Nintendo Updates Switch 2 Backward Compatibility: Hulu, Crunchyroll, and Other Apps Left Behind

As anticipation mounts for the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo has taken significant steps to inform its player base about backward compatibility for its latest system.

The company has updated the Nintendo Switch 2 backward compatibility section on its official website, giving prospective buyers clarity on which Nintendo Switch games and applications will be supported when the new hardware arrives. Nintendo’s backward compatibility efforts are extensive, with nearly the entire library of original Nintendo Switch titles functioning seamlessly on Switch 2 hardware.

According to the latest official listings, about 95% of existing Switch software will be fully compatible with the new console.

The remaining 5% of games face minor technical challenges, ranging from dependency on legacy hardware features such as the original Joy-Con’s IR camera to reliance on accessories like the Nintendo Labo VR headset, which may not be feasible on the updated hardware. Notably, a handful of non-gaming applications—including popular streaming platforms Hulu and Crunchyroll—will not function on Nintendo Switch 2 at all.

These apps appear on a concise list of software that is explicitly incompatible with the new system.

Joining Hulu and Crunchyroll are Japanese video and streaming apps Niconico and ABEMA, as well as digital comic reader InkyPen.

While Nintendo has not provided a detailed public explanation for the incompatibility, the update suggests that either licensing obstacles or the platform’s architecture changes could be responsible.

Industry experts have noted that because Switch 2 does not run existing Switch 1 apps natively, third-party developers might need to create entirely new versions of their apps—a prospect that can require additional investment and fresh licensing agreements. Nintendo’s approach to streaming services on its consoles has traditionally been cautious.

Although some users expressed disappointment that the original Nintendo Switch did not include native support for popular media platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, or HBO Max, Nintendo has long positioned its hardware as gaming-centric devices.

A Nintendo spokesperson recently reiterated this philosophy, stating in official communications that Nintendo continues to prioritize an experience focused on gameplay rather than multimedia entertainment.

As such, the absence of new versions of Hulu or Crunchyroll from the Switch 2 launch slate appears to align with the company’s established strategy. For many consumers in 2025 and beyond, the shift is less of an inconvenience than it might have been in previous console generations.

With Smart TVs, smartphones, and dedicated streaming devices widely available, most users prefer these platforms for media consumption.

Nevertheless, some fans remain curious about the reasoning behind the lack of support for widely-used streaming apps on their favorite gaming hardware. As the Nintendo Switch 2 moves toward launch, potential buyers should keep an eye on Nintendo’s official backward compatibility list for any further updates.

PowerA and other accessory manufacturers are already preparing new hardware, such as the upcoming Switch 2 wired controller featuring Hall Effect joysticks, providing more choices for gamers on day one.

Meanwhile, core gaming experiences remain the company’s central focus—a continuity that has long defined Nintendo’s brand in the industry.

Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 Switch Crunchyroll Hulu Niconico ABEMA InkyPen PowerA