Xbox CEO Pledges Switch 2 Support for Upcoming Game Releases

Xbox CEO Phil Spencer has publicly expressed his support for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, even before its official launch in 2025. This move highlights a significant partnership between Microsoft and Nintendo, promising exciting developments for gamers across both platforms.

Xbox Will Continue Porting Games to Nintendo Switch 2

In a recent interview with Gamertag Radio on January 25, 2025, Xbox CEO Phil Spencer announced that Xbox plans to port multiple games to the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Spencer's forward-thinking approach stems from his belief in Nintendo's continued success with its innovative hybrid console. He shared insights from his correspondence with Nintendo’s president, Shuntaro Furukawa, saying, "I was exchanging emails with Furukawa-san, the CEO of Nintendo. I gave him a big congrats and said my old eyes appreciate the larger screen."

Spencer praised Nintendo's role in the gaming industry, stating, "Nintendo, their innovation, and what they mean in this industry… I just always applaud the moves that they make. They did a little flash video, and I know we’ll get more detail over time. I’m really looking forward to supporting them with the games that we have, and I just think they’re a really important part of this industry."

While specific titles were not disclosed during the interview, Microsoft has an existing 10-year agreement with Nintendo, officially announced on February 25, 2023. This deal ensures that Microsoft will "bring Call of Duty to Nintendo Players—the same day as Xbox, with full feature and content parity," according to Microsoft president Brad Smith.

Currently, Xbox is already expanding its reach by bringing games like Grounded and Pentiment to rival platforms such as Switch and PlayStation. With the enhanced capabilities of the Switch 2, more Xbox titles could potentially be ported to Nintendo's new hybrid console.

Xbox is Working on a New Platform

In the same interview, Spencer emphasized that Xbox is actively developing new hardware, even as it continues to bring its games to competing platforms. He believes that the most successful games are those that run on multiple platforms, stating, "I want to build a platform that services those creators, the creators that are trying to meet people on every screen."

Spencer's vision is to create a platform that both developers and players will prefer. He said, "Let’s go build innovative hardware that people want to use to play, whether that’s in their hands, whether it’s on the television, or even other places." This approach signals Xbox's commitment to accessibility and innovation, rather than restricting its games to exclusive platforms.

Xbox Plans to Reach More Players on Various Devices

On November 14, 2024, Xbox Marketing senior director Craig McNary introduced the new slogan, "This is an Xbox," emphasizing the company's strategy to extend its reach to a variety of devices. McNary explained, "This Is an Xbox invites people to play with Xbox across multiple devices and screens," showcasing the evolution of Xbox as a platform that transcends traditional gaming devices.

The campaign, launched on the same day, uses bold, iconic, and fun visuals with a light-hearted tone to convey its message. An accompanying humorous video labeled various items like a remote control, laptop, cat box, and bento box as examples of what Xbox is or isn't, underscoring the broad connectivity of Xbox and Microsoft across different devices.

To bring this campaign to life in unique and entertaining ways, Xbox has partnered with companies like Samsung, Crocs™, and Porsche. This approach diverges from Xbox's competitors, who often focus on exclusive titles. Instead, Xbox aims to make its games more accessible to a wider audience, porting them to rival consoles and fostering a more inclusive gaming community.