Xenoblade Chronicles X for Switch Receives Unusual New Warning Message

There’s been quite the commotion among fans of Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition for Switch due to an unexpected “sex” content warning on the packaging. This label has sparked confusion, especially because it wasn’t part of the original Wii U release, leading many to speculate whether something new—and perhaps more risqué—has been included in this version.

Back when Xenoblade Chronicles X first launched in the West for the Wii U, it wasn’t without controversy. The game faced some backlash as certain elements were censored compared to its Japanese counterpart, such as more modest outfits and the removal of a breast size customization option for female characters. With the announcement that the Definitive Edition would be based on this altered version—even in Japan—fans were taken aback by the new addition of a sex content warning.

In the U.S., both renditions of the game have secured a “T” rating, whereas in Europe, the PEGI has upped it to 12+ for the Switch release. This sudden change from the previous warnings, which highlighted violence and strong language, to now include sexual content, has the community buzzing. Social media is alive with speculation, including suggestions that previously removed content might have been restored.

So why, you ask, does the latest iteration of Xenoblade Chronicles X carry a sex content warning? The PEGI outlines that this is related to suggestive themes found in some “female options,” particularly flagging a line where a character says, “I’m going in for a quickie.” There might be a connection to some newly expanded content, but similar tongue-in-cheek dialogue was present in the original and didn’t trigger a warning at the time.

Curiously, the U.S. ESRB has actually dialed back its warning for the Switch version, even while still acknowledging “suggestive themes.” Both the Wii U and Switch versions mention racy camera angles and revealing outfits, but oddly enough, the new ESRB rating omits any mention of previous sexual dialogue. Despite the excitement from some fans about potentially experiencing the original, uncensored narrative, Monolith Soft and Nintendo have doubled down on their decision to keep the Definitive Edition aligned with the Western-censored release.