Call of Duty Finally Arrives on Nintendo Switch 2: Microsoft Begins Fulfilling 10-Year Promise
In February 2022, the gaming landscape shifted when Phil Spencer, Head of Microsoft Gaming, confirmed the company's commitment to bring the blockbuster Call of Duty franchise to Nintendo hardware as part of a decade-long deal following Microsoft’s merger with Activision Blizzard King.
This agreement aimed to ensure one of gaming's biggest shooters would reach Nintendo audiences, supporting continued player access and fostering more competition across platforms.
Since the announcement, anticipation has grown among fans awaiting the series’ debut on Nintendo Switch and its successors. Now, two years on from Spencer’s statement, there has yet to be a Call of Duty title released on either the original Nintendo Switch or its anticipated successor, commonly referred to as Nintendo Switch 2.
However, recent coverage points to imminent change.
According to Jez Corden, editor at Windows Central, the highly anticipated arrival of Call of Duty on Nintendo Switch 2 is set for this year.
Corden reported, "Call of Duty will also launch on Nintendo Switch 2 this year, aligning with Microsoft’s commitment to global regulators." In response to community questions, Corden also confirmed on social media that "The first Call of Duty Switch version is nearly complete and will be available in the coming months." These statements directly address inquiries around Microsoft’s delivery on their agreement—a point of contention during Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard King.
The move will mark the first major Call of Duty release for Nintendo owners in over a decade, with the previous title released on a Nintendo platform being Call of Duty: Ghosts for Wii U in 2013. As of now, Microsoft has not disclosed which entry in the Call of Duty franchise will be ported to Nintendo Switch 2, nor is it clear if it will also release on the current-generation Nintendo Switch.
Despite the lack of specific information, the timeline Corden references indicates an arrival in the near future, likely to be announced at an upcoming Nintendo Direct presentation.
Nintendo Direct events routinely serve as the platform for major announcements regarding new releases and partnerships, suggesting official confirmation is on the horizon as Nintendo outlines its 2024 launch slate. This marks a significant milestone in Microsoft’s ongoing integration strategy post-merger, and further cements their efforts to broaden the Call of Duty user base beyond PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
With the Nintendo Switch platform achieving over 125 million units sold worldwide since its launch in 2017, the expansion represents notable commercial potential for both Activision Blizzard King and Microsoft Gaming. The arrival of Call of Duty on Nintendo Switch 2 is poised to be one of the banner gaming events of the year.
Players, investors, and industry watchers alike will eagerly await more details—potentially at the next Nintendo Direct—as the collaboration between Microsoft and Nintendo enters a new era.
This agreement aimed to ensure one of gaming's biggest shooters would reach Nintendo audiences, supporting continued player access and fostering more competition across platforms.
Since the announcement, anticipation has grown among fans awaiting the series’ debut on Nintendo Switch and its successors. Now, two years on from Spencer’s statement, there has yet to be a Call of Duty title released on either the original Nintendo Switch or its anticipated successor, commonly referred to as Nintendo Switch 2.
However, recent coverage points to imminent change.
According to Jez Corden, editor at Windows Central, the highly anticipated arrival of Call of Duty on Nintendo Switch 2 is set for this year.
Corden reported, "Call of Duty will also launch on Nintendo Switch 2 this year, aligning with Microsoft’s commitment to global regulators." In response to community questions, Corden also confirmed on social media that "The first Call of Duty Switch version is nearly complete and will be available in the coming months." These statements directly address inquiries around Microsoft’s delivery on their agreement—a point of contention during Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard King.
The move will mark the first major Call of Duty release for Nintendo owners in over a decade, with the previous title released on a Nintendo platform being Call of Duty: Ghosts for Wii U in 2013. As of now, Microsoft has not disclosed which entry in the Call of Duty franchise will be ported to Nintendo Switch 2, nor is it clear if it will also release on the current-generation Nintendo Switch.
Despite the lack of specific information, the timeline Corden references indicates an arrival in the near future, likely to be announced at an upcoming Nintendo Direct presentation.
Nintendo Direct events routinely serve as the platform for major announcements regarding new releases and partnerships, suggesting official confirmation is on the horizon as Nintendo outlines its 2024 launch slate. This marks a significant milestone in Microsoft’s ongoing integration strategy post-merger, and further cements their efforts to broaden the Call of Duty user base beyond PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
With the Nintendo Switch platform achieving over 125 million units sold worldwide since its launch in 2017, the expansion represents notable commercial potential for both Activision Blizzard King and Microsoft Gaming. The arrival of Call of Duty on Nintendo Switch 2 is poised to be one of the banner gaming events of the year.
Players, investors, and industry watchers alike will eagerly await more details—potentially at the next Nintendo Direct—as the collaboration between Microsoft and Nintendo enters a new era.
