Following the reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2, the partnership between Nintendo and Xbox appears set to continue its momentum. In a recent interview with Variety, Microsoft's head of gaming, Phil Spencer, reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the Switch platform, viewing it as a crucial avenue to reach gamers who do not use Xbox or PC.
When asked about specific projects for the Nintendo Switch 2, Spencer emphasized that just as Xbox has supported the original Switch, it intends to do the same with the Switch 2. "Nintendo has been a great partner," Spencer stated. "We think it is a unique way for us to reach players who aren’t PC players, who aren’t players on Xbox. It lets us continue to grow our community of people that care about the franchises that we have, and that’s really important for us to make sure we continue to invest in our games."
Spencer's admiration for Nintendo's role in the gaming industry is clear. "I’m really a big believer in what Nintendo means for this industry and us continuing to support them," he added. "And getting the support from them for our franchises, I think, is an important part of our future."
Previously, Spencer has praised Nintendo's innovation during the Switch 2's teaser phase and confirmed Xbox's strategy to expand its game distribution across various platforms, including PlayStation, Steam, and Nintendo consoles.
Despite the excitement around the Switch 2, Spencer remains focused on Xbox's own trajectory. When asked if the Switch 2's reveal made him eager to announce Xbox's next moves, he responded, "No. I think all of us in this industry should focus on our communities and the player base that we’re building. I get inspired by what a lot of different creators do and other platform holders. But I believe in the plans that we have."
Xbox's commitment to making its games accessible on multiple platforms, including cloud, PC, and consoles, remains firm. Titles like Pentiment and Obsidian's Grounded have already transitioned to Nintendo platforms, and it will be intriguing to see what Xbox brings to the Nintendo Switch 2 once it officially launches.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is slated for an official debut on June 5, 2025. While pre-orders have not yet started, keep an eye on our Switch 2 pre-order hub page for updates on when they might become available.
