On the one hand, it is a bit annoying they're spending time and resources on this instead of making an actual fresh new game, but at least in this case it's a game that was criminally overlooked due to its horribly mismanaged release, so it may finally get the exposure it always deserved.

Shouldn't that be the other way around, that if wouldn't be impeding new game development cos it's NOT one of their primary studios?

I'd still rather they be assisting with the making of a new game like with BOTW, but I think I've said more than enough in the past about how I feel about last gen ports on Switch so I'll refrain from another spiel and try to look on the bright side, that at least the game might have a chance to reach an audience now that it never did on Wii/3DS.

They are making a new IP though they have 4 teams, one is helping with BOTW's sequel, one is working on this and another is working on a new IP which so far all they've said about it is that it's western centric in approach. The team working on this are likely also a small team as they're not doing everything from the ground up projects like these make sure the are no idle teams in the studios.

Well, this involves a major misunderstanding on how much resources are needed for a new game and for a port or a remaster. That said - ports from a HD-console like WiiU need much less resources as a HD-remaster like this. Let's get into detail a bit.

A port needs only a small technical team for a short time. Most of the work is done by the compiler here, the technical team has to fix some issues that arise from the porting and test it. As games need only very small technical staff, this can be done aside a bigger project. Actually with a port to a new machine the programmers can learn the ins and outs of the new machine, so I'd argue that a port actually HELPS getting a new game done faster and better (as they learn better about the machine, they can make the software better performing).

A port like Mario Kart 8 also includes a bit more content. But for this you need what, a level-designer to create the new levels for the Battle Mode? And a bit of designers for the additional characters? So a few weeks worth of work for maybe five people? Compared to years for a team of hundreds of people for a new game. I guess that fits nicely into downtime. This is, if a project is completed and the new project is in it initial phase, you don't need all designers yet, as there is not yet this kind of work to do. Even if not in the downtime, this takes minor resources.

Now a remaster like Xenoblade is more work. You need to create more detailed textures for HD, I don't know if they possibly also remade some models, most likely character models (as they are seen most often) with all the needed animation. And probably some more to be done. So that needs a team of ten, twenty, maybe thirty for a few months. If you make them work for a year, you would get a small scale game (say Kirby Clash as we seen in the direct). For a game in Xenoblade dimension you need hundreds of people working multiple years. So from a resource standpoint you get say ten remasters of the Xenoblade size for one new game. And it is a proven game. I think these resources are well invested, if it is a game like Xenoblade.

So ports are not cutting into new game development, maybe even helping the development of new games by faster acquiring skills. A remaster uses resources that could also be invested in a small scale game. And that is something to consider. Do you want a Kirby Clash vs. a Xenoblade remaster? And that answer can be differently for different sorts of games internally pitched and the back-catalog possibly to remaster. But for a new project the size of Xenoblade or BOTW you need a much bigger team for a much longer time.

And also: a game needs very different roles to a different amount. You just can't use a programmer to create a character model or make sound effects. There are to be downtimes for certain employees at times, as their work isn't needed currently in the big game project. To use such personnel in small side projects like ports, remasters or even stuff like NES remix seems like a valid use of their resources, so they still improve upon their skills and you get a game to release. Because the reality is: most gamers don't care if the game is an old game or a new game. They want something to play which is fun.

This is so awesome! it was one of the first things I wanted on the Switch. Right before Xenoblade 2 came out would have been perfect. But either way, here we are, one of the best RPGs ever made is now coming to my quickly becoming favourite platform.

You should perhaps look up dead in the dictionary, you appear to be unaware of its definition.

The Wii sold 102 million units of software in Fiscal year 2012, you labeling it as Fiscal Year 2011 is another lie on your part. It not only says in the document, but it says in the damn address bar; do you really think anyone is stupid enough to fall for such blatant misinformation?

Additionally, the 50.61M number you have is NOT from the FY 2012 document as you claim, it’s from the FY 2013 document.

Argue with facts, not lies.

If you haven't watched the comparison videos, do yourself a favor and check them out. This remake is looking excellent and we seem to be getting a whole new region of the Titan to explore!

And I like cute, sassy young blondes over snobby grey-haired 88 year olds. ;)