Good morning, everyone! We’ve got some buzzing rumors to dive into today. As excitement builds for the upcoming announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2, podcaster NateTheHate has suggested that both Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 could make their way to the Switch 2 and PlayStation 5. While Nate has proven accurate on several occasions regarding future titles, it’s wise to approach this news with a healthy dose of skepticism. The prospect of Xbox titles appearing on the Switch 2 seems a bit improbable, particularly since we’re still in the dark about the console’s specifications.
That said, the Switch 2 may not require powerful hardware to run these titles. In February 2024, Xbox announced its plans to expand its game offerings to PlayStation 5 and Nintendo platforms, including titles like Pentiment, Hi-Fi Rush, Sea of Thieves, and Grounded. This raises the possibility that the Nintendo Switch 2 could utilize cloud gaming technology, allowing players to access demanding games via streaming instead of relying solely on the console’s hardware. Given the high-performance requirements of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, streaming could be the practical solution for playing these titles on Nintendo’s handheld device.
Of course, not every expectation has come to fruition. For instance, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 was released as an exclusive for Xbox amidst speculation that it would also debut on PlayStation 5. Microsoft’s shifting strategies seem to be transforming the company from a hardware manufacturer into more of a publisher model. Fans and analysts are left questioning whether Xbox will persist as a traditional console or pivot to a cloud gaming platform akin to Nvidia’s GeForce Now.
If Microsoft decides to launch these games on Nintendo and PlayStation systems, it will certainly enhance player experience and broaden access to these significant titles. The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to support backwards compatibility with existing Switch games, though it remains uncertain if this will involve physical cartridges or if it will strictly be digital. With several consoles taking a digital-first approach, there’s a chance that the next Xbox console—and potentially the Nintendo Switch 2—may emerge as entirely streaming-oriented devices, foregoing traditional disc drives or cartridge slots.
