Rumor: Xbox Game Pass & First-Party Games heading to the Switch

Gematsu reports that a major shift in console platform paradigms could be ahead of us. According to a french gaming outlet, the outlandish idea that Xbox Games exclusives are headed to their competitor’s console, namely the Nintendo Switch, is in fact not a fever dream among console warriors.

At this point and seeing the gravity of this rumor, we have to put a large disclaimer beforehand and urge readers to take this news with a healthy amount of salt. After all, what is presented to us is nothing short of a huge change for the gaming industry altogether.

French gaming website JeuxVideo originally put out an article where they claim to have knowledge about reputable sources who claim that Microsoft and Nintendo have been engaging in talks for some time now. Microsoft has been in good terms with Nintendo for a while, but in this case it’s supposedly about Microsoft planning to release select first party titles on Nintendo’s hybrid console, the Switch.

There’s no statement in regard to which titles are being talked about specifically but Gematsu claims to have information that Ori and the Blind Forest has popped up in databases, indicating a Switch release in collaboration with THQ Nordic. Later shall take on duties of physical distribution. Microsoft has worked in similar fashion with THQ Nordic in bringing some of their games on Steam.

Now, while Ori is a beautiful and great game, it’s the mentioning of Xbox heavy-hitters by JeuxVideo who’s really turning our heads. They claim that games from the Gears, Halo or Forza franchises are also being considered for a Switch release. Just think about it, Master Chief on a Nintendo system. This is crazy!

The other, likewise part of the story is that Microsoft’s popular gaming subscription service Xbox Game Pass is set to become available for Switch owners. This could end up the much bigger story for Nintendo gamers, since that service is offering more than 100 games. With Nintendo’s gaming systems traditionally staying afloat with first party titles, this unexpected influx of a massive library of third-party games could make the Switch a true competitor in terms of games availability.

Neither Microsoft nor Nintendo have issued a statement but with E3 not that far off, it’s a safe bet that we’re going to learn more about this soon.