Call of Duty is finally making its long-awaited return to Nintendo hardware after more than a decade away. Windows Central’s Jez Corden dropped the news on December 22, 2025, revealing that the first Call of Duty game for Nintendo Switch is nearly complete and will launch in a few months. This marks a significant milestone in Microsoft’s commitment to bring the blockbuster shooter franchise to Nintendo platforms, a promise made back in 2023 during the contentious Activision Blizzard acquisition process.
- The 10-Year Deal Finally Bearing Fruit
- Why the Long Wait?
- What Game Is Coming to Switch?
- Technical Challenges and Solutions
- Evidence Points to Active Development
- What This Means for Nintendo and Xbox
- The Last Time Call of Duty Hit Nintendo
- Potential Announcement Venues
- What Features to Expect
- FAQs About Call of Duty on Nintendo Switch
- Conclusion
The 10-Year Deal Finally Bearing Fruit
Microsoft and Nintendo signed a binding 10-year legal agreement in February 2023 to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo platforms with full feature and content parity, launching the same day as Xbox versions. This deal was part of Microsoft’s strategy to address regulatory concerns about the $69 billion Activision Blizzard acquisition, particularly fears that the company would make Call of Duty exclusive to Xbox and withhold it from competitors.
Xbox boss Phil Spencer first mentioned the 10-year commitment in December 2022, months before the formal agreement was signed. The promise extended not just to future Call of Duty games but also to other Activision titles, though Call of Duty remained the crown jewel everyone focused on. At the time, many questioned whether Nintendo’s hardware could even handle the technically demanding franchise, especially considering the original Switch’s modest specifications compared to PlayStation and Xbox.
Why the Long Wait?
Despite the 2023 agreement, Call of Duty has remained absent from Nintendo platforms through both 2024 and 2025 releases. Black Ops 7, which launched in November 2025, shipped for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC but skipped Nintendo entirely. This raised eyebrows since the game supported last-generation consoles like PS4 and Xbox One, both technically less capable than Switch 2.
The delay appears tied to Nintendo’s notoriously tight control over development kits for Switch 2. Multiple reports suggest Microsoft and Activision didn’t receive early access to the new hardware, forcing them to play catch-up after the console’s January 2025 launch. Nintendo’s paranoia about leaks reportedly led the company to restrict pre-release dev kit distribution, leaving even major third-party partners scrambling to port games after Switch 2 hit the market.
What Game Is Coming to Switch?
Corden didn’t specify which Call of Duty title will be the first to arrive on Nintendo hardware, leaving fans to speculate about several possibilities. The most obvious candidate is Black Ops 7, which already runs on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One hardware theoretically less powerful than Switch 2. Bringing the latest entry would fulfill Microsoft’s promise of same-day launches with full feature parity, though the November 2025 ship date has obviously passed.
Another strong contender is Call of Duty Warzone, the free-to-play battle royale that’s become a cornerstone of the franchise. Warzone already exists in mobile form and supports cross-platform play, making it a natural fit for Nintendo’s hybrid console. A Switch 2 version could tap into Nintendo’s massive portable gaming audience while maintaining connectivity with the broader Call of Duty ecosystem across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
| Possible Title | Likelihood | Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| Black Ops 7 | High | Latest release, already optimized for last-gen consoles, fulfills parity promise |
| Warzone | Very High | Free-to-play, mobile version exists, massive player base, ongoing content |
| Modern Warfare III | Medium | 2024 release still relevant, established player base, easier port target |
| New Switch-Specific Title | Low | Would require dedicated development, conflicts with parity agreement |
Technical Challenges and Solutions
Getting Call of Duty running acceptably on Nintendo hardware has always been the elephant in the room. Back in 2023, the UK Competition and Markets Authority expressed serious doubts during its review of the Microsoft-Activision merger. The CMA stated it had seen no evidence to suggest Nintendo consoles were technically capable of running Call of Duty with quality and content similar to Xbox and PlayStation versions.
Switch 2 changes that equation considerably. While exact specifications haven’t been officially confirmed, the console reportedly delivers performance somewhere between PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 4 Pro when docked, with modern features like DLSS upscaling technology. That puts it squarely in the territory where Call of Duty should be feasible, especially considering Black Ops 7 runs on base PlayStation 4 hardware from 2013.
Evidence Points to Active Development
Beyond Corden’s report, other clues suggest Call of Duty development for Nintendo platforms is well underway. In November 2025, Sledgehammer Games, one of the primary Call of Duty development studios, posted job listings specifically seeking talent with Switch experience. The listings included positions for engineers and designers familiar with Nintendo’s development environment and optimization techniques for the platform.
Activision has repeatedly confirmed its commitment to bringing Call of Duty to Switch throughout 2025. In June, following Black Ops 7’s announcement without Switch 2 listed as a platform, Activision issued a statement saying both teams were working on it and would share details when ready. That phrasing suggested Nintendo might want to announce the game during one of its own presentations rather than letting Microsoft or Activision make the reveal.
What This Means for Nintendo and Xbox
Call of Duty’s arrival on Switch 2 represents a massive win for Nintendo’s third-party strategy. The original Switch succeeded despite lacking most major third-party AAA franchises, but Switch 2 aims higher. Landing Call of Duty, one of gaming’s most popular and profitable franchises, sends a powerful message that Nintendo’s hardware can finally handle the games that define the PlayStation and Xbox ecosystems.
For Microsoft, delivering on this promise validates its multiplatform strategy and demonstrates good faith with regulators who remain suspicious after the company made Bethesda games like Starfield Xbox exclusive despite assuring the European Commission it wouldn’t withhold ZeniMax titles from rival consoles. Call of Duty on Nintendo proves Microsoft is willing to share its biggest assets across the industry when legally committed to doing so.
The Last Time Call of Duty Hit Nintendo
Call of Duty hasn’t appeared on Nintendo hardware since 2013’s Call of Duty: Ghosts for Wii U. That port allowed players to use Wii Remote motion controls for aiming, a novelty that couldn’t overcome the game’s technical compromises and small player base. The Wii U version struggled with lower frame rates, reduced visual quality, and a nearly abandoned online community as the console failed commercially.
Earlier Nintendo platforms saw more consistent Call of Duty support. The Wii received several entries including World at War, Modern Warfare 3, and Black Ops, all adapted for the console’s limited horsepower and motion control focus. These versions typically featured stripped-down graphics and smaller multiplayer modes but still delivered recognizable Call of Duty experiences. The DS and 3DS even got their own unique Call of Duty games designed specifically for handheld play.
Potential Announcement Venues
With Corden reporting a launch window of a few months away, announcement timing becomes critical. One likely venue is the January 2026 Xbox Developer Direct, where Microsoft typically showcases upcoming Xbox Game Studios and partner titles. However, Activision’s statement about sharing details when ready hints Nintendo might prefer to make the reveal during one of its own Nintendo Direct presentations, giving the announcement more weight within the Nintendo ecosystem.
Another possibility is a surprise shadow drop announcement, similar to how Microsoft revealed several Xbox games coming to PlayStation and Switch earlier in 2025. Given the sensitive nature of the 10-year agreement and Microsoft’s desire to prove its multiplatform commitment, a coordinated announcement between Microsoft, Activision, and Nintendo seems most probable.
What Features to Expect
The 10-year agreement specifies full feature and content parity, which creates interesting questions about implementation. Cross-platform play should be guaranteed, allowing Switch 2 players to compete against those on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. This would be essential for maintaining healthy player populations and preventing the ghost town scenario that plagued the Wii U version of Ghosts.
Switch 2’s hybrid nature creates unique opportunities Call of Duty hasn’t explored on other platforms. The ability to play full-featured Call of Duty matches on a portable screen, then dock the system for big-screen multiplayer sessions, could appeal to players who want flexibility. Motion controls using Joy-Con controllers might return as an optional input method, though most competitive players will likely stick with traditional controls.
FAQs About Call of Duty on Nintendo Switch
When will Call of Duty come to Nintendo Switch 2?
According to Windows Central’s Jez Corden, the first Call of Duty game for Nintendo Switch is nearly complete and will launch within a few months, suggesting a release window sometime in early to mid 2026. No specific date has been officially announced by Microsoft, Activision, or Nintendo.
Which Call of Duty game is coming to Switch 2 first?
The specific title hasn’t been confirmed. Leading candidates include Black Ops 7, the latest mainline entry that launched in November 2025, or Warzone, the free-to-play battle royale that already has a mobile version. Both would make sense given Microsoft’s commitment to feature parity with other platforms.
Will Call of Duty on Switch 2 have crossplay?
The 10-year agreement between Microsoft and Nintendo specifies full feature and content parity with other platforms, which strongly suggests crossplay will be included. This would allow Switch 2 players to compete against those on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, ensuring healthy player populations.
Why didn’t Black Ops 7 launch on Switch 2 in November 2025?
Reports suggest Microsoft and Activision didn’t receive Switch 2 development kits early enough to prepare a day-one port. Nintendo’s restrictive distribution of pre-release hardware, driven by concerns about leaks, left many third-party developers playing catch-up after the console launched in January 2025.
What was the last Call of Duty game on a Nintendo console?
Call of Duty: Ghosts for Wii U in 2013 was the last entry to appear on Nintendo hardware. The port supported Wii Remote motion controls but suffered from technical compromises and a small player base as the Wii U struggled commercially.
Can Switch 2 hardware handle Call of Duty?
Switch 2 reportedly delivers performance between PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 4 Pro when docked, with modern features like DLSS upscaling. Since Black Ops 7 runs on base PlayStation 4 hardware from 2013, Switch 2 should be more than capable of running Call of Duty with acceptable performance and visual quality.
Is the 10-year Microsoft-Nintendo agreement legally binding?
Yes, Microsoft and Nintendo signed a binding 10-year legal agreement in February 2023 committing to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo platforms with full feature and content parity, launching the same day as Xbox versions. This agreement was part of securing regulatory approval for Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard acquisition.
Will older Call of Duty games come to Switch 2?
Nothing has been confirmed beyond the first title launching soon. However, once the technical groundwork is established for one Call of Duty game on Switch 2, porting additional entries becomes easier. Microsoft may choose to bring back catalog titles or focus exclusively on new releases going forward.
Conclusion
The imminent arrival of Call of Duty on Nintendo Switch 2 marks the end of a 12-year drought and validates Microsoft’s controversial promises made during the Activision acquisition battle. What seemed impossible on the original Switch’s modest hardware becomes entirely feasible on Switch 2’s significantly upgraded specifications. For Nintendo fans who’ve watched Call of Duty dominate PlayStation and Xbox for over a decade, the chance to finally experience the franchise on their preferred platform represents a major shift in Nintendo’s third-party relationships. Microsoft gets to prove it can honor multiplatform commitments even for its most valuable properties, while Activision gains access to Nintendo’s massive install base. The bigger question is whether this represents a one-time port or the beginning of sustained Call of Duty support on Nintendo hardware for years to come. If the first release succeeds technically and commercially, it could finally establish Nintendo as a viable home for the AAA multiplayer experiences that defined the last console generation everywhere except on Mario’s home turf.