Xbox CEO Phil Spencer has expressed strong support for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, even before its official release in 2025. Dive into the details to understand the evolving partnership between Microsoft and Nintendo.
Xbox CEO Pledges His Support For Switch 2
Xbox Will Continue Porting Games to Nintendo Switch 2
In a recent interview with Gamertag Radio on January 25, 2025, Xbox CEO Phil Spencer announced his commitment to supporting the Nintendo Switch 2 by porting multiple Xbox games to this new platform. Spencer's enthusiasm for Nintendo's upcoming hybrid console was evident as he shared his anticipation for its success.
During the interview, Spencer mentioned his ongoing communication with Nintendo's president, Shuntaro Furukawa. "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 praised Nintendo's innovation and its significant 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."
Although specific titles were not disclosed, Microsoft's existing 10-year agreement with Nintendo, announced on February 25, 2023, ensures that games like "Call of Duty" will be available to Nintendo players on the same day as Xbox, with full feature and content parity, according to Microsoft president Brad Smith.
Currently, Xbox is expanding its reach by bringing games such as "Grounded" and "Pentiment" to rival platforms like the Switch and PlayStation. With the enhanced capabilities of the Switch 2, more Xbox titles are likely to find their way to Nintendo's new hybrid console.
Xbox is Working on a New Platform
In the same interview, Spencer emphasized that Xbox is actively developing new hardware, despite its strategy of porting games to other platforms. He believes that games that are accessible across multiple platforms are the most successful, and Xbox aims to support creators in reaching players on every screen.
"We want to build a platform that services those creators, the creators that are trying to meet people on every screen," Spencer explained. He stressed the importance of creating innovative hardware that players would want to use, whether it's handheld, on a television, or other devices.
Xbox's approach is to make its games more accessible to a broader audience while simultaneously developing new consoles or handheld devices.
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 goal to extend its reach to various devices.
"'This Is an Xbox' invites people to play with Xbox across multiple devices and screens," McNary stated. The campaign highlights Xbox's evolution as a platform that spans across devices, featuring bold, iconic, and fun visuals with a light-hearted tone. Launched on the same day, the campaign will manifest in various engaging ways.
The campaign humorously showcased items like a remote control, laptop, cat box, and bento box, playfully defining what Xbox is or isn’t. Despite the playful nature, the message is clear: many devices are connected to Xbox or Microsoft. To further this initiative, Xbox has partnered with companies like Samsung, Crocs™, and Porsche to bring the campaign to life in unexpected and entertaining ways.Xbox is taking a unique approach compared to its competitors by openly porting its games to rival consoles, ensuring that more players can enjoy their titles across different platforms.
