Netflix, Hulu & Amazon Streaming To Come To Nintendo Switch ‘In Time,’ Nintendo Says

Even if the newly launched Nintendo Switch looks like a tablet which is also used to watch movies or TV series, the new video game system could not browse the Internet, stream movies or music, or play any video that is not a video game. The Switch tablet could be slotted into a dock to play it on a TV set. But it was deliberately designed that way, according to Kit Ellis, senior public relations manager of Nintendo of America.

Gaming Device First. He says at the launch of the Nintendo Switch, they made it clear that the console is a gaming device first. While owners of the console would not see other functions at the launch, it may become available later. Ellis made the clarification amid growing demand among owners of the console for streaming services from providers such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon, Yahoo Tech reports.

Reggie Fils-Aime, president of Nintendo America, confirms that services from the three streaming platforms for the Nintendo Switch are in the works. He told The Washington Post that Nintendo is talking to several streaming companies for these services which would eventually come in time. However, there is no time frame for that since Nintendo does not see those functions as crucial to the console.

Not Differentiators. He explains that those features are not differentiators of the Nintendo Switch. What differentiates the console is the way gamers play with the Nintendo Switch and what they could play. Those differentiators would be Nintendo’s focus in the future as the company continues driving the platform, Polygon reports.

Despite the lack of those features, the Nintendo Switch continues to sell fast. The Verge cites early reports that the console has sold more in two days in the U.S. compared to other Nintendo system.