Following the exciting reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2, it's clear that the partnership between Nintendo and Xbox is set to flourish even further. Phil Spencer, Microsoft's head of gaming, has reaffirmed his commitment to the Switch platform, emphasizing its role in reaching gamers who are not typically on Xbox or PC.
In a recent interview with Variety, Spencer was questioned about potential projects for the Nintendo Switch 2. He reiterated Xbox's dedication to supporting the new console, much like they have with the original Switch. "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 enthusiasm for Nintendo's role in the gaming industry was palpable. "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."
He has previously praised Nintendo's innovation with the Switch 2, and confirmed that Xbox intends to expand its game distribution across various platforms, including PlayStation, Steam, and Nintendo's consoles.
When asked if the Switch 2's reveal spurred any urgency in announcing Xbox's next console plans, Spencer remained focused on Xbox's current strategy. "No. I think all of us in this industry should focus on our communities and the player base that we’re building," he said. "I get inspired by what a lot of different creators do and other platform holders. But I believe in the plans that we have."
Spencer emphasized Xbox's commitment to making their games accessible on as many platforms as possible, including cloud, PC, and consoles. Titles like Pentiment and Obsidian's Grounded have already made successful transitions to Nintendo platforms, and it will be fascinating to see what Xbox has in store for the Switch 2 once it launches.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is slated to officially debut on June 5, 2025. While pre-orders are not yet available, keep an eye on our Switch 2 pre-order hub page for the latest updates on when you can secure your console.
