Hoping for Xbox Well to Elevate the Launch of Swap 2 in 2025
A great deal has been mentioned, debated, and deliberated regarding Microsoft’s decision to make Xbox titles available on competing platforms, with much of the discourse being somewhat critical up until now. Sony’s PS5 has been the main topic of conversation, particularly since it has been confirmed to receive several significant Xbox titles such as DOOM: The Dark Ages and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. However, with the Nintendo Switch 2 now revealed, I believe the ongoing ‘multiplatform’ discussions could become a bit clearer for Xbox fans in the near future.
The primary reason I think (and hope) this might occur is that Nintendo’s Switch platform offers a distinctly different experience compared to what our Xbox and PlayStation devices deliver. You have a hybrid console featuring a completely different lineup of first-party titles and a strong emphasis on portability – yet you also possess a dedicated hardware platform that receives solid console ports. We are aware that PC handhelds are starting to provide a decent on-the-go Xbox experience, but there remains something special about the Switch 2 with its more restricted hardware and software ecosystem that it can offer.
If the creators of Mario can pack enough power into their new device, it could serve as a fantastic opportunity for Microsoft to deliver a genuinely unique Xbox experience to players, especially those on the go. As a dedicated Call of Duty enthusiast, I make no apologies for wanting a feature-complete version of Black Ops 6 on Switch 2 – why not? It’s already available on PS5! At least with a hybrid console, I can take COD with me and face no compromises in the experience – compromises that may sadly be a part of the handheld PC experience when playing lower-end titles.
This applies to other games too, of course. I’ve already mentioned two major Bethesda titles confirmed for PS5 – they could easily transition to Switch 2 as well, hardware permitting. Not to mention the multitude of reports and rumors we are seeing about Xbox considering multiplatform ports of older games, such as Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Gears of War: Ultimate Edition. These last two are not confirmed for other consoles, but potentially Switch 2 versions would be a wonderful way to enjoy some of Xbox’s most iconic franchises while on the move.
When Microsoft first launched its ‘Here’s an Xbox’ advertising campaign, I was initially doubtful about the team’s new approach, fully aware of the implications. And, to be honest, I still am – I think most Xbox fans are still grappling with some notion of normalcy regarding their beloved gaming platform. However, if Microsoft is going to fully embrace this approach and is treating a whole range of devices as a potential ‘Xbox’, I hope that extends to as many legacy console platforms as possible. Ultimately, I still enjoy playing games on native hardware, so a finely-tuned portable gaming option will always pique my interest.
Another intriguing aspect to consider is Microsoft’s own portable device – something that Phil Spencer, the head, has acknowledged is in development at Xbox. The thing is, none of us are entirely certain what form that device will take. A lot of discussion at Pure Xbox HQ today has speculated whether this device will even be a traditional ‘console’, with the general consensus leaning towards a PC-like apparatus being more likely. We can only wait and see what unfolds.