Comparison

IGN Entertainment vs Nintendo Switch App

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

IGN Entertainment

Access the latest gaming news, in-depth reviews, gameplay insights, and trailers for games and movies. Log in to bookmark your favorite content for easy access later.

Highlights
  • Browse news and reviews
  • Watch gameplay and trailers
  • Bookmark articles and videos
  • Login with IGN account
  • Simple navigation
Features
Read full description

The official IGN app offers simple navigation to make it easy to quickly browse news, reviews, gameplay, movie trailers, game trailers, and more. Log in with your IGN account to bookmark articles and videos to save the news and reviews you care about, and quickly get back to them.

About

Nintendo Switch App

Enhance your Nintendo Switch online gaming with this companion app. Check friends' online status, add them easily, and access game-specific services. View and share screenshots and videos directly from your system.

Highlights
  • Check friends' online status
  • Add friends via QR code or friend code
  • View and share screenshots/videos
  • Access game-specific services
  • Receive notifications for friend online status
  • Game-specific features for Zelda, Splatoon, Animal Crossing, Smash Bros.
Read full description

The Nintendo Switch App smartphone app enhances your online gameplay experience on the Nintendo Switch™ 2 and Nintendo Switch systems. With this app, you can use friend features and game-specific services for compatible games even when you're not playing! You can also view and share screenshots and videos uploaded from your system. ◆ Check friends' online status You can check whether your friends are online and see what games they're playing. You can also choose to receive a notification in the app when a friend comes online. ◆ Use your smartphone to add friends You can add friends via their friend code or a QR code even when you're not using your system. ◆ View your screenshots and videos You can upload screenshots and videos saved in your Nintendo Switch 2 system's Album to the app, then view, save, and share them. ◆ Access game-specific services You can use these services to view helpful information related to the supported software! You will also have access to a variety of features that will help take your online gameplay experience to the next level. Currently, game-specific services are available for these games:  ・ The Legend of Zelda™: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and The Legend of Zelda™: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition    ・ Get voice guidance to help you reach locations you haven't visited yet    ・ Share schematics and items via QR codes    ...And more!  ・ Splatoon™ 3    ・ View the online status of friends playing the game    ・ View your battle and Salmon Run stats    ・ View upcoming stage schedules    ...And more!  ・ Animal Crossing™: New Horizons    ・ Send custom designs created in Animal Crossing games on the Nintendo 3DS™ system to the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game    ・ Use your smartphone to send messages that appear in-game    ・ Check the online status of users set as Best Friends    ...And more!  ・ Super Smash Bros.™ Ultimate    ・ View posted images and videos    ・ Queue downloads of user-created stages to play them in your game    ・ Get notifications about upcoming events    ...And more!  ・ Splatoon™ 2    ・ Check leaderboards and map schedules    ・ View your battle and Salmon Run stats    ...And more! Important Information: ● Nintendo Account age 13+ required to access some online features, including voice chat. ● Active Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) required to use certain features. ● Nintendo Switch 2 / Nintendo Switch system and compatible software required to use app features. ● Compatible smartphone required. ● Persistent internet connection required. ● Data charges may apply. ● May include advertising. For more information about GameChat, visit support.nintendo.com ◆ Nintendo Switch Online is not available in all countries. Terms apply. Visit nintendo.com/purchase-terms for more information.

Screenshots

IGN Entertainment4 screens
Nintendo Switch App4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: IGN Entertainment at 4.4 against Nintendo Switch App's 3.1. IGN Entertainment also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months) and review sentiment (44% vs 35%). Nintendo Switch App's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. IGN Entertainment sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Nintendo Switch App asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

IGN Entertainment holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 20K and 13K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 44% of IGN Entertainment's written reviews are positive against 35% of Nintendo Switch App's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

IGN Entertainment ships an update every 2 weeks, Nintendo Switch App every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 22, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
IGN Entertainment versus Nintendo Switch App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIGN EntertainmentNintendo Switch App
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (20K ratings) — better3.1 (13K ratings)
Positive reviews43.5% of reviews — better34.7% of reviews
Number of ratings20K — better13K
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank—#120 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size78 MB47 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperIGN Entertainment, Inc.Nintendo Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

IGN Entertainment

All ratings19,762 ratings
Positive84.3%
Neutral4.4%
Negative11.3%
Written reviews1,286 reviews
Positive43.5%
Neutral8.9%
Negative47.5%

Nintendo Switch App

All ratings12,612 ratings
Positive47.9%
Neutral8.7%
Negative43.5%
Written reviews1,489 reviews
Positive34.7%
Neutral13.6%
Negative51.6%

User reviews

IGN Entertainment

From 20K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast app
  • 📰 Good source for news and reviews
  • 🎮 Useful for gamers

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy and crashes frequently
  • 🔋 Drains battery quickly
  • 💤 Slow performance
  • 📺 Excessive ads and auto-playing videos
  • 🔍 Lack of search functionality

Nintendo Switch App

From 13K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Useful for Splatoon 2
  • 👍 Convenient for ACNH
  • 🚀 Information-rich for Splatoon 3

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes on login
  • 🔋 Drains phone battery
  • 👎 Limited game support
  • 👎 Confusing voice chat implementation
  • 👎 Lacks basic features like messaging

Bugs and requests

IGN Entertainment

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Login issues and frequent sign-outs
  • Video playback problems
  • Freezing and crashing
  • Inconsistent UI and layout
  • Content not loading properly

Requested features

5 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Ability to filter and search content
  • Landscape mode support
  • Improved bookmarking and saving functionality
  • Better notification and social features

Nintendo Switch App

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Login issues
  • Infinite loading screens
  • Disconnects during voice chat

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add messaging/invite system
  • Integrate with more games
  • Allow access to eShop and game libraries
  • Improve voice chat quality and functionality
  • Add support for landscape mode on iPad

In-app purchases

1 purchases

IGN Entertainment

One-time1
  • Early Adopter Bonus$0.99
None

Nintendo Switch App

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is IGN Entertainment free?
IGN Entertainment is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Nintendo Switch App free?
Nintendo Switch App is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, IGN Entertainment or Nintendo Switch App?
IGN Entertainment is rated higher. IGN Entertainment averages 4.4 out of 5 from 20K ratings, while Nintendo Switch App averages 3.1 from 13K ratings.
Do IGN Entertainment or Nintendo Switch App have ads?
IGN Entertainment shows ads; Nintendo Switch App does not.
Which is updated more often, IGN Entertainment or Nintendo Switch App?
IGN Entertainment ships an update every 2 weeks, and Nintendo Switch App every 2 months. Most recently, IGN Entertainment was updated on October 22, 2026 and Nintendo Switch App on October 22, 2026.

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