Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Download Size Revealed for Switch
The Nintendo Switch eShop listing for Xenoblade Chronicles 2 shows a download size of 13.0 GB, a significant portion of the console's internal storage.
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The product page on the Nintendo Switch eShop for Xenoblade Chronicles 2 revealed the game’s digital download size. The open-world RPG from developer Monolith Soft requires 13.0 GB of free space for players who choose to purchase it digitally. The game was scheduled for release on December 1, 2017, in North America as both a digital download and a physical cartridge.
Storage on Nintendo Switch
A 13.0 GB file size represented a substantial portion of the Nintendo Switch’s built-in storage. The console launched with 32 GB of internal memory, but only about 25.9 GB is available to the user after accounting for the operating system. This means Xenoblade Chronicles 2 would occupy roughly half of the usable space on a standard Switch console without a memory card. This file size was comparable to Nintendo’s other major launch-year title, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which required 13.4 GB.
By comparison, other first-party Switch games released in 2017 were smaller. Super Mario Odyssey was 5.7 GB, and Splatoon 2 was 3.2 GB at launch. For players with limited space, purchasing the physical version of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 was an alternative that would not require a large download, though software updates could still use system memory. For digital owners, a microSD card was a common solution to expand the console’s storage capacity.
Expansion Pass and Zelda Crossover
In a Nintendo Direct presentation prior to the game’s release, Nintendo detailed its post-launch plans. An Expansion Pass was announced for Xenoblade Chronicles 2, offering a series of downloadable content packs to be released after the game’s launch. The planned content included new quests, items, and a Battle Mode, following a model similar to the one used for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Nintendo also announced a cross-promotional effort between its two flagship RPGs. A new side quest was added to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild via a free update. Completing this quest allowed players to unlock a new armor set for Link based on the outfit of Rex, the protagonist of Xenoblade Chronicles 2. This collaboration was designed to build awareness for the upcoming title among the large player base of Breath of the Wild.
Frequently asked questions
What is the download size for Xenoblade Chronicles 2 on Switch?
The official Nintendo Switch eShop listing for Xenoblade Chronicles 2 showed a required download size of 13.0 GB. This was a significant file size for the console at the time, taking up about half of the system's internal user-accessible memory. A microSD card was recommended for digital owners.
Did Xenoblade Chronicles 2 have DLC?
Yes, Nintendo announced an Expansion Pass for Xenoblade Chronicles 2 before the game's release. The pass included several waves of DLC, such as new items, additional side quests, main story quests, and a Battle Mode. This content was scheduled to roll out in the months following the game's launch.
What was the release date for Xenoblade Chronicles 2?
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 was released for the Nintendo Switch in North America and other regions on December 1, 2017. It was available as both a physical cartridge and a digital download from the Nintendo eShop on day one.
Was there a Xenoblade Chronicles 2 crossover in Breath of the Wild?
Yes, to promote the upcoming release of Xenoblade Chronicles 2, Nintendo added a free side quest to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. By finding and completing this quest, players could unlock a special armor set for Link that was modeled after the main character Rex's outfit.