The Nintendo Switch does one thing exceptionally well, and that’s playing games, but one of the biggest criticisms of the platform thus far has been the lack of additional features, such as streaming apps like Netflix or YouTube. It’s always been expected that these would pop up in due time, as they weren’t a priority for the console at launch, and now it seems that the wait may not be much longer.
NicoNico—a popular Japanese video streaming app—has been announced for a release on the Switch later this week, and will be the first app of its kind for the platform. Though this app will obviously be all in Japanese, the Switch is region free, so you can download it when it launches on the 13th if you want. Hopefully this means that other streaming apps won’t be too far behind.
What do you think? How long will it be before Netflix or YouTube show up on the Switch? What other apps would you like to see for the platform? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 69
The floodgates have opened!
Just a matter of time before we get Netflix and YouTube now. Maybe even Twitch as well.
Hopefully soon will come Youtube to watch Alex's videos on the Switch (without "hacking" it)
Ok! About time! Next up: YouTube and Crunchyroll for Switch!!!
I got the Switch just to play games, so I don't care at all if it gets Apps to watch videos. That's what my smart phone is for anyways. But I guess others might want it since they don't have a phone or something else so I kinda get why people want that.
I really don't care for video streaming services to be honest. I like the game focus of my switch
People are talking all about Netflix, YouTube and Crunchyroll to finally come to Switch, and all I am thinking 'Man, that Splatoon 2 icon looks awesome!'
NicoNico ?!
YOUTUBE & GOOGLE , PLEASE....!!!
@Alex0714
Why is there always someone who has to say this. So annoying.
Why is it annoying if someone says all they eat the switch for is to play games. You have a low tolerance threshold. 🤔
Oh yea, time to watch dem japanese vids :3
As long as it gets YouTube I'll be happy. I have my phone and laptop so I'll survive if it doesn't but I like watching music videos on my TV. I used my Wii U for that before but now my Switch is set up I've run out of plug space.
@Alex0714
Ah...
For me, NicoNico / Youtube / Google / any browsing apps are the "Salsa sauce" of the Switch.
They taste better when added.
I like to see Plex on the Switch. Whenever you want to see a video file on your computer just boot up Plex and stream it.
Well to be honest the wi-fi on my switch is pretty terrible and I have a smart tv so bleh 😜
It's a start. But Westerners want apps like like a browser, Youtube and Netflix.
I don't have any particular interest in Netflix as I have a Kodi app built into my TV therefore have no need to subscribe to Netflix but I could see me making use of a you tube app from time to time.
But in fairness my mobile phone is never more that a metre away and that has a perfectly good you tube app so either way its not going to be life changing
For me the Switch always has and always will be about playing Video games
@AnonFisher yeah its so annoying when the internet doesnt agree with you. Bit on the plus side you can also find more people who are wrong that will agree with you too. 😂
My opinion is sure more versatility cant hurt sales and that just because the device is capable of doing streaming apps doesnt mean you must download and use them though.
Netflix and crunchy roll but not to fussed if we don't get any cause I have other devices that I can use.
These things will come. It just requires patience.
Just gimme the WWE Network on the Switch and I'll be a happy man. Plus it then also means I can sell my Xbox One.
My TV has all the apps I could ever need. As does my Xbox One. My phone can even connect wirelessly to my TV now.
I'm honestly not bothered about apps on Switch. If they come it's fine, but I'm not annoyed I don't have them.
@WiltonRoots But my patience is starting to run out...
For those of you who prefer your Switch for games and say everything else can be done on smartphones:
1. The Switch screen is larger than a smartphone display and is more in line with a tablet's.
2. Built in kickstand in the back for easy viewing. (I hate trying to hold or prop up my phone when I want to watch something and eat at the same time)
3. By using the Switch instead, you won't have to worry as much about draining your phone battery, allowing you to multitask while streaming much more easily.
4. Lastly, for parents this means you now have a portable device your children can use to watch YouTube videos, Disney movies, and other kid friendly shows with that can either be watched on a TV or separated, allowing adults to use the main TV similarly to the Wii U
Nintendo bought shares in Nico Nico in 2013.
Also now just need the New Japan Pro-Wrestling world app and I will be very happy.
I'd prefer it if they just gave us a decent web browser... YouTube is the streaming service I'd use most, but the Wii U app was awful... I ended up just using the browser instead most of the time.
As long as they don't block the Switch in order to force us to use their apps, most other streaming services typically work through browsers as well.
I used NicoNico on my 3DS, and it has some cool features, like some Squid Sister concerts available by scanning the Callie and Marie Amiibo.
@Alex0714 If i'm playing the Switch and then want to take a break to browse the web or watch a video then i'd rather do that 'on' the Switch, rather than have to find and use another device. It's called convenience and it has bugger all to do with whether you own a phone or not. It's amazing that people don't get that.
@darthstuey not when you hear it all the time. Nintendo listen and if they read tons of people saying "there is no point having apps on the Switch, that's what my phone is for" we won't get anything in the end.
There is no reason to post on an article about more apps on Switch if you're going to say "there is no point having apps on the Switch, that's what my phone is for"
@Folkloner
WiiU News? Is that you?
Good. They should have had apps like Netflix etc. out on the Switch from the get-go.
The "it's only a gaming platform" statement they pulled was moronic IMO.
@AnonFisher Heh yep. How's things man. :]
@tabris95 A smartphone is way more portable than a switch and couldn't someone just carry around a portable powerbank if they're worried about their battery being drained? Plus if somebody cared about the display, why not just use a tablet? There are tablets that are way cheaper than a switch, and if it does get stolen, you wouldn't be out of a home console.
@tabris95 There are also phone/tablet cases that have built in stands.
@Folkloner I miss your news
@SDF Of course your solutions are fine for those that want to spend the money on additional items. My points are made solely for people who already own or only have enough money for a Switch and could be getting more value out of it with these services. And sure a tablet would be fine for these things but then it wouldn't be playing Switch games would it? So why not a Switch that can do both and save me the money?
Hopefully Youtube, HBO Nordic comes along to make an app for Switch. Crunchyroll would be nice as well.
It's good to have more features. I can't complain if they come
I will continue to use my switch only for gaming and my iPhone for apps.
I still don't see the point in Switch having these. My computer can run more streaming sites and they usually have a better interface.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE The browser on the Wii U was pretty good. It could actually connect to my IP camera. The Xbox One's web browser never could.
"I want an internet browser on Switch!"
he says typing this on a browser on any number of other devices
This is why people think the it NEEDS app argument is dumb.
Will it benefit some people? Yes. Will it be nice? Yeah of course.
Is it do or die? No. Lest we forget most of the people complaining about the convenience or lack thereof are complaining via an internet browser enabled device.
Again, itd be nice, but its hard to agree with the stance when you use the features you want on Switch on another device...to complain about said features not being on Switch.
Prefer quality over quantity.
@tabris95 Just to.play devils advocate
Decent sized smartphone displays are starting to become standard.
You can buy smartphone cases with a kick stand
I also don't find streaming apps to be that taxing on your phone battery. At least that's my experience with an iPhone 6
And as for having a device for kids, I'm not ready to trust my 3 year old with my Switch. But that's my own personal hang up. Not necessarily a reflection on her. I would say if a family has a Switch amongst their cadre of devices, I am gonna make an assumption they probably have a tablet of some sorts just for those purposes. We have two Kindle Fire tablets and an iPad Mini.
Saying all that, I get why Nintendo wouldn't prioritize them as necessary. Its safe to say if you're in the market for buying a Switch, you probably have other devices already using these apps.
With all that being said, it ultimately wouldn't/doesn't hurt to have them on the Switch as well. I say the more, the merrier.
Netflix, Amazon Video and YouTube is all I need and I'm good.
Cool. Been wanting apps to come. This is the first of many, I'm sure.
I'm gonna download it. Help me with learning Japanese
I wonder if the fact the Switch is portable is the reason for the delay in getting apps like Netflix and Amazon Video? I know obviously phones have them already, but if I'm right portable devices require different licences for these things compared to home devices? I might be confusing it with apps like BBC iPlayer and All 4, which are based on proper TV channels. I know they have licence differences with portable devices (hence why the phone/tablet apps never have as many programmes as the desktop versions). Just a thought.
Good news for anyone who is interested in streaming apps on Switch.
If Nintendo allows one app they'll allow others as well.
Meaning we only have to wait until Netflix and the others actually make these apps.
(Although, I don't think this was ever a problem with Nintendo not allowing it, but I know people like to think like that)
This IS basically the Japanese YouTube after all...
so fingers crossed
When Nintendo first announced that the Switch wasn't going to launch with any video streaming apps, I was initially upset, until I realized that I don't even use Netflix or Hulu on my Wii U. That's what my Apple TV is for. Honestly, just about every device runs those streaming apps these days, and so many of them do it better than a game console. That said, streaming apps on Switch are a welcome addition, but if they never came along, I wouldn't really miss them.
And as far as a browser is concerned, now that the Switch doesn't have a touchscreen when docked, won't it be incredibly wonky to navigate a web browser with the controller? I mean, the Wii U had a really convenient way to browse the web with the GamePad, but the idea of navigating the web with sticks and buttons sounds unbelievably awkward.
It's already been too long. The switch should not have launched without these apps. Everything needs to be a priority for Nintendo. They are two generations behind!
@AnonFisher Nintendo listen 😂😂😂😂 I guess that's why all those breath of the wild amiibos have been so easy to buy.
I get your point though. 👊
@Bengals76 The missing apps a probably the reason why the Switch failed so hard an nobody buys it
Makes no difference to me as I'm sure among many switch owners. Between smart TVs and phones PC and other consoles there's so many choices and different ways to stream apps nowadays I don't see the big deal. It's nice to have if it's your only way to stream Plus the more things to switch can do the better, can't hurt sales any Plus you can get the whining and crying to finally stop from people that don't seem to have another piece of technology to stream on
Cool, hope we get Youtube and Netflix soon.
But I'll be realist, between the Switch and my Ipad's shiny Retina display, I'll always end up watching the videos on the Ipad or on my Smart TV. So.... they can take all the time we need.
People, please don't forget that some people don't have Apple TV/Chromecast/a Smart TV. For them, the Switch may be the only way to use Netflix on their TV.
Just give me Youtube and Netflix and I'll be happy. Given this and what Reggie said not long ago that such apps would come to the system, its probably a safe bet that these things aren't far behind.
Nice! Now Twitch, Utube, Netflix, Web Browsing, Kindle, Amazon Prime, Hulu and Spotify and we are set!!!!
I want MapmyWalk, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Myspace, Spotify, WhatsApp, Shazam and BBC Weather or no deal Nintendo!
@ninkza That would be a very extreme minority of people.
@Bengals76
It "shouldn't never launched" with these apps? Then why are you angry? Because that's exactly what it did.
#doublenegatives
My TV bit the dust last Monday. How useful would a BBC iPlayer and Youtube app be about now but nope, gotta settle for youtube on my Wii U Gamepad (While I work on my laptop.)
App is now available.
I hope we get Amazon Prime Video too. I still fire up my Wii and use the Amazon app on there as it still works like a charm. I hope all these streaming apps come soon
Cool, hopeful this will calm the "Nintendoom cuz no streaming apps" folks down.
@Ryu_Niiyama It won't. You know this crowd, "opinions..."
@IceClimbers Do you have any statistics to back that up?
@ninkza I'm sure that's true for many. But they could possibly have other, more affordable streaming devices. You can get a decent Roku media player or something similar for around $30. Not to mention an Amazon Fire Stick for $40.
@WiltonRoots lol!
@Alex0714 Yeah, but Switching from TV anime to portable mode is pretty neat-o.
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