The Nintendo Switch is a versatile and popular gaming platform. But, one thing that most probably didn't expect it was used for is for Twitch. Now, Nintendo is finally ending support for the feature, or specifically, for its app on the device. The decision comes after an evaluation of the app's performance and utility, leading Twitch to conclude that its presence on the Switch platform was too niche to maintain.
On the Twitch app's help page, a notice reveals that the app will no longer be available for download from the Nintendo eShop starting November 6. Moreover, those who have already installed the app will find themselves unable to access it after January 31, 2024. This announcement, confirmed through emails sent to users, signifies the end of Twitch's stint on the Nintendo console, albeit a stint fraught with limitations and user complaints.
The Twitch app's functionality on the Switch was, from the outset, marred by significant constraints. Although it allowed users to search for creators and watch streams on a larger screen when the console was docked, it lacked any form and kind of integral feature. Users can't even access the chat directly through the app, a big part of the Twitch experience, thus forcing them to use a "companion experience" on their smartphones. This cumbersome process involved scanning a QR code with another device to participate in the chat. Additionally, the app did not support direct subscriptions to streamers, nor could it stream games from the Switch, a capability present on other major consoles.
