The world’s largest gaming streaming service, Twitch, is now finally available on Nintendo Switch, even if you will only be able to view the content instead of submitting it yourself.
Nintendo of America announced via a tweet that the app can now be downloaded (for free) from the game company’s online eShop and played from all current consoles – OLED switchAnd Switch Lite and the basic switch model.
Twitch is now available on #NintendoSwitch #eShop! Download now: https://t.co/q7y7taZIFc pic.twitter.com/M7t4v5u5IiNovember 11, 2021
While the main content on Twitch was originally a video stream of users playing games, other media will do so Nintendo Live AdsLive sports events and even talk shows are available to stream on Switch.
In addition to the fact that you cannot start your own broadcasts, the Switch console app for Twitch app also comes with some other limitations. The experience is greatly simplified, with the Home, Browsing, and Search tab covering the entire interface.
There is also no option to view or interact with the chat directly on your Switch, instead you need to access it via the cars or similar device. Fortunately, you can scan the QR code from the Switch console’s Twitch app to quickly jump to the right stream and start chatting on your mobile phone.
In the same way, the account and help sections that are normally found in the Twitch app are in the same compound as the chat function – you have to use your mobile to access them and scan a QR code to do so.
Better late than never
While the news that Twitch is being added to Nintendo consoles is certainly a sign of progress, it’s certainly not groundbreaking when you compare the Switch console’s limited integration with its rival consoles.
Both Sony PlayStation 5 and Microsoft Xbox Xbox XControllers launched with app support – with the ability to watch and stream content yourself – and the PS5 also has a dedicated “Create” button on its DualSense controller to provide players quick access to start streaming.
Nintendo isn’t known to be ahead (or even close) when it comes to supporting current standards. Just two months ago Got Nintendo Switch Bluetooth Audio, allowing the four-year-old console to finally support wireless headphones. Unfortunately, this implementation was deficient and suffered from issues with response time and audio quality.
The console also does not support a number of common applications that are almost ubiquitous on other similar devices – NetflixAnd Disney Plus And Amazon Prime Video are all absent.
We hope that Nintendo’s app for Twitch will be expanded in the future to support streaming, although we won’t be holding our breath in anticipation due to its somewhat locked platform and inability to run multiple games or apps in parallel (like PS5 and XSX).
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