Nintendo Switch 2 Streaming Limitations Exposed as Hulu Departs Original Switch

The impending removal of Hulu from the original Nintendo Switch on February 5, 2026 serves as a stark reminder of the Switch 2's limitations as a streaming device. While the aging Switch retains partial functionality through apps like Crunchyroll, Nintendo's newer handheld faces greater challenges in becoming a viable entertainment hub despite its gaming enhancements.

With Hulu merging into Disney+, Nintendo confirmed the app's discontinuation through an official support notice. This leaves the original Switch with minimal streaming options: Crunchyroll for anime enthusiasts and YouTube for gameplay tutorials and gaming news. The absence of Disney+ or Netflix alternatives forces users toward secondary devices like smartphones and tablets for comprehensive media consumption.

Switch 2 owners face a more constrained landscape. While backward compatibility covers games, streaming apps require specific optimization for the new hardware. Crunchyroll shows no signs of imminent support, and no major streaming services have announced Switch 2 compatibility. This contrasts sharply with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles, which support comprehensive entertainment suites including all major streaming platforms alongside gaming functions.

YouTube remains the lone potential exception. Google confirmed ongoing development of a Switch 2 app, with a TeamYouTube support representative stating the application has completed development and entered "Nintendo's verification processes." This follows October's vague "coming soon" assurance. While promising, the timeline remains undefined, leaving users waiting months after the console's launch for basic streaming functionality.

The situation underscores Nintendo's historical prioritization of gaming over multimedia features. Where Sony and Microsoft design consoles as living room entertainment centers, Nintendo's portability focus creates inherent hardware compromises. The Switch 2's weaker speakers, lower-resolution display in handheld mode, and lack of HDR support further diminish its viability as a primary streaming device compared to tablets or rival consoles.

For buyers, this reality necessitates practical considerations:

• Casual streamers should view Switch 2 as a gaming-first device and maintain separate media consumption solutions
• Anime fans relying on Crunchyroll must verify ongoing original Switch support before upgrading
• Tutorial-dependent gamers awaiting YouTube should monitor official Nintendo channels for launch updates

While YouTube's arrival will alleviate some frustrations, the broader streaming gap between Switch 2 and competing platforms reflects Nintendo's continued specialization in gaming rather than all-in-one entertainment. Buyers seeking versatile hardware may find better value in gaming-centric tablets or multipurpose consoles from Sony and Microsoft.

Source references: Nintendo Support Notice, TeamYouTube Announcement, Wario64 Social Update, Reddit User Verification