Nintendo Switch Lacks A Web Browser Because It's A "Dedicated Video Game Platform"

That's because the vast majority buying the Switch will be hardcore Nintendo fanboys or the gamers that own all consoles.

But if that's what it boils down to, Nintendo is in trouble. According to market surveys, only something like 20% of households have multiple dedicated video game devices. Of course only 48% have a "console" at all. Just weird that Nintendo seems content to just try and get in on that 20% as a "second console", rather than legitimately compete for top market share among the 48%.

I mean if you were a CEO, which audience would you go after? The 20% of households, or the 48% of households? With Wii they actually had a hit that attracted NEW households, but I don't think that will be happening with Switch.

@2Chalupas: Why not go after the 52% that dont have a console at all.

Fine by me. I have never used browser apps on handhelds or consoles in my entire life.

I have a smart phone for handheld gaming assistance and my computer sitting next to my TV and consoles. It's a superfluous feature, always has been.

The lack of streaming apps such as Netflix however? That will likely be remedied post-launch. Though again: never used it before on handhelds, not even my phone. I have a computer hooked up to my 50 inch TV for that.

That's what they did with Wii. I think Wii was a unique situation (where they brought in casuals and non-gamers). Fads are nearly impossible to predict, but I don't see anything about Switch that leads me to believe it will attract large numbers of "non-gamers".

The sad thing is the Wii-U probably didn't even win as a "#2 console", even though that's what Nintendo was aiming for. I do think the Switch actually has a shot as being the go-to as a #2 console - since it's the defacto best "dedicated" portable gaming device.

It's dumb to not have one...but is hardly a deal breaker.

that a good one and i freaking love how the blind fanboys are actually defending nintendo's incompetence

+1 to the death of horrible video game console browsers.

The Switch is shown to have less and less features, how depressingly lame.

@eliminatorpaige: Because it's a tablet

People use browsers on consoles? Why? Desktops, laptops, phones, and tablets all have much better browsing experiences than the clunky browsers on consoles.

The Switch is a tablet.

The only reason not having a browser bothers me is because if I am traveling with my Switch, the lack of a browser means that I can't connect to wifi hot spots that require you to go through a captive portal.

That was a pet peeve I had with the Xbox One when traveling, while I could use the browsers on my Wii U and PS4 to log in. I ended up having to use the IP address switch with another device instead.

@Pedro: they sell it more like a portable screen to play games

Ok, I can see why Nintendo would say that. But lets be realistic here. It's 2017, nearly EVERYTHING has streaming as part of its OS. Stop defending ineptitude. I don't care where it comes from company wise. It's a step backwards regardless. This is a tablet regardless of what Nintendo tries to spin it as.

Going off on a small rant: I'm more concerned about real 3rd party support. It looks to be very shaky at this point. Bigger titles are not coming to the Switch. It is not going unnoticed by the gaming community and casual gamers. I know it has been sold out since it went up for pre-order. But, how many of those are scalpers looking to make a profit? I would venture to guess more than a few.

Thats all well and good but it doesn't negate the fact its a tablet. That element of the design cannot be overlooked.

@Pedro: Everything negates Everything when it comes to the sheeple.

No Comprehensive online infrastructure - "I didn't want to play online anyway - Nintendo fans.

Constantly releasing outdated hardware - "I didn't want the Uber graphics anyway" - Nintendo fans

No 3rd party support - I only wanted to play Nintendo games anyway" - Nintendo fans

No voice chat features - "I have a cell phone for that anyway" - Nintendo fans

No streaming services - "I have multiple devices for that anyways" - Nintendo fans

Bending you over backwards - "No worries, I was going to ask for more anyways" - Nintendo fans

I must have used the browser in my X360 maybe 10 times in the last 5 years, the one in my PS3 twice because it's the worst browser ever, never used the one in my X1 and PS4, not having a browser doesn't bother me at all.

What would be a deal breaker then??

The price/the performance/the paid sorry online multiplayer/the lack 3rd party support/the lack of 1st party heavy hitters/the fact that the nes/snes game being taken back after a month/the battery life/the lack of storage ect ect ect

I am sure you get the idea.

Actually no...i fail to get the idea.

The paid online is a giving on consoles nowaday...not to mention it seems the Nintendo one will be cheaper than the competition, i don't see it as a negative. The lack of 3rd party games is yet to be seen (not saying it will have, but not saying it won't have either), the lack of heavy Nintendo hitters...please, you are just inventing stuff right now.

Anyway, as all the consoles i own, i judge them on games that i want to play...if it has good games, i will buy it...as simple as that, couldn't care less about the lack of a browser, the lack of 4K streaming or newer revisions that call themeselves "the most powerful console ever made" again, i judge it on the games.

The only core 100% gaming related console left

It will probably get a browser eventually, but I didn't know that these online features were back doors that pirates could exploit. I would understand if Nintendo never released one. However, despite what some people say, if you have a mobile device like the Switch with that big, beautiful touch screen, the experience would be enhanced with a browser. I would hope that Nintendo eventually figures out how to do it.