Xbox CEO Promises Switch 2 Compatibility for Future Games

Xbox CEO Phil Spencer has expressed strong support for the upcoming Switch 2, even before its official release in 2025. Dive into the details to understand the evolving relationship between Microsoft and Nintendo.

Xbox CEO Pledges His Support For Switch 2

Xbox Will Continue Porting Games to Nintendo Switch 2

In an insightful interview with Gamertag Radio on January 25, 2025, Xbox CEO Phil Spencer announced his commitment to supporting Nintendo's upcoming Switch 2 by planning to port multiple games to this new platform. Spencer's early endorsement reflects his confidence in Nintendo’s continued success with its hybrid console. He shared that he has been in direct communication with Nintendo’s president, Shuntaro Furukawa, and expressed his admiration for Nintendo's innovation. "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 remarked.

He further 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's existing 10-year agreement with Nintendo, announced on February 25, 2023, promises to bring "Call of Duty to Nintendo Players—the same day as Xbox, with full feature and content parity," as stated by Microsoft president Brad Smith. Currently, Xbox is also porting games like Grounded and Pentiment to rival platforms such as Switch and PlayStation, aiming to broaden its market reach. With the enhanced capabilities of the Switch 2, more Xbox games are likely to find their way to Nintendo's new hybrid console.

Xbox is Working on a New Platform

In the same interview, Spencer also discussed Xbox's ongoing efforts to develop new hardware, despite their strategy to bring games to competing platforms. He emphasized the importance of multi-platform compatibility for game success, stating, "games that run across so many different platforms are the most successful ones, and Xbox must capitalize on their success. I want to build a platform that services those creators, the creators that are trying to meet people on every screen."

Spencer's vision extends beyond just supporting multiple platforms; he aims to create innovative hardware that appeals to both developers and players. "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," he said. This approach reflects Xbox's commitment to making their games more accessible while continuing to innovate in hardware development.

Xbox Plans to Reach More Players on Various Devices

On November 14, 2024, Xbox Marketing senior director Craig McNary unveiled the new slogan, "This is an Xbox," which underscores the company's strategy to extend Xbox's reach across various devices. McNary explained, "This Is an Xbox invites people to play with Xbox across multiple devices and screens. It showcases the evolution of Xbox as a platform that extends across devices, with bold, iconic, fun visuals and a light-hearted tone. Launching today, the campaign will come to life in a variety of ways."

The campaign humorously illustrated the concept by labeling various items such as a remote control, laptop, cat box, and bento box as examples of what Xbox can be or isn't. This light-hearted approach emphasizes the connectivity of numerous devices to Xbox or Microsoft. To further this vision, Xbox has partnered with brands like Samsung, Crocs™, and Porsche to bring the campaign to life in unexpected and entertaining ways.

Xbox's strategy diverges from that of its competitors, focusing on openness and accessibility rather than exclusivity. By porting games to rival consoles, Xbox aims to make gaming enjoyable for a broader audience.