Every Streaming App You Can Download On Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch is not just for gaming. Like many electronic devices that have dedicated online marketplaces for apps to download, you can install streaming services on the Switch, making it possible to watch video content via the console in the same way you would with a dedicated streaming device like the Fire TV Stick. So if you happen to be taking a break between games and would like to catch up on your shows, you can do so by installing and accessing streaming apps right on Nintendo's user interface.

While there are a few streaming options available for you to try on your video gaming system, there are several notable services that are still missing from the Nintendo eShop. Although early adopters of the video-gaming platform were assured that the likes of Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video "will come to the Switch in time," it's now seven years later, and only one of those aforementioned apps — which we highlight in this roundup — was able to solidify a deal with Nintendo. As well, some platforms that were previously available on the Switch are no longer supported. If you own a Nintendo Switch and are wondering what streaming options you have on your console, the answer is probably disappointing: you have three services left to choose from.

Hulu is one of the most widely used video-streaming platforms in the U.S., and for good reason. Its expansive catalog includes thousands of TV show and movie titles, including highly acclaimed original Hulu content like "The Bear" and "The Handmaid's Tale," as well as '90s hits like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "ER" that you may have enjoyed in your youth and would love to revisit.

Access to Hulu content requires a minimum paid subscription of $7.99 per month for ad-supported viewing or $17.99 per month for ad-free streaming. You can also opt to bundle your Hulu plan with Live TV channel access as well as partner service add-ons so you can access content from other streaming apps like ESPN+ and Disney+ (with ads) and premium add-ons like [HBO] Max, ESPN+, Cinemax, Paramount+ with Showtime, and Starz. Depending on which add-ons you tack on to your base Hulu plan, you can expect to pay between $2.00 (Disney+ with ads)* to $15.99 (Max) monthly per additional service.

*OF NOTE: Disney+ does not appear in the Hulu app even if you add the service to your bill, you'd still need a Disney+ app (which does not exist on Nintendo Switch). If you want to access Disney+, you'll still need to go through your web browser, which is not ideal.

Crunchyroll is highly regarded as the ultimate streaming service for anime aficionados. The platform carries more than 1,000 anime shows and movies, all of which are either subtitled, dubbed, or both. To stream content on the Nintendo Switch without any ads or preview new episodes the same day they come out in Japan, you will need to avail of one of the premium plans, with the basic one priced at $7.99 per month (there's a 14-day free trial).

Funimation, another popular anime portal with content now available through Crunchyroll, used to have a dedicated app on the Nintendo platform. However, because of the merger between the two streamers and their effort to unify their separate slates of features, it was announced that Funimation would officially cease its services, with both the app and website set to go offline on April 2, 2024. Users with active Funimation subscriptions at that time were automatically ported over to Crunchyroll.

Arguably the most popular video streaming app on the Nintendo Switch is YouTube, a service that doesn't really need an in-depth explanation as far as regular internet users go. The video platform is a huge resource of all types of entertainment content, including music, TV, movies, and even games. Browsing through YouTube's giant library of clips doesn't cost a thing and you don't need an account to do it. 

However, if you do have one, it's best to log into it on your console so you can keep yourself updated on the channels you've subscribed to and get a more personalized list of video recommendations that are relevant to your past activity on the platform. Those who want to make the investment in ad-free viewing can pay for a YouTube Premium subscription, which costs $11.99 per month and includes a 3-month free trial with access to YouTube Music at the time of writing.

It's reasonable to ask whether other streaming services will be made available on the Switch, but the answer is likely to disappoint you: it's highly unlikely. To date, Prime Video, Netflix, and Disney+ still don't have dedicated Nintendo Switch apps and can only be accessed through the risky method of jailbreaking. Furthermore, streaming services like Twitch and Pokemon TV — which were previously available through the Nintendo eShop like Funimation — have now ended their support for the video game platform. Those who've previously downloaded the Pokemon TV app had until March 24, 2024, to watch available content before it stopped working. Meanwhile, Twitch users have been barred from accessing the platform on the gaming console since it officially shuttered on January 31, 2024.

As for the Nintendo Switch itself, given the fact that it's been seven years since its original release and it's likely closer to a new console than we might expect, it doesn't make sense for Nintendo to make an effort to get newer streaming apps launched on its aging console. Realistically speaking, now that most TVs on the market offer smart features and the ability to access streaming services directly, viewing TV shows and movies through the Switch is the inferior option, considering its mediocre 1080p output. In addition, there are mobile devices that are far better than the Switch that you can use to access your favorite streaming platforms on the road, such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.