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Nintendo Switch Won’t Have Netflix At Launch Or Many Other Multimedia Applications

Business Insider recently went hands-on with the Nintendo Switch at the press event which took place on Friday. The publication caught up with Kit Ellis to get some more information regarding the Nintendo Switch and multimedia application such as Netflix, Amazon Video, YouTube etc. Ellis said that as it’s a dedicated games machine, it won’t have many multimedia applications at launch. So it’s unlikely to have Netflix etc.

The Switch isn’t going to replace your iPad — it’s a dedicated gaming machine to the point where it won’t have many multimedia functions at launch, Nintendo’s Kit Ellis told me. Don’t plan to watch Netflix on the Switch, for instance.

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72 thoughts on “Nintendo Switch Won’t Have Netflix At Launch Or Many Other Multimedia Applications”

  1. Here we go again.
    Why do they insist on denying the things that make a console popular? (Yes I’m aware it’s all about the games. But that isn’t looking great at the moment either).
    I don’t know how happy I’m gonna be, playing Zelda and nothing else for months.

  2. That’s irritating… Would be nice to have multimedia apps on the Switch so that I don’t have to switch between that and my PS4/streaming stick on my TV inputs. I understand that you might not need streaming services when in tablet mode, but when in console mode it’s nice and convenient to have Netflix and Amazon Prime ect. right there on your gaming console.

    1. most people own smartphones and chromecasts ($35) so it’s not like there’s a lack of devices to watch Netflix on, when away watch it on your tablet which probably has a bigger screen considering it’s designed with movie watching in mind.

  3. Uh… sure I have other devices that can watch that stuff but convenience is a big selling point. If you can multitask on it it might be easier to make more people feel like they need to take it with them. It’s even more strange that this will be a home console using an HDMI port on my tv that I can’t stream shows on. Maybe they’ll add it later but I guess my Xbox One will still be a frequently used device even once I’m surrounded by Switch games.

    1. Omega King Kalas Ridley X3 (Greatness Awaits at Nintendo Switch & Sony PlayStation 4! Come join us in the Light of Darkness!!)

      Ditto with my PS4.

  4. Would be great if they could design the system like a smartwatch. Connected to the smartphone you can use it like a Chromecast for Netflix, Spotify etc. and have direct controls for voice chat on the console. Would be easier for devs and let the whole system concentrate on recources, powermanagement and games.

  5. My dad still uses his Wii literally just to watch Netflix (he also enjoys Wii sports still til this day). This seems like a missed opportunity with the portable nature of the device. Hopefully they add atleast Youtube and Netflix. Youll never see a Twitch application on a Nintendo console though

  6. I have like 5 devices able to use netflix, all of them can get the image on the big screen without a hassle.
    It will eventually get it, but I will still be using my PC, phone and/or chromecast.

      1. Nintendo First Order Commander Quadraxis

        ||You’re obvious PC nonsense if so obvious that it doesn’t even amuse anyone…||

  7. Can someone explain to me as a non-Netflix user why this is a big deal? I assume the Switch is gonna have a browser, and with the browser on the Wii U I was able to stream whatever I I could find, as it supported HTML5. Unless Netflix doesn’t have a web interface (which would be embarrassing on their part), or it’s not compatible with the Switch’s browser, you *will* have access to everything, no?

    1. Someone told me the Switch doesn’t have a browser. But I don’t know if it was true, so we’ll need to research further.

      1. That sounds like a rumor, since we’ve barely seen anything of the actual system yet, and I don’t think it’s been mentioned anywhere. I would be really surprised if it didn’t have one though.

        1. We’ll, worst case scenario, is I’m sure there will be a Switch app for our phone so we can go online. :]

    2. Always easy to have a dedicated app for stuff like this. Sure Netflix has a webpage. But the app on my phone is much better then using the mobile site. just like you use Youtube in the app instead of the webpage on your phone.

        1. Omega King Kalas Ridley X3 (Greatness Awaits at Nintendo Switch & Sony PlayStation 4! Come join us in the Light of Darkness!!)

          Tried to watch the Switch presentation on my PS4’s Youtube app… and the damn thing started pausing like crazy so the live feed could catch up. I was forced to use the website using the Internet Browser instead & it worked fine. It seems the Youtube app is total shit regardless of platform.

  8. This is a the quote that Netflix customer service gave on the matter.

    “Great to hear, thank you for waiting, I just checked the information but we still haven’t received any updates regarding this, at this time it doesn’t support Netflix, however we are taking feedback regarding this, this is to make Netflix aware of the customers that enquire [a]bout this or are interested in this,”

    This makes it sound like Netflix at least wants to bring the service to Switch; but Ellis’s comment makes it seem unlikely. This would be quite a step backward considering Nintendo’s last two systems had these apps.

    1. I wonder if that even has much to do with Nintendo… I doubt Nintendo went and said “No, Netflix, we don’t want you on our system!” I would expect services like Netflix to develop/port the apps for the systems, maybe with some help from the respective company. Maybe it simply wasn’t a priority for Nintendo, Netflix didn’t ask themselves, and suddenly we have a “We don’t know whether Netflix is gonna be there.” situation.

  9. Really weird… I’d call stuff like this a no-brainer by this point.. I won’t be using it because I have a Smart TV dedicated to Netflix, Youtube, Spotify, and gaming. But I can see people who don’t have a smartTV with these functions getting annoyed by this.

  10. Fear not! I bet Switch will have a smartphone app that let’s you use your phone for Netflix! Like Voice chat. :]

  11. LOL, would buy the Switch for gaming and also Netflix (parents used to watch Netflix on my PS4). But this just make me have second thoughts…

  12. I hope this is a rumor. For their sake…I pray this is not true.

    Here we go again! Nintendo is on the verge of something unique and brilliant. Then Bam!! they incorporate yet another dumb ass loophole like this!!!

    “a tablet with high scale gaming without basic apps such as Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, Crunchyroll, WWE Network, as well as other basic apps”.

    So instead of me being able to leave the house with my switch tablet I’m still going to have to carry my other tablet with me to watch movies or go online?

    if I’m at home and I’m fresh off of playing the Legend of Zelda breath of the Wild and I’m in the mood to watch a movie. you’re telling me I can’t watch a movie on my switch? I’ll have to cut it off and boot up the PlayStation 4 or my Wii U?

    that sounds FUCKING retarded. but I’m not surprised this is Typical Nintendo!!
    here’s an idea for all of us Fanboys and consumers. why don’t we pull our reserves off of the switch and let Nintendo know “we will invest in your system when we’re able to watch Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, etc, etc…”

    1. Nintendo First Order Commander Quadraxis

      ||And this is exactly why gaming is corrupted, all you imbeciles only care about non gaming media gimmick nonsense that you already have on other machines…||

      ||If you care more about these extra cost-inefficient irrelevant things then go and get those Blu-Ray machines you humans have and stay out of Nintendo’s pure path…||

  13. I’ve noticed a pattern over the years:
    Nintendo: People have enough Blu-Ray players and multimedia Apps on other systems. Why should we give them more on our stuff?
    Customers: But we actually want them on your stuff.
    Anyone notice a problem? Because Big N sure doesn’t.

  14. “The Switch isn’t going to replace your iPad”

    HUGE missed opportunity here. I guess when they were grabbing all that DNA from every console they forgot to get the Netflix gene from the Wii, Wii U, and the 3DS…

    1. Omega King Kalas Ridley X3 (Greatness Awaits at Nintendo Switch & Sony PlayStation 4! Come join us in the Light of Darkness!!)

      Or the Hulu gene! Or the Youtube gene! Although, youtube’s app is total shit on every console I’ve tried to use it on which includes the PS4 so no loss there, to be honest!

  15. You know, when Xbox fans crucified Microsoft after the Xbox1 reveal, Microsoft went back and fixed some things…granted, they couldn’t change the hardware, but the DID alter bundles, pricing and software.

    Any chance Nintendo will listen to its customers?
    No fucking way. Make me eat my words Nintendo. I double dog dare you.

  16. Pingback: Nintendo Switch al lancio non avrà nessuna applicazione multimediale | Crazy Magazine

  17. Pingback: Nintendo Switch al lancio non avrà nessuna applicazione multimediale | Gaming Magazine

    1. It came out like 5 years ago. Modern world is all about convenience, and things like this are standard even on blu ray players and tvs. If you wanna watch Netflix on the go, you should be able to. Looks more and more like they rushed switch like they rushed Wii u.

    2. Then you also remember the software drought, the 3DS flatlining, the immediate, deep and desperate price cut, the free games and ambassador program. Oh yes.that’s when my Jaded days began, so I definitely remember that.

      Let’s hope Switch does not need that kind of miracle to be successful.

      1. King Kalas X3 (Greatness Awaits at Sony PlayStation 4 only because Nintendo are DUMBFUCKS!!)

        With the recent bad news of needing a fucking smartphone and if they can’t patch that shit to where we can use these features that are basic on PS4, Xbox One, etc directly on the Switch, I think it’s gonna need more than just an ambassador program. Now to just wait for the next blow to our nuts from Nintendo. It’s funny how it’s REGGIE delivering all of the ball busting bad news. *has very evil thoughts of the man right now* One involves Vlad the Impaler…

        1. I just don’t understand how can Nintendo be so oblivious. I really don’t.my best guess is that Switched was developed for Japan. Everyone lives close, games close, there is little to no Xbox presence… but they have PS4, right? So then my theory unravels. I got nothin’.

          1. King Kalas X3 (Greatness Awaits at Sony PlayStation 4 only because Nintendo are DUMBFUCKS!!)

            Let’s just chalk this up to more of the same bullshit from the GCN, Wii, & Wii U generations: Nintendo trying to be different… AGAIN… to the detriment of their reputation.

  18. I’m not sure if at this point having Netflix at launch is much of a game changer. The selling points of a game console are the games. I think Nintendo is correct here in not focusing on acquiring Netflix from the start.

    Nintendo is not succeeding, however, in having enough games for the console’s launch window. It is very troubling.

    1. The thing about selling points is that it’s not just one point but several. Even if Nintendo had the gaming box checked off (which they really don’t with the Switch), consoles aren’t just about games anymore, they’re about home entertainment.

      If a console can be a one-stop shop for all your entertainment needs, it becomes a lot more attractive. DVD player helped the PS2 sales. Blu-ray was solidified as a format by the PS3. Since last gen, streaming apps have become standardized and expected on home consoles. Just about any internet connected entertainment or smart device these days have those capabilities from the start.

      Nintendo is just out of touch.

  19. Pretty darn retarded considering the Switch portability too. You mean Nintendo couldn’t ask Netflix or Hulu to make a quick app or something? Shame.

  20. Omega King Kalas Ridley X3 (Greatness Awaits at Nintendo Switch & Sony PlayStation 4! Come join us in the Light of Darkness!!)

    Ugh..! Maybe Nintendo going mobile wasn’t a great idea after all if the future is having to use a fucking smartphone for everything internet on Nintendo systems. Grr… This shit better hit the console within the first fucking year, Nintendo. In fact, you better guarantee people it’s going to be a thing AND NOT BY WAY OF A FUCKING SMARTPHONE!!! FUCK THAT SHIT!!! Otherwise, I guarantee this is going to hurt sales in some if not a lot of places!

    And as another said, making excuses for Nintendo is what keeps them from learning anything. People made the excuse that you can use your smartphone to chat with people while playing Mario Kart 8. And look what the fuck is happening with Switch: YOU NEED A SMARTPHONE FOR VOICE CHAT!!! Nintendo, quit taking ideas from the fucking stupid, retarded fanboys. These imbeciles are gonna bury you idiots one day… If they haven’t already…

      1. Omega King Kalas Ridley X3 (Greatness Awaits at Nintendo Switch & Sony PlayStation 4! Come join us in the Light of Darkness!!)

        Apparently we’ll need a smartphone for every bit of online. So fucking stupid! Just waiting for the retarded fanbitches to defend their retarded master’s retarded ideas! We all know it’s coming.

    1. It’s almost humorous how ironic that is… and it’s true… I was one of the people bitching about no voice chat, and everyone was like, “Just use your phone, everyone just use your phone” – I can’t help but laugh that Nintendo made it official. LOL :'(

  21. Wii U didn’t have much at launch either. There’s a ton of ways to watch things like Netflix and Hulu and it’s likely that people will already have a way to watch them on their TV and on-the-go, so it’s not a huge loss for its launch. The Switch isn’t advertised as a multimedia device like the XBOX One so it’s fine if it’s not available immediately. It’s very likely they’ll have them within the first year of release anyways.

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