Skip to content

Rainway App Will Let Players Stream PC Games To Their Nintendo Switch

The Switch’s game library is about to get a whole lot bigger. Developer Andrew Sampson has announced that the revolutionary app Rainway will be coming to the Nintendo eShop on Switch. Rainway will allow players to stream PC games directly to Nintendo’s newest console. While there isn’t any news on a Switch release date, Sampson wants to release a beta for a handful of devices next month.

“Rainway’s signature feature is that it’s available on any device with a web browser. You’ll simply visit play.rainway.io, log in, and kick back with your favorite games. Native apps for Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and other platforms are being developed to provide an even more seamless experience”

Source

106 thoughts on “Rainway App Will Let Players Stream PC Games To Their Nintendo Switch”

        1. If Nintendo were going to oppose it, it would be because streaming games from your PC would take away from their ability to profit off of the games being played on the device. So, for example, Nintendo likely takes (at least) the industry-standard 30% off the top of every game sold on their eshop. So, if I buy Shovel Knight on the eshop, Nintendo gets 30% of that sale, but if I stream it from my PC to my Switch, Nintendo would get nothing. I have to imagine it would also annoy Sony and Microsoft because, particularly with indie games, nobody beats Steam on prices. If I could buy games cheap during the Steam Sale and stream them to my Switch, I’d probably never buy a non-first party game on my Switch again.

          1. So can you buy Mario on Steam?
            How about Metroid, can you buy that on Steam?
            Or what about Zelda, is that on Steam?
            Is Yoshi on Steam?
            I’m sure Donkey Kong is on Steam, right?
            Oh I know, what about Mario Kart, they should have that on Steam?

            … Seriously, Nintendo lasted a long time without Third Party support for the longest time on the Wii, so this won’t take much away from them as some Switch owners might not have a decent enough PC to stream their games to their Switch. Plus, this will only apply to those who like gaming on PC or have a decent Gaming setup, so it’s already a niche app.

            1. … those are all first party titles. snowSensei did specify non first party. Whether it would hurt Nintendo or not is arguable, but as it stands right now very few titles are shared between Steam and the Switch, I could only imagine this helping drive hardware sales and perhaps taking away a negligible amount software profit from Nintendo. The only thing that might worry me would be if third parties are less inclined to natively develop or port games to Switch since people could already play their games via PC streaming. However, I think that overall there would be more of a benefit than a loss, particularly for consumers who get to widen their library to games they might already own elsewhere that aren’t necessarily supported by the Switch.

            2. Yeah, as iamkellam said, I specifically said third party. Of course I’m buying Mario Kart and Zelda from Nintendo. It should be noted that I don’t think this would hurt Nintendo per se because it would cause people to buy a Switch as a portable Steam Machine and personally **I. Can’t. Wait.** for the app to come out because I do have a massive library on Steam. I only said “If Nintendo were going to oppose it, it would be because…” because the question was asked “Why would they?” It’s perfectly logical to expect Nintendo to C&D this. Not because it’s the right call or because they’ll actually lose money, but because Nintendo frequently makes anti-consumer decisions.

            1. Yeah, true. I hadn’t thought about the fact that you don’t have a non-Wifi Internet connection on the Switch. I’d still want the app and I’d still use it a lot, but I guess that changes everything. Still, I can still see why Nintendo would oppose it.

          2. Keep in mind that this keeps people ON the device. Players using the device = players playing and buying more games. All about keeping em playing, it’s like a slot machine!

            1. I don’t disagree. I want the app and think it would be good for them, but the comment was “if they were going to oppose it” because let’s face it, they don’t make consumer-friendly decisions on the regular.

    1. Ninendo need to let this happen, hell they should embrace and promote it. Do you realize how many PC gamers would buy a Switch just to play their steam library on the go while also having access to Nintendo exclusives like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Splatoon and Arms? Just let that thought soak in the back of your mind for a second, every pc gamer choosing a Switch to compliment their already huge Steam library and having access on the go, That’s what I’m thinking of doing if this comes to fruition :D

      1. What the commander means, is that if the switch can stream pc games through a web browser then it could potentially be a huge accessory for pc gamers. They could view it as their home away from home, and use the switch to play their pc games when they cant be at their desks. It has a huge advantage over the other platforms it eill be available for, because its portable! Muahahah

  1. Pingback: Rainway promete permitir llevar juegos de PC a Switch mediante streaming

  2. They wouldn’t announce this if they didn’t already have the green light from Nintendo right? I’d be so hyped if this really works out.

  3. Pingback: Rainway promete permitir llevar juegos de PC a Switch mediante streaming - Trucos Juegos

  4. Pingback: Rainway: App lässt euch PC-Spiele auf Switch, die Xbox One und mehr streamen

    1. You do know you have to own a PC if you want to use this… so most Nintendo fans would already own a PC.
      I own a Gaming PC that I game on with a GTX 1080 OC, 16GB DDR4 RAM and a Core i7 Skylake CPU, but I’ve been having fun on the Nintendo Switch.

      So really, this is an awesome thing for me as now I can take my gaming on to the go to newer levels.

        1. The app connects with your PC and basically turns your Switch into a Streaming device.
          From what I’ve heard you can indeed use Game Launchers like Steam, GoG, Blizzard Launcher, Origins and more with the Rainway app.

          But yeah, you would need an internet connection but it’s through the browser so whether Nintendo forces people to pay for the browser or leave it free to use is up to Nintendo at this point. I doubt Nintendo would force people to pay for a subscription to use the browser.

          1. The reason why they plan for a pay subscription in fall, is because they want to stay in business for a long time. They really want to make sure if there profits can reduced sells.

      1. }{ A universalized system across an open platform is a solution to all petitions… That way people don’t end up with 30 frames instead of 60 on Yooka Laylee, etc… If there was only one, open source platform such as PC provides, without all these silly console limitations, the gaming community as a whole would be in a far better position… }{

  5. This sounds awesome. As far as anyone complaining about missed Switch software sales: if someone has a decent PC to pull this off and owns the game on PC already, then that game sale was probably already lost.

    Nintendo needs give people as many reasons as possible to purchase the Switch because they need more than just 1st party titles. That helps them survive but not expand their shrinking market share.

  6. This sounds awesome. As far as anyone complaining about missed Switch software sales: if someone has a decent PC to pull this off and owns the game on PC already, then that game sale was probably already lost.

    Nintendo needs give people as many reasons as possible to The purchase the Switch because they need more than just 1st party titles. That helps them survive but not expand their shrinking market share.

  7. Oh oh oh oh……..if this is true this means Switch owners can play GTA V on the Switch and that would be awesome. Hopefully Nintendo has green lighted this to happen

  8. I think you haven’t understood it.
    It stream content from PC to the Switch. So you can’t take it anywhere, you need a PC in the same room. All the work is done on the PC side.
    Still good to play with the Joy-Con and the TV but you have to map every button.
    Well, I bought the Nintendo Switch to play its games. Though maybe some game can be streamed on it to play on my TV. Nothing I’m looking forward. I expect some lag with it.

    1. Actually, the work is done via the internet, not the PC itself.
      The PC does all the graphics and computing but the streaming is handled via the Internet connection. So you can indeed take this on the go as long as you have the App open. It’s similar to what the Vita can do with the PS4 but will be running at 60fps instead of a locked 30fps.

  9. Looks like for now this is as close as I’m going to get to my Rocket League on Switch dream! Sadly leveraging the power of my awful laptop rather misses the point for my needs! Also will be interesting to see what kind of input lag there is – you’d think a lot with all the steps that are going on here.

  10. There is no real reason nintendo would want to prevent this from being a reality. in fact, this would help sell copies of games/help convince developers that it’s worth their time to port it over. streaming over wifi is nice, but i could see myself buying another copy just to be able to play it on the switch away from home. Color me excited for this app. only this i’m worried about is the quality of the app itself.

    1. I think you go to another way. You talk piracy and this is another think. If you are a good person who can spend his money for buying the game on the virtual console it’s ok. But if you are someone who decide to download an emulator and play by the emulator the game that’s another why (which is the bad way). In a sense, it’s up to you what you want to play through PC on Switch.

      I only want to play Overwatch on the Switch and if this is true then I will be able to play on the Switch :D

  11. Pingback: Rainway App Nintendo Switch: Free app promises ability to stream PC games to the console – Nintendo Switch Depot

  12. In home streaming has completely replaced my need for a non Nintendo console. I moved my gaming PC to the game room in the basement, stream up to a Steam Link to a desk and use that as a standard PC setup, I use my Shield tablet to stream as a handheld or plug into any other TV I’d like.

    I played Fallout 4 exclusively as a handheld hooked up to the controller with a 3d printed claw thing and it was glorious. I’ll be happy to have my Switch be able to do it too.

    However, when you’re on the go, you’ll never find a steady 5ghz connection since everyone still uses the damn 2.4ghz, which means you can’t expect much luck streaming outside the house (and make sure you upgrade your router to use 5ghz). But if you want to play the next big AAA game in bed as a handheld, this is amazing.

  13. Not to be that guy, but I expect this to either be blocked or be laggy as hell since it’s browser/internet based. It’s good nonetheless, but I don’t think it’ll reach it’s full potential.

  14. Not sure why Nintendo would be on board with this. It almost invalidates the virtual console as you can put dolphin or any other emulator on your PC and stream any nintendo ROM in existence to the Switch. I thought they hated piracy but this would cause ROM downloads to skyrocket.

    Dont get me wrong though, I would LOVE this to happen.

    1. I think you go to another way. You talk piracy and this is another think. If you are a good person who can spend his money for buying the game on the virtual console it’s ok. But if you are someone who decide to download an emulator and play by the emulator the game that’s another why (which is the bad way). In a sense, it’s up to you what you want to play through PC on Switch.

      I only want to play Overwatch on the Switch and if this is true then I will be able to play on the Switch :D

  15. Pingback: Rainway App | Double Jump

  16. Pingback: Rainway Promises Good News About Their PC Streaming App For Switch – My Nintendo News

  17. Pingback: Dev Provides Update & Prototype Footage For Rainway App On Nintendo Switch – My Nintendo News

  18. Pingback: Podrás hacer streaming de PC a Nintendo Switch gracias a Rainway - Friki Gamers

  19. Pingback: Streaming de PC a Nintendo Switch, oficial gracias a Rainway – KaosGaming Oficial

Leave a Reply

Discover more from My Nintendo News

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading