Nintendo’s upcoming console release, the Nintendo Switch, has been receiving a series of unfortunate announcements. There was a statement that the Nintendo Switch will not have a removable battery, streaming applications such as Netflix will not be supported at launch, and there’s been criticism over the lack of a strong video game launch line-up. Now it’s been confirmed that the Nintendo Switch console will also launch without an internet browser.
This information came from an interview with Time and Nintendo CEO Tatsumi Kimishima. During the interview, the Nintendo CEO made mention that the internet browser will not be supported at launch as the development team had opted to craft a dedicated video game console. However, that doesn’t mean the internet browser is completely out of the question as an update can add a browser at a later date.
“In terms of the Internet browser, since all of our efforts have gone toward making Switch an amazing dedicated video game platform, it will not support it, at least at launch.”
Because the console is a hybrid of a home console and a portable gaming device, players may find that their favorite local hotspots for online gaming may be out of the question. Most of these locations will have players accept the hotspot terms through a web page.
Speaking of portability, it’s been stated in the past that the Nintendo Switch is not a replacement for the Nintendo 3DS. Time also asked about a potential successor the Nintendo 3DS in which the CEO stated that there is no currently plans right now for a replacement of the 3DS, but the company is still considering different ways to continue the portable gaming business.
“We are not creating a successor to the 3DS right now. We are, however, still thinking of portable systems. We are thinking of ways that we will be able to continue bringing portable gaming systems out, so yes, we are thinking of different ways to continue the portable gaming business.”