Tindr, Grindr now available on the Nintendo Switch eShop, lack messaging feature

Tindr, Grindr now available on the Nintendo Switch eShop, lack messaging feature

In a controversial decision, Nintendo of America has listed ad-supported versions of the popular dating and hookup apps "Tindr" and "Grindr" on the Nintendo Switch eShop for users above the age of 18. Both apps, which have over 100 million romance-seekers retain the functionality of their Android and iOS versions, except for the ability to actually message prospective partners. This has sparked controversy on twitter, from the "mutually exclusive" online dating and gaming communities.

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Let's face it; Nintendo has always been known for limiting the interactivity between users of their digital platforms. This is one area where Nintendo, Sony & Microsoft stand apart, as all versions of the Playstaion and Xbox consoles allow users to send messages to one another using their apps. 

The fact that Nintendo chose to omit the feature even on dating apps is not too suprising, if you're familiar with Nintendo's online practices.

This is bad news for those belonging to the extraordinarily rare population of folks who own a Nintendo switch, and not a smartphone, and have enough self confidence to attempt online dating. If you fit into this category you will have to download the smartphone app if you actually want to message prospective hook-ups.

[Pictured below] Edna Chang, 35 years old, from Beijing, the moment she found out she couldn't message with "BIG_DICK_SPLODA", 19 years old from Kentucky..

Outrage is already spreading on gaming websites worldwide. Controversy is exploding.

"What a load of fucking bullshit", said shacknews forum member "Genjuro", who was unable to message any of the 100 Grindr matches he made in under 5 minutes of signing up for the app.

When asked why he didn't just use the cellphone app, his answer illustrated, broadly speaking, the problem that many in his situation are going through:

"I lost my job at Smoothie King due to corona, so I had to sell my smartphone to help pay the bills I share with my seven roomates. But, I remembered that my 5 year old son has a Switch, and a Nintendo Online subscription. So, on visitation days, I tell him to go outside and play with his friends, I install the Grindr app on his account and look up hot dudes in my area."

We interviewed a senior developer of the Tindr Switch port who wished to remain anonymous who, when asked about the ommission of the feature said, "Yeah, it was the only way they'd let the App on their store. Weird right? We had to remove it. It's a bit disappointing, and we're expecting some outrage. That's for sure. But hey, it's got ads in it! We are gonna make money one way or another, so who gives a fuck?"

We reached out to Nintendo but were unable to get a statement.

While the apps prohibit messaging matches, they do allow sending  "peach emoji's", "eggplant emoji's", the American flag, and various other emoji's which also indicate someone is about to get fucked. As of the posting of this article, no user's geographical data is available to other users on the app, except for the government of China.

There was a storm of outrage on twitter directed at both the developers and Nintendo:

 

This story is developing...

 

 

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