Tag Archives: Monolith Soft

MOMO Joins as the Third Xenosaga Rare Blade

MOMO from Xenosaga appearing as a new Rare Blade in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Switch 2 Edition — Image courtesy of Nintendo

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition – Overview Trailer — via Nintendo of America on YouTube

MOMO — the 100-Series Observational Realian from the Xenosaga trilogy — is joining the Blade roster as the third Xenosaga crossover character in the game, alongside the existing KOS-MOS Re: and T-elos Re:. She comes with a dual-form mechanic that toggles between Light and Dark elemental affinities depending on the situation, and she brings her own exclusive new quest. The Xenosaga fan service here is real — and for anyone who missed KOS-MOS during the original run, it’s a reminder that the Switch 2 Edition is the most complete version of the game.

Merc Assault — Now You Control the Blades Directly

Merc Assault mode in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Switch 2 Edition showing direct Blade control — Image courtesy of Nintendo

The original game’s mercenary mission system is getting a major upgrade. Merc Assault is a new action battle mode where you choose up to six Blades and control them directly in combat — switching between them freely mid-battle. It expands the existing system with Special Arts and a FEVER mechanic, turning what was a passive menu into live action. For Singapore Switch 2 owners who found the original mercenary missions a bit hands-off, this is a meaningful gameplay addition.

New Pyra and Mythra Outfits — Earned via Merc Assault

New star-themed outfits for Pyra and Mythra in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Switch 2 Edition — Image courtesy of Nintendo

Pyra and Mythra are both getting exclusive new equipment designs — red star-themed and white star-themed respectively — earned as rewards through the Merc Assault mode. The outfits carry through into cutscenes, not just exploration, and you can swap between the new and original designs at any time. It’s the kind of bonus that rewards investing time in the new mode rather than being a simple cosmetic toggle.

Torna Gets a Free Update — and Physical Ships October 1

On the same day as the digital launch — July 30 — Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna – The Golden Country receives a free update for Switch 2 owners, unlocking 4K/60fps in TV mode and 1080p/60fps handheld. If you own the original Switch digital version, a paid upgrade pass is available. The physical edition follows on October 1, 2026.

Pre-orders are open now on the Nintendo Singapore store. For more Switch 2 game coverage, check our full library of Switch 2 news.

Game News

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Switch 2 Edition Launches 30 July — Mercenary Battles Mode and Full 4K Upgrade Confirmed

July 8, 2026 Jax

What’s New in the Switch 2 Edition

Beyond the expected resolution and performance upgrades that come with Switch 2’s beefed-up hardware, Nintendo has confirmed a brand-new Mercenary Battles mode exclusive to the Switch 2 Edition. This mode lets players pit their Blades against special challenge enemies outside the main story, with the reveal screenshots showing a white-haired Blade facing off against a Lv33 Little Bunnit — suggesting a roguelike or wave-based challenge format aimed at longtime fans who’ve already completed the main campaign.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Switch 2 Edition – New Mercenary Battle mode gameplay — The new Mercenary Battles mode pits your Blades against challenge enemies in standalone encounters. (Image: Nintendo)

The main game’s combat system — already one of the most layered in any JRPG — carries over intact, with Rex, Nia, and Tora’s party synergies as satisfying as ever. The Switch 2 Edition’s visual overhaul makes the game’s sweeping Titan landscapes and intricate character designs look sharper than they ever did on original Switch hardware.

Rex with Poppi in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Switch 2 Edition — Rex and the artificial Blade Poppi shine in the enhanced visuals. (Image: Nintendo)

Full Story, Torna DLC Included

The Switch 2 Edition bundles in the complete base game alongside the critically acclaimed Torna ~ The Golden Country expansion — no separate purchase needed. That’s well over 100 hours of content for players diving in fresh. Expect the same sweeping narrative that made XBC2 a word-of-mouth JRPG hit in late 2017, now with significantly improved load times courtesy of the Switch 2’s upgraded storage architecture.

Battle scene in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Switch 2 Edition with Rex, Nia and Tora — Party combat with Rex, Nia, and Tora remains the heart of the experience. (Image: Nintendo)

Pricing — SGD TBC

Nintendo has confirmed the US price at US$69.99 for a new physical or digital purchase, with a US$9.99 upgrade path available for existing Switch owners who already own the original game digitally. Singapore pricing has not yet been officially announced — we’ll update this article the moment Nintendo Singapore confirms local retail pricing. Based on Switch 2 launch titles, expect somewhere in the S$90–S$110 range for a new copy, though the upgrade should be considerably cheaper.

If you’re planning to grab it at launch, it’s worth registering your interest with local retailers now — Qisahn, GameXtreme, and Funan Nintendo are the usual suspects for pre-order allocations on Nintendo titles in Singapore.

Pyra and Rex emotional cutscene in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Switch 2 Edition — The emotional story beats hit even harder at higher resolution. (Image: Nintendo)

Worth It for New Players?

Absolutely. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 was one of the standout JRPGs of the Switch’s first generation, and the Switch 2 Edition removes the main barrier — the occasionally rough original performance — that held some players back. The Mercenary Battles addition gives returning fans a reason to come back too. If you’ve been sleeping on this one, 30 July is the time to fix that.

We’ll have more coverage as the launch approaches, including a full local price confirmation and day-one impressions.

Game News, News

Xenoblade Genesis: New World, New Hero — Switch 2 Exclusive in 2027

June 15, 2026 Jax

A Brand-New World: Anshar and the Power of Anima

Xenoblade Genesis is set in Anshar, an annular world bathed in the light of six suns — a setting that immediately signals a break from both the colossal Titans of Xenoblade Chronicles and the Blades and Titans of Chronicles 2. The land is governed by a primordial force called Anima, described as the source of all things, flowing through the world and its creatures.

Warriors who can channel Anima in combat are known as Vesselai. They wield special weapons enhanced by crystalline artefacts called crystones, which amplify their abilities and — notably — record their thoughts and actions, adding an intriguing lore dimension to even the gear system. The trailer hints at sweeping vistas, enormous flying creatures, and a conflict with high stakes: the shadow of “a fallen god’s vengeance” looms over the narrative.

Xenoblade Genesis protagonist Eleanor — Image courtesy of Nintendo / Monolith Soft

Meet Eleanor — and the Academy of Leukos

The protagonist is Eleanor, who enrolls at Leukos, an academy that trains Vesselai. The academy framing immediately evokes Fire Emblem: Three Houses more than the open-world sprawl of Xenoblade Chronicles 3, and that’s clearly intentional — Genesis appears to root its early story in student politics and coming-of-age bonds before expanding into something larger.

Visually, Eleanor and her companions sport elf-like features, and the game’s rideable mounts — creatures that look like a wolf-horse hybrid — are already turning heads. Character designs come from Mai Yoneyama and PALOW, a pairing that brings distinct anime-art sensibilities to the Xenoblade aesthetic.

Leukos Academy in Xenoblade Genesis — Image courtesy of Nintendo / Monolith Soft

The Team Behind It

Tetsuya Takahashi directs, as he has on every major Xeno title from Xenogears (1998) onwards. The musical team is equally formidable: Yasunori Mitsuda — the composer behind Chrono Trigger, Xenogears, and Xenoblade Chronicles 2‘s sweeping original score — returns alongside Mariam Abounnasr and Minami Kiyota, both contributors to Xenoblade Chronicles 3. For JRPG fans, that lineup alone is reason to pay attention.

Switch 2 Editions for the Existing Trilogy

Nintendo also announced Switch 2 Edition upgrades for Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition, Xenoblade Chronicles 2, and Xenoblade Chronicles 3, making the full modern trilogy accessible natively on Switch 2 ahead of Genesis‘s 2027 window. Pricing for those upgrades is to be confirmed.

Last Words

Singapore JRPG fans who have followed Monolith Soft’s work know the studio consistently punches above its weight — each Xenoblade entry has pushed the limits of Nintendo hardware to deliver genuinely massive, emotionally resonant worlds. Xenoblade Genesis looks set to continue that tradition with a fresh cast, a fresh setting, and the legendary Mitsuda back on the score. No price or local eShop listing yet, but 2027 is the window. Follow our News section for updates as they come.