This week Nintendo of Europe unleashed another one of its surprise eShop releases, and it's admittedly quite a puzzling one. Mere months after the New Nintendo 3DS exclusive port was released, Xenoblade Chronicles has made its way as a Wii digital release on the Wii U eShop in Europe.
However, that's not to say there isn't merit in this version existing. On the contrary, not all of you have New 3DS systems, and not all of you experienced the delight of Monolith Soft's beloved JRPG upon its original Wii release.
Here's a short video that explains what you can expect from this digital release, which should hopefully answer some of your questions about this surprise eShop entry!
Comments 72
I already have the disc version... but I couldn't NOT download this!! AWESOME GAME.
I think this is just an instance of listening to the fans. A lot of people refused to buy this because they felt the epic feel of the world could not be replicated on the smaller DS screens... the 3DS iteration wasn't a huge seller but with the brand awareness caused by Shulk being in Smash Bros, with all his meme-readiness, and the impending release of the XC X, they're just cutting their losses and putting the original on the eShop.
Don't think I'm gonna buy it for a third time, but I'm glad those that want to play it will get to!
Video: Xenoblade Chronicles Marches Onto The EU Wii U eShop
Fixed it for ya.
USA? yes no? "ANYONE?"
@LeeGarbutt
You didn't mention if it's playable on the Wii U pro controller or not.
NA release date or no?
I hope this game gets remade in HD on a future console, seeing Shulk cleaner and a lot like his Smash Bros. look would be epic!
Gamepad controls are a nice addition to this Wii VC release.
I'm so glad these are the games they're spending their resources on porting over /sarcasm
The Wii version is superior to the 3DS version, correct?
@Splatburst
I'm keen to know this too. Can anyone clarify this please?
What about NA Nintendo???
@bezerker99 Oh snap, so you can play it on the Gamepad screen using Gamepad controls like a portable? What's even the point of the 3DS version now?
@bezerker99 has anyone actually tried the gamepad controls? Do they actually work? So far here in NA none of the Wii download games with with the gamepad. I thought Kirby's Return to Dreamland would, but it doesn't
@Compeau @leo13 It's not listed as one of the support controllers at the top right in this article but it mentions Gamepad support around 2:42 in the video.
I managed to find a Wii copy just a few weeks ago, been loving it so far. If I would have waited I'd have been able to use a better controller and saved $40, but oh well. It's still a great game.
Will pick this up when, if it comes to North America.
@EXP Really depends. The Wii version has the Japanese voice acting, but the 3DS version has 3D, a sound test and a 3D Model gallery, and the main screen is less cluttered during battle thanks to the touch screen..
Having played both, I'd say its whatever you would prefer to play it on. On the go or on a TV screen...
I have the disc version of this,but screw it i'll buy it again digitally. Love this game to death!!
Edit: I didn't expect to see my question answered already, but huzzah! It seems you can fully control the game with the Gamepad! Any chance someone could tell me which other Wii downloadable games support Gamepad inputs as well?
i already have it but still i want to buy this.that makes no sense.must resist!
I would say the wii version is better. 3D is nice the graphics are worse. Look at conparison vids.
Sound test is great but it will take forever to unlock the songs and the model viewer isnt exciting.
The clutter the wii version has having everything on screen isnt really an issue since they dont really obstruct all that much and i hate playing the game on the 3ds mostky because that new c stick is crappy.
The wii version can also be hacked with homebrew :3
Good. More people deserve to have ready access to this game. I fully support any option that would allow people to play my favorite game of all time.
@MarioPHD as far as I know with any Wii game, it requires you to use Wii controllers. I know it's not possible to play Mario Galaxy or Metroid Prime Trilogy without a Wii mote. I'd imagine all other Wii games are the same way.
@Jayvir Interesting. If nothing else, good to know they put the extra effort into this one. I'm definitely going to be grabbing it when it hits North America..... well...... if it does...... we'll see. I've had this one on my radar for a while and playing with the Gamepad alone is definitely a HUGE selling point for me.
EDIT: I erased it in my initial comment, but my only experience so far has been with Metroid Prime Trilogy, which I knew didn't work without a Wii Remote. I was hoping that other titles, like Punchout!! maybe would as well. Again, if nothing else, pleased to see it included here.
@MarioPhD Pandora's Tower and Sin & Punishment, all the others don't support Wii Classic Controller and hence also Gamepad.
If this comes to North America I'm gonna sell my Physical copy and buy me some Eshop credit
@Grumblevolcano Good to know! Thanks! I may actually check out Pandora's Tower at some point then, as well, since I've been interested, but didn't know if it'd let me play off-tv easily. I don't think either is available on the North American eShop, but when/if they are (because, as ever, Nintendo is Nintendo) I'll definitely be keeping an eye on them. Thanks again!
Never played the Wii release and I don't have a n3ds. So once this comes stateside it's a instant buy.
Nintendo, way to go! When you have a poor week do stuff like this more often.
I was sure they wouldn't do it, seems like it would cannibalize 3D version sales, but I guess they figure it's been long enough now. Just please, for all that's good and holy, come to North America!!!
The winning formula for this is the gamepad support really. Especially if you don't own a 3ds or don't like that version. The music and art style in this game - and of course its huge story - are worth the ten bucks it'll eventually cosy you if you were planning on getting xenoblade chronicles x anyway.
Really good stuff. I'll be playing this on my gamepad for a long time I think.
It seems like the end of this article should state something about a NA release? Example-We asked NoA about a NA release and they said....
It's good to see this game suddenly being so available. I have the New 3DS port myself and loved it. They just need to release this on the NA eshop now...
The fact that this supports the gamepad means I might just re-buy it too...IF it comes to NA.
What about NA!?
Waiting for a North American announcement is killing me!
My last name is Reynolds and my friends have been calling me "Reyn" for 20 years. Every game where I create a character, whether it's an MMO, rpg, or even if I just type a name in like in Zelda games, I've also used Reyn for as long as I can remember. I was shocked the first time I saw that there was a character named Reyn in this game. It makes me wonder what the developer's inspiration for the name was. I hope they release this on the North American eShop so I can play it.
@EXP Depends on how much portability helps you. Otherwise it's the same game. I, for one, don't have enough time to grind for hours on the Wii, but the 3DS version I can pull out and battle while I watch a movie so it does its job well. Also the 3D looks incredible. Technically speaking, though, yes the Wii version has less muddy textures and fewer framerate drops (mostly due to the lack of 3D).
@Splatburst it was a Wii game, which used a Wii pro controller. Sonmost likely
Hopefully this comes out in other NA and everywhere else. This makes the N3DS pretty much irrelevant. Nintendo didn't even announce any N3DS games @E3 2015. Disappointing.
@Mr_Rawky lol I did the same with the Prime trilogy.
I'm still waiting to see a release of the first Mario Galaxy which has been out in Japan for some time, but I'm very happy to have this game as a download. How about the Pikmin and Zelda Wii games?
@Squid_Gangster
I still highly recommend an N3DS for Monster Hunter enthusiasts. As far as controls go, the C-stick is very useful, and having ZR be lock-on and ZL open chat means less messing with the touch screen. For graphical improvements in 4U, the textures and framerate are so much better it's not funny. It goes from sub-20 FPS with muddy textures to ~45 FPS with sharp textures in multiplayer.
For a game that people play for literally hundreds or even thousands of hours, I don't think getting the best experience for merely $200 (even less if you trade in/sell your old one) is a bad investment.
@nacho_chicken thousands of hours? That's plural. People have invested at least 2000 hours in one game?
@Squid_Gangster
Yes. http://www.neoseeker.com/forums/38854/t1614675-how-many-hours-have-you-played-honest/2.htm (CONTENT WARNING: Link may or may not contain NSFW language; I didn't check the topic beyond the numbers)
As Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate has quite a bit more content and significantly more variety than Freedom Unite, I can easily see some putting thousands (plural) of hours into 4U eventually. My brother already has 500+ hours in 4U.
@nacho_chicken hundreds is okay, but thousands just means you either don't have a life or don't have much to play.
@Maggots That Reayn reference...
Great game anyway or system you play it on! Please come to NA!
@RaphaBoss HAHA at least someone got it
@Maggots
Amateurish. Yes, amateurish.
Any chance you could import a save state from the disc version?
TAKE MY MONEY!! ALL OF IT!!
@Newb portable > Wii.
@JesWood13 if you have the disk data already it should use that.
Don't quote me on that because both wii games I have I never owned on disc, but I don't think it uses the wii u memory, I think it uses the wii mode memory or something like that...
I bet NOA won''t release it for months.If ever.
I don't need it I paid 70$ for it at crappy GameStop a while ago. Then, I took it on the go and loved it even more. If you don't own it get it now.
What's with NA always being last to get ANYTHING lately? Seriously...
I bought my new 3DS for this game...but I now want to play this superior version.
@Totaldude911 The 3D looks spectacular? Have I played the same version? It doesn't even compare to Smash Bros, Super Mario 3D Land and A Link Between Worlds (and dozens of other [eshop] games)
The only thing popping out is the HUD and it doesnt look good so far away from the background. You have to really maneuver the camera in weird ways and really close up to have a slight 3D effect.
Its about as bad as Pokemon battles in XY and ORAS.
I have it on disc, but for GamePad support alone I'd totally download it.
@Uberchu
How is the 3d version better? I mean if you really think so it must be a matter of preference just being able to play the game anywhere because the wii version wins in every other way.
SO tempted to download this, I already have the disc but supporting this game seems important. I have no idea why they wouldn't release this in America at the same time though, they constantly complain at how much this game is over there, an this digital release solves that issue, so Nintendo will actually get a better gauge on how popular it'll be (than the limited release it seemed to get).
In the U.K I'm fairly certain it sold poorly, no marketing and it was £30 at launch in most shops (a steal), I think I'm the only person in my city that bought it, because I haven't met a single person yet from here who has played it haha (yet everyone also has a wii somewhere in their house).
@AyeHaley true it doesn't look as good as those mentioned but I guess it being the only game I play on the New 3DS I'm a little biased.
@Splatburst It says it is NOT compatible with the new Pro Controller.
@MarioPhD Of the Wii VC titles I have, both Pandora`s Tower and Sin and Punishment are playable on the Game Pad. They both look great, and it is fantastic being able to use the Game Pad controls.
@AyeHaley I think the art direction does a lot to make Xenoblade look great, but adding depth 3D (rather than pop-out 3D) kind of puts into perspective how massive the world is compared to how small you are. And there's something I like about that. Also I know the cutscenes cheat a little with higher quality models than in-game, but those cutscenes look like they were meant for 3D.
I am still playing it on the New 3DS XL and I .. .. It's probably my favourite game EVER!!!
just to play it on the gamepad only this is totally worth it.
@Windy no, don't sell your physical copy!! The thing is valuable.
The only wii vc games that allow gamepad CONTROLS are games that originally supported the classic controller. Playing it on the gamepad is possible with all vc games, but using the gamepad as a controller is only possible on games that support the classic controller.
The only wii vc games that allow gamepad CONTROLS are games that originally supported the classic controller. Playing it on the gamepad is possible with all vc games, but using the gamepad as a controller is only possible on games that support the classic controller.
Random question. Does this game play in spanish. I know the original wii release could as I found on one of nintendo's online lists. But does this digital one do the same? and is it based on the language setting of the wii u or is it an in game setting? Thanks a lot for the help.
To bad gamepad support is not available for the disc wii installed on the wii u.
Nintendo please release gamepad support for wii disc xenoblade chron owners.
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