Can Microsoft really buy Nintendo and Switch?

Microsoft rocked the gaming industry when it announced its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, so many video game fans are wondering what else Microsoft could buy and if Xbox can own the Nintendo Switch.

There have been various rumors, especially in 2020 about Xbox acquiring Japanese companies to launch Xbox Series X/S in order to strengthen its position in Japan. None of these rumors actually happened, but what if Microsoft acquired Nintendo?

• THAN – Will Microsoft buy Sony?

Microsoft can buy Nintendo?

From a pure revenue standpoint when comparing the two companies, Microsoft could technically buy Nintendo, however that is unlikely due to various reasons.

The main reason is that Nintendo is not “for sale”. Even in the aftermath of a situation similar to the Wii U, where the company would be extremely weak after bad business decisions and losses. What will happen instead is that Nintendo merges with other Japanese companies.

That is what has always happened in the past, when Bandai and Namco merged. Sega and Sammy merge. Squaresoft and Enix. Takara and Tomy, etc.

What could happen to Nintendo Switch if Microsoft owns the console

It is also interesting to note that in 2020, in a previous interview with Game star, Phil Spencer commented on how he wants an “Xbox ecosystem”, like Xbox Game Pass, on Switch. Spencer basically said Nintendo doesn’t seem interested in having the full Xbox experience on the Switch, but he shouldn’t say because of them.

The switch is a recipe that already works, so it makes no sense to reinvent the wheel. If Microsoft owned it, it would likely only publish its games on it. While some Switch exclusive IPs like Bayonetta will become cross-platform with Xbox Series.

In particular, the Switch is one of the most successful consoles of all time in Japan, so just owning it gives Microsoft the best position in Japan, ahead of Sony.