Xenoblade Chronicles (universe)

Xenoblade Chronicles (universe)
	;
Developer(s)	Monolith Soft
Publisher(s)	Nintendo
Designer(s)	Tetsuya Takahashi
Genre(s)	Action role-playing
Console/platform of origin	Wii
First installment	Xenoblade Chronicles (2010)
Latest installment	Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition (2025)
Article on Xeno Series Wiki	Xenoblade Chronicles (universe)

The Xenoblade Chronicles universe (ゼノブレイド, Xenoblade) refers to the Super Smash Bros. series' collection of characters and other properties hailing from Nintendo and Monolith Soft's series of open-world action role-playing games. Xenoblade is the most recent incarnation of the unofficial Xeno metaseries, named for the prefix carried by Tetsuya Takahashi's directorial body of work across multiple games for separate publishers.

Franchise description[edit]

Shulk on Bionis' Leg, with the Mechonis in the far distance, as depicted in Shulk's SSB4 reveal trailer. The two titans form the world of Xenoblade Chronicles.

Xenoblade Chronicles is a series of RPGs boasting a real-time, cooldown-based battle system comparable to MMORPGs, and sprawling, open-world environments that encourage a great degree of free exploration. The series's storylines, though generally self-contained, pair character-driven narratives with high personal stakes that progressively escalate, interweaving the characters' fates and choices with a rich sci-fantasy mythology that broadly links each game's worlds. The series has evolved from a cult favourite on Wii into Monolith Soft's longest-running, signature series, and a premier first-party RPG franchise for Nintendo.

The first Xenoblade was initially conceived under the title Monado: Beginning of the World, entirely separate from Tetsuya Takahashi's previous works, Xenogears and its recently-concluded spiritual successor Xenosaga. Respectively developed during Takahashi's employment with Square and Monolith's ownership under Namco, Takahashi experienced a variety of development and financial difficulties that prevented him from developing either as the sprawling, six-game epics he envisioned. After Monolith's purchase by Nintendo, he accordingly chose to develop his first Wii game as a fresh start, sharing only loose similarities with its predecessors. Late in development, it was renamed Xenoblade in honor of them, at the suggestion of Satoru Iwata. As all three series were respectively produced for different publishers and possess their own individual mythologies, worlds, and characters, they are legally and canonically unrelated; the Xeno name serves purely to mark their status as Takahashi productions,^[1]^[2]^[3] but is often regarded by fans as a metaseries. Xenoblade's successive entries more knowingly homage and reference its precursors to varying degrees, and otherwise continue recurring themes of religion, philosophy, and humanity's relationship to life and technology that are central motifs of Takahashi's work, but otherwise firmly establish it as its own series. No elements from Xenogears or Xenosaga are present in Super Smash Bros.

The game centres the clash between two giant, godlike titans, the Bionis and Mechonis, whose backs are respectively home to the human-like Homs and the mechanical Mechon. Central to their war is the powerful blade Monado, for which the game is named. Wielded by protagonist Shulk, to whom the blade grants the ability to see the future, Shulk embarks on a journey across the worlds of both Bionis and Mechonis, where he slowly uncovers and is wrapped into the truth surrounding the two worlds' generational and mythic conflicts.

Xenoblade released in Japan in 2010 and became a cult hit, achieving massive critical acclaim for its innovative gameplay, rich storytelling, and lavish presentation during a period of perceived stagnation for Japanese RPGs on consoles. Its infusion of open-world and MMORPG elements became standard for the series, as did mechanics such as its Chain Attacks, aggro-based targeting, and boss-level Unique Enemy encounters. Localized by Nintendo of Europe the following year, the game was not initially selected for release by Nintendo of America. A fan campaign, "Operation Rainfall", resulted in the game achieving a limited release exclusive to Gamestop stores, with NOA choosing to simply release Nintendo of Europe's UK-based localization as is. Beginning tradition, all numbered Xenoblade games since would be localized by NOE.

The game was first followed in 2015 by a Wii U successor, Xenoblade Chronicles X. Separate from the main series, X had a greater MMORPG influence, with a mission-based game structure, customizable protagonist, an even grander open world, and the Xenogears-esque mechanical Skells who could be piloted across battle and exploration. The series's first official numbered sequel was 2017's Xenoblade Chronicles 2 for Nintendo Switch. Set in a parallel but linked world to the first, its storyline and battle system centred the relationship between Drivers who work in harmony with their Blade partners, particularly that of Rex and Pyra/Mythra. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 brought the series to its greatest commercial heights yet, selling over 3 million copies, and was followed by a standalone DLC prequel, Torna ~ The Golden Country.

Since then, Xenoblade has seen regular release, including a bevy of updated remasters and ports for each game, frequently boasting new content and storylines. Post-Smash, 2022's Xenoblade Chronicles 3 centred opposing youth factions who spend their 10-year lifespans at war. Featuring full-party battles for the first time, the duelling parties led by Noah and Mio join forces to fight individually, and as partnered Ouroboros forms. Its somber storyline further built upon the series's growing mythology, and culminated in the DLC campaign Future Redeemed, which served as a conclusion to the trilogy. The series's next mainline game, Xenoblade Genesis, is scheduled for release in 2027 on Nintendo Switch 2, serving as a new beginning.

In Super Smash Bros. 4[edit]

Xenoblade Chronicles makes its official debut in Smash 4, with one fighter, one Assist Trophy, one stage, a handful of music tracks, a Mii Fighter costume, plenty of trophies, and a boss character representing it. The game's most newly-created fighter universe, the series then consisted solely of a single game. As such, all representation is strictly from the original Xenoblade Chronicles.

Fighter[edit]

Shulk (Starter): The protagonist of Xenoblade Chronicles debuts as a starter character and wields the Monado as his primary means of combat. In battle, Shulk utilizes various Monado Arts that alter his attributes, such as jumping height or damage output, and the Monado's beam blade grants him the single longest-reaching sword in the game. Despite all of this, though, Shulk is currently ranked 35th on the Super Smash Bros. 4 tier list, labeling him as a mid-tier character. This is in large part due to his Monado Arts’ drawbacks and his notoriously sluggish frame data, though a dedicated playerbase has been studying his Arts and continuously uncovering new advanced techniques with them.

Stage[edit]

Gaur Plain (Starter): An expansive stretch of wilderness located on the Bionis' Leg. The lifeless body of Mechonis can be seen in the background of the stage. Many platforms, some of them being walk-offs, are strewn about haphazardly. Gaur Plain appears in both versions of SSB4, although it is larger in the Wii U version, with more platforms and two usable springs. The stage in both versions features a day-night cycle starting in the daytime; when nightfall comes on Wii U, Metal Face may arrive and attack any nearby fighters while verbally taunting them.

Assist Trophy[edit]

Riki: One of Shulk's comrades and party members, Riki uses Arts like Happy Happy, Freezinate, Yoink!, Bedtime, You Can Do It, and Roly Poly. He also appears in Shulk's Final Smash.

Mii Costume[edit]

Outfit[edit]

Dunban's Outfit (DLC): Based on Dunban's outfit, one of Shulk's closest friends and party members. Includes a Dunban outfit for Mii Swordfighters and a Dunban Wig. The Mii will hold the Homs Sabre if it is worn. Dunban himself also appears alongside Riki as part of Shulk's Final Smash.

Headgear[edit]

Dunban Wig (DLC): Based on Dunban's haircut.

Music[edit]

Main article: List of SSB4 Music (Xenoblade Chronicles series)

All of the below music plays on Gaur Plain. "Gaur Plain" and "You Will Know Our Names" are available in both versions, while all others are Wii U exclusive.

Original Track[edit]

Xenoblade Chronicles Medley: The only Xenoblade Chronicles remix on the soundtrack, this track is a medley of "Gaur Plain (Day)", "Mechanical Rhythm", "You Will Know Our Names", and "Engage the Enemy".^{(Wii U)}

Source Tracks[edit]

Engage the Enemy: This music plays during dramatic story events in Xenoblade Chronicles, and is featured on Disc 2 of A Smashing Soundtrack.^{(Wii U)}
Gaur Plain: The overworld music that plays in Xenoblade Chronicles on the Bionis' Leg during the day. It is featured on Disc 1 of A Smashing Soundtrack.
Gaur Plain (Night): The music that plays during Bionis' Leg during the night is the music that plays in Xenoblade Chronicles on the Bionis' Leg during the night.^{(Wii U)}
Time to Fight!: The standard battle theme for regular battles on Bionis.^{(Wii U)}
An Obstacle in Our Path: The game's standard boss battle theme, usually against Faced Mechon.^{(Wii U)}
Mechanical Rhythm: The standard battle theme for fights on Mechonis.^{(Wii U)}
You Will Know Our Names: The battle theme when the party confronts a uniquely named monster. It is featured on Disc 1 of A Smashing Soundtrack.

Victory Theme[edit]

Victory! Shulk: Taken from the second half of the riff of "You Will Know Our Names".

Trophies[edit]

Main article: List of SSB4 trophies (Xenoblade Chronicles series)

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]

The series received a significant boost in the main game, primarily through elements from the two Xenoblade Chronicles games released between Smash 4 and Ultimate. All previous representation, beyond the universally-dropped trophies, returned, and was joined by new music tracks, Spirits, and Mii Costumes, one of which was a DLC purchase bonus. Fighters Pass Vol. 2 expanded its representation even further in March 2021, with the addition of Pyra and Mythra as playable fighters bringing with them a new stage, and even more music and Spirits.

Much later in January 2024, a new combined spirit from Xenoblade Chronicles 3 was added to the game, completing the representation of the trilogy.

Fighters[edit]

57.
Shulk (Unlockable): The Heir to the Monado from the original Xenoblade Chronicles returns as an unlockable fighter. One fundamental change to his moveset is how Monado Arts are selected; in addition to pressing the special button repeatedly to choose the desired Art, the player can now also quick-select Arts instantly by holding the special button and tilting the control stick. Besides this, he has been substantially buffed regarding his frame data and landing lag, even though some of his advanced techniques have been removed and his Monado Arts now provide more extreme benefits and drawbacks. Mecha-Fiora now joins him, Dunban, and Riki for his Final Smash, Chain Attack.
79-80.
Pyra/Mythra (DLC): The two sides of the Aegis from Xenoblade Chronicles 2 arrive as downloadable newcomers in Fighters Pass Vol. 2. Mechanically, they function as a 2-in-1 fighter and can transform into each other at any time using their down special Swap. Their normal attacks have identical animations, with differences in power, speed, and frame data setting them apart. Their special attacks consist of their respective Blade Arts, and their Final Smashes bring out their Driver, Rex, to perform their most powerful Blade Arts. They were released on March 4, 2021 as part of Challenger Pack 9.

79.
Pyra: The fiery half of the Aegis appears alongside Mythra as the fourth downloadable newcomer in the Fighters Pass Vol. 2. Pyra falls into the slow-but-strong archetype, boasting high KO power and flame effects when dealing damage. However, her attacks are significantly slower than her counterpart's. Her Final Smash, Burning Sword, can catch multiple opponents in a whirlwind of fire before launching them.
80.
Mythra: The light half of the Aegis appears alongside Pyra as the fifth downloadable newcomer in the Fighters Pass Vol. 2. Mythra falls into the fast-but-weak archetype, boasting higher mobility and faster frame data. However, her attacks deal less damage and have significantly less KO power than her counterpart's. Her Final Smash, Sacred Arrow, can catch multiple opponents in a maelstrom of light before launching them.