Unless you've been living under a rock for the past week, you will have no doubt heard about the ongoing rumours regarding a possible partnership between Microsoft and Nintendo.
According to multiple sources, Microsoft has plans to bring an Xbox App, Game Pass, cloud technology and even some Xbox exclusives to the Nintendo Switch at some point this year. This rumour began when it was discovered Microsoft would be discussing its plans to make Xbox Live compatible with multiple platforms at the upcoming Game Developers Conference.
In the latest development, Gematsu is now reporting a Switch version of Ori and the Blind Forest has appeared in "at least one" United Kingdom wholesale database. Unfortunately, there's no mention of the actual wholesaler or photographic evidence. Apparently, though, the game will be distributed by THQ Nordic, which would make sense as it has worked with Microsoft in the past to publish games on the digital distribution platform, Steam.
This isn't the first time this game has been mentioned. Yesterday, Direct-Feed Games name-dropped the 2015 release and French gaming website Jeuxvideo supported these claims while also referencing the platforming boss-battler, Cuphead.
Are you convinced yet? Would you like to play Ori and the Blind Forest on the Switch? Tell us down in the comments.
[source gematsu.com]
Comments 69
The plot thickens! I'd definitely play it.
If this happens how fast do you think it will take for these two to surpass their sales on Xbox?
I'm completely interested!
This is one of the games on Xbox that I really want to play. Coming over to switch would be awesome. In fact I think the switch could handle most of the Xbox exclusives that I want to play.
Ori is an indie masterpiece, if it is coming to Switch, then Nintendo had another winner on their platform. Let's hope the rumor is true so Microsoft can start making games for the Switch and we can start burying the Xbox One.
@retro_player_22 Well I guess I won an Xbox One for nothing then XD (got it like in 2016........can't remember actually heheh).
I feel like this is actually happening, as for Cuphead, I guess I wouldn't mind buying it twice. I do wonder if the Switch version will get the DLC at the same time as the other versions.
This collaboration has me very interested, if true. Do I dare dream of Master Chief in Smash DLC? I would totally mark out for that. This also begs the question of what Nintendo will be lending to Microsoft for games/characters.
Ori and the Blind Forest? Cuphead? Rare Replay? Yes, yes, all my yes please!
...I'm tempering my desires. This is me tempered. ALL OF MY YES!!
If this is true... what does Xbox offer if Ori and possibly Cuphead make the “switch”. Their big budget AAA titles are bombing pretty hard. Are they just going to abandon the XBoxOne? I think at this point it may not be the worst idea, but I feel bad for people who bought one recently.
@NotTelevision Current gen is nearly over, the 1st party games present at E3 2018 are likely going to be the XB1's final 1st party games with Halo Infinite doing a BotW type situation.
I'm getting a bit excited about this. Of course it's all just a rumor for now, but given the sheer amount of sources coming out and claiming it's all true means there has to be at least a bit of truth to it.
I've always wanted to play Ori, so if it came to Switch I'd be over the moon!
@NotTelevision I love my switch but I don’t think anyone that owns an XBOX One regrets the purchase as it’s currently the best way to experience multiplat games. Nothing to feel sorry for. Witcher 3 amongst many others are examples of the finest way to play those games on console period. Well in terms of performance and graphics.
I know this is mere rumour, but it seems misleading to refer to this as a Microsoft and Nintendo partnership. It sounds more like Microsoft expanding their reach and monetising their catalogue
So what's the point in getting an Xbox One?
Ori and Cuphead are a great start.
let's not forget that Microsoft and Nintendo promote the huge cross-play with Minecraft.
i'm liking all of the ideas of what's going on with Microsoft and Nintendo. small titles published by Microsoft is a great start! however i still stand by what i said on (my comment, that i deleted) about bigger titles from Microsoft (other than Minecraft). but the ideas like using Gamepass would be the best idea for Xbox. while bring the small titles for Physical/Digital on other platforms.
Although, There is one title i want out of any Xbox title from this. if Nintendo and Microsoft could come to an agreement. bring Rare Replay to Switch to promote Banjo Kazooie for Smash Bros. Heck, if Nintendo Some Point adds N64 VC to the Nintendo Switch Online. promote Banjo Kazooie for Smash Bros by bringing the Original and the Sequel to it.
Although that is. if, they comes to Smash Bros as guest characters.
Please bring Rare Replay!
The rumors are seeming more and more plausible. If this does pan out then there's hope yet for Banjo and Kazooie to make a triumphant return to Nintendo hardware. Be it in Smash or with an HD remake of the originals, either way I'd be happy. Who knows, maybe Nintendo and Microsoft could work out a deal to remake DK 64! These are exciting times for sure!
XBOX wants to increase their game pass subscribers. I will never pay a subscription for games. I hope their greed doesn't get in the way of a good collaboration. I would purchase Ori and Cuphead separately to play but not as a continuous subscription.
It's a bait. MS is releasing the new exclusive Ori and the Will of the Wisps this year. By launching the old game on Switch they want to entice Switch gamers to buy Xbox.
Ori was one of my favorite games I have ever played. I rarely double dip on anything....this will be an exception as playing it on the go would be reason enough to 100% it again.
PLEASE BE TRUE!
Hope it’s true, if Blood stains doesn’t live up to its hype, I could use something to fall back to.
I've heard a lot of good things about this one. Would definitely buy it on Switch!
@Tasuki
I got my Xbox One X for 4K bluray, backwards compatibility for a fair number of Xbox/Xbox 360 games and better performance of multiplat games. It's a great compliment for my Switch.
I played Ori on the XBO. I didn't love it but it's definitely a quality game and would be a good fit for the Switch.
Anyone but THQ Nordic. I really dislike them as a publisher. They have very low quality standards and just pump games out left, right and centre. Dodgy framerate, clipping and screen tearing are common place in all their games. 77 games they currently have in development so it's not surprising quality is the least of their concerns.
@OorWullie I believe this would simply be a publishing deal without THQ Nordic doing any actual development save for their logo screen.
@MasterGraveheart
I didn't think about RareReplay! also... Killer instinct anyone? Ah too late, I'm too excited now
I'd love to see some boxed versions of cuphead, rarereplay and killer instinct. I suppose this may be the end of Xbox one consoles, but it'll be fantastic if all the games jump ship to Switch!
If this really happens it could give a massive boost to Switch, bringing some of the great third party games we are missing, some Xbox exclusives and finally having Rare’s franchises on Nintendo again.
Nintendo just needs to release the Virtual Console this year and Switch’s appeal will quadruple.
Instant buy if it happens. This is one of the few Xbox games that interest me.
But I don't like the meaning of it (and the game pass rumor) , if Microsoft loses interest in its own console, it basically means one less competitor which will turn out bad fir the consumer.
Don’t know much about this, Cuphead or XBox in general... but this very interesting and exciting I have to say. Looking forward to finding out what comes of all this, there must be something to it
@tech7
Yes I'd want more competition, not a 'two horse race'
I would love xbox/sony to get on the switch bandwagon and release similar docking consoles, there's so many good games on both I'd love to play on the train!
We've always got Soulja (?) boy's console and the creators of project cars hahah.
It appears MS have been turning the xbox into more of a 'service' for a while, leveling the gap between being on xbox or windows, the two are the same now. But of course I'm sure they have some more stuff coming out
Yes please. I need to beat the Hollow Knight boss first! – but I've played Ori a bit of PC and would love to complete it on Switch.
I have and love both Ori and Cuphead on my Xbox One... and I would buy both again on the Switch.
Ori and the Blind Forest is one of the greatest video games of this generation. Absolute masterpiece. I have it on my GPD Win 2 for portable play (as well as X1X), but I’d love to have a Switch version.
This will benefit everyone. And show Switch gamers how good Ori is before the new one drops.
Makes sense for Microsoft, at least in happen where they have 0 exposure
While this would be a major score I can't help feel it would be compromised running on Switch. While Ori and Cuphead are 'simple' 2D affairs each are very, very demanding under the hood and I believe even push a XB1 to the max. Still, could be interesting.
@Tasuki I think Micorosoft expects a streaming-only future, or at least one where streaming will play a huge role, and they just want to be the first established streaming service on anything. Get in there before anyone else does; regardless of whether it cannibalises their hardware sales.
Two great games for the Switch to score, if the rumours are true.
@Octane I think you might be right.
Not sure if I misremember, but shouldn't Goldeneye be a far-fetched possibility if Microsoft & Nintendo both used their respective rights to the IP? Would play a Goldeneye remastered to bits
The intro gets me every time 😭
@Darkasi Nintendo will give them sales and more subscriptions to game pass if that is a reality. And I would say that is it.
@tech7 MS is not going anywhere and Google is apparently entering too so I wouldn't worry too much
Ori is a great game bloody tough though 😂 will be certainly interesting to see Microsoft on switch.
I don't see any harm in them releasing old exclusives on Switch, they're likely to do much better on Switch anyway. Would get both that and Cuphead if it's true.
@SalvorHardin extremely fast. I'd give it a month or two. I don't have an Xbox but I'd be there day 1 for both Ori and Cuphead. I actually used to be a big fan of Halo and Gears of War as well, but I just don't want to buy the Xbox one just for those games lol, so I hope this game pass stuff is real. I'd love to just own a Nintendo system for once.
So many day dreamers. Do really think, those games will come to Switch? In best ways physically? Dream on!
It sounds more likely that Xboxgamepass subscriptions be available and not individual games ported to switch.
I’d pay handsomely to have Ori and the Blind Forest and Cuphead on my Switch. Below, too for that matter!
@Nintendo4Sonic Yep, I do reckon those games will come to Switch. Despite their exclusivity deals, I predicted back in 2017 that both Ori and Cuphead will both come to Switch by 2020.
@Axelay71 "will be certainly interesting to see Microsoft on switch."
No need to wait.
In case you didn't know.
https://www.polygon.com/2014/11/6/7167349/microsoft-owns-minecraft-mojang-acquisition-closes
i dont want nintendo exclusives to be played on Xbox!
This is not the first time THQ help Microsoft bring Xbox games to a Nintendo system. Remember back in the GBA and DS era, THQ also help bring some Xbox games to GBA and DS as well. They're just continuing to do what they love to do and I look forward to Ori and the Blind Forest for Switch.
I am glad Phil is doing something right. Ori & Cuphead on Switch will probably outsell the Xbox One version.
I’ll get excited when I see a physical release of CupHead for the Switch!
Cuphead please
@Tasuki There is no point LOL.
@molkom But more people have rights to it then just MS and Nintendo. There's the studio that owns the rights plus I believe Activision currently owns the game rights plus you have the actors who own the rights for their likeness. So there alot more involved then just MS and Nintendo
There was a remake about 10 years ago on the Wii and then later ported to the PS3.
@molkom No, Microsoft doesn't have anything to do with the GoldenEye IP. MGM owns the franchise, and Activision has the game rights. Nintendo owns the trademark of the original 007 release on the N64; Rare was only the the developer.
Ori and the Blind Forest is a great game, and will be appreciated more by Nintendo gamers than it would X-Box Gamers. The lack of creativity on X-Box this generation has really hurt Microsoft as gamers have evolved past the shooty shooty 360 generation. When I think of X-Box gamers, I think of the dumbbutts that used to play online on the likes of Gears of War shouting racial and homophobic abuse, the ones that referred to themselves as the "hardcore gamer". I know not everyone will be but this is the Microsoft gamer stereotype for me. Now gaming has gone back to the "Core" gamer that also that appreciates creativity and level design and variety again. It is a shame as during the original X-Box generation, Microsoft had some amazing exclusives.
I appreciate this game, but there are much much better Metroidvanias than this. Several are already on Switch. Microsoft might as well monetize it for Switch since it’s not a really a console seller game.
@CupidStunt mate you have just spouted some proper elitist stuff there. "Core" gamers is just as silly a term as hardcore gamer. Surprised you never went off on a taking back our hobby nonsense.
Gaming trends aren't going anywhere at the minute. Yes the switch is successful. So.of course the first party titles on there are successful too. But call of duty and Battlefield 5 sold 7 million plus units despite being shadows of themselves. Three biggest retail games released so far this year? Far Cry, Metro and Anthem. Again all 3 have issues But what's breaking up that monopoly? Apex Legends a free to play battle Royale game in a genre that everybody was said and nothing fresh could be done to make battle Royale interesting to the masses.
The only thing worse than people looking down on gaming from the outside is the clowns who look down on it from the inside.
@Darkasi “This also begs the question of what Nintendo will be lending to Microsoft for games/characters.”
Probably none or if they do it’ll just be a slight cameo. While this is all pretty exciting news, it’s also not all that surprising given what Phil Spencer has been saying for about two years and MSs own moves. They’ve been saying for some time that as long as you are playing their games they don’t care a lot if it’s on an Xbox, PC or even another platform (look at Minecraft ongoing support). It’s clear MS is getting behind both subscription based gaming and streaming gaming, they’re very open about both concepts, so the logical conclusion is this is one step down a path which could see MS have a streaming game platform that can deliver games via their Game Pass service to customers on Xbox, PC but also third party consoles. Hell if streaming has a low need for local resources TVs etc could have the service built in. With Samsung releasing a TV with an Apple iTunes service crazier things are already happening. If Sony and Nintendo allow such an app on their systems it’s a brilliant way for Ms to make money from customers who don’t own their systems.
To that end don’t expect Nintendo to give up a whole lot. This isn’t an act of generosity on MSs part but an ongoing push on a path they’ve been on for some time. Nintendo for their part will benefit from an increased catalogue of non Nintendo releases and hardware sales which will in turn help them push their own software.
@MarzipanD Some real educated language there. It is only February so I wont look at those totals just yet. Let's get to the end of the year first. 7 million copies is not so much for a multi-platform game now.
7 million isn't and you'd easily get a job at Activision and EA with that attitude. Also we can get to the end of the year and a massive chunk of sales will still be taken up with games I won't have played (sports and shooters) but I still don't be looking down on the folks that will be playing them unlike some.
Microsoft has done it in the past with their IP's and franchises. Someone stated above about Viva Piñata Pocket Paradise for DS, but it's also happened with Minecraft. However, something like this will hurt them with console sales, as it's already that you can buy an XBOX one controller and just play their games on the PC (except the Kinect titles). I gotta say, the Xbox One is a nice system, but the exclusives are rare. Ori and the Blinded Forest is a fantastic game, and deserves more, so this would definitely be one I'd pick up on Switch (even PS4 when and if it arrives) even if I already own it on Xbox. It's a great title with excellent music, excellent graphics and just plain fun!
@JLPick You had to realize that Minecraft was already on other platforms way before Microsoft came and bought them, those other games I mention happen while Microsoft still own complete ownership of those. Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge, Munch's Oddysee, Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise, Blue Dragon Plus, and Banjo Pilot all happen due to Microsoft having no interest in the handheld market so it makes sense for them to release their games for Nintendo handheld.
For the Switch it's really quite odd as the Switch is competing against Xbox One and PS4 though not as a powerhouse device but as a home entertainment system. Maybe Microsoft only cares about power and want to leave the entertainment aspect to Nintendo perhaps, let's wait and see if all their other franchise make the jump as well. I could see them bringing Banjo, Cuphead, Ori, Perfect Dark Zero, Blue Dragon, Viva Pinata, Kameo, and Shadow Complex but heavy hitters like Gears of War, Forza, Lost Odyssey, and Halo they probably won't be able to or won't make those multiplat.
I will definitely buy this!
@MasterGraveheart @mrjelly @Kienda I will jump from happiness! 😄 Its been almost 20 years since the last 3D platformer Banjo game.
@DonSerrot I would love to see a DK 64 remake! Even better if they start developing a 64 sequel once they find the right studio.
@Octane
Thanks for response and clearing things up! I heard Activision's license rights expired though so naively hope against hope that maybe Microsoft (with Rare) & Nintendo (copyright expired?) could pay EON/MGM for the rights and deliver the following into my grubby hands
https://www.google.com/amp/www.ladbible.com/news/gaming-goldeneye-007-is-getting-an-unreal-engine-4-remake-20181010.amp.html
Won't happen, but I can dream
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