Call of Duty on Nintendo Switch 2 could be imminent following new leak

A dataminer has found references to Nintendo platforms in the latest Call of Duty update, suggesting Microsoft is about to make good on its 10-year promise.

Call of Duty on Nintendo hardware has been a talking point for years, but it looks like it's finally happening. According to a report by Video Games Chronicle (VGC), a dataminer has found concrete references to Nintendo in the latest Call of Duty update code, suggesting an announcement is just around the corner.

This would mark the first time a mainline Call of Duty title has hit a Nintendo console since Ghosts on the Wii U back in 2013. The potential arrival of Call of Duty Switch 2 would be a monumental event for Nintendo gamers. With the Call of Duty: Mobile Season 1 update already keeping handheld fans busy, a full console release on Switch 2 would be a massive shift for the franchise.

What the Datamine Reveals for Call of Duty Switch 2

The information comes from X user and dataminer 'Reality', whose datamine of Call of Duty files revealed a new entry for 'NINTENDO' under the game's 'PlatformFamily' section, sitting alongside existing platforms like Sony, Steam, and Microsoft.

Perhaps more telling is the addition of 'na' (Nintendo Account) to the 'PlatformFamilyToAccountType' section. This mirrors how Xbox Live ('xbl') and PlayStation Network ('psn') accounts are handled for cross-play and cross-progression. The dataminer suggests these additions mean an announcement is "imminent", potentially lining up with the next round of industry events.

The 10-year promise

This leak shouldn't come as a total surprise. In February 2023, Microsoft signed a binding 10-year legal agreement to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo platforms. The deal promised "full feature and content parity" with Xbox versions, meaning Nintendo players wouldn't get a watered-down port.

Microsoft's Head of Gaming, Phil Spencer, has repeatedly stated his intention to support Nintendo. However, getting a modern Call of Duty game running on the original Switch hardware has always been the technical hurdle. If you're looking for high-performance storage to handle these massive game files, check out the new Seagate 32TB hard drives that just hit the market, though you'll likely need standard microSD expansion for the Switch itself.

Call of Duty on Switch 2 or Original Switch?

The timing suggests this is geared towards the Nintendo Switch 2 and its new lineup of Switch 2 games. While the original Switch has an install base of over 140 million, its mobile hardware from 2015 would struggle to run modern Call of Duty engines without significant compromises or relying on cloud streaming.

With Xbox hosting a Developer Direct on Thursday, 22 January, speculation is mounting that we might get official word soon. While the event is confirmed to show Forza Horizon 6 and Fable, rumors of a "secret fourth game" have fans hoping for a Switch-related reveal.

For UAE gamers, this is excellent news. Call of Duty is consistently one of the most-played games in the region, and the Switch is incredibly popular with families and commuters. A native version on Switch 2 with full cross-play would likely be a massive hit in local retailers.

FAQs

Will Call of Duty come to Nintendo Switch 2?

Yes, it is highly likely. A dataminer claims an announcement is imminent based on new code references, and Microsoft has a signed 10-year legal agreement to bring the franchise to Nintendo platforms with full feature parity.

When was the last Call of Duty game on a Nintendo console?

The last mainline entry was Call of Duty: Ghosts, released for the Wii U in 2013. Since then, Nintendo consoles have missed out on the annual releases that PlayStation and Xbox players get.

Will Call of Duty on Switch have cross-play?

If Microsoft honors its "full feature parity" agreement, yes. The datamined code references Nintendo Accounts alongside Xbox and PlayStation, which strongly suggests cross-play and cross-progression will be supported.

Is Call of Duty coming to the original Switch?

This is unclear. While the agreement covers "Nintendo platforms", the original Switch may not be powerful enough to run modern Call of Duty games natively. It's more likely to arrive on the upcoming Switch 2, or potentially as a cloud-streamed version for the older console.

When is the announcement expected?

The dataminer suggests it is "imminent". Possibilities include the Xbox Developer Direct on 22 January 2026 or an unannounced Nintendo Direct presentation in the coming weeks.