Call of Duty is on Switch 2, and it's the full thing. Nintendo confirmed on 23 October that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is out now on Nintendo Switch 2, with the Standard Edition listed at US$69.99. Campaign, multiplayer and DMZ are all in the box.
There's one catch worth knowing before you buy, and we'll get to it. First, what you get.
What's in it
Nintendo's post runs through the three main modes:
- Campaign: you play as Private Park and Captain Price, and Nintendo promises "trench warfare in Korea and close-quarters combat in New York".
- Multiplayer: 12 new 6v6 maps at launch, plus large-scale maps that mix vehicle and infantry combat.
- DMZ: described by Nintendo as "the definitive Call of Duty extraction experience", where you loot, fight and get out alive.
That's not a cut-down handheld version. It's the full three-mode package. Nintendo Life notes that pre-orders unlocked early campaign access ahead of the 23 October launch, so some players are already well into the story.
The catch: online needs Switch Online
Here's the bit to read twice. Nintendo states that "A Nintendo Switch Online membership is needed for Multiplayer and DMZ." The campaign is yours either way, but two of the three modes need a paid membership on top of the game.
Nintendo is softening that with a free 7-day trial, which it says is available even if you've used one before. After that, the membership is sold separately and auto-renews at the current price unless you cancel. You'll also need a Nintendo Account and an internet connection for anything online.
So the real price of the full experience is the game plus a membership. If you only care about the campaign, it's US$69.99 and done.
How it looks on Switch 2
The Switch 2 version gives you more graphics control than you might expect. Nintendo Life reported on 17 October, citing early analysis from Digital Foundry's Tom Morgan, that the Graphics settings offer two upscaling options:
- Nvidia DLSS, Nvidia's AI-powered upscaler. Morgan said it "has better edge treatment that smooths out stair-stepping", with sharper textures on things like decals and foliage.
- Filmic SMAA T2X, Infinity Ward's in-house anti-aliasing.
There's also AMD FidelityFX CAS sharpening in the Quality menu. Nintendo Life credits Digital Legends Entertainment with the Switch 2 version.
One honest caveat: Morgan hadn't settled whether DLSS costs frame rate. "Perhaps there's a frame-rate hit incurred by using DLSS," he said, and Nintendo Life noted a full motion analysis of the final build was still needed. So try both settings and pick the one that feels better to you.
A final note for parents: Nintendo's page lists the ESRB descriptors as Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language and Use of Drugs, with Users Interact and In-Game Purchases. If you've wanted Call of Duty on a Nintendo console, this is it, with all three modes and real graphics options. If you're mainly after online play, factor in the Switch Online membership before you commit. The free trial gives you a week to decide.
Nintendo's post doesn't mention future updates or seasons for the Switch 2 version, so for now, what's listed is what's confirmed.
Reporting notes