Nintendo Switch 2 blocks popular streaming apps
- Nintendo is testing over 15,000 original Switch games for compatibility with the new Switch 2.
- The company will support nearly all first-party games while excluding several popular streaming apps.
- This decision limits the multimedia capabilities of the Switch 2 and emphasizes its focus as a gaming console.
In Japan, Nintendo is preparing for the launch of its new console, the Switch 2, which is expected to be released shortly. As part of the launch preparations, Nintendo is conducting extensive compatibility testing on its library of over 15,000 games from the original Switch system. Currently, two-thirds of the third-party games are reported to have either 'no issues' or minor problems that will be resolved by launch. The company has indicated that the large majority of first-party Nintendo titles will run smoothly, except for specific accessories like the Nintendo Labo that were designed for the original console. In a significant turn of events, Nintendo has also disclosed that it will not support various video-streaming apps that were available on the original Switch. This includes popular services such as Hulu, Crunchyroll, InkyPen, Abema, and Niconico. This decision reinforces Nintendo's longstanding focus on gaming as opposed to multimedia functions, contrasting its approach with that of PlayStation and Xbox, which emphasize a broader range of media functionalities. For consumers and industry watchers alike, this might signal Nintendo's intent to reposition the console solely as a gaming device, potentially alienating its multimedia user base, which could impact the console's market competitiveness in a landscape where streaming is a significant aspect of entertainment consumption.