Phil Spencer has teased Microsoft’s plan to release Xbox games on Nintendo Switch 2, reinforcing recent reports that indicate the company is set to back the next-gen console in a big way.
A number of Xbox games are reportedly coming to Switch 2, including Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Windows Central’s Jez Corden has reported that most if not all Xbox games will launch on Switch 2 if the console is able to run them well enough.
Speaking in the latest episode of the Gamertag Radio podcast, Spencer said Microsoft was “really looking forward” to supporting Nintendo Switch 2 with Xbox games.
“Nintendo and their innovation, what they mean in this industry, I just always applaud the moves that they make,” Spencer said when asked to react to the Switch 2 reveal.
“They did a little flash video. I know we’ll get more detail over time. Really looking forward to supporting them with the games that we have. I just think they’re such an important part of this industry.
“It’s hard with what’s publicly out there now about the platform for everybody to get their hands around it, but who would ever bet against the success of that team? They are just masterful in what they do. Switch is a massive success. And I think Switch 2 will be as well.”
Spencer also revealed that he had personally congratulated Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa on the Switch 2 reveal, and praised the decision to make a bigger console this time around. “My old eyes appreciate the larger screen!” Spencer joked. “It’s not always true that I can read all the text!”
Of course, Microsoft’s support of Switch 2 follows already existing support of the original Switch, which is home to the likes of Minecraft and Obsidian’s Pentiment and Grounded. And it comes amid a significant multiplatform push for Microsoft, which is releasing more of its games on rival consoles day-and-date. For example, id Software’s Doom: The Dark Ages launches on PlayStation 5 at the same time as Xbox Series X and S and PC. The PS5 version of MachineGames’ Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is set for this spring.
“I want everybody to be able to play on Xbox and it does mean more of our games shipping on more platforms, not just PlayStation — we love the work that we do with Nintendo, we love what we do with Valve on Steam, and that’s going to continue, we’ll just continue to do more of it,” Spencer added.
“Because what we learned is put the games first. Make sure the games can be as great as they can. We love the experience on our own hardware, our own platform. But our games will show up in more and more places, no doubt.”
Microsoft isn’t the only game maker reportedly set to release titles for Nintendo Switch 2. Square Enix is allegedly ready to release Final Fantasy 7 Remake on Switch 2 in 2025 and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth in 2026. Konami is allegedly preparing a Switch 2 port of Metal Gear Solid Delta, which is due out at some point this year. And could Hollow Knight: Silksong finally re-emerge on Nintendo Switch 2?
Ubisoft is reportedly preparing a port of Assassin’s Creed Mirage for the Switch 2’s launch window. The upcoming Assassin’s Creed Shadows, currently only down for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC, is also reportedly coming to Switch 2, although at a later date outside the launch window.
Other Ubisoft ports allegedly include games from The Division series and Rainbow Six Siege. The Mario + Rabbids games are also reportedly coming to Switch 2, potentially in a single package, which wouldn’t come as much of a surprise given the Nintendo link and previous comments from Ubisoft boss Yves Guillemot.
French video game and accessories maker Nacon was the first third-party publisher to go on the record and say it’s making games for Nintendo Switch 2, which it expats to come out between April and September this year. Nacon publishes the likes of Greedfall 2, Test Drive Unlimited, and RoboCop: Rogue City.
Nintendo is set to hold a Switch 2 Direct in April. We’ll hopefully know more by then.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].
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