220°

The Switch Still Needs Basic Functionality

While the Nintendo Switch is off to an amazing start, which surprised everyone, there are still some flags and hurdles that Nintendo will eventually need to address. This is 2018 and the Switch currently supports no meaningful multimedia apps at all. There is no Netflix, Hulu, YouTube or any other kind of app to connect to social media. Many have argued that having said apps will just clutter the clean looking UI of the Switch. I completely disagree because the Switch needs these apps to stay competitive with other hardware devices. We live in an age where kids as young as eight or nine have phones and tablets. Having no streaming apps hurts customer engagement with a device that only plays games.

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gaminginstincts.com
FallenAngel19842917d ago

“Having no streaming apps hurts customer engagement with a device that only plays games.”

Lol this author deserves an L just that remark. It’d be a nice luxury, but the absence isn’t “hurting” consumers enjoyment of Switch.

Instead of complaining about lack of multimedia apps you should complain about lack of livestreaming, game DVR, free to play games, video chat, achievement/trophy adjacent system, lack of Ethernet port on the dock, inability to transfer saves to external storage, & that Friend Codes even still exist in this age.

“It’s a shame that the Switch itself was not built to support such a basic feature that’s available on most other platforms.”

Nintendo releasing a console that lacks basic features that rival systems have long had has been a recurring trend for more than a decade.

I doubt Switch will even offer party chat, something Microsoft and Sony have been offering since 2008 & 2011 respectively.

“The problem isn’t that Nintendo is ignoring their fans’ feedback, but the fact that they’re a Japanese company.”

Nintendo being a Japanese company doesn’t inherently mean they should be so behind the times in that field or any other fields.

Sony, also a Japanese company, was the first to offer cloud saves on consoles in 2011 which resulted in Microsoft, an American company, to follow suit shortly after.

2917d ago
Seraphim2917d ago

Don't get me wrong, I certainly enjoy having Netflix on my PS4. I imagine some people who may just own only a Switch would like to have the ability to use a Netflix app but.... I agree. it is a luxury & to say it hurts customer engagement is ridiculous.

While I doubt I'll be playing much if any multiplayer on the Switch I agree that if anything we should be focusing on the fact there's no Party Chat, the need of an easy friend list instead of these dumb codes, and extremely important, the ability to back up saves. My Switch ever bricks and I can't back up those saves I'm going to FL!P. One thing I both miss and enjoy is that there aren't trophies or achievements. At times it's been nice to just play & enjoy the game w/o anything other than the game itself to focus on.

Nintendo have marched to the beat of their own drum for quite some time. And let's not forget that not only was this marketed as a gaming machine/handheld but the Netflix is virtually everywhere. Smart TV, check. Smartphone, check. Amazon and Google sticks, check. and so on. I've wasted too much time commenting on this ridiculousness.

Akarogg 2916d ago

The Switch OS only uses 800 mb RAM allowing the Switch to use 3,2 gb of it's 4 gb RAM on games. Wouldn't apps need more RAM dedicated to the OS?

DwightSchrute012917d ago (Edited 2917d ago )

What a stupid article. Nintendo is a 100% dedicated gaming console not a multimedia device and it functions extremely well.

The title is stupid, it's like saying why won't the kettle do me some toast? It needs this basic functionally.
Or why don't my shoes keep my head warm? It needs this basic functionality.
Or why don't my motorbike have 4 wheels..... Need I say more lol 😁

Functionality is used in the complete wrong context.
The switch does what it was made to do, play the highest rated and fun games.

OMGitzThatGuy2917d ago

So Switch is 100% console focused and still couldn't do that right. Good games, shit software integration. There should be no console released past 2005 that doesn't have basic multimedia capabilities.
Nintendo's game devs dont make their OS, so the question is what are those guys doing and why is there nothing to show for it? Phones are meant to make calls yet you dont see anyone walking about with call only devices.
Nintendo fanboys need to stop defending Nintendo on their bullshit and hold them to the , now decade old, standard of a console.

DwightSchrute012917d ago (Edited 2917d ago )

No they couldn't do it right, that's why they sold 15 million consoles in less than a year and are still selling like hot cakes and managed to have some of the highest rated games of this gen in less than a year. When other consoles have been out for over 4 years and haven't even achieved this.

Obviously Nintendo is focused on games as its a games developer. Everything else is secondary. That's why they have and make better games than other consoles.

Jeez these Nintendo haters are everywhere like a fungus infestation or something.
Can't stand to see Nintendo successful.

_-EDMIX-_2917d ago

Agreed.

Nintendo has some of the highest rated exclusives ,they make quality games , no debate, but that cannot continue to be an excuse for the other stuff happening with the operating system, multimedia features or it's online.

Nintendo literally has the opportunity to challenge Apple and the Android market in regards to Tablets by offering many of those same applications and features on top of the highest rated exclusives.

Something is alarming when this company is missing features that have been standard in devices since 2002.

Xx_Pistol_xX2917d ago

Dedicated gaming console but doesn't have a capable chat and party system in 2017.

DwightSchrute012917d ago (Edited 2917d ago )

What does that have to do with gaming? I've been gaming since the early 90's and have never needed it or required it to complete or play a game.

Mr Marvel2917d ago

@DwightSchrute01
Wow!
It's clear that in your quest to defend Nintendo with your life, you're prepared to throw logic and common sense out the window. Congratulations! /s

Old McGroin2917d ago

@ Pistol

It's 2018 now 😁

Xx_Pistol_xX2916d ago

@Old Mcgroin I was talking about the launch date. But it makes it even more sad that nothing has changed since launch.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 2916d ago
_-EDMIX-_2917d ago

I mean I don't disagree with you in terms the core reasons someone might buy a Nintendo switch, but that doesn't really excuse why there missing so many features. I really believe that Nintendo could make a huge dent in the tablet Market with these applications could you imagine the people who buy their kids fancy iPads being able to have them play YouTube Netflix go on the internet and play the best Nintendo games?

I mean please take this into consideration, on my tablet I literally just use Facebook YouTube Netflix and an MLs application for Real Estate.

I paid about $300 for that tablet, if the Nintendo switch literally hide half of those applications I would probably buy one earlier just to replace the tablet that I have because I'm not just getting a great system to play Nintendo games I'm now able to properly replace a tablet.

You need to seriously think about these things. Those features could bring so much more people to Nintendo. The switch is going to continue to have some of the best highest rated games on the market no doubt that's not up for debate, but only having these features can only help the company even further. For me only seeing the Nintendo switch I was just a gaming system also limits exactly when I'm going to purchase it, for others it might limit them purchasing it at all if they're just going to continue to buy other tablets for that functionality.

Trust me I'm not going to feel great spending another $300 on a tablet, minus great Nintendo games. I'd seriously rather just have my Nintendo switch be the all-in-one for those tablet Services especially considering it's not as if it can't be.

Gemmol2917d ago

It's cool and all to have one thing do it all, but this system is a gaming focus first, they told everyone early on.......i wish my ps4 n ps4 pro could play 4k bluray, in my opinion this is more important than everything you and the author and anyone else can complain about for the switch

My tv have 4k streaming apps, but nothing beats the quality of a 4k bluray movie

Concertoine2916d ago

The switch is too bulky with its vent and joy con rails to be a competitive tablet imo. It would also need a bigger battery.

I think Nintendo needs to work on the switch's UI and online infrastructure considerably but i think a lot of gamers wouldve veen turned off by the "its a gamer tablet!" approach youre proposing.

Dark_Knightmare22916d ago

Man you fanboys will justify anything won't you?

Dark_Knightmare22916d ago (Edited 2916d ago )

They had two games rated 90 plus let's not act like every game they released was highly rated and that the other two console makers don't have their own 90 plus rated exlcusives hell Sony just released one that scored 92 it's nothing new to any of the three

Benjaminkno2916d ago

People don’t understand that motion controls and a game pad interface isn’t a gimmick.

DVD/BluRay players, web browsers, streaming services are.

Ps2 sold millions because it was a DVD player, and nobody mentioned the fact that it was by definition, a gimmick.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 2916d ago
rlow12917d ago

I bought a Switch for the games first, It wouldn't hurt to have those options but isn't a requirement. It'll be interesting to see what Nintendo's upcoming update will bring.........As for the 360 and cloud storage they announced that at e3 2011 so its a wash between Sony and Ms.

Segata2917d ago

I never use those apps on my consoles anyway. Netflix is not vital to Switch but I would like the ability to backup my saves and message friends on the system.

meganick2917d ago

It actually does have Hulu, but it does need the other popular apps, I agree.

dotwithshoes2917d ago

Shhh... no need to tell people they are wrong.

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30°

MachineGames asking more staff to move to full-time office work

"We know that we are a lot more efficient and a lot more collaborative in general when we're actually in the office together"

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gamesindustry.biz
victorMaje17h ago

Need more Indiana Jones, the Egypt level was amazing.

30°

Suda51 Wants to Continue to "Surprise" Players, Even If They Know His Distinct Style

Romeo Is a Dead Man pushes Suda51's distinct style into a new universe, but the creator is already thinking about his future games.

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cgmagonline.com
70°

Ubisoft fires 13-year Assassin's Creed veteran just days after suspending him for speaking out

"Today, I was terminated by Ubisoft," said Michaud-Cromp.

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gamesradar.com
MayorPauline4d ago

Ubisoft deserves everything that's going on right now. It needs new leadership. The current ones are running Ubisoft into the ground. Meanwhile Tencent is circling them like a vulture. I wouldn't be shocked at a hostile take over in the coming months.

jznrpg4d ago

Sounds like something most corpos will do these days. Retaliation is seemingly allowed even if illegal

jambola4d ago

Didn't suckerpunch do the same because someone made a joke?
Makes me glad I have 0 interest in either companies cames right now tbh

VersusDMC3d ago

Well here they are complaining about return to work and the suker punch employee "joked" about the charlie kirk assassination...not really the same.

jambola3d ago

yes, a joke
you don't get to say it's not a joke just because it didn't fit within your standards

Dexterio3d ago

No, not the same. Did you even read the article? LMAO!

WelkinCole3d ago

I hate Charlie K. Like I really really really hate him. He is a racist POS. However I do not whatsoever make light of his death esp how he was killed. Its not a joking matter so I agree with what SP did.

Commentby3d ago

If you don’t control the purse strings, and you think freedom of speech applies to a private company’s, this is where you lose.

DivineHand1253d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Well I am not surprised. Most companies have a code of conduct that prevents employees from publicly making negative comments about the organization.

When times are tough, and the company is looking to lay off people, the best thing to do is to not be the nail that sticks up. He even said something to this degree in the comments that got him fired.

I hope he can land on his feet in the near future and find success doing what he loves doing. I am sure many teams would love to have someone with his experience on board.

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