Global publisher Capcom is exploring the possibility of porting its recent PlayStation 4 and Xbox One releases to the Nintendo Switch, potentially giving Nintendo’s upcoming console a major boost in third-party support.
Capcom outlined its plans to investigate the feasibility of Nintendo Switch ports as part of its financial statement for the second quarter of the 2016 fiscal year, noting that “We are currently carrying out research with regards to multiplatform implementation of software for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One onto the Nintendo Switch.”
Capcom did not announce which titles it specifically has in mind for Nintendo Switch adaptations, emphasizing that it will not begin the porting process until it has a firm grasp on “the desired direction and the play-style of the Nintendo Switch.” The company’s forward-looking statements anticipate a distinct difference in audience and market focus between the Nintendo Switch and current-generation consoles like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
“We do feel that there are differences in the desired direction and the play-style of the Nintendo Switch and those of the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One,” Capcom stated. “At Capcom, we determine which platform to release a title for after considering the features of both our software and the hardware in question, believing we must bring the enjoyment of our games to their maximum potential.”
The statement continues: “As a software publisher, we endeavor to develop games that offer enjoyment best suited to each piece of hardware’s features and target users. Following first party, in order to introduce our own content we are currently moving forward with internal planning and analysis as a partner company.”
A widespread porting initiative could mark the Nintendo Switch debuts of popular Capcom franchises like Resident Evil, Monster Hunter, and Dead Rising. Monster Hunter in particular is a key franchise for Capcom in Japan, while the Resident Evil series remains consistently popular worldwide thanks to frequent remakes and ports. The next entry in the series, Resident Evil 7, is due to hit the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on January 24, 2017.
Nintendo will reveal further details regarding the Nintendo Switch’s hardware and pricing strategy in January. The console will launch worldwide in March 2017.
