For over a decade, Nintendo console owners have watched from the sidelines as the juggernaut Call of Duty franchise delivered its annual dose of high-octane combat to other platforms. The promise of its eventual arrival on Switch has been a persistent whisper, a beacon of hope for fans. Yet, as the wait continues, a new challenger has emerged, not from the ranks of military simulation, but from the charming, chaotic world of domesticated felines. Enter Cats on Duty, a title whose very name playfully echoes the absent titan, now officially available on Nintendo`s hybrid console.
Cats on Duty: A Delightful Distraction
Developed by Prikol Team and published by ESDigital Games, Cats on Duty is far from a first-person shooter. Instead, it offers a whimsical blend of real-time strategy (RTS), tower defense, and match-three puzzle mechanics. The premise is as endearing as it is engaging: players command teams of “battle-hardened felines” in a valiant effort to defend their territory against an encroaching zombie horde. The strategic depth comes from deploying these unique cat warriors and matching tiles to unlock crucial upgrades, a concept reminiscent of genre favorites like Plants vs. Zombies and Tower Swap.
Initially launched across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms at the end of June, Cats on Duty has now made its way to the Nintendo Switch. Its description promises a delightful experience filled with “epic cat fights, playful antics, and adorable meows,” highlighting the distinctive personalities and special abilities of its furry protagonists. It`s a game that aims for a blend of sass and strategy, providing a lighthearted, yet challenging, gaming experience perfect for the Switch`s versatile nature.
The Lingering Question: Where is Call of Duty?
While Cats on Duty provides a charming immediate gratification, the shadow of Call of Duty`s long-awaited arrival looms large. Activision has consistently reaffirmed its commitment to bringing the iconic series to Nintendo platforms. This commitment gained significant legal weight during the FTC vs. Microsoft court proceedings in 2023, where Microsoft formally signed a “binding 10-year legal agreement.” This landmark deal stipulated that Call of Duty would launch on Nintendo platforms “the same day as Xbox, with full features and content parity.”
This pledge marks a significant shift, considering Activision`s decade-long hiatus from Nintendo. The last Call of Duty title to grace a Nintendo console was a port of Call of Duty: Ghosts for the Wii U back in 2013. The series has a curious and often sporadic history with Nintendo, making the current promise of simultaneous, full-featured releases a noteworthy development. The exact timeline, however, remains elusive, leaving fans to ponder whether the highly anticipated return will land on the current Nintendo Switch model or its rumored successor, the “Switch 2.”
An Evolving Landscape
The gaming world often presents such intriguing contrasts. On one hand, we have a multi-billion-dollar franchise, a global phenomenon whose absence from a major console platform is a constant topic of discussion. On the other, a charming, creatively named indie title offering a unique spin on popular genres, filling a void perhaps unexpectedly. Cats on Duty isn`t Call of Duty, but it offers a delightful, immediate gaming fix that the Nintendo faithful can enjoy right now.
As players engage in strategic feline skirmishes against the undead, the anticipation for Call of Duty`s grand return to Nintendo consoles continues to build. Whether it`s a squad of elite soldiers or a battalion of brave cats, the Nintendo ecosystem is clearly poised for a diverse array of combat experiences in the near future. For now, the cats have arrived, bravely holding the line while the console waits for its much-anticipated Call.
Callum Darby