The Final Speedrun: A Record for Xenoblade Chronicles X That Will Stand the Test of Time

The ultimate record for fastest completion in Xenoblade Chronicles on the cusp of Nintendo ceasing online support for the Wii U and 3DS systems is seen as unbeatable. Just moments before the shutdown, the pinnacle of speedrunning for Xenoblade Chronicles X’s online play was established, marking what is considered the final competitive online activity in the game.

On April 8, the regrettable closure of Nintendo Network services for the 3DS and Wii U was enacted, stripping multiple titles of their online features permanently. This prompted gamers to revisit their cherished titles for one last online adventure, including Xenoblade Chronicles X. This RPG, famous for its massive mechs, was in desperate demand for a port to the Nintendo Switch, particularly for its Squad Missions in online mode. In these closing moments, speedrunner YMG-C clinched a world record in the game’s online speedrunning community.

A fan by the username xc_omoroid shared an interesting tidbit on social media, highlighting that the ultimate speedrun record for the XCX Online Any% category by YMG-C coincided with the last possible online attempt before the server shutdown. YMG-C, who also held the prior record, improved their time by a minute - finishing the online mode in 2 hours and 56 minutes - a feat now locked in time unless the game sees a revival, potentially on a future Nintendo platform.

Interestingly, xc_omoroid might have had a shot at surpassing this record, maintaining a connection to the now-offline servers for an extended period through determination and by not powering down their Wii U, reminiscent of the perseverance shown by the last Halo 2 players online years ago. Presently, a trio of players remain online, scattered across Mario Kart 7, Super Mario Maker, and Splatoon, holding onto the vestiges of Nintendo's online past.