How Sony Could One-Up Microsoft Bringing Call of Duty to Nintendo Consoles

If there's one word that can be used to sum up 2024 for Microsoft and its Xbox brand, it's "multiplatform." Earlier in the year, the American console manufacturer surprised fans and industry professionals alike when it revealed its plans to bring several of its first-party exclusives to PlayStation and Nintendo platforms. So far, four Microsoft-published games, namely Sea of Thieves, Grounded, Pentiment, and Hi-Fi Rush, have made the jump to rival consoles, but there's more to come. Doom: The Dark Ages and the timed Xbox exclusive Indiana Jones and the Great Circle have already been confirmed for PS5, and reports suggest that the company is planning to bring Forza Horizon 5 and Halo to other platforms, too.

Although Xbox has yet to announce any more of its games for PlayStation and Nintendo consoles, there is one Microsoft-owned franchise that will soon come to more systems: Call of Duty. Prior to the closure of the Activision-Blizzard acquisition, Microsoft announced its intent to bring future Call of Duty games to Nintendo consoles for the next ten years. Call of Duty is already massive, but given how large the install base for the Switch is, the franchise has the potential to become even more popular thanks to this commitment. If this ends up paying big dividends for Microsoft, Sony may follow in the Xbox manufacturer's footsteps by porting one of its flagship live service games, Helldivers 2, to Nintendo consoles, as well.

Sony Could Replicate Microsoft's Call of Duty Plans By Bringing Helldivers 2 to Switch 2

Helldivers 2 Heading to Other Platforms Has Been a Topic of Discussion in Recent Months

Helldivers 2 originally launched on PS5 and PC in February 2024, but over the last few months, there have been some rumblings about the game making its way to other platforms. In April of this year, XboxEra's Nick Baker (a.k.a. Shpeshal_Nick) alleged that Sony was in preliminary discussions to bring Helldivers 2 to Xbox Series X/S, though he cautioned that these talks could "fall to pieces." The very same insider then claimed on November 2 that this Helldivers 2 Xbox port was not happening. Even if this is true, it doesnt necessarily mean that the game wont come to Switch 2.

Helldivers 2 on Switch 2 Seems Unlikely, But Lego Horizon and Freedom Wars Show That It is Possible

Normally, it would be absurd to think that a PlayStation-published game like Helldivers 2 would ever make its way to a Nintendo console, but these days, it's not outside the realm of possibility. One of Sony's biggest first-party releases for 2024, LEGO Horizon Adventures, is releasing on Nintendo Switch day-one, alongside PlayStation 5 and PC. In addition, the Bandai Namco-published Freedom Wars Remastered will also be heading to Nintendo's hybrid system early next year, in spite of the fact that the Freedom Wars IP is owned by PlayStation.

Games from Sony-owned franchises have almost never been released on non-PlayStation consoles, which is why its surprising that LEGO Horizonand Freedom Wars are coming to the Switch. The last time something similar to this happened was when Wipeout 64 came out for the Nintendo 64 in 1998. Sony's MLB The Show games are also available on Xbox and Nintendo consoles, but those are only multiplatform because MLB mandated it. In the case of LEGO Horizon, however, it seems like the decision to bring the game to Switch was made entirely by Sony itself, at least according to some comments from a developer at Guerrilla Games.

Helldivers 2 Could Receive a Big Boost in Players By Launching on Switch 2

The fact that LEGO Horizon Adventures and, to a lesser extent, Freedom Wars Remastered are coming to Switch is a sign that Sony is potentially becoming more lenient towards bringing its games to Nintendo consoles. If so, then it would make a lot of sense for Helldivers 2 to be ported to the Nintendo Switch 2. Live service games similar to Helldivers 2 thrive by being available on as many platforms as possible and, since the Switch's successor will most likely amass a large install base, the PvE shooter could benefit significantly from a release on the as-of-yet unannounced console. Helldivers 2 would be a great launch title for Nintendo's next system, but only time will tell if Sony ever allows it.