Earlier today, Nintendo announced that Xenoblade Chronicles 3 will be launching earlier than originally planned – and also revealed that a Special Edition of the game is also in the works. However, it looks like fans may have to wait a little longer if they want to grab their hands on these bonus goodies.

According to the My Nintendo website in Japan, the contents of the Special Edition (such as its exclusive artbook, steel case, and outer box) will only be shipping out from Fall 2022 onwards – and not on the game’s release date itself. This means that folks who purchase the Special Edition in Japan will receive the standalone game first when it launches on 29 July 2022, and will have to wait until after Fall 2022 to receive the rest of the Special Edition contents.

Notice on My Nintendo Japan website:

「Xenoblade3 Collector’s Edition」を予約いただいた方には、先にソフトのみを発売日（7/29）にお届けいたします。
「Xenoblade3 Collector’s Edition」の特典（「Xenoblade3 Nintendo Switch カードケース スチールブック仕様」、「オリジナルアートブック「Xenoblade3 Collected Works」」、外箱）の発送は2022年秋以降を予定しています。

Rough Translation:

For those who have reserved “Xenoblade 3 Collector’s Edition”, only the software will be delivered on the release date (7/29) first.
The bonuses of “Xenoblade 3 Collector’s Edition” (“Xenoblade 3 Nintendo Switch Card Case Steel Book”, “Original Art Book” Xenoblade 3 Collected Works “, outer box) are scheduled to be shipped from the fall of 2022.

It is currently unknown if the western release of the Special Edition contents will also be similarly staggered in this manner. We’ll report back if we hear more in the future.