As gaming consoles are no longer just about 100% gaming, console makers have started to include more social features as well as other apps that turns the console into an entertainment device as opposed to being purely about gaming. Unfortunately for the upcoming Nintendo Switch, certain “basic” features will not be included, such as a web browser.In an interview with TIME, Nintendo President Tatsumi Kimishima was asked whether or not the Switch will come with bundled apps similar to what they did on the Wii U. According to Kimishima, “And in terms of the Internet browser, since all of our efforts have gone toward making Switch an amazing dedicated video game platform, it will not support it, at least at launch.”
Prior to this, Nintendo had also confirmed that there will be no video streaming apps for the Switch at launch, such as Netflix or Hulu, which seems to be in line with what Kimishima is saying about how they plan for the console to be a dedicated video game platform. It is rather unfortunate given its portability that gamers can’t surf the web or watch videos.
However the good news is that the language that Nintendo has used makes it sound like these are features that won’t be available at launch, and they don’t appear to be closing the door on them, but maybe gamers shouldn’t hold their breaths just yet.
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