Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition for the Switch has sparked curiosity with its peculiar “sex” content warning on the European game box. This unexpected addition has left fans scratching their heads, pondering whether any uncensored elements have sneaked into the game.
Revisiting its journey, Xenoblade Chronicles X courted controversy upon its original Wii U release with a few censorship adjustments for the Western audience. For instance, revealing outfits were toned down, and the option to adjust female characters’ breast sizes was entirely removed. To add fuel to the fire, when it was announced that the Switch’s Definitive Edition would align with the Western censored version, it caused quite a stir—even in Japan. So, the newfound content warning has players more bewildered than ever.
For both the Wii U and the Switch versions, the game maintains a T rating in the U.S. and a PEGI 12+ in Europe. However, this updated warning in the European Switch release deviates from its predecessor, including a caution for sexual content alongside the longstanding violence and language alerts. It didn’t take long for the gaming community to buzz with speculation—was there new content slipped in? Could some of the previous censorship be revoked?
The source of the controversy seems to stem from the PEGI description. It specifically calls out sexual innuendos related to “female options,” citing a provocative line, “I’m going in for a quickie.” This has led some to suspect it might involve newly expanded game content, although it’s worth noting that the original game did include some suggestive dialogue that flew under the PEGI radar back then.
Adding an interesting twist, the U.S. ESRB rating, while maintaining references to “suggestive themes,” has actually dialed down its warnings in comparison to the Wii U version. It retains mentions of suggestive camera work and revealing outfits but omits previous sexual dialogue references. Despite some fans longing for an unfiltered experience, it seems Monolith Soft and Nintendo chose the path of least resistance, sticking closely to the Western censored model for the Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition.
Overall, while the content warning might seem more mystifying than any game’s lore, it raises the enduring question of how regional rating systems can differ so sharply, even within the same title.
