• 2 min read
Call of Duty returns to Switch 2 without early beta access
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is coming to Nintendo Switch 2, but the console will miss out on early beta access.
Image: ITzine
Nintendo and Activision have confirmed that the next Call of Duty will be released on Nintendo Switch 2. The open beta for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will run from August 28 to September 1, 2026, with preorders opening on August 26.
Beta dates and access rules
Switch 2 players will need a Nintendo account and an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription to join the test. Based on the announcement, the console will not receive early beta access, although that option will be available on Sony and Microsoft consoles.
The timing makes the release notable. The original Nintendo Switch never received a mainline Call of Duty game, while earlier Nintendo systems generally got separate portable adaptations bearing the names of major entries rather than versions matching the PlayStation and Xbox releases.
A major return for Nintendo
Call of Duty has a long history on Nintendo hardware, including releases for the Nintendo DS and other portable systems. The Switch 2 support therefore represents a broader return for the franchise than a standalone beta announcement.
For Activision, Nintendo offers access to a large mainstream gaming audience. For Nintendo, the series is a major third-party shooter that can support console sales, subscriptions, and accessories. The key unanswered detail is whether the Switch 2 beta will match the PlayStation and Xbox versions in timing and availability.
Recommended reading
Turtle Beach KB7 review: smooth Hall effect gaming
If Nintendo receives full support without platform-specific limitations, Call of Duty could become one of the most prominent third-party releases during the Switch 2's early life.
Sergey Kuznetsov is editor-in-chief of itzine.ru and a technology journalist with 15 years of experience. He specializes in in-depth testing of audio equipment, photography products, and consumer electronics, and has written more than 5,000 articles covering topics from gaming chairs and networking equipment to smartphone and wearable-device market analysis.
Culture Editor
Maya explores gaming, streaming, and the internet as a place where people actually live. From deep-dives into creator economies to the anthropology of digital communities, she tracks platform drama and cultural shifts so you don't have to. She believes the best tech stories are fundamentally about human behavior.
via ITzine
