network. The Nintendo Switch 2 title sold 474,684 copies in its first week, nearly triple the second-place game's weekly total. Rhythm Heaven Groove held steady at number two with 78,355 copies, bringing its cumulative total to 674,592. Tomodachi Life remained in third place with 23,468 copies, pushing its lifetime sales past 1.5 million. The rest of the top five included Powerful Pro Baseball 2026-2027 at number four and Mario Kart World at number five. The chart also saw new entries from Shochiku Games' Yog-Sothoth's Yard at number 12 and MAGES.'s Otonari no Tenshi-sama ni Itsu no Ma ni ka Dame Ningen ni Sareteita Ken Memorial Vacation at number 14, both released on July 23. Long-running titles continued to appear, with Minecraft at number eight and Splatoon 3 at number 11. The list, sourced from Famitsu, covers software sales across all platforms in Japan for the specified week.
3d ago
This week's gaming roundup covers a wide range of announcements and updates. Final Fantasy XIV's Evercold expansion received new details from the EU Fanfest in Belgium, including two crossover raids with Neon Genesis Evangelion and Final Fantasy VII, a new ranged tank class called the Bastion, and a non-linear story structure with automatic enemy scaling. The expansion is slated for January 2027. Meanwhile, Monolith Soft released an update for Xenoblade Chronicles 2 on Switch 2, adding 60 FPS and 4K resolution in handheld mode, a new Merc Assault mode, new outfits for Pyra and Mythra, and a new Blade from Xenosaga, M.O.M.O., whose inclusion has sparked speculation about Nintendo acquiring the Xenosaga rights. Other stories include Cyber Connect 2's mobile port of Fuga: Melodies of Steel, a first look at Chronoscript: The Endless End, and several smaller releases and announcements.
Jul 31
Nintendo released the download version and upgrade pass for Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition on July 30, 2026. The packaged version is scheduled for release on October 1. The download version costs 9,778 yen, while owners of the original Nintendo Switch software can upgrade for 1,000 yen. The Switch 2 Edition improves resolution and frame rate, supporting 4K in TV mode and 1080p in handheld mode at 60fps. New design outfits for Pyra and Mythra appear and are reflected both on the field and in event scenes. A new mode called Mercenary Action lets players directly control Blades in battle, selecting up to six Blades to deploy, switching between them, and chaining attacks to activate Special Arts. M.O.M.O. from the Xenosaga series joins as a new rare Blade, able to switch between light and dark attributes via mode changes. The edition supports amiibo, granting bonuses such as experience points and items up to three times per day. Players have also discovered that Field Skill checks now count Blades that are not engaged, removing the need to re-engage Blades from the menu.
Jul 27
Nintendo released a new overview trailer for the Switch 2 Edition of Xenoblade Chronicles 2, revealing that the character Momo from Xenosaga will appear as a Rare Blade. The digital version and upgrade pack launch July 30, with a physical release on October 1.
Jul 26
The week of July 27 to August 2, 2026, sees a slate of major releases across platforms. Leading the lineup is 'Halo: Campaign Evolved', a Unreal Engine 5 remake of the original 2001 campaign, launching July 29 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S at 7,900 yen. It includes 10 original missions plus three new ones, 4-player online co-op with cross-play, and a Campaign Remix mode with randomized modifiers. Early reviews are positive, with Metascores of 81 on PS5 and 84 on Xbox Series X as of July 26, though the lack of competitive multiplayer drew some criticism. Also releasing July 30 is 'Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition', an enhanced version for the new console. The same day sees the extraction shooter 'Mistfall Hunter' on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, along with 'BLUE REFLECTION Quartet: The Miracle of the Girls' (7,480 yen), 'Culdcept the First', 'Volcano Princess', 'TATSUJIN EXTREME', and 'Honoboshi no Niwa'. On July 31, dark fantasy action RPG 'The Relic: First Guardian' arrives on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. The week's releases span genres from FPS and RPG to puzzle and simulation, with several titles also available on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.
Jul 24
Nintendo released a promotional video on July 24 for Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, detailing new features ahead of its July 30 digital release. The upgrade adds new design costumes for the heroines Homura (Pyra) and Hikari (Mythra), created by character designer Masatsugu Saito. The costumes feature starry sky motifs and are visible in both gameplay and event scenes. A new quest type called Mercenary Group Action expands on the existing idle Mercenary Group system, letting players directly control up to six Blades in real-time combat, switching between them and using special arts. The edition also introduces M.O.M.O. (voiced by Rumi Shishido), a rare Blade from the Xenosaga series. M.O.M.O. can switch between light and dark attributes via Actual Mode and Imaginary Mode, and serves a healing role. The download version and upgrade pass cost 9,778 yen and 1,000 yen respectively, with the physical version following on October 1. The game runs at 4K 60fps in TV mode and 1080p 60fps in handheld mode on Switch 2.
Jul 3
Composer Yoko Shimomura will hold a 39th anniversary orchestra concert on September 25, 2026, at the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre Concert Hall. The concert, titled "39! ~Thank You!~," will feature the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Grammy Award-winning Arnie Roth. The announced setlist includes pieces from games Shimomura composed for, such as "Home Town Domina" from Legend of Mana, the main theme of Xenoblade, "Beware the Forest's Mushrooms" from Super Mario RPG, "Stand Your Ground" from Final Fantasy XV, "The Other Promise" from Kingdom Hearts, a Live A Live medley, and "Cocone's Theme" from Napping Princess. Organizer advance ticket sales begin July 4 at 10:00 AM, followed by playguide advance sales on July 13, and general sales on August 22. Ticket prices are ¥9,900 for S seats and ¥8,800 for A seats.
Jun 12
A comparison video from YouTube channel ElAnalistaDeBits shows the graphical differences between the Wii, 3DS, Switch, and Switch 2 versions of Xenoblade Chronicles. The Switch 2 version reaches 60fps and upscaled 4K resolution, while the Switch version ran at 30fps and dynamic 720p. The video highlights the generational gap in graphics and performance.