According to GameSpot, former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime said he’s surprised Microsoft hasn’t “fully embraced” Switch 2 with more game ports. He specifically expected “much more” support during the holiday timeframe and anticipated a “dedicated announcement” that hasn’t materialized. Microsoft has confirmed Indiana Jones and the Great Circle for Switch 2 in 2026, while existing titles like Minecraft and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 are already playable. Rumors persist about Halo coming to the platform, though it wasn’t mentioned in Microsoft’s recent Halo: Campaign Evolved announcement. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer previously called Nintendo “masterful” and said he looks forward to supporting them, while the company has repeatedly expressed interest in bringing Call of Duty to Switch platforms.
The strategy gap here is fascinating
Here’s the thing – Microsoft’s public statements don’t match their actual output. Phil Spencer keeps saying all the right things about Nintendo being “masterful” and how important they are to the industry. But when you look at what’s actually happening? It’s basically just Indiana Jones in 2026 and some legacy titles. That’s not exactly “fully embracing” the platform, is it?
I think there are a few things at play here. Microsoft probably wants to keep some exclusivity for their own ecosystem. They’re still trying to sell Xbox consoles and Game Pass subscriptions. Porting all their big games day-and-date to Switch 2 might undermine that strategy. But then why keep talking about how much they want to support Nintendo? It creates this weird expectation gap that someone like Reggie is now calling out.
Timing matters more than we think
Reggie’s point about the holiday timeframe is spot on. The Switch 2 launch window is crucial for establishing third-party support. If Microsoft waits until 2026 for their first major exclusive, they’re missing the critical early adoption phase. By then, the platform’s software landscape will already be defined.
And let’s be real – porting older Xbox games to Switch 2 should be relatively straightforward from a technical standpoint. The hardware gap isn’t what it used to be. So what’s the holdup? Is this about business negotiations, technical hurdles, or just strategic hesitation? My guess is it’s mostly the latter. Microsoft seems to be testing the waters rather than diving in headfirst.
The bigger picture here
Look, Microsoft’s multi-platform strategy has been confusing everyone lately. They’re putting some games on PlayStation, some might come to Switch 2, but they’re not committing fully to any direction. This half-in, half-out approach is what’s creating this perception gap. When a former industry heavyweight like Reggie notices it, you know it’s becoming obvious.
Basically, Microsoft needs to either go all-in on their multi-platform vision or pull back. This middle ground where they talk big but deliver small just makes them look indecisive. And in the gaming industry, that’s not a good look when you’re competing against companies that know exactly what they’re doing.
