CoD on Switch 2: No Mario Killstreaks Expected

The loading screen flickered, a relentless loop of logos and legalese. My Switch gathered dust as I eyed the next Call of Duty release on my PC, thinking, “Another year, another console.” Then, a glint of hope: whispers of CoD on Nintendo. But what kind of Frankenstein’s monster would it be?

Call of Duty is a titan in gaming, yet it has largely bypassed Nintendo’s systems. While still available on older consoles like PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, a Switch version remained elusive. But that could change.

Originally, CoD was slated for a Switch release before Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, with plans to materialize post-acquisition. Regulatory reviews of the massive buyout delayed progress, but the deal eventually closed.

Now, years later, while CoD hasn’t appeared on the Switch, datamining suggests progress. Nintendo is now listed as a platform in CoD HQ‘s files.

Code strings like “PlatformFamily.Nintendo” have surfaced, hinting at CoD HQ‘s preparation for new platforms, likely the Switch 2. Many AAA publishers are already porting games to it.

Is CoD coming to Nintendo Switch?

I remember the first time I saw someone playing GoldenEye on the N64. The social aspect of console-based multiplayer was truly revolutionary. Now, with engine-level adjustments appearing, a CoD release on Nintendo’s platform seems probable in the coming months. We may even see a simultaneous multi-platform CoD launch in late 2026, including the Switch 2 alongside traditional platforms.

Jez Corden of Microsoft Central previously suggested that CoD on Nintendo was imminent, even before this new code surfaced. Activision also reached an agreement with Nintendo back in 2023 (per Engadget), solidifying the likelihood of CoD on Switch.

Will Call of Duty be on Nintendo Switch 2?

My uncle always told me: believe half of what you see and none of what you hear. But if new code commits and expert opinions are to be trusted, then the Switch 2 is shaping up to be a place for future Call of Duty releases. How it will be optimized is another matter; expect it to be similar to previous CoD iterations, with yearly additions and microtransactions. The franchise’s market strategy feels like a runaway train.

What would a CoD game look like on Nintendo Switch?

I have visions of Mario and Luigi wielding futuristic weapons, slide-canceling across a Nintendo-fied Nuketown to the sounds of chart-topping pop music. This is not just about graphical fidelity or resolution scaling. It is about a clash of cultures – like mixing oil and water. The raw, militaristic aesthetic of CoD feels tonally opposed to Nintendo’s family-friendly image. How will these two seemingly irreconcilable brands fuse?

GameSpot calls it as they see it: gritty and uncompromising. Nintendo, for its part, is dedicated to whimsical creativity. The final product promises to be an interesting compromise.

How much will the CoD game cost on Switch 2?

I remember paying $60 (€55.50) for GoldenEye back in the day. These days AAA titles tend to retail closer to $70 (€65), but it is not uncommon to see special editions and DLC add-ons pushing the actual expenditure well into the hundreds. With speculation that CoD is on its way, the pricing strategy could take different roads: the big N could take this opportunity to move downloads at a reduced price – or Microsoft and Activision could double down and charge the same rate for the title as it would cost on a PC or PS5.

Ultimately, CoD on Switch could be a game-changer. Or, will it just be another port in a storm, destined to be forgotten?