Nintendo Switch Gets First Video Streaming App in Japan

No, it's not Netflix or YouTube.

By Alex Gilyadov

Nintendo Switch is getting its very first video streaming app in Japan tomorrow, July 13.

According to Nintendo's blog post, the system's first streaming service isn't Netflix or YouTube. Instead it's Niconico, one of the biggest Japanese video platforms.

Niconico lets people livestream and upload videos, similar to YouTube. However, what makes Niconico stand out is that user comments actually appear over livestreams. Uploaded videos also have real-time comment pop-ups, and uploaders can add quizzes and polls to the video as well.

For the time being, the Niconico app can only be downloaded via the Japanese eShop. However, Switch owners outside of Japan can still download and use the streaming service by making a Japanese account.

As for when people can expect video services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and YouTube to hit the Switch, Nintendo has promised they "will come in time."

Alex Gilyadov is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter. 

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