Nintendo is responding to widespread criticism of the recently released Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition upgrade for the Nintendo Switch 2 by issuing refunds to dissatisfied customers. The upgrade, priced at £4.19/$4.99, promised 4K resolution in TV mode and 1080p in handheld mode, alongside a target frame rate of 60fps for owners of the original Switch version. However, reports quickly surfaced alleging that the visual quality of the upgraded game is, in many cases, demonstrably worse than the original release.
The backlash began almost immediately following the February 19, 2026 release, with players taking to social media platforms like Reddit and YouTube to share comparisons and express their disappointment. The core of the complaint centers around the implementation of upscaling techniques, which some users claim result in a blurry and artifact-ridden image, particularly noticeable in distant textures. Several players reported that the Wii U version of the game, running through emulation software like Cemu, actually provides a superior visual experience in native 4K.
One Reddit user, “tamodolo,” detailed their experience contacting Nintendo support. “Image quality seems sharper, but after a while, the image starts to grow over my perception and just turns bad,” they wrote. “Long range textures seem to have [been applied] a convolution filter on it. And the overall image seems to be just FHD being upscales and antialiased with strong filters. Not really a true high resolution game.” Tamodolo, who had previously enjoyed a 4K experience with the Wii U version via Cemu, expressed frustration that the Switch 2 upgrade fell short of expectations. They successfully requested and received a refund after explaining to Nintendo that the upgraded version offered lower quality visuals than the original.
Nintendo’s response has been to process refund requests on a case-by-case basis, a departure from their typical policy of not refunding digital game purchases. The company reportedly requires minimal analysis – one user claimed their refund was processed in “one and a half minute” – suggesting an acknowledgement of the widespread issues. Other users have confirmed similar experiences, reporting successful refunds after simply explaining the visual degradation to Nintendo’s customer support team.
The situation highlights the complexities of porting and upgrading large, established titles to new hardware. While the Nintendo Switch 2 represents a significant leap in processing power, achieving optimal performance and visual fidelity requires careful optimization and thorough testing. The current issues with Xenoblade Chronicles X serve as a cautionary tale for future game releases on the platform, demonstrating that simply increasing resolution and frame rates doesn’t automatically translate to a better gaming experience.
The upgrade’s failure is particularly notable given the positive reception to the original Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition. Eurogamer awarded the game four stars in its review last year, praising its enduring appeal despite acknowledging some minor additions weren’t universally improvements. However, that review was based on the original release, not the Switch 2 upgrade.
The core issue appears to be a flawed implementation of upscaling. Upscaling is a technique used to render images at a higher resolution than the native resolution of the source material. While effective upscaling can improve visual clarity, poorly implemented algorithms can introduce artifacts, blurriness, and a general loss of detail. The complaints surrounding the Switch 2 upgrade suggest that the chosen upscaling method is not effectively preserving the visual quality of the original game, and may even be actively degrading it.
The availability of refunds, while a positive step for affected players, raises questions about Nintendo’s quality control process for these upgrade packages. The relatively quick turnaround on refunds suggests the company is aware of the problem, but it doesn’t address the underlying issue of a substandard upgrade being released in the first place. It remains unclear which development studio was responsible for the Switch 2 edition of the game, but the incident underscores the importance of rigorous testing and optimization when bringing older titles to new platforms.
This incident follows similar, though less dramatic, reports surrounding upgrades for other titles like Super Mario Odyssey and Zelda: Breath of the Wild. While those upgrades didn’t generate the same level of negative feedback, they suggest a pattern of Nintendo offering relatively inexpensive upgrades that don’t always deliver on their promised improvements. The Xenoblade Chronicles X situation, however, appears to be a more significant misstep, prompting Nintendo to take the unusual step of offering widespread refunds.
Players experiencing issues with the Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition upgrade are encouraged to contact Nintendo Support directly via the eShop to request a refund. The situation is ongoing, and it remains to be seen whether Nintendo will release a patch to address the visual issues or offer a more comprehensive solution.
