Nintendo Switch Strengthens Third-Party Partnerships with Microsoft, EA, Epic Games and More

Nintendo Switch Strengthens Third-Party Partnerships with Microsoft, EA, Epic Games and More Nintendo has long been recognized for its first-party franchises, but the company’s approach to third-party publisher relationships has undergone a remarkable transformation during the Nintendo Switch era.

Detailed in its latest financial results, Nintendo outlined major advancements in developer support and collaboration, resulting in a surge of third-party titles and sales that continue to elevate the platform’s reputation and reach. Previously, Nintendo consoles often relied heavily on exclusive first-party games to propel sales and maintain consumer interest.

However, the Nintendo Switch’s hybrid design and commercial success drew attention from leading industry publishers, such as Microsoft, Electronic Arts (EA), Bandai Namco, Capcom, and Epic Games.

Nintendo’s improved approach to external developers is now being cited as a key factor in the console’s strong performance. According to Nintendo’s statement, the company has made 'significant improvements' in its development environment and enhanced support for game creators.

Executives emphasized that these advances have led to the 'strongest partnerships ever' with third-party publishers.

This progress is supported by the launch of the Nintendo Developer Portal—a comprehensive platform giving developers and publishers simpler and more effective tools to create and release software on the Switch.

The portal also provides access to essential middleware solutions, such as Unity and Unreal Engine, and offers developers more affordable development kits. As a direct result, third-party involvement on the Nintendo Switch has flourished, bringing a diverse array of both indie and blockbuster releases to the platform.

Major publishers, including Microsoft, EA, and Epic Games, have contributed high-profile titles to the Switch’s growing catalog.

Nintendo’s financial briefing revealed that around half of all software units sold since the fiscal year ending March 2021 are from third-party publishers, a figure that excludes the substantial number of download-only releases available via the eShop.

This impressive statistic underscores the health of both first-party and third-party software sales, which 'continue to achieve high levels,' according to Nintendo. Looking ahead, Nintendo reconfirmed a robust lineup of third-party games headed to Switch in 2025.

Confirmed titles include Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, Suikoden I & II HD Remaster, Guilty Gear Strive, and Atelier Yumia.

Perhaps most notably, Microsoft has formalized a ten-year commitment to bring the popular Call of Duty franchise to Nintendo platforms, marking a major milestone in the companies’ partnership. Nintendo’s strategic focus on nurturing its developer ecosystem and learning from previous hardware generations has paid dividends.

By championing accessibility and fostering strong working relationships with third-party publishers, Nintendo Switch is poised to maintain a thriving library and ensure continued appeal for gamers worldwide.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo EA Microsoft Switch Epic Games Electronic Arts Bandai Namco Capcom Unreal Engine Unity Nintendo Developer Portal Call of Duty