Nintendo discontinues X integration on Switch console

On June 10th, Nintendo made a significant announcement by officially discontinuing support for the integration of the Switch console with X (formerly Twitter). This move marked the end of X integration for all current-gen consoles, following similar actions by Microsoft and Sony last year.

The change came into effect with the release of the Nintendo Switch’s 18.1.0 update. Users can no longer connect their X accounts with the console or share in-game screenshots from popular titles like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate directly to the social media platform.

The 18.1.0 update primarily focused on removing these features, along with introducing general stability enhancements. Additionally, Nintendo ceased support for linking social media accounts via the Switch’s Friend Suggestions feature as part of this update.

While Nintendo had announced these modifications a month prior, they did not provide a specific reason for ending X support. Speculations suggest that the decision could be linked to pricing adjustments to the X API, which now requires a starting cost of $42,000 per month for enterprise customers.

It is worth noting that Microsoft and Sony did not mention the API update when they disabled X integration for Xbox and PlayStation consoles last year. The cost factor, although significant, may not be the sole reason behind Nintendo's decision, as other platforms like Slack have also cited API updates affecting their X integration functionality.

Despite X Gaming's assurance of a strong partnership with Nintendo, console gamers will now encounter difficulties in connecting directly with the platform following the termination of Switch support.

With Nintendo's decision to end X integration on the Switch console, gamers are urged to explore alternative methods for sharing their gaming experiences on social media. While this change may present initial challenges, it also highlights the evolving landscape of console connectivity and the importance of adapting to technological shifts in the gaming industry.