Call of Duty Developer Reveals Key Update on Nintendo Switch Release

Background on Call of Duty and Nintendo Partnership

When Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard in October 2023, it committed to bringing new Call of Duty titles to Nintendo platforms under a binding 10‑year agreement . This pledge was reiterated by Microsoft leadership, including Brad Smith, promising “day‑and‑date” releases with full feature parity . At the time, Nintendo had no history of hosting current‑gen Call of Duty titles, making the deal a major shift in console exclusivity .

Black Ops 7 Omission Raises Questions

At the June 2025 Xbox Games Showcase, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 was announced for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5/4, and PC—yet Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 were conspicuously absent from the platform list . The omission sparked immediate speculation, given Microsoft’s public commitment and the ongoing 10‑year deal. Many industry observers expected the title to be available at launch on Switch 2, but no announcement was made.

In response, Activision and Xbox developers issued statements to reassure fans. According to Eurogamer, a spokesperson from Activision said, “We’re committed to getting the franchise on Switch. Both teams are working on it. Will share details when ready” . Windows Central echoed this sentiment, affirming that developers from Treyarch and Raven Software are actively involved in adapting the Call of Duty experience for Nintendo platforms .

Industry Response and Developer Insight

Major outlets such as TechRadar, My Nintendo News, and Nintendo Life reported consistent coverage of this update. TechRadar emphasized the binding nature of the 10‑year agreement and confirmed the commitment to Switch 2 support even as details remain sparse . Nintendo Life referenced Kotaku sources, noting that both Microsoft and Nintendo “still plan to announce something in the future,” though no timeline has been set .

Technical Challenges and Performance Considerations

One widely noted concern centers on the Switch 2’s hardware limitations—particularly storage constraints. Switch cartridges cap at 64 GB, while Call of Duty titles frequently require tens of gigabytes of installation space . Nintendo’s new Game‑Key Cards partially mitigate this by containing download keys instead of full game data, but game size remains a concern Nintendo Life commentators also speculated that publishers may need to compress or segment content, or even opt for cloud‑streaming solutions due to capacity limits .

Looking Ahead: What to Expect

Although Activision has not confirmed that Black Ops 7 will be released on Switch 2 at launch, they have reaffirmed their long‑standing promise to bring the franchise to Nintendo systems . Industry insiders, citing Kotaku and GameSpot, suggest that even if Black Ops 7 arrives later or in a scaled format, newer Call of Duty titles are planned for full parity during the agreement period.

Microsoft has a track record of supporting Switch 2 with high‑profile ports—such as Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024—underscoring their broader multiplatform approach . Given this context, the next Nintendo Direct or partner showcase could unveil the release window or a tech demo for Call of Duty on Switch 2.

Market and Community Implications

The return of Call of Duty to Nintendo hardware would mark a significant expansion for the franchise, introducing it to a new demographic of gamers. It would also showcase the Switch 2’s evolving role in mainstream gaming, bridging the gap between Nintendo’s traditionally exclusive roster and blockbuster third‑party titles.

Meanwhile, developers must tackle technical hurdles—such as performance scaling, content size, and multiplayer fidelity—to satisfy fans expecting a comparable experience to console versions. Activision and Microsoft’s ability to navigate these challenges will be crucial to fulfilling both their legal commitments and consumer expectations.