Misconception a game doesn't need to be done from scratch to be a remake as a remaking is modernizing the game for newer hardware Black Mesa is the same game as HL yet still a remake as is HL Source. To even quote the definition: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remake

"A video game remake is a video game closely adapted from an earlier title, usually for the purpose of modernizing a game for newer hardware and contemporary audiences. Typically, a remake of such game software shares essentially the same title, fundamental gameplay concepts, and core story elements of the original game. Remakes are often made by the original developer or copyright holder, sometimes by the fan community. If created by the community, video game remakes are sometimes also called fan game and can be seen as part of the retrogaming phenomenon."

XBC from what is shown has a new engine, textures, models, redone environments and new lighting as part of modernizing it for newer hardware.

Misconception according to who?

Look at the definition I posted.

And from the Wikipedia page it links to : "A port that contains a great deal of remade assets may sometimes be considered a remastering"

From the remaster page:£ In some cases, the original game's graphics visual assets are not compatible with the new technology, so the developers are necessitated to remake or remodel them with improved texture depth, physically-based rendering, and light-reflection; and additional features such as realistic physics and joints employed for movable objects like character models. An example of a game that has had its graphics redesigned is Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary"

The Wikipedia page is full of "citation needed" and has no definitive distinction between remakes, remasters or ports. Tbh I don't think there's a general consensus on when to use those terms. There's nothing that seems to be agreed upon. Hell Activision thinks Spyro is a "remaster". I'll just keep using my own definitions.

Remake - An updated version of a game created from scratch.

Remaster - An updated version of a game with new assets built on the foundations of the original.

Port - An existing game moved to a new platform with no or very minimal changes to assets.

True it also comes down to the era of gaming you're from remasters to me were always just the touch ups like TLOU and they were around even back in the 80s and 90s with one example being RE3 on DC they weren't even called remasters they were simply ports.

It's a remaster of the Wii version.
Even news site calling it that.

http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/09/video_heres_how_xenoblade_chronicles_switch_remaster_compares_to_the_wii_original

https://www.destructoid.com/xenoblade-chronicles-is-being-remastered-for-switch-565829.phtml

It's the exact same game as the Wii Version at its core with added content which was scrapped from the Wii version.

https://www.polygon.com/2019/9/4/20850169/xenoblade-chronicles-definitive-edition-remake-nintendo-switch-direct

https://gematsu.com/2019/09/xenoblade-chronicles-definitive-edition-announced-for-switch

Not exactly a concrete argument mate as just as many sites call it a remake from what's gathered it can be either going by your own definition as the's no universally cited one.

Let's count all the sites which call it remaster and remake and settle the argument with that. :)

Polygon counts the 3DS version as a remake, too. But ok, this leads nowhere.

I will still call it a remaster, because a remake doesn't need the extra in the title (Definitive edition) and as I already said, it's still the same game at it's core just with enhanced visuals. Using a different engine doesn't make it a remake. Half Life Source was also ported to the source engine, yet it's not considered a remake.

Something that I'd like to see is that the game tells you where each named NPC is (after having talked with them once) so you don't have to be looking for them when you're doing a side quest (particularly the side quests where the game tells you "Return to *insert NPC name*")

Well it changes more than just the engine for modern hardware so I'll call it a remake and to counter your other point DQ games on DS did the same and are considered remakes despite being the same games at their core.