Streaming apps have been conspicuous in their absence from the list of features for the Nintendo Switch since it launched earlier this year, setting it apart from other consoles that have long provided access to services like Netflix or Twitch.tv. While it's not necessarily a deal breaker for those already considering the Switch, the dual functionality of a video game console has always had its own appeal, and Nintendo seems to be aware of this.
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The company has made previous promises that these services will arrive "in time," and this week the first will be arriving on the Switch. Though not as popular as YouTube or Netflix in the west, the Niconico video-sharing website has its own following in Japan, where it's the eighth most trafficked site.
As one would figure, the service will not be made immediately available for countries outside of Japan, leaving many fans of the console curiously wondering when Nintendo will provide access to similar services - or even a web browser.
According to Niconico's official Twitter account, the service will launch tonight:
【今夜】Nintendo Switch niconicoリリース！
Nintendo Switchで動画を見ようhttps://t.co/OuOADTJOu9 pic.twitter.com/aj3GZWOl1m
— ニコニコ公式 (@nico_nico_info) July 12, 2017
As for the Switch's western audience, well... only time will tell if the console will ever provide apps that have become commonplace elsewhere. To receive immediate updates about the Switch as well as Nintendo's other products, follow the company on Twitter.
