Not so long ago, we mused about future plans involving Microsoft and Nintendo, a post which was largely inspired by the fact that Xbox boss Phil Spencer had a Switch in his office during a video segment.
With VentureBeat journalist and industry insider Jeff Grubb suggesting that "pretty much everything" included on Spencer's office shelves is a hint of some kind, it certainly got tongues wagging about some kind of deal between the two hardware rivals.
It turns out they really like the Switch over at Xbox, because yesterday another of Nintendo's hybrid systems was spotted behind Xbox exec Sarah Bond as she delivered her speech:
So, does the fact that the Switch keeps photo-bombing Xbox media events actually mean anything? Perhaps not – maybe Spencer and his team are just having a bit of fun, or maybe, as gamers, they love the Switch just as much as we do (and, lest we forget, it's home to more than a few Xbox-made games right now).
However, there's never been a PS5 on the shelf, and as Grubb says, Team Xbox love hiding hints in plain sight.
[source purexbox.com]
Comments 73
Nintendo and Microsoft are setting up a joint shelving business.
They marry have a child, Nintendo Series Xbox.
Maybe it’s being held hostage...
Microsoft were going to buy Switch, but Nintendo laughed at them so their plans had to be shelved.
So sick of these rumors. Unless the Halo collection is coming to switch or Banjo Threeie who cares? I don't see that happening ever.
I hope they bring some Rare Replay titles to Switch. I have it on Xbone and would definitely rebuy Perfect Dark and Perfect Dark Zero on Switch. Switch doesn't have many if any good split-screen shooter games.
If Phil had a PS5 on the shelf some Sony fanboys would lose their minds.
@GrailUK Nothing will top this comment on this article!
That does it. Corvo Attano confirmed for Smash.
It's probably nothing.
Phil Spencer for Smash confirmed
Next thing you'll know, that Doug Bowser will have an Xbox Series X on his shelf too
@PLATINUM7 Great reply!
@Lionyone Phil Spencer can't, as Sony released the PS5 but forgot to produce it (or at least forgot that their stuff is made of parts, and those parts had to be ordered).
NX, you do the math…
@Slowdive
The point is to provoke article like this and the millions of clickbait videos on YouTube to promote their brand.
Shocking that gaming enthusiasts have multiple consoles.
A relationship between Microsoft and Nintendo already exists. From being the first to agree cross platform play, having Microsoft games on Switch such as Ori and Super Lucky Tale, and Banjo in Smash. So doesn't necessarily mean anything new. Nintendo will never allow Gamepass on Switch.
@SalvorHardin I doubt Microsoft is that desperate.
Even though Xcloud on Switch would be the more likely possibility, I'm hoping it's Master Chief in Smash so it can show that 3rd-party reps don't have to appear on a Nintendo system to be in.
It's like those Sakurai live streams, where he has all major consoles.
It definitely means something. You just don´t put a Switch for decoration behind you during a stream, also in the same row with XBX and XSS consoles. Probably xCloud coming to Switch, but as a different service not included on GPU. "xCloud for Switch, $10 a month".
@abdias
Phil Spencer last November last year: "I don't have a retail [PS5] unit yet. I will get one. I look forward to it."
Source: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/phil-spencer-on-xbox-and-japan-halos-future-playing-elden-ring-and-more/1100-6484316/
Definitely something is coming but I cannot see it that to be xcloud
@Entrr_username
Maybe that is sleepinglion's idea of fun?
Master Chief is coming to Smash and every Xbox owner gets a free Switch.
The writer has a Golden Eye for detail
But imagine: Halo Master Chief collection on the Switch. (natively) It could happen.
@Entrr_username
What makes you say that? Xbone was a massive joke they’ve had to look at marketing tactics to get people to talk about the brand in a positive light, it’s easy for them to do this as evidenced by the shelf obsession which was probably inspired by similar stuff with Sakurai, they also have no reason not to employ astroturfing, look at YouTube you’ll see hundreds of videos posting about this stuff verbatim along with rumors and spreading FUD targeted at Sony.
@IronMan30 Dude, that's crazy. That's like... four free Switches somebody's got to pay for you know!
I feel sorry for Microsoft. They constantly show off Switches in their videos to prove Nintendo is their best bud, but Ninty doesn’t return the favour. I wonder if Ninty even knows what an XBox is?
@Lionyone I just said that it is unavailable, not that he do not want it, and I was being sarcastic. It is obvious that there are a bunch o competitor hardware inside those companies since day one (or even before, you know, industrial spying is a thing). And I am referring to every big company in this business (MS, Sony, Nintendo, Amazon, Google, and so on).
Given the amount of stuff that has already happened on Switch thanks to Microsoft, this is either nothing, or it's pretty big. I don't see it just being Master Chief in Smash or another MS game coming to Switch. I'm thinking it's got to be something a bit bigger. If not, then they're over-using this shelf trick.
@The-Chosen-one How many times do I have to say it? They'd call it the Wintendo!
Gamepass coming to Switch and Breath of The wild 2 is going to be a Series X exclusive to allow for decent framerate and graphic quality
@gcunit I forgot to mention every Switch owner gets a Series X or S.
halo on switch maybe?
Okay, there's definitely something up.
My hope: Microsoft are going to help Nintendo build a new version of Switch Online so they can deliver N64 and GameCube games over the cloud
@abdias
I doubt Xbox, Sony, and Nintendo spy on each other because they don't need to. They're all strong and confident. And they each have very different strategies.
@sleepinglion who would have thought
Well if you lot keep reporting on it then i'm sure they will carry on.
N64 mini......... it’s on its way.
Maybe Banjo-Kazooie and Tooie on the Switch? Possibly xcloud but that would be a hard sell for Nintendo. "Hey, come play our competition's games and use their service..on our device!" I don't think they would ever do that but its still possible. Cloud gaming will be a thing with Nintendo eventually I just dont see them using another company's app for it though
Waluigi confirmed for Playstation All Stars Battle Royale 2
Ps5 is never on the shelf ...yeah have you seen the size of it!! I've had smaller radiators
Hopefully some good collab news soon
This relationship has been going on for 6 years now, ever since Microsoft first worked with Nintendo on Minecraft (Legacy Console Edition for the Wii U). This doesn't say much, other than as a reminder that there's still good relations between the two.
Project xCloud streaming game pass games to switch is my guess
May or may not be something. I won't get my hopes way too up or dismiss it and get pissy about the constant speculation. It's fun to discuss and it's not like there isn't an existing relationship. So there's some weight to back up the speculation
What if they're just using this to gauge what gamers' reaction would be to something like Game Pass coming to Switch? Like maybe they already have something planned, but haven't announced it because they want to get the pulse on what people are thinking/feeling. I mean, it's a bit out there, but something to think about.
Microsoft are just showing Switch owners that Xbox is their best 2nd console after you own a Switch.
Just admit it, its gonna happen.
@bluesdance 🤔 Seems legit.
Maybe they ain’t got a Ps5 on the shelve because it’s always sold out 😂
At the very least it’s probably just a subtle shout out...at the most rare replay with dk64 added
Imagine this, a console with a compentent online service and Nintendo's IPs!
Grabbed By The Ghoulies port confirmed for Switch and Wrecking Crew at 120 FPS at 4K confirmed for Xbox. Plus there'll be an adaptor to allow you to use Kinect on the 3DS and the NES Advantage on Xbox 360.
They are just trolling people. Stay calm, carry on.
People read too much into this stuff. If a Nintendo Exec wears a purple tie, everyone here thinks it means Waluigi for Smash.
Since Cuphead, Minecraft, Skyrim, Minecraft Dungeons and Ori were a big success on switch (the outer worlds probably too) - i might guess that a lot of "xbox classic or xbox 360 classics" might find their way onto nintendo switch. like halo 1,2,3,4, odst, the "remake" from conquer - maybe the 16:9 banjo remaster from xbox 360 and more. i don't think it will be gamepass or xbox cloud gaming - but why not making money with "old" games, xbox users do not really care about anymore? win win situation.
And since Bethesda is now in Microsofts Hands - Maybe a Morrowind or Oblivion Port.
Or even older RARE Games, like KAMEO - which was one of the better RARE games after they got bought by Microsoft.
The only thing with this is that Xbox said one of their reasons for buying Zenimax was to provide exclusives. Would be weird to then spread the love to Nintendo with things like Rare Replay etc any further than they already have (e.g. with Ori).
But then they made the statement of games coming to wherever Gamepass is. So yea.
Those guys at Microsoft really like their switches...
".. between the two hardware rivals."
No rivals here. Microsoft and Nintendo are long time friends now. Sony is the villain.
@Mr-Fuggles777 Just asking myself any time i see you "why this troll looser is still here ?". Please answer.
They’ve been shelving amazing Nintendo products for ages. Rare doesn’t even make the shelf anymore, it’s in the morgue...
Microsoft is buying out Nintendo confirmed.
@CorvoRevo They are repairing potholes on my bridge and the noise woke me up so I thought I would come online specifically to annoy you.
...kissing in a tree, S-I-T-T-I-N-G!
That Switch is always seeking attention!
The enemy face that everybody raged about from the halo infinite gameplay reveal, was secretly just the switch texture versions and infinite is coming to switch
Sure it is there, it's like having a phone while also having a laptop. I have both Xbox and Switch. They are not competing - they are complimenting each other. For me Xbox is for AAA titles in 4K and Switch is for indies.
@Tasuki funnily enough, that could well be Microsoft's long term game
Microsoft's could swallow Nintendo 10 times over and still be one of the biggest companies in the world.
Their long term plans could be as far off 20 to 30 years away.
@SalvorHardin Xbone might have been a joke but Microsoft was worth 500 billion in 2012 and in 2021 they are worth 1.3 trillion.
In 2012 Sony were worth 45 billion and and now in 2021 they are worth 78 billion.
Nintendo in 2012 were worth 30 billion, in 2021 they are sitting at around 55 billion.
Who do you think is really winning? Forget about games and consoles. Companies like Microsoft and Apple can outright buy the entire industry.
Microsoft could literally buy Nintendo and change ABSOLUTELY nothing, they could leave Nintendo exactly how it is and if Nintendo and Microsoft wanted, you will never know about it.
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