After years of waiting, Call of Duty fans who own a Nintendo Switch might finally get what they’ve been promised. According to industry insider Jez Corden, the franchise’s first Switch game is “nearly done” and could arrive sometime in 2026—potentially within the next few months.
If true, this would end a 12-year absence of Call of Duty on Nintendo platforms and finally fulfill a 2023 agreement between Microsoft and Nintendo.
The 2023 Deal That Went Nowhere (Until Now?)
Back in 2023, Microsoft and Nintendo signed a deal that was supposed to bring Call of Duty to the Switch. The agreement made headlines as part of Microsoft’s broader efforts to secure regulatory approval for its Activision Blizzard acquisition.
The problem? Two years later, we still haven’t seen a single Call of Duty title on the Switch.
Why Has It Taken So Long?
Porting Call of Duty to the Switch isn’t straightforward. Here’s what makes it complicated:
- Hardware limitations: The original Switch’s mobile processor struggles with modern AAA titles
- File sizes: Call of Duty games are notoriously massive (often 100+ GB), which exceeds the Switch’s 32GB internal storage
- Switch 2 factor: With Nintendo’s next-gen console on the horizon, developers now have to consider two platforms
- Performance optimization: Getting Call of Duty running smoothly at acceptable frame rates on weaker hardware requires significant work
These technical hurdles likely explain the two-year delay since that initial announcement.
What We Know from Jez Corden’s Report
Jez Corden, a journalist with a solid track record (he correctly predicted Doom: The Dark Ages would be a day-one PS5 launch), shared the rumor via Twitter. Here’s what he said:
The Good News:
- The Switch’s first Call of Duty game is “nearly done”
- Could arrive within the next few months
- 2026 release date is his prediction
The Reality Check:
- While “nearly done,” the game still isn’t “close” to launch (confusing, we know)
- No specific release window beyond “2026”
- No confirmation whether it’s a new game or a port of an existing title
Important reminder: This is still a rumor. Until Nintendo or Activision officially confirms anything, treat this with healthy skepticism—even though Corden has a reliable track record.
Which Call of Duty Game Will It Be?
Corden didn’t specify whether we’re getting:
Option 1: A Brand-New Switch-Exclusive Entry
This would be shocking but unlikely. Developing a ground-up Call of Duty game specifically for Switch would be a massive investment with uncertain returns.
Option 2: A Port of Recent Releases
Much more likely. The best candidates are:
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (2024 release)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 (rumored 2025 release)
Both titles could theoretically run on the Switch 2’s upgraded hardware, and porting one of these would make the most business sense.
The Switch vs. Switch 2 Question
Here’s the million-dollar question: Will this Call of Duty game run on the original Switch, the Switch 2, or both?
Arguments for Switch 2 Exclusive:
- Better hardware can handle modern Call of Duty’s demands
- Storage: Switch 2 likely has more internal storage
- Performance: Higher frame rates and better graphics on the new console
- File sizes: Modern COD games are absolutely massive
Arguments for Both Consoles:
- Larger install base: Original Switch has 140+ million units sold
- Microsoft’s commitment: The 2023 deal technically covers the current Switch
- Cloud gaming workaround: Nintendo could use cloud streaming for the original Switch (like with Kingdom Hearts)
Most likely scenario: The game launches primarily for Switch 2, with a heavily optimized or cloud-based version for the original Switch.
Call of Duty’s History with Nintendo
Call of Duty hasn’t been completely absent from Nintendo consoles, but it’s been a very long time:
- Last Nintendo release: Call of Duty: Ghosts on Wii U (2013)
- That’s 12 years ago
- The Wii U era saw several COD ports, but they consistently underperformed due to the console’s small install base
The Switch’s massive success (one of the best-selling consoles ever) makes it a much more attractive platform for Activision this time around.
What Would a Switch Call of Duty Look Like?
Assuming this is a port of Black Ops 6 or 7, here’s what we can reasonably expect:
Graphics & Performance:
- 720p docked, 540p handheld (or lower for original Switch)
- 30 FPS target (60 FPS would be a miracle on original hardware)
- Reduced textures and effects compared to PS5/Xbox Series X versions
- Smaller maps or limited mode selection to manage performance
Gameplay:
- Full campaign mode (if the source game has one)
- Multiplayer support (though potentially limited modes)
- Cross-play? Unlikely, given the performance gap
- File size management via cartridge + download requirements
Storage Requirements:
- Expect a physical cartridge + mandatory download model
- Total size could still exceed 50GB
Why 2026 Makes Sense
If Corden’s timeline holds, here’s why 2026 is the perfect window:
- Switch 2 launch: Nintendo’s next console is rumored for early-to-mid 2026
- Black Ops 7: Expected to release in 2025, giving time for a Switch port in 2026
- Marketing opportunity: Microsoft can promote Switch 2 support at launch
- Fulfilling promises: Two years after the deal, Microsoft needs to deliver
Should You Get Excited?
Reasons to Be Optimistic:
- Credible source: Jez Corden has a solid track record
- Microsoft’s incentive: They need to honor the 2023 deal
- Switch 2’s hardware: More capable of running modern COD
- Massive audience: 140+ million Switch owners is too big to ignore
Reasons to Stay Cautious:
- No official confirmation from Nintendo or Activision
- Technical challenges remain significant
- “Nearly done” but “not close” is contradictory messaging
- 12-year gap suggests Nintendo platforms aren’t a priority for the franchise
What This Means for Nintendo Fans
If Call of Duty successfully lands on Switch/Switch 2, it could open the floodgates:
- Day-one releases: Future COD games might launch simultaneously on Nintendo hardware
- Other AAA ports: Proves Switch 2 can handle modern shooters
- Cross-platform parity: Nintendo consoles finally getting the same third-party support as PlayStation/Xbox
But the flip side? If this port performs poorly (technically or commercially), it could scare publishers away from future Nintendo versions.
The Bottom Line
Call of Duty coming to Switch has been promised for two years, and we’re finally seeing credible reports that it’s actually happening. While Jez Corden’s “2026 release” prediction is vague and unconfirmed, his track record makes it worth paying attention to.
Best guess: We’ll see an official announcement in early 2026, possibly timed with the Switch 2 reveal, followed by a launch in mid-to-late 2026. The game will most likely be a port of Black Ops 6 or 7, optimized primarily for Switch 2 with some compromises for the original hardware.
For the millions of Nintendo fans who’ve been shut out of the Call of Duty experience for over a decade, 2026 might finally be your year.
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