For months, avid RPG gamers have been pushing Operation Rainfall, a project to bring three elusive role-playing games to the Nintendo Wii.  Those games, Xenoblade Chronicles, The Last Story and Pandora's Tower, have had a huge amount of success in Japan, but with Nintendo trying to focus on the Wii U, many thought that the games would never get a fair shake here.  Well, today, we were reminded just what that effort can bring sometimes, as Nintendo has officially confirmed the release of Xenoblade in the US next April!

Highlighted on an official product page on Nintendo's website, Xenoblade Chronicles is an epic adventure that combines science fiction and fantasy into an unforgettable open-world adventure. Players will discover expansive environments and deep character customization options as they delve into an epic conflict between the Homs (humans) and Mechons (robots) and uncover the secret of the ancient Monado blade. With richly detailed role-playing elements, Xenoblade Chronicles offers an extraordinary experience for veteran gamers and genre newcomers alike.  (That's from the product's description page.)

Other features:

Xenoblade Chronicles invites players to explore a truly vast open-world universe. In addition to the game’s main quest, they can also take on side quests, seek out special items and uncover hidden areas.

Players can customize their characters by choosing from a wide array of weapons, armor, equipment and accessories. Each item not only enhances characters’ abilities, but also affects the appearance of different characters in distinctive ways.

A unique upgrade system lets players improve their characters’ performance throughout the game. They can earn upgrades during battle, trade with townspeople or collect and purchase items. Players can also use magical gems in enhance the abilities of their existing equipment.

The game also incorporates a unique relationship-building system called Affinity. Different characters will have distinct Affinity levels in relation to one another, which can influence their interactions and affect their progress through the game.

A sophisticated battle system in Xenoblade Chronicles includes special Chain Attacks – combo attacks involving all members of the questing party – as well as an Arts system that lets characters perform specialized actions and spells.

An interesting thing about the product listing: though it lists an official release date, it currently only has Gamestop available as a pre-order partner.  Rumor has it that Nintendo may be selling the game exclusively through that retailer, though nothing has been confirmed as of yet.  Regardless, with all the countless Gamestop stores making the rounds, it shouldn't be a problem finding a copy.

You can pre-order the game through this link and check out more media and information as well.  Still no word on when we'll get The Last Story or Pandora's Tower, but 2012 is definitely looking a little more favorable for Nintendo.  That Rainfall just got a rainbow.

About the Author

Robert Workman

Senior Writer/Editor

Robert has years of experience in the video game industry, writing for such sites as AOL GameDaily, PlanetXbox360 and Comic Book Resources.  He can also outdrink you any day of the week.  And twice on Sunday.  Follow him at www.twitter.com/thedcd.