Nintendo Switch 2 owners can now pre-order Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, with the first-ever open beta for the platform available to play for free from 28 August to 1 September
Nintendo Switch 2 players will have their first opportunity to try Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 this weekend, as Activision opens the beta to all users on the new hardware. The open beta, running from 28 August to 1 September, marks the franchise's return to a Nintendo platform after more than a decade, and is the first time a Call of Duty open beta has been made available on a Nintendo system.
Beta Access and Supported Features
The Modern Warfare 4 open beta on Switch 2 includes access to a selection of multiplayer maps, modes, and weapons, alongside a playable campaign mission titled "Entrenched". Players can also experience Call of Duty: Warzone Resurgence on the new Zodiac map. The beta supports a range of input options, including Joy-Con 2 mouse controls, gyro aiming, and the Pro Controller. Visual features such as HDR and handheld play are confirmed, and the beta will offer cross-play and cross-progression with other platforms, allowing progress to carry over between devices.
Pre-Order and Pre-Load Details
Pre-orders for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 on Nintendo Switch 2 are now live via the Nintendo eShop. Players interested in participating in the open beta can pre-load the test build immediately, ensuring access as soon as the beta period begins. The open beta is free to all Switch 2 users, with no subscription or prior purchase required for access during the test window.
Franchise Context and Platform Expansion
Modern Warfare 4's arrival on Switch 2 is the result of collaboration between Digital Legends and Infinity Ward, with the stated aim of delivering a full-featured Call of Duty experience on Nintendo's latest hardware. The Switch 2 version is designed to support both home and portable play, reflecting the platform's hybrid design. This move follows a broader trend of major franchises expanding their reach to new hardware, as seen with other recent launches such as Machine Party's debut on Steam, which also brought established genres to new audiences.
Players can expect the open beta to provide a representative sample of the game's core systems, but as with all pre-release tests, content and performance may differ from the final release. The full launch date for Modern Warfare 4 on Switch 2 has not yet been confirmed, and further details on campaign length, technical performance, and post-launch support remain to be detailed by Activision and its development partners.
Cross-play and cross-progression are increasingly standard in modern multiplayer games, allowing players to maintain their progress and play with friends across different platforms. For Switch 2 users, this means that time invested in the open beta and beyond will not be lost if they choose to play on another system in the future. These features rely on unified account systems and cloud-based progression tracking, which have become central to the live-service model adopted by many major franchises.
