I'm desperate to play Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition, but I'll be avoiding that Switch 2 Edition

Image of the Switch and Switch 2 versions of Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition on a light green GamesRadar+ background.
(Image credit: Future/Nintendo)

Nintendo shadow-dropped Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition Switch 2 Edition (try saying that 10 times fast) earlier this month, but you're better off sticking with an OG Switch copy.

Right now, a boxed copy of Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition is down to $39.99 at Best Buy, and you can combine that with the Switch 2 Edition upgrade for just $4.99 (Nintendo), taking your total to $44.98. That's a stark contrast to the boxed Switch 2 version that is available to pre-order for $64.99 (Amazon) and isn't even set to launch until April 26, 2026. By grabbing an older version instead, you're saving $20 to keep in your pocket for a rainy day. That feeling beats adding another Switch 2 game box to your gaming shelf any day.

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition (Switch) | $59.99$39.99 at Best BuySave $20UK: £49.49 at Amazon

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition (Switch) | $59.99 $39.99 at Best Buy
Save $20 - Best Buy doesn't share its current discounted price for Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition on its product page, but I can confirm it's down to $39.99 today. That's a saving of $20 off its full $59.99 MSRP, and grabbing it and the Upgrade pack at a later date will save you a further $20 if you were to pick up the Switch 2 Edition later this April.

UK: £49.49 at Amazon

If you're wondering why Switch 2 Editions are typically more expensive, the gist is that they're not meant to be. The launch prices of these Switch 2 Edition games, which has included Animal Crossing New Horizons Switch 2 Edition or Super Mario Bros Wonder – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park in the past, take into account their MSRPs and the cost of the upgrade packs.

Take Animal Crossing as an example. The Switch 2 Edition is available for $64 at Amazon as of the time of writing. The original game can still be regularly found for its full $59.99 price, meaning that $64 pretty much encompasses both its full price and that $4.99 upgrade pack into one. It's the same situation with Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition.

The Switch game is more commonly available for its full $59.99 price tag, especially when no juicy Best Buy sale is going on. That means, when combined with the $4.99 Switch 2 upgrade pack, which you can buy from your console's eShop, that comes to $64.99 - the exact price Nintendo is asking for.

Photo of the original Switch box of New Horizons with a pair of Switch 2 Joy-Con sitting on top.

(Image credit: Future/Rosalie Newcombe)

Nintendo just seemingly didn't take into account that these older Switch games would have decent discounts by the time these Switch 2 Edition copies came along. With that in mind, grabbing them seems pretty pointless, unless you're desperate to have more Switch 2 games sitting on your shelf. They seem even more pointless when you take into account that these versions don't even include the full Switch 2 Edition games on the cart. Instead, the games are packaged with the original Switch games and redeemable codes for the upgrade packs.

Before you go out and grab this Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition deal, be warned that the Switch 2 upgrade currently has its own fair share of issues. The image quality of the upgrade is reportedly worse. Alternatively, you can always grab the $39.99 Best Buy deal and save the upgrade until later, which is my plan of action.

With Pokemon Pokopia on its way and Pokemon Fire Red and Leaf Green about to drop on the eShop, I'm not desperate to start my mech RPG journey straight away anyway.


Our team has rounded up the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers, the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express Cards, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases if you're on a Ninty gaming spending spree.

Rosalie Newcombe
Hardware Editor

Ever since I first held a NES controller in my hand I've been obsessed with gaming, and the hardware it runs on. I could hook up a NES and SNES to a telly, without instructions, before I could walk. Even now, nothing is more exciting then taking a console, or handheld, out the box for the first time and setting it up. This obsession transformed into a love of games and game music, which lead to my music degree and dream of becoming the Scottish Nobuo Uematsu. After sharing my love of games through music, I began to share my love through words on sites like TechRadar and iMore. This lead to becoming a Hardware staff writer for PCGamesN, and later the Senior Tech Writer for Dexerto, covering all things Steam Deck, PlayStation and Nintendo. With that experience, I was able to level up as Hardware Editor for GamesRadar+, where I'm still just as Nintendo, PlayStation and gaming tech obsessed as ever.

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