The Nintendo Switch won’t have video/streaming platforms at launch, and that’s okay

Not every gaming machine needs to be a Roku or Fire TV

Back in the day, it was relatively important for a console to have access to some array of video streaming services. The Wii didn’t play DVDs or Blu-Ray discs by default, but it did house the Netflix app, which many folks used. Microsoft also touted its new Xbox One as an “entertainment box” for a while, and is now the only console that can run Ultra HD Blu-Rays (the PS4 Pro can’t).

But times have changed. Now everyone and their grandma own a Roku, Chromecast, or Fire TV stick/box, so it’s not as imperative if a gaming system can run Crackle, FX Now, or HBO Go applications. That’s the route Nintendo is going with for now with the Switch, anyway.

Speaking to Kotaku, a rep for Nintendo stated, “All of our efforts have gone toward making the Nintendo Switch system an amazing dedicated video game platform, so it will not support any video-streaming services at launch. However, support for video-streaming services is being considered for a future update.”

“Considered?” Just like USB hard drive support, eh? Neither of those are a dealbreaker, just something to be aware of at launch. In other news, Miis will continue to exist, but there will be no “Mii Maker” on the Switch — but rather, players will craft them in a buried System Settings option and they won’t be required or heavily implemented unless a developer wants to.

Nintendo Answers (And Avoids) Our Switch Questions [Kotaku]