Leaked information suggests the first Call of Duty game for Nintendo platforms is nearly finished. According to reports, the port could arrive on Nintendo consoles within the next few months, potentially as early as February or March 2026, finally delivering on Microsoft's promise from the Activision Blizzard acquisition. However, Microsoft and Activision haven't officially confirmed any of this yet.
Years in the Making: Microsoft's Nintendo Commitment
Microsoft signed a 10-year deal with Nintendo in February 2023 to bring Call of Duty to their platforms. The agreement came as part of the massive Activision Blizzard acquisition and committed Microsoft to supporting Nintendo hardware for the next decade.
But despite Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 launching in 2025, the Nintendo version never materialized. Now leaked reports suggest that's about to change.
Hardware Access Problems Allegedly Caused the Delay
According to the leaked information, the extended timeline comes down to one simple issue: no dev kits. The studio handling the port reportedly didn't have access to Nintendo Switch 2 development kits, which are required for creating games on the platform.
This wasn't an isolated problem. Multiple major studios reported being unable to get Switch 2 dev kits as recently as August 2025. Nintendo hasn't officially explained the limited distribution, but rumors point to security concerns. The company allegedly restricted access to prevent exploits and hacking attempts on the new console hardware before launch.
What should've been a straightforward port allegedly got held up by hardware that developers simply couldn't access. Sledgehammer Games was still recruiting developers with Nintendo Switch experience in November, showing the project remained in active development well into late 2025.
Which Call of Duty Game Is Coming?
The biggest question remains unanswered: which Call of Duty title will debut on Nintendo hardware?
Black Ops 7 makes sense from a timing perspective. It's the most recent mainline entry, and a launch in early 2026 would align with standard port timelines. But Microsoft could just as easily start with an older game from the franchise's extensive library.
Call of Duty: Warzone presents another strong contender. The free-to-play battle royale has become a pillar of the franchise, and its live service model could make it more appealing for Nintendo's player base. Launching with Warzone instead of Black Ops 7 would also avoid competing with the mainline Call of Duty release planned for late 2026.
The leaked reports don't specify which title is in development, so this remains pure speculation.
Switch 2 the Likely Target
While there's no explicit confirmation about which Nintendo console this port targets, all signs point to the Switch 2.
The new hardware's stronger specs would make porting modern Call of Duty games far more practical. These are demanding titles that push current-gen consoles, and the Switch 2's improved processing power would enable a native version instead of requiring cloud streaming like some demanding games on the original Switch.
The timing lines up too. A launch in early 2026 fits right into expected windows for the Switch 2's release.
When We Might See It
Based on the reported "few months" timeframe, the release window points to early 2026. February or March seems like a reasonable estimate, though this is speculation built on unconfirmed leaks.
Xbox's Developer Direct in January could be where Microsoft finally unveils the port officially. But given how significant this is for both companies, they might opt for a standalone announcement instead.
What This Could Mean for Both Companies
If these reports prove accurate, bringing Call of Duty to Nintendo hardware marks a major milestone. For Microsoft and Xbox, it fulfills a key promise from the Activision deal and opens up a massive new revenue stream on Nintendo's platform. Nintendo's player base is huge and engaged, representing serious financial opportunity.
For Nintendo players, it's the first chance to experience Call of Duty on their hardware. The 10-year agreement guarantees the franchise will stick around through multiple hardware generations, potentially well beyond the Switch 2.
The process has taken longer than expected since the deal was signed in early 2023. But if these leaks are accurate, after years of waiting and dev kit delays, Call of Duty is finally coming to Nintendo consoles. Players just need to wait for official confirmation and details about which game arrives first.
