There’s still no official release date for Nintendo’s Switch 2 console and the launch lineup is a mystery, but one thing has been revealed: gamers can expect Xbox games to become available for it at some point.
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer praised Nintendo’s work on the Gamertag Radio podcast and said that it will continue to push Xbox games to other platforms, including Valve’s Steam storefront and Nintendo’s Switch 2. “We love the work that we do with Nintendo,” he said, “that’s gonna continue. What we learn is put the games first. Make sure the games can be as great as they can. We love the experience on our own hardware, our own platform. But our games will show up in more and more places, no doubt.”
Even though Spencer said he’d prefer that gamers embrace Microsoft’s own Xbox hardware, “The difference that we’ve seen in the last 20 years is that it’s games first, not platform first.” He said the company doesn’t want to “gatekeep” its games based on that, however.
As for the Switch 2 console itself, Spencer said “My old eyes” appreciate that the new system will have a larger screen. “I just always applaud the moves they make,” Spencer said of Nintendo. “I really look forward to supporting them with the games we have.”
Nintendo did not immediately respond to a request about the podcast comments.
Over the last few years, more and more formerly exclusive Sony PlayStation and Xbox games such as The Last of Us, Spider-Man 2 and Grounded have made their way to other platforms such as PC systems and Nintendo’s original Switch. With Switch 2’s upgraded hardware, it’s even more likely that high-profile games will appear for Nintendo players. Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard studio has already committed to bringing Call of Duty games to Nintendo and it’s likely the Halo franchise will be on Switch 2 at some point.
Online leakers have been speculating that other titles from Microsoft that could end up on Switch 2 include Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, Starfield and Diablo 4.