Bafflingly enough, the Nintendo Switch still does not have a Netflix app. Netflix puts its app out on literally everything that can run it, and the app was available even on the Wii U and PS Vita- so it’s not like they’re selective about only wanting it running on successful hardware or anything like that.
So why is the Switch missing a Netflix app still? At launch, Nintendo mentioned it wanted the Switch to be a gaming only device, which is why it had omitted any media functionality, and sure, that doesn’t make a lot of sense, but they did that. But by the end of last year, media apps had started to show up on the platform- Nico Nico is on Switch, as is Hulu. So why no Netflix?
Nintendo of America Reggie Fils-Aime’s response? Ask Netflix.
“For those types of questions, we have to refer you to the folks at Netflix,” Reggie said. “What we said when we launched Nintendo Switch was that we wanted to have a gaming-first platform and that’s what we’ve created. And that’s what enabled us in the first 12 months in the United States to be the best-selling home console in the history of video games.
“Right now, we enable Hulu on the platform, we’ve said that other services will come in due time. For us, we want to make sure that continue driving the install base for Nintendo Switch, continue to have great games for the platform.
“In terms of what’s next on the streaming side, you’re gonna have to talk to those individual providers in terms of where they stand and what they’re working on.”
