Topic: Xenoblade Chronicles Coming to New 3DS Models

[Steel Diver]

The beloved Wii RPG is coming exclusively to the new and more powerful 3DS models.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/38382/xenoblade-chronicles-coming-to-new-3ds-models

A remake of Xenoblade Chronicles is coming to the New Nintendo 3DS models, announced this morning.

During a Japanese Nintendo Direct, it was stated that this this remake is only now possible with the upgraded CPU power of the New 3DS units, meaning that they won't be playable on the older 3DS, 3DS XL, and 2DS units. It will also take advantage of the extra inputs found on these upcoming new models. Other new Nintendo 3DS titles for these systems are also in the works.

Xenoblade Chronicles was thoroughly loved and well-reviewed by the staff of Nintendo World Report and pretty much every other gaming website, receiving a 92 overall rating on Megacritic. The JRPG follows the story of Shulk, who fights against the Mechons, using the Monado, with some help from friends. It is also currently slated for a Wii U follow-up, Xenoblade Chronicles X.

[Triforce Hermit]

This is the best news I have heard all year.

[Oblivion]

Making a beloved game ported to the New 3DS, exclusively? A port that runs worse than the original? Instead of an HD remaster on the Wii U? Yeah, "best news" all year.

[marvel_moviefan_2012]

how do you know an HD Remaster isn't coming they can do both can't they? Seems like Nintendo is just trying to stay in business and if their handheld business is what keeps them afloat it makes sense to put that first and let Wii U flounder.

[Triforce Hermit]

Making a beloved game ported to the New 3DS, exclusively? A port that runs worse than the original? Instead of an HD remaster on the Wii U? Yeah, "best news" all year.

I'm obsessive about this game. So I frankly don't give a ****.

[ejamer]

I'm also excited to hear that Xenoblade will be playable on a portable. Performance concerns are too early to matter, and I think that exposing this fantastic game to a new audience is great news.  Will the vistas be as impressive on a small screen? Probably not... but having more options is good.


That said, I'm not a fan of splitting the install base with "New 3DS" exclusive games. Seems like Nintendo is begging for customer confusion, not having learned anything from the Wii/Wii U debacle.

[marvel_moviefan_2012]

If this is a brand new console with all new games library and they didn't even give it a proper launch notice just a mention in a Direct, is this a sign they are running around like headless chickens? It reminds me of Sega near the end with saying Sega CD was a flop then turning around and releasing CDX in the hopes it would save the platform then releasing 32X incompatible with it then promising Neptune that never happened, then dropping Genesis support right before revealing the Nomad. Okay maybe not as bad as Sega but too many products on the market at the same time is a big part of what sunk them and now here is Nintendo doing the same thing. Also if this is a brand new console is this the first time they announced one this way without a big event like SpaceWorld or E3 or is there something big going on I didn't hear about?

[Triforce Hermit]

It isn't a brand new console. Its just an update to the 3DS. They do this all the time.

Gameboy -> Gameboy Color
Gameboy Advanced -> Gameboy Advanced SP
DS -> DS Lite -> DSi
3DS v1 -> 3DS v2

[Oblivion]

I cannot believe people are defending this.

[azeke]

If this port is any indication they plan to use bigger power of N3DS for console ports that were impossible on regular 3DS.

Some WII and WiiU titles that underperformed could be given sevond life that way. Prime example would be Tropical Freeze.

I'd be completely okay with that approach.

[marvel_moviefan_2012]

If it plays games the other ones don't then it is not just an upgrade right? As far as I can tell all games play across all 3DS versions but this will play exclusive games so that makes it a whole new console, right?

[Retro Deckades]

As far as I'm concerned, more Xenoblade Chronicles is never a bad thing, no matter what system it's on. Provided it runs properly, having the ability to play this title on a handheld could be very beneficial -- I certainly know that it would have come in handy when I was glued in front of my TV for 150 hours playing the Wii version.

But don't worry, folks, this probably won't even be released in North America -- at least, not without a big campaign push. #OPERATIONRAINFALLPART2

[marvel_moviefan_2012]

or for those of us who skipped out on the tail end of the Wii and might be interested in this one game.

[KDR_11k]

My mother will be happy to hear about the new 3DS since that means I'll be ditching my current one. So she'll get my current one as a hand-me-down replacing her current DSi (also a hand-me-down) and enabling her to play the newer Layton games.


As far as performance ("port that runs worse"), are we really sure that the new 3DS will be weaker than the Wii? I mean, remember that the Wii is only a slight upgrade over the Gamecube, hardware that is now over a decade old. The Vita can run games that are almost PS3 level, building a machine that can run Wii level games really shouldn't be too expensive.

[Ian Sane]

Not happy about the new 3DS but I don't have a problem with Xenoblade getting a second go... assuming NOA doesn't act like a dick about localizing it again.  It seems like Nintendo is actually savvy to the reputation that this game has, though it will never be a broad hit like Mario.  Back when we were fighting for this to get localized I didn't think we'd ever see a remake and a sequel to it.  The whole game seemed like an accident.  The Wii Sports company accidently let Monolith make a hardcore game with no casual appeal.  Someone must have not have been paying attention!

[leahsdad]

I loved Xenoblade, and am happy that this will allow everyone who missed it the first time to play it without shelling $80 for a used copy.

BUT...is anyone who already played it on the Wii going to replay it on the 3DS?   My clock time was 90+ hours on this game (80 for the main game, and about 10 hours messing around in New Game Plus).   I LOVED this game, really, but man, another 80 hours?   I don't know about that.  I've barely started Soul Hackers.   And I haven't even started Millenium Girl yet.

[Ceric]

Be interesting if they made a little utility that let you transfer your save.

[Adrock]

I'd be more immediately interested in this port if it had bonus content. Then again, I felt the same way about Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D and honestly, the eight extra levels in addition to the absurd amount of anger were not worth the second go around. The only difference is I never finished Xenoblade Chronicles. This would be a good game to have while I'm waiting for my clothes to dry at the laundromat. At the same time, Monster Hunter 4 will be out by the time this comes over, and I don't need new hardware to play it.

[ejamer]

Transferring save files would make the port very attractive. I wouldn't mind replaying... but being able to jump right into new game+ or being able to explore the advanced areas that open up without having to spend countless hours leveling up first would be pretty awesome too.

[Oblivion]

*sigh*

[Ian Sane]

I loved Xenoblade, and am happy that this will allow everyone who missed it the first time to play it without shelling $80 for a used copy.

BUT...is anyone who already played it on the Wii going to replay it on the 3DS?   My clock time was 90+ hours on this game (80 for the main game, and about 10 hours messing around in New Game Plus).   I LOVED this game, really, but man, another 80 hours?   I don't know about that.  I've barely started Soul Hackers.   And I haven't even started Millenium Girl yet.

The first game was obscure enough that I think Nintendo can rely on enough people that missed it the first time around to get it to see what all the fuss was about.  I have no problem with re-releases of games that have become hard to find.  DKC Returns was lame because if you wanted to play it you could find the Wii version with little effort but this?  With a game like this Nintendo is doing a service in re-releasing it.  It's like how no one gives a **** when Super Mario Bros. is re-released for the 100th time but EarthBound on the Wii U was a big deal.

[NWR_insanolord]

I might actually play this now, or more likely buy it and then play maybe an hour into it and then go play FIFA some more.

[Mop it up]

With the sequel coming up then this is a good move to get 3DS owners interested in buying a Wii U, though requiring the new model will greatly limit its impact.

[marvel_moviefan_2012]

Mop it Up makes an interesting point. Here I was thinking I should wait for the New 3DS to get this game when I could just get the Wii U and play it in Wii mode. Maybe this will connect with Wii U and let you play games on the TV like a Game Boy Player type situation, that would be a big draw for some too.

[Neifirst]

I still think there's a chance an HD remaster for Wii U is in the works as well, aimed primarily at the western markets where console sales have not entirely died.  Keep in mind this was a Nintendo of Japan Direct, not a worldwide one.  Launching a new model 3DS actually makes sense for that market, probably with yet another iteration of Monster Hunter with Xenoblade to follow in 2015.