Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will be playable on Nintendo Switch 2 for free this weekend.
Starting Friday, August 28 at 10 AM PDT, Nintendo Switch 2 players will have the opportunity to try Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 for free. The beta’s second weekend will kick off, giving Nintendo fans the opportunity to try a level from the game’s campaign, multiplayer, and even the battle royale, Warzone.
The Switch 2 version will boast unique features such as gyro controls, Joy-Con mouse controls, and, of course, being able to play the game on a handheld. Additionally, Switch 2 players will get free access to the game’s Vault Edition content during the beta. This includes access to special skins, weapon blueprints, and more. Players can pre-load the beta on Switch 2 right now and pre-order the full game.
It’s the first time a Call of Duty game has been on a Nintendo platform since Call of Duty: Ghosts on Wii U. Nintendo fans have been wanting to see the franchise return to Nintendo hardware since then, but it hasn’t been feasible until now. Digital Legends are developing the game’s Switch 2 version after having helped develop Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile before its cancelation. The studio also did support work on the last two Black Ops games.
“For the first time in more than a decade, Call of Duty is back on a Nintendo platform, and we’re incredibly proud that Digital Legends has partnered with Infinity Ward to make it happen with Modern Warfare 4, said Xavier Carrillo-Costa, studio head, Digital Legends. “Our goal has been simple from day one: deliver the genuine Call of Duty experience on Nintendo Switch 2. Players can enjoy the full intensity, authenticity, and quality of Modern Warfare 4 wherever they are, whether at home or on the move.”
In 2023, Microsoft signed a legally binding deal with Nintendo to bring Call of Duty games to Nintendo platforms for a decade with full feature parity. That means there’s no missing content or notable concessions made to bring Call of Duty to Switch 2. Whether Nintendo fans show up for this release remains to be seen, but it’s great to see Switch 2 being supported more and more by the biggest third-party franchises out there.
Cade Onder is a freelancer for IGN’s news team. He covers all things entertainment, including gaming, film, and more. You can find him on Twitter @Cade_Onder.
