Xenoblade
News, coverage and analysis tracking Xenoblade across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (13th June)
This week's Nintendo Direct showcased new titles like Ocarina of Time, Xenoblade Genesis, and Nintendo Switch Sports Resort, alongside release dates for Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave and Orbitals, and ports of Lies of P and Stellar Blade. Several staff members shared their weekend gaming plans, including revisiting Ocarina of Time, finishing Pokopia, playing Kingdom Hearts III, and diving into Death Stranding Director's Cut.
Rating the June 2026 Nintendo Direct, plus which games were missing
The June 2026 Nintendo Direct presentation showcased a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Kingdom Hearts 4 and its predecessors on Nintendo Switch 2, and Nintendo Switch Sports Resort. The broadcast also featured new titles like The Duskbloods and Xenoblade Genesis, along with DLC for Pokemon Pokopia and Donkey Kong Bananza, and updates for various other games. However, notable absences included anticipated titles like Super Smash Bros. and a new Animal Crossing, leading to mixed reactions from fans.
Review: LumenTale: Memories Of Trey (Switch) - A Refreshing, If Jarring, Take On Black & White-Era Pokémon
LumenTale: Memories of Trey is a monster-collecting RPG for the Nintendo Switch that pays homage to Pokémon Black and White with its HD-2D art style and creature designs. While it offers a compelling narrative and engaging mechanics like a shared SP system and hidden weaknesses, the experience is hampered by frustrating controls, slow menus, and performance issues including crashes. Despite these flaws, the game's mature themes and unique take on the genre make it a worthwhile spin for RPG fans.
Video: Xenoblade Chronicles Compared Across Wii, 3DS, Switch, And Switch 2
Nintendo has released Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, featuring 4K visuals and 60fps performance. A graphical comparison video showcases the improvements over the original Wii version, the Nintendo 3DS port, and the base Nintendo Switch release, highlighting Monolith Soft's significant revamp of the original game.
Japanese gamers vote on most influential game and series, favorite character, favorite developer, more
Famitsu magazine's 40th-anniversary survey of over 5,000 Japanese gamers revealed Nintendo as the favorite developer and Mario as the favorite character. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was highly recommended, while Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest series dominated influence and sequel requests. Masahiro Sakurai was named favorite creator.
Games Inbox: When will the Zelda: Ocarina Of Time remake be shown again?
Readers discuss the Nintendo Switch 2's launch lineup and pricing, with some hoping for a The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake to justify a purchase. Other topics include the definition of 'roguelike' and 'roguelite' games, and potential new business models for consoles, such as installment payments.
Games Inbox: Does the Nintendo Switch 2 have enough good games?
Readers express mixed opinions on the recent Nintendo Direct, with many finding it disappointing due to a lack of major first-party announcements and an over-reliance on ports and less popular franchises. Concerns are raised about whether the Nintendo Switch 2 has enough compelling games to justify its upcoming price increase, especially when compared to the more impactful presentations from PlayStation and Xbox.
Nintendo Showcases Every Direct Game In A New Infographic
Nintendo has released an infographic detailing all the games shown in its latest Nintendo Direct presentation. The showcase featured a wide array of titles, including a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Xenoblade Chronicles, a new Fire Emblem, and third-party titles like Final Fantasy, Onimusha: Warlords, and Kingdom Hearts 4.
Switch 2 gets its second $80 game in Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, as former Nintendo marketing lead says the publisher knows "fans of that series are as die-hard as they come"
Nintendo has announced Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave for a September 17, 2026 release on Nintendo Switch, with a $70 digital price and an $80 physical edition. Former Nintendo marketing lead Kit Ellis commented that the premium pricing reflects the series' dedicated fanbase willing to pay for physical copies and special editions. The article also mentions the previous title, Fire Emblem Engage, and anticipates a similar pricing strategy for Xenoblade next year.
Hands On: 'Xenoblade Chronicles' On Switch 2 Is A Nice Improvement Over 'X'
The Switch 2 Edition of Xenoblade Chronicles offers a significant visual and performance upgrade over the original Wii U version, with cleaner textures and a mostly stable 60fps frame rate. New traversal mechanics like the Ether Jet and the Nopon GP racing mode are also introduced, enhancing the experience despite some minor pop-in and frame rate drops during intense moments.
Zelda Announcement Helps Nintendo Win Summer 2026 Battle
Nintendo's recent Direct showcase revealed a full remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo Switch 2, alongside remastered editions of the Xenoblade Chronicles series and ports of several major third-party titles. The presentation also featured new entries in the Rhythm Heaven and Fire Emblem series, and a Star Fox demo, positioning the Switch 2 as a powerful handheld gaming device.
Tuesday’s Direct was the opposite of what Nintendo and the Switch 2 needed
The recent Nintendo Direct presentation for the Switch 2 has been criticized for failing to meet expectations, particularly for Western audiences. Despite featuring games like Rhythm Paradise Groove, Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, and multiple Xenoblade titles, the lineup lacked major first-party franchises and new intellectual property, leading to disappointment and concerns about the console's appeal and pricing strategy.
Nintendo shares drop after Direct leaves investors wanting more
Nintendo's share price experienced a significant drop of 7-10% following its latest Direct presentation, failing to impress investors despite numerous game announcements. While the showcase included remakes like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and updates to series like Fire Emblem and Xenoblade, the absence of major new blockbuster titles or a release date for the Ocarina of Time remake left market observers wanting more, particularly concerning potential Switch 2 sales.
Xenoblade Genesis unveiled alongside Switch 2 remasters of original trilogy
Nintendo has announced Xenoblade Genesis for the Nintendo Switch 2, set to release in 2027. Additionally, remastered versions of Xenoblade Chronicles, Xenoblade Chronicles 2, and Xenoblade Chronicles 3 are being released on the Nintendo Switch 2 throughout 2024, featuring performance boosts, resolution bumps, and new gameplay additions. These upgrades will be available for a fee for existing owners.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna - The Golden Country Free Switch 2 Upgrade Confirmed
Nintendo has confirmed a free upgrade for Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna - The Golden Country that will enable 4K resolution at 60fps in TV mode and 1080p at 60fps in handheld mode on the Nintendo Switch 2. This upgrade will be available on July 30, 2026, aligning with the release of the Xenoblade Chronicles 2 - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. Owners of the Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Expansion Pass can also access these enhancements.
Games Inbox: Was the summer Nintendo Direct a disappointment?
Readers express disappointment with a recent Nintendo Direct, citing a lack of major announcements and an overemphasis on Japanese titles like Xenoblade Chronicles. While some appreciated the third-party support and the reveal of a The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, many felt it lacked significant first-party content for the Nintendo Switch 2 and did not live up to expectations after a long wait.
All Announcements from the Nintendo Direct on June 9, 2026 - NintendoFuse
The Nintendo Direct on June 9, 2026, showcased over 50 minutes of upcoming games primarily for the Nintendo Switch 2, with some titles also releasing on the original Nintendo Switch. Major announcements included a new Xenoblade game, Kingdom Hearts IV, and a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, alongside numerous third-party titles and DLC for existing games like Pokémon Pokopia.
Reaction: A Direct That Picked Up Pace For A Breathtaking Finish
The latest Nintendo Direct showcased a strong lineup of first- and third-party titles, including new entries in the Xenoblade series and a remake of Muramasa: The Demon Blade. The presentation also featured updates on Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, Splatoon, and a surprise reveal of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for 2026.
Xenoblade Genesis reveals director, composers, character designers
Nintendo has revealed key creative talent for Xenoblade Genesis, with Tetsuya Takahashi serving as general director. Yoko Shimomura, known for her work on the original Xenoblade Chronicles, is the main composer, joined by Mariam Abounnasr and Aimi Kiyota, with the Anuna chorus also contributing. Character designs are handled by Mai Yoneyama and Palow. The game is slated for a 2027 release on Nintendo Switch 2.
Nintendo Direct June 2026 - trailers for The Duskbloods, Fire Emblem, and more
The June Nintendo Direct showcased several new and upcoming titles, including a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, a new Xenoblade entry, and Kingdom Hearts 4 gameplay. Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave received a release date, and Nintendo Switch Sports Resort was announced. Third-party titles like Stellar Blade and Devil May Cry 5 were also featured for the Switch 2.
