Previously, we reported that the physical release of Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna – The Golden Country in several regions does not come with a download code for expansion pass content. These regions include Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian nations – where Active Boeki/Maxsoft manages the distribution of Nintendo games.

Since then, we have received new information that clarifies why such copies are missing the download codes. To be specific, a source who wishes to stay anonymous told NintendoSoup about what could be happening behind the scenes.

They highlighted the following points:

1. Active Boeki/Maxsoft have access to US, EU and MSE (Middle East/Southeast Asia) versions of Nintendo-published games. Usually, Nintendo offers MSE versions at a cheaper wholesale cost.

2. Active Boeki/Maxsoft have no control over the contents of the MSE version. They only talk to Nintendo about which version they will be distributing.

3. For previous games like Bayonetta 2, Active Boeki/Maxsoft decided to distribute both the US and MSE versions. The US copies included a download code for Bayonetta 1, but cost more at retail ($59).  Meanwhile, the MSE copies did not come with a download code, but cost less at retail ($49).

4. For ‘Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna – The Golden Country’, Active Boeki/Maxsoft decided not to import the US version for unknown reasons.

Based on this information, we now have a slightly clearer picture of the situation:

• Active Boeki/Maxsoft decided to distribute ONLY the MSE copies of ‘Torna – The Golden Country’ to Southeast Asia and the Middle East. This presumably lets them offer the game at a lower cost than imported US/EU copies.

• However, it was Nintendo’s decision to leave out expansion pass codes from the MSE copies. Active Boeki/Maxsoft could not ask for the codes to be included.

In the future, it might be helpful for customers to take note of these points about Nintendo games in countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia.