Xbox CEO Pledges Switch 2 Support for Upcoming Game Releases

Xbox CEO Phil Spencer has expressed enthusiastic support for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, even before the hybrid console's official launch in 2025. Dive into the details to discover what the future holds for the partnership between Microsoft and Nintendo.

Xbox CEO Pledges His Support For Switch 2

In a recent interview with Gamertag Radio on January 25, 2025, Xbox CEO Phil Spencer announced Microsoft's commitment to supporting Nintendo's Switch 2 by planning to port multiple games to this eagerly awaited platform.

Spencer has already voiced his support for the Switch 2 before its release, anticipating Nintendo's continued success with their next hybrid console. He shared that he has been in communication with Nintendo's president, Shuntaro Furukawa, congratulating him on the new console and expressing his appreciation for the larger screen. "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 innovative approach and their significant role in the gaming industry. "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 mentioned in the interview, Microsoft has a pre-existing 10-year agreement with Nintendo, announced on February 25, 2023. This agreement ensures that "Call of Duty will be brought to Nintendo players—the same day as Xbox, with full feature and content parity," as stated by Microsoft president Brad Smith.

Currently, Xbox is expanding its reach by porting games like Grounded and Pertinent to rival platforms, including the Switch and PlayStation. Given this strategy and the enhanced capabilities of the Switch 2, it's likely that more Xbox games will find their way onto Nintendo's new hybrid console.

Xbox is Working on a New Platform

In the same interview, Spencer highlighted Xbox's ongoing efforts to develop new hardware, even as they continue to bring their games to competitors' consoles.

He emphasized that the most successful games are those that can run on a variety of platforms. "I want to build a platform that services those creators, the creators that are trying to meet people on every screen," Spencer said.

While Xbox aims to support game creators in reaching multiple platforms, Spencer stressed the importance of creating hardware that both developers and players will enjoy. "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."

Xbox's strategy is to make their games more accessible to a broader audience, all while developing new consoles or handheld devices, rather than restricting their titles to their own ecosystem.

Xbox Plans to Reach More Players on Various Devices

On November 14, 2024, Xbox Marketing senior director Craig McNary unveiled the company's new slogan, "This is an Xbox," which underscores their commitment to expanding Xbox's reach across a variety of devices.

"This Is an Xbox invites people to play with Xbox across multiple devices and screens," McNary explained. This campaign highlights Xbox's evolution as a platform that spans across different devices, characterized by bold, iconic, and fun visuals with a light-hearted tone. The campaign, launched on the same day, will be brought to life in various creative ways.

The announcement humorously showcased various objects like a remote control, laptop, cat box, and bento box, playfully labeling what Xbox is or isn’t. Despite the playful approach, the underlying message is clear: many devices are connected to Xbox or Microsoft in some way. To further this vision, Xbox has partnered with companies like Samsung, Crocs™, Porsche, and others to "help bring the campaign to life in unexpected and entertaining ways."

Xbox's approach diverges from its competitors, opting to port games to rival consoles rather than keeping them exclusive, thereby making them accessible to a wider gaming community.