Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Impressions – Upgrade Comparisons & More

Nintendo just released Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Nintendo Switch 2 Edition today with a $4.99 upgrade pack option for existing owners. Back in June last year, I wrote a backward compatibility feature covering the entire Xenoblade Chronicles series including how Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition runs on Switch 2. I mentioned how I hoped to see a Switch 2 Edition patch to add 60fps support and higher resolution across the board. With today's paid upgrade that I just bought, I decided to revisit my old results, compare new load times, and see how much of a visual upgrade this Switch 2 Edition delivers. Note that my saves used for testing are only in the early parts of the game. I will be updating this once I test more later portions of the game and I play more handheld.

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Nintendo Switch 2 Edition vs Switch 1 visuals and resolution

On booting up Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Nintendo Switch 2 Edition for the first time today and not only loading my older save, but also starting a new game to see how the opening looks, I think the major part of the upgrade is in the performance. Visuals are definitely crisper, but I'm not seeing major improvements to aspects like the pop-in that remains a major problem in Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition. When played docked at 4K, it also lacks good anti-aliasing. Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is still a notable upgrade over the Switch 1 version on Switch 2, but don't expect more than a boost to clarity here when it comes to visuals. 

Note: For the comparison above, I loaded up my save on version 1.5.2 before updating on Switch 2 (using the Switch 1 build via backward compatibility) and then compared it with the native Switch 2 Edition upgraded and on version 2.0.0. Both images were captured using a 4K capture device.

While the resolution doesn't seem as much of an upgrade (docked) as I had hoped for based on the trailer mentioning up to 4K, I would have liked to see better texture filtering at least. Some floor textures look quite bad at angles even now. Handheld gets a nice clarity boost though. The lack of major visual upgrades would have been disappointing had this been an Animal Crossing: New Horizons-like upgrade though. Thankfully, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Nintendo Switch 2 Edition's 60fps target is a game changer in responsiveness and fluidity. 

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Nintendo Switch 2 Edition docked gameplay

Update: After playing a bit more handheld following more docked play, the Switch 2 Edition appears to be doing some sort of upscaling that isn't playing nicely with the input resolution resulting in an unstable image in motion. This isn't as bothersome to me docked, but handheld it is annoying in parts. 

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Nintendo Switch 2 Edition performance impressions

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition on Switch 1 suffered from poor input lag and some frame drops in different locations below its 30fps target. These two were addressed to some degree in the case of the former or completely in the case of the latter via Switch 2 backward compatibility. Moving over to the Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, not only is the game more responsive across the board, but the 60fps target is noticeable right from the title screen. Even if the overall upgrade does not seem like it adds as much as other Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrades, this is a very welcome upgrade. 

Note: For the comparison above I used handheld capture using the screenshot functionality on both Switch 2 (Switch 2 Edition) and Switch 1 with the game on version 2.0.0. The foliage difference appears to apply to different parts of the game and isn't indicative of any cuts as far as I can see for the higher frame rate target.

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Nintendo Switch 2 Edition vs Switch 1 load times compared

For the load time test, I have my results from the game back in June 2025 tested on Switch 1 and Switch 2 backward compatibility alongside today's new test results. For my old test, I had Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition installed to the SD card on my Switch OLED and the internal storage on Switch 2. Today, I have Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition installed with version 2.0.0 on the Switch OLED SD card and the internal storage on Switch 2 for Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Nintendo Switch 2 Edition.

Note: All load times above are in seconds.

So far, the load times are basically the same as they were before, which isn't a bad thing since Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition loads very fast across the board. 

Overall, the resolution boost reminds me of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet 's free update or even Animal Crossing: New Horizons' Switch 2 Edition, but the performance boost with a 60fps target is easily worth the asking price for the Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack. With today's release, I'm also glad I never beat the Definitive Edition and can experience it all at 60fps now. I might even start a new save because the boost to frame rate is that good as far as I'm concerned. 

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition are now available worldwide. The Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Nintendo Switch 2 Edition physical release is set for April 16.