Surprising collaborations are always a good way for the video game industry to drum up hype. It's interesting to see what comes of projects where two or more very different companies work together. Sometimes, when groups with very different perspectives on game development and competing plans for the future collaborate, some really brilliant and exciting things come out of it. The rumored collaboration between Microsoft and Nintendo is one of those situations. Even if it's not sure that the collaboration is real, the mere idea of Microsoft and Nintendo working together is pretty exciting, considering how much influence on video games they both have.
Microsoft and Nintendo are very different companies. Microsoft and the Xbox lean into supporting intense, flashy AAA games, and it's increasingly determined to collect some of the most influential game developers out there. In contrast, Nintendo is more famous than ever for its group-hug approach to the video game industry, presenting family-friendly entertainment with accessible consoles and a chipper demeanor. In spite of their differences, a Microsoft-Nintendo collaboration could result in something that goes a long way for both companies. There's a lot of Microsoft games and characters that could really shake things up by appearing on a Nintendo system.
Bringing Game Pass to Switch
One massive surprise that could come out of a collaboration like this would be Xbox Game Pass coming to the Nintendo Switch. Microsoft's subscription-based system for playing games from all kinds of publishers is one of the Xbox Series X's biggest draws. Microsoft made a big deal out of all the new games coming to Game Pass ahead of the Series X's launch. Game Pass remains a huge money maker for Microsoft, and stands to reason why. Things like Outriders, Grand Theft Auto 5, and Halo: The Master Chief Collection would be a big deal if they were suddenly available on the Switch via Xbox Game Pass.
The big question about Xbox Game Pass on Switch would be what exactly the Switch is actually able to offer compared to the Xbox One and the Xbox Series X. The Switch is a fun and clever console, but it doesn't have the processing power of its biggest rivals. If Game Pass really did come to Switch, odds are it would be pared down a little bit in order to cater to the Switch's capabilities. Even with only a limited list of games available, though, there's lots that would make a splash through a pipeline like this. Game Pass would be a clever way for Microsoft to let the Switch have fetching titles like Sea of Thieves while possibly getting a better cut of the revenue than just releasing the game for Switch.
Stocking Up the Switch Pro
It's also possible that Microsoft-Nintendo team speaks to the ongoing rumors of a Switch Pro. If Nintendo really is making a high-power console meant to compete with the newest platforms from Microsoft and Sony, it might have opted to team up with Microsoft by seeing what Microsoft games could come to Switch Pro. If the rumored specs of the Switch Pro are to be believed, it could handle things like Halo Infinite that probably wouldn't do well on the original Switch.
Nintendo certainly already has a few solid candidates for Switch Pro games on its own. If the upgraded Switch really exists, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 and Pokemon Legends: Arceus' enhanced versions will be big sellers. However, one of the best ways that Nintendo could make the Switch Pro even more successful is to bring in some games that never had a chance of being on the original Switch. Its seemingly warm relationship with Microsoft might facilitate Nintendo accessing those kinds of treasured games that the Switch can't handle.
The Smash Ultimate Question
It also can't be denied that the Microsoft-Nintendo collaboration could be something that's already been in the works for many months. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate only has a couple coveted DLC fighter slots left. Nintendo has a reputation for saving the best for last, so fans are getting really hyped up at the thought that the last slots could add some really important video game characters that haven't made the Smash guest list yet. With Halo Infinite on the horizon and some curious posts on Halo's Instagram page, many Halo and Smash fans are crossing their fingers and hoping that Master Chief will be announced for Smash Ultimate soon.
It wouldn't be surprising to see a new Smash character announced soon. Pyra and Mythra have been out for long enough that Nintendo could definitely be winding up to make the next Smash announcement. Master Chief is more than deserving of getting the invitation for the next slot. Halo has turned shooters on their head over the years, and Master Chief would definitely stand out from the rest of the Smash cast in terms of moveset. Master Chief in Smash would fit right into Nintendo or Microsoft's other announcements at E3 this June.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Clearly there's lots of possibilities that could come out of Microsoft and Nintendo working together. It wouldn't be surprising if multiple of them were true to some degree. The Game Pass could show up on Switch Pro instead, for instance, or maybe a totally different Microsoft character will show up on Nintendo consoles. Alternatively, maybe Nintendo will completely break precedent and let one of its most prized IPs come to another console. Metroid Prime 4 would be a huge draw for the Xbox Series X, and it'd hardly feel out of place among the Xbox's diverse shooters.
The fact that the rumors could be wrong also has to be acknowledged. It can't be said for sure if these two companies are really coming together until one of them says something about it. It wouldn't be a big surprise, though. Microsoft has two huge representatives in Smash Ultimate in the form of Banjo-Kazooie and Minecraft's Steve. That shows a lot of trust and eagerness to cooperate between Microsoft and Nintendo that could be poised to blossom into a much bigger cooperation. Even if the team-up isn't real, both companies have to know that a collaboration like this would delight both their fanbases. If the rumors are true, then Microsoft and Nintendo could be coming together to make 2021 the year of excitement and surprises that the game industry needs.
