Nintendo Switch Netflix App: The console’s first streaming service isn’t the one you want

The Nintendo Switch is a capable little console. It lets you play masterpieces like Zelda and argument-starters like Mario Kart 8 on your TV or in your hands. But don’t expect it to run tablet-friendly apps. While the Switch is essentially a tablet with controllers attached to the sides, it won’t let you stream video from Netflix or browse the web (not easily, anyway).

Well, until today.

Nintendo Switch gets its first video streaming app: NicoNico

It isn’t quite Netflix or Youtube, but NicoNico is coming to the Switch. On July 13, Switch owners will be able to browse and watch videos from the Japanese site right on their device. It’s a good start, if nothing else.

The NicoNico teaser shows that videos can be viewed in portable or docked mode. Presumably the same could happen for other video apps that come to the convertible console.

More Nintendo Switch apps incoming: What else could hit the gaming console?

There’s no indication as of yet, but NicoNico could open the floodgates for other apps on the Nintendo Switch. Nintendo is no stranger to putting apps like Netflix on their game consoles, even if they were hesitant to do so back in the early days of the Wii. (Originally, you had to use a Netflix disc — it was only available by mail and it was a huge pain.)

The release of the NicoNico app could bring not just video apps to the Switch, but other apps in general. With the Switch being not that much different from your average tablet, other software that makes use of the device’s touchscreen could come along (hopefully).

The other big question mark surrounding apps on the Nintendo Switch is the timeline. E3 has come and gone, and there was no further information given as to when Nintendo would expand their software library to include new apps. Perhaps we’ll see some in time for the holidays.

Nintendo’s history with apps like Netflix is messy, but if the app and others can show up on the tiny, 400x240-pixel 3DS, anything is possible.

Check out more Nintendo Switch news and coverage

Looking for more Nintendo Switch news? Check out how blind gamers are using the Nintendo Switch and why you can’t get your Mii to look quite like you. Nintendo’s left Joy-Con issue turns out to be a hardware problem — here’s how to solve it. Find out how to buy a console amidst the recent restock. Learn why the Switch cartridges taste so bad. Check out our comparison photos sizing up the Switch to the Wii U GamePad (part one and part two), or find out how to make use of ethernet without the dock and the best way to get alerts when new stock arrives.