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Xbox Exec -- "I'd Love to See Mario on Xbox"

"Nintendo has the strongest first-party of anybody."

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Microsoft and Nintendo worked together for Minecraft's Wii U version, and it's possible this relationship could lead to future partnerships between the rival companies. Xbox executive Phil Spencer said in a new interview that Nintendo's lineup of first-party franchises is second to none in gaming, and that he would "love to see Mario on Xbox" someday if that could be worked out.

"Nintendo has the strongest first-party of anybody," Spencer told AusGamers. "They're just fantastic and the memories that they have instilled in so many of us, who've played their games and had those delightful experiences, having those on Xbox would be great."

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Discussing the decision to bring Minecraft to Wii U, Spencer said some might have questioned the company's decision to launch a first-party franchise on a competing console. But, as Spencer has said in the past, he said that working with Nintendo has been "great," and he hopes their partnership can continue.

"Continuing to work with them on that and building a stronger relationship... I mean if that paid dividends down the road that lead to something else, that would be fantastic," Spencer said. "I know I get questions all the time on would I ever like to see Banjo in Super Smash Bros. And I'm like, 'Yes, I would do that in a second.' If we ever had a chance to work with them in the future, I would absolutely do it."

In April 2015, Spencer said he would support making Banjo a playable character in the new Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS. This never happened, however, despite Spencer saying there would be "no issues" preventing it from becoming a reality.

There was a suggestion of Microsoft putting its Rare Replay 30-game package on Wii U, but the Microsoft-owned studio Rare later shut down these rumors.

Overall, Spencer said he thinks Nintendo is "incredibly" important for the gaming industry.

Microsoft acquired the Minecraft franchise in 2012, at a time when the game was already available on Xbox and PlayStation systems. After the buyout, some wondered how much support Microsoft would give Minecraft on competing platforms or if it would remove the game from sale altogether. That has not been the case, of course, though some Minecraft DLC launches first on Xbox platforms.

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