Nintendo quietly pushed a $5 Switch 2 upgrade for Xenoblade Chronicles X — but players are mixed

Why this caught my attention: a quiet $5 “next‑gen” upgrade that actually matters – and maybe doesn’t

Nintendo has just slipped a paid Switch 2 performance upgrade for Xenoblade Chronicles X live on the eShop, and it’s exactly the kind of micro‑move that reveals how Nintendo plans to treat its back catalogue on its new hardware. For £4.19 / $4.99 you get the “Nintendo Switch 2 Edition” upgrade pack that promises up to 4K in TV mode and up to 60fps – and it’s available immediately, well ahead of the physical Switch 2 release on 16 April.

• Key Takeaway: Performance improves (smoother frame‑rates, faster loads), but some players say the visuals actually look worse after the upgrade (texture filtering/upscaling complaints).
• Price/Path: Upgrade is $4.99 if you own the original Switch Definitive Edition; buying a cheaper Switch‑1 physical copy + the $5 upgrade is often the cheapest way to get the Switch 2 build now (reported by Numerama/3DJuegos).
• Unusual move: Nintendo has started issuing refunds to dissatisfied buyers, which signals the company is aware of issues people are seeing (Eurogamer).

Breaking down the upgrade – what Nintendo actually shipped

Officially, Nintendo describes the Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition as a performance/tuning release: “smoother framerate up to 60 fps” and up to 4K in TV mode (requires a compatible display), plus 1080p/60fps handheld. The eShop listing is live now as a standalone purchase (£64.99/$64.99) or a cheap paid upgrade for existing Switch owners (about $5). Steam News and multiple outlets picked up the sudden digital drop on 19 February.

Two very different technical stories — steady 60fps or worse visuals?

This is where coverage diverges. Early hands‑on and technical posts noted legitimately better frame‑timing, reduced stutter and quicker load times on Switch 2 hardware — the upgrade delivers on the promise of smoother responsiveness in big open scenes and Skell combat. For players treating this as a “feel” upgrade, that’s a win.

But a louder thread emerged online claiming the “improvement” introduces visual regressions. Reddit and YouTube videos flagged harsher texture filtering, odd upscaling artifacts and a softer long‑range look that some players prefer less than the original Switch or even the Wii U Cemu 4K fan ports. One user described a convolution filter applied to distant textures; Eurogamer reported that people unhappy with the outcome have been contacting Nintendo support and receiving refunds.

So the specs are consistent across reporting (4K/60 TV, 1080p/60 handheld), but execution is mixed: performance appears reliably better, presentation in some scenes is contested.

What this means for players — cheap upgrade now, or wait for a patch?

If you already own the Switch Definitive Edition and care most about smoother gameplay, the $5 route is a compelling, low‑risk play. If your priority is pixel‑perfect visuals, the current complaints are a red flag — Nintendo is issuing refunds, which suggests they know something needs attention.

For new buyers there’s a practical trick being circulated across Europe: pick up the Switch‑1 physical version on discount (Numerama and 3DJuegos both point out retail bargains around €40-44), then buy the $5 eShop upgrade to get the Switch 2 edition now for less than the full eShop price. Otherwise the physical Switch 2 boxed edition arrives 16 April.

What to watch next

• Official patch notes from Nintendo addressing texture/upscaling complaints.
• Any comment or follow‑up from Monolith Soft — so far we haven’t seen a developer statement.
• Technical breakdowns from specialists (Digital Foundry style) to confirm whether this is an upscaling/chain‑of‑tooling issue or a deliberate fidelity trade‑off for stable 60fps.
• Whether Nintendo changes the physical Switch 2 release before 16 April, or bundles a fixed build.

This moment matters because it’s emblematic of Nintendo’s broader Switch 2 strategy: small paid “upgrade” fees for quality‑of‑life boosts instead of free patches, and digital windows that let players choose whether to spend a few bucks now or wait for a perfected build. The refunds suggest Nintendo’s line managers are paying attention — which is encouraging — but the mixed reception makes me skeptical of rushing these paid upgrades out without clearer notes on what changed.

TL;DR

Nintendo’s $4.99 Switch 2 upgrade for Xenoblade Chronicles X adds real performance gains (up to 60fps, 4K TV mode), but some players report worse-looking visuals and Nintendo is issuing refunds. If you want smoother play now it’s cheap; if you care about visual fidelity, consider waiting for a patch or buy the Switch‑1 physical + upgrade trick to save money.