Call of Duty for Nintendo Switch Is “Nearly Done,” Targeting 2026 Release
Call of Duty on a Nintendo platform has been the gaming equivalent of Bigfoot for more than a decade—everyone talks about it, nobody sees it, and every blurry rumor sends the internet into a frenzy. But this time? The creature might actually be stepping out of the woods.
According to new reporting, the first Call of Duty release for Nintendo hardware is “nearly done” and could be hitting the platform in just a few months. Yes, really. After years of legal promises, corporate deals, and “we’re working on it” PR lines, the franchise might finally be making its long‑awaited return to Nintendo players.
And the target window?
2026.
So, right around the corner! Yay!.
Jez Corden Lights the Fuse
The spark came from Windows Central’s Jez Corden, who replied to a fan on X saying the “first CoD Switch version is nearly done” and could launch “in a few months”. He later clarified that while it may not be imminent, it’s “on the way” and “hitting milestones,” with 2026 looking like the realistic landing zone.
Insider Gaming echoed the same report, noting that development is far enough along that internal chatter is shifting from “if” to “when”.
So… What Is This Mysterious Switch Call of Duty?
Nintendo Life points out that the most likely candidate is Call of Duty: Warzone, the free‑to‑play battle royale that Activision keeps duct‑taping into new shapes every year. A full port of Black Ops 7 seems unlikely—especially with a mainline release expected in late 2026—but a Warzone build tailored for Switch 2 hardware? That tracks.
And yes, Switch 2 is absolutely part of this equation. Nintendo Life reminds us that job listings mentioning “Switch experience” popped up in November, and Activision has repeatedly said it’s committed to getting the franchise onto Nintendo’s ecosystem.
Translation: this isn’t a one‑off port. This is the start of a pipeline.
The 10‑Year Deal Finally Bears Fruit
Remember the FTC vs. Microsoft courtroom circus? One of the biggest headlines from that saga was Microsoft signing a binding 10‑year agreement to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo platforms. At the time, it felt like a PR stunt designed to calm regulators.
But now? It looks like the first real deliverable from that deal is about to materialize.
Insider Gaming notes that Microsoft and Activision have been quietly grinding away at this commitment behind the scenes, even as the franchise’s mainline entries have struggled with fan reception.
If anything, the Switch release might be the clean slate they desperately need.
The Real Question: Can Switch Hardware Handle It?
Phil Spencer said back in 2022 that getting CoD running on Switch would take “work.” That was an understatement. But with Switch 2 now out in the wild, the hardware gap isn’t the canyon it used to be.
Nintendo Life speculates that Activision may take a split‑strategy approach:
- Warzone → Switch + Switch 2
- Mainline CoD (Black Ops 7 and beyond) → Switch 2 only
That would let Activision hit the broadest audience without kneecapping the game’s performance on older hardware.
And honestly? It’s the only strategy that makes sense.
Final Thoughts
For the first time in over a decade, Call of Duty on Nintendo doesn’t feel like a meme. It feels like a plan. A real one. With milestones. And a release window. And a version that’s “nearly done.” Oh gosh, this might really happen!
2026 might finally be the year Nintendo players drop into Verdansk, Rebirth, or whatever map Activision is rotating through by then.
And if this thing really is launching “in a few months,” the next big showcase—Xbox’s January 2026 Developer Direct—is looking like the perfect stage (crosses fingers and toes).
Because after ten years of waiting, teasing, and corporate promises, Call of Duty on Switch might finally be ready to show its face.
