It’s a little bizarre when everything including modern refrigerators can stream Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, HBO Go, and YouTube, but a brand new console from one of the “big three” can’t, but somehow in this topsy-turvy world, that’s exactly where the Nintendo Switch has been living since launch. Well, that’s about to change…sorta.
Nintendo launched their new flagship product in March of 2017, promising that we’d hear more on their online services as the year progresses. If you were holding your breath for YouTube on the sleek Switch screen, I’ve got bad news.
The first service, launching exclusively in Japan, is called NicoNico (and yes, that’s an ideaphone for “Smiley Smiley Video”). While similar to YouTube, the service is far more otaku, anime, and j-pop focused, with a userbase of over 24 million people.
It’s easy to interpret this as another example of Nintendo’s poor adoption of the online space, but it’s just as accurate to see it as the company dipping their toe in the water of third-party applications.
While we still don’t have any indication on when services like Netflix and YouTube will launch on the platform, stay tuned and we’ll keep you posted as those services develop.
Ron Burke is the Editor in Chief for Gaming Trend. Currently living in Fort Worth, Texas, Ron is an old-school gamer who enjoys CRPGs, action/adventure, platformers, music games, and has recently gotten into tabletop gaming.
Ron is also a fourth degree black belt, with a Master's rank in Matsumura Seito Shōrin-ryū, Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do, Universal Tang Soo Do Alliance, and International Tang Soo Do Federation. He also holds ranks in several other styles in his search to be a well-rounded fighter.
Ron has been married to Gaming Trend Editor, Laura Burke, for 28 years. They have three dogs - Pazuzu (Irish Terrier), Atë, and Calliope (both Australian Kelpie/Pit Bull mixes), and an Axolotl named Dagon!
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