Nintendo has clarified that it’s been no small task bringing the acclaimed Xenoblade Chronicles over to the New Nintendo 3DS. Hiro Yamada, the General Coordinator of Xenoblade Chronicles 3D, says that the challenge arose from the fact that the basic specifications of the Wii are higher than the New Nintendo 3DS. Making the game 3D only added to the problem, but Yamada said they found an adequate solution. Here’s what he had to say about the project.
At what point did this port project begin?
Development started around Autumn/Winter 2013.
What key challenges do you face when re-releasing a Wii game on New Nintendo 3DS?
The basic specs of the Wii are higher than those of the New Nintendo 3DS, so a simple port turned out to be a huge challenge. On top of this, implementing the 3D effect, which requires double the image processing, made it even harder. However, we used a lot of tricks technically, as well as in our working methods. We achieved the 3D effect while retaining an almost equal graphical quality, except for the resolution. Along with the stable 3D effect of the New Nintendo 3DS, we hope the players will be satisfied with the outcome.
From your perspective, what are the key reasons for this being a New Nintendo 3DS exclusive – is it down to the stronger CPU, mandatory C-Stick support or a mix of factors?
Without the higher performance of the CPU on New Nintendo 3DS compared to Nintendo
3DS, we simply wouldn’t have been able to port the game. The New Nintendo 3DS also comes with the C-Stick and ZL & ZR buttons, which was really helpful as we could just use the Wii Classic Controller control scheme without any changes. As stated above, simply porting the game itself was difficult. We couldn’t use touch controls either, so if the C-Stick and these buttons weren’t available, I’m not sure we’d even have been able to port it at all.
This title is well-known for its sizeable world and impressive landscape draw distance, was delivering this on the New Nintendo 3DS relatively seamless or a major challenge, and do you feel that stereoscopic 3D enhances the effect of this world?
In porting the game to the New Nintendo 3DS we had to use a lot of technical tricks to get the immense landscapes to show both seamlessly and without performance drops. Dealing with the 3D effect was an incredibly difficult challenge, but something we deemed necessary to provide players with a sense of immersion in these huge landscapes. We really gave it our all to achieve this.
I just read excuses over here lol
Excuses? Is it, or is it not, coming onto the New 3DS. It’s only an excuse,(Well in my mind,) if they said that these are the challenges and because of these, they would not port it…
Plus, the only reason they mentioned it is because they were asked.
They should have ported it for the WiiU, imo.
It looks so bad on the 3DS + the c-stick doesn’t even come close to an analog stick. The game is just suited so much better for home consoles.
Aren’t you gonna be satisfied with Xenoblade Chronicles X?
I’ll find out after playing it. :) I’m definitely looking forward to it though.
I would have bought this one as well if it came to the WiiU.
I would’ve preferred an HD version over a 3D version as well, but hey, who can complain over a portable Xenoblade?
I hope Nintendo sells the Wii version on the eShop or something at least though… Hard to find retail titles work great digitally for us consumers, ie Metroid Prime Trilogy.
I still don’t understand why this is a New 3DS exclusive. Maybe it’s to get more sales?
Most likely. This 3DS version would surely outsell a Wii U version.
They said it was because the game could not be ported to the 3DS. The 3DS is too weak, but the New 3DS is powerful enough. It couldn’t come to the 3DS even if they wanted it to.
No. I mean if it was an issue getting it to run, why didn’t they put it on WiiU? That’s why I said maybe it’s because of sales.
Oh. Well, yeah. Obviously. They saw how well Ocarina of Time 3D did back in 2011 and applied it to Xenoblade Chronicles, and also Majora’s Mask if we’re talking about remakes.
A Wii U version would most likely not put up big numbers.
True.
Why u guys want this game? There’s a better game than this dogshit game called final fantasy
Guess what is not coming on any Nintendo system
Hahahahahahahahahaha
Ps4 for the win nintensuckers
I’m interested in this game, though I wouldn’t pay for a New 3DS. My original Aqua Blue 3DS is still running solid, its a shame it can’t run on the previous models.
I still recommend the Wii version for those of you who can find it and find it cheaply. I just find this game to be better suited for a console. And off topic, but how rare do you guys think the Toad amiibo will be? I found 5 at a local store, but wasn’t sure if it was necessary to pick one up at the moment.
Definitely pick him up. I haven’t seen that one at all. Not that I’m looking for him or anything… Just saying.
Excuses or legitimate issues? The latter. The second stick isn’t that important to the gameplay + the 3D will look amazing so I don’t think their decision to put it on 3DS is necessarily wrong.
I find myself playing handheld games a lot more then console so I prefer this game on 3ds. I have the original and I never beat it but I suspect I will finally complete it because I can play anywhere now
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