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Future Xbox Releases on Switch 'Doesn't Feel Sustainable,' Would Want Full Ecosystem Like Live and Game Pass on Switch

Future Xbox Releases on Switch 'Doesn't Feel Sustainable,' Would Want Full Ecosystem Like Live and Game Pass on Switch - News

by William D'Angelo , posted on 02 May 2021 / 2,374 Views

Microsoft has released some of its titles on the Nintendo Switch in the last couple of years, including Cuphead, Ori and the Blind Forest, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, and Minecraft Dungeons. The latter two were released after Microsoft said it had "no plans" to release more of its games on other consoles. However, the Ori sequel was released on the Switch due to wishes from the developer, Moon Studios, and Minecraft Dungeons was already announced for the hybrid console.

Head of Xbox Phil Spencer in an interview with Kotaku said he has a good relationship with Nintendo, however, releases Xbox games on the Nintendo Switch on a case by case basis doesn't feel sustainable in the long term. Spencer would want the full Xbox ecosystem on the Switch, which would mean things like Xbox Live and Game Pass.

"We have a very good relationship with Nintendo," Spencer said. "And I think we see our work very synergistically, in terms of trying to grow the market. And it just makes it easy. Every conversation we have with them has really been easy."

Future Xbox Releases on Switch 'Doesn't Feel Sustainable,' Xbox Would Want Full Ecosystem Like Live and Game Pass

Spencer added that "it doesn’t feel sustainable" to release Xbox games on the Nintendo Switch on a case by case basis. "In order to really support it, I would want a full Xbox ecosystem somewhere. And that probably means things like Live and Game Pass and stuff."

Spencer was asked if Nintendo or Sony would be interested in having the full Xbox ecosystem on their platforms and he said "I don’t want to speak for them. I think they should probably answer."

Microsoft has allowed characters from two of its IPs - Banjo-Kazooie and Minecraft - to be featured DLC in the Nintendo Switch title, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.


A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel dedicated to gaming Let's Plays and tutorials. You can contact the author at wdangelo@vgchartz.com or on Twitter @TrunksWD.


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24 Comments
LivingMetal (on 16 October 2020)

Remember, Microsoft offered to buyout Nintendo. Whether Nintendo responded in honesty or courtesy, Nintendo expressed interest. That was until it was made known that Nintendo would have to cease console production and all titles will be on a Microsoft platform alone. Then Nintendo said, "Nope." This is probably the closest you'll get to a David and Goliath story here that still continues today. Thank you, Nintendo.

  • +10
Cerebralbore101 (on 17 October 2020)

Wait a minute. Does Phil expect people to pay for XBL + Nintendo Online in order to play Xbox multiplayer games on Switch? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

  • +6
DonFerrari (on 16 October 2020)

Yes we know that it isn't sustainable and that they want to have the whole Xbox ecosystem in the other consoles. But yes with every interview of Phil Spencer we can see that nothing he say can be trusted, as it changes with the autmun leaves.

  • +6
chakkra (on 16 October 2020)

"I don’t want to speak for them. I think they should probably answer." That's what I've been saying all along. I don't understand why people don't ask Nintendo directly.

  • +4
TheBraveGallade (on 16 October 2020)

nitnedo would be very causious. last time they tried soemthing like this, the other partner tried to rip them off, and when they called the deal off becasue of it , said comapny went off to make the best selling console of all time.

  • +2
xMetroid (on 16 October 2020)

That's clearly what they were going for since the beginning with this Nintendo relationship. They see them as weak third party and online wise so it's a good match for both of them actually.

  • +2
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LivingMetal xMetroid (on 16 October 2020)

@trunkswd If Xbox games really mattered on a Switch, the Switch would not have outsold the Xbox in a relatively small time frame.

  • +1
BlackBeauty (on 16 October 2020)

Nintendo won't allow game pass. Why would they allow another store on their ecosystem when Nintendo can get direct cuts from their own store. Unless somehow Microsoft work out a deal to give Nintendo % cuts of their revenue. It would never happen. It's the exact same issue with Apple.

  • +1
Chicho BlackBeauty (on 16 October 2020)

Microsoft may be a little flexible, looking at their deal with Gamestop they are willing to give a digital sales percentage.

  • 0
VAMatt BlackBeauty (on 16 October 2020)

They could certainly work out a deal where. Ninty gets $1 per month for each gamer that plays at least 5% of their Gamepass time on Switch, $3 per month if they play 50% of their time there, or something like that.

Or, they could sell and add-on of GP access on Switch for an additional $5 per month, and that goes to Nintendo.

  • +3
AFattyGamer (on 17 October 2020)

Meanwhile at Sony's headquarters, big boss Jim Ryan is laughing at this. Nintendo is low-key finessing Microsoft lmao

  • 0
Vendrom (on 16 October 2020)

Some smaller-scaled games like Ori, Cuphead, Battletoads, Grounded etc. can get an additional fanbase (and revenue) from Nintendo systems. I don’t think something like that isn’t sustainable, when there’s no financial loss but gain.

  • 0
VAMatt Vendrom (on 16 October 2020)

It appears that in the long run, MS is looking to sell subscriptions, rather than one off games. So, unless they can put their subscription services on Switch, I can see where they'd determine it doesn't make sense to spend resources porting games to the system.

  • +1
aiwass (on 16 October 2020)

I bet Microsoft would want Nintendo games to come to Xbox in exchange for it, like how someone at Microsoft thought they owned Donkey Kong after buying Rare.

  • -1
VAMatt aiwass (on 17 October 2020)

I think MS would love to have Ninty games on XB. If they could get Ninty games and Sony, Google, Amazon can't, that would be a massive win for MS.

Somebody is definitely going to try to land that whale. MS and Ninty trading software between them seems as good an approach as any.

  • -7
Cerebralbore101 aiwass (on 18 October 2020)

MS can dream all they want. Ninty games will never some to their console.

  • 0
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DonFerrari Bandorr (on 16 October 2020)

Well he had to change to it since the definitive answers were later proved false.

  • 0
Azzanation Bandorr (on 17 October 2020)

That seems to be the anwser not many seem to understand. His made it quite clear thats his anwser yet we continue to ask Phil questions that go full circle. Its too early to tell, they still havnt made the payment for Zenimax yet.

  • 0
chakkra Bandorr (on 17 October 2020)

@Bandorr, I actually think other people should learn to use it as well. I mean, Ryan could have used it when he was asked about Cross-gen games.

  • 0
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