I hope this is true. Releasing next to Mario Odyssey would be a big mistake. I have said this all alone, I hope it gets delayed. I was not expecting a delay and I am not taking this rumor as fact but I do want this game delayed until next year.

they need third party games in 2017... 2018 is too full of First party already a Feb 2018 release is good.

Super Mario Odyssee is definitely priority for them. They really need this big title for the holidays. Xenoblade on the other hand, is rather niche and won't be a system seller, so it doesn't matter when it releases.

It's not unlikely that it will get delayed, if the game isn't completely finished then they have no reason not to delay it.

even if it was ready for the holidays, a delay would have been wise, this game would be completely forgotten in the holiday rush and really bomb

a February release will get it more attention in the west

Nintendo has been extremely adamant about a 2017 release but I still don't buy it.

I wouldn't mind a 2018 release at all, if it means the game doesn't end up being rushed and even more disappointing than XCX.

I think it's true tbh SMO in November is their main big release of that quarter and the holidays plus the Zelda DLC is out then as well, it's possible XC2 was likely planned for a December release but may have been moved to February for scheduling reasons to have a big game out in 2018 Q1 while also giving XC2 more of a chance and exposure rather than getting buried under SMO and other holiday titles.

I believe non-Nintendo sources more than Nintendo when it comes to Xenoblade 2 release date.

A delay to February would be fine. I'll likely pick it up whenever it's released, but it's easy to see it getting lost if it comes out in the wake of Mario Odyssey. It's also entirely possible Nintendo have another release that could come out in December. Possibly Smash Brothers, but I'd say Pokken in September after Arms in June is enough: but I expect it's also the case Nintendo are bringing out titles with online multiplayer to increase the number of subscribers starting in January 2018.

Anyway, I can see this game finishing development this year. A lot of people saying Monolith Soft couldn't possibly have made the game in two years are ignoring the fact X took so long because of it being Monolith Soft's first HD game, and because of online features. Monolith Soft needed to make new development tools and learn new skills, and make the game engine, and needed Nintendo's help with online. XC2 is almost certainly re-using the game engine made for X, as well as the development tools, which will help cut down development time.

Like I said, February would be fine. I just wonder if there's another title being pushed into the December slot.

Still don't see it releasing before q4 2018 tbh. 2017 was never happening.

Take their time with it..... Xeno games are usually gems.
The longer they take the more time they have to polish it up.

One of those "A delayed game is eventually good, a rushed game is forever bad."  type of deals.

Mario Oddessey and Xenoblade 2 need to be the highest levels of perfection they can make,

not be rushed out products to meet any deadlines.