Topic: Why are Nintendo holding back basic features of the Nintendo Switch?

Despite the Nintendo switch being a wonderful console and being powerful for a portable console as well, it lacks features such as an internet browser, a messaging system on the console, themes like the 3ds had, the ability to back up save files on the sd card. What are Nintendo doing by holding back features their previous consoles had? I have had enough of Nintendo treating the console like it is in its early days.

Who knows.

In my eyes, it's just Nintendo...being Nintendo.

Nintendo takes pride in being different than everyone else, for better or worse.

@DannyBoi
I've assumed no-browser was for security, to keep internet malware off, minimize hacking access, and keep the console safer for kids & family. That's been my theory.

I think that also falls under "Nintendo being Nintendo", as smarty pants @Magician said

@Woomy_NNYes Can games consoles even get viruses? I have never heard of consoles getting viruses through internet browsers. The ps3 never got a virus from the internet browser nor did the ps4. And I mean, yeah the wii and wii u did get hacked through the internet browser, did that many wii and wii u units get hacked through it?

@DannyBoi The amusing part is, the Wii U had more online features and didn't even have a subscription. I played Mario Kart 8 on Wii U with my friend, and the friends only lobby even had built-in voice chat via gamepad mic.

When I wanted to play the NES Online games with a friend awhile back, my friend was online on his Switch, but I couldn't even message him asking "want to play," I had to get my phone and call him.

Never understood the appeal of a browser on a console. The ones Ive used are clunky and frustrating compared to other devices. And these days who doesn't have multiple devices that can already browse better than the switch potentially could?

Themes are a head sctracher though, seems like it would be easy money for Nintendo. Main thing that's missing for me is folders, hope that gets addressed soon.

Only reason why I want a browser on Switch....is for a browser hack. I want my anime music in Smash Ultimate dammit. lol

Anyways yeah, Nintendo is...weird. I'm guessing they think we don't need or want all of this stuff, despite the fact that the entire world is asking for them. Themes? Folders? Make eShop interesting? Nah, we don't want that.

The thing I don't get is, having all of these features wouldn't necessarily be bad(as in like hacking).

@DannyBoi There are better targets than game consoles, but my laymen understanding is that any computer with connectivity that can make electronic purchases is a potential target. So, that's what I was thinking.

Edit: Regarding viruses. If someone was to use malware to steal credit info, they have good incentive to remain unnoticed. So, hacking doesn't have to be about making the Switch crash or disrupting it's functions.

My game console plays games well, that’s really all I want from it. Everything else is just time my time spent not playing a game.

1. Browser are a great way to get Malware infections....
2. Browser provides Switch nothing in return but you have Youtube on Switch already so what's the complaint.
3. Messaging requires wifi and where you going to find that? And whom paying for it.

4. The backing for sd is a feature that should be make if one replaces or exchanges console to move data over or to move saves from Internal Memory to sd to save on space and allows better transfer.

Number 4 would be the top priority right now for me. And doing system data transfer is a pain in the ass and require a new SD card to do so-if one didn't release that buy now.

They are in their own world and march to their own tune. They also want to be different, for the sake of being different, regardless if it's popular or not.

The browser issue is almost certainly to avoid hacking. More than a few times consoles have been vulnerable to hacking via browsers. And while I have no real issue personally with homebrew, homebrew almost always opens the door to piracy and cheating in online games...

The save file backups might also be a cheating issue - if you can back up the save file to an SD card, hackers can potentially go in and modify that save file to cheat or exploit software to enable piracy.

Themes might not have been added yet because Nintendo wants to keep the home menu really snappy and adding a bunch of images and sound effects might slow it down. Personally I would be okay with an added second or two to get nice themes like we had on 3DS but I can kinda understand that goal.

Messaging is almost certainly Nintendo wanting to avoid the problems rampant in online communities like cyberbullying, vulgarity, even rumors of criminals and terrorists using game based messaging to avoid getting caught on more traditional communication methods.

I can't think of any reason why we don't have folders or the ability to change and adjust icon sizes in the home menu. Nor can I think of a single reason why the Switch lacks an activity log that we can view - because the Switch does keep track of playtimes, but you just can't view the exact number and you can only see the time for your 20 most recently played titles.

Ugh, I hate pirates and cheaters....they're the reasons why we can't have nice things...like anime moosic in Smash Ultimate. lol

My completely speculative theory is that they had to rush a bit to get the Switch out on time, so they left out some of the QoL things that they were planning to add later. But then the Switch was such a huge success, they realized there is no rush to add that stuff in, as it obviously is not affecting sales.

Alot of Koolaid drinking aren't we. Rush like it two so many years to get R&D and to get to market and this is called rushed. I doubt they wanted all those battery wasting as this was made for purely Gaming on the Go. If you want browser, chat, SMS, TXT then use your smart phone.

The only reason I'm annoyed at the lack of internet options is the fact Switch Online is a subscription model. I know its the direction all consoles have taken now but the Switch's online facilities are so barren relative to any other console that it's a bit silly.

And yea, stuff like folders is so barebones I can't think of a single reason why they aren't a thing yet. Surely at least one Nintendo employee has found it a bit annoying not being able to organise their software.

I don't even know why anyone wants new themes. I run the dark theme. And when I open the eshop at night, I like my eshop background blazing, harsh AF white

But seriously, I wouldn't mind some color options. I am still fond of that yellow orange color option 3ds had.

Easy to explain: Iwata is dead. Nintendo is back where it was with Yamauchi..

@SwitchForce I hardly think UI stuff like themes, folders, and being able to organize your games would affect battery life all that much.

I don't think a browser is really necessary though, and personally, I don't think I would use one even if they added it in.