Why change a winning team? With its Nintendo Switch 2, the Kyoto firm offers a direct evolution of its previous console, to which the video game industry owes the return in force of portable platforms. The concept and format of the first switch of the name have already exported to many manufacturers of PC consoles and it is therefore not surprising that Nintendo persists in facing its new competitors on this same field. But then, what does the Switch 2 intend to offer players to convince them to take the plunge?
In addition to much more advanced technical capacities – but whose precise characteristics are still unknown to us – The portable console relies on two new features: mouse mode and gamechat. The simplicity of the first is explanatory (the Joy-Con 2 can serve as mouse as on a PC) but the second was a little less clear despite everything a segment being reserved for him during the Nintendo Direct. Here is a summary of key information concerning the new community tool of the Switch 2.
NintenDiscord
At Xbox and PlayStation, the Discord communication platform is now taking advantage of direct integration to simplify exchanges between players. But would a Nintendo console really be one if it did not offer its own alternatives to popular services? After months of speculation following the different design leaks of the Switch 2, we now know that The new “C” button allows you to access the GameChat menu. This house communication system developed by Nintendo is inspired so strongly with discord that the comparison is far from accidental.
From the interface to the proposed features, the community tool of the Switch 2 has everything of a portable and simplified version of the service prized by the gamers. No third party account application: a simple press of the “C” button is enough to launch a vocal chat session with friends, without even interrupting a game. If the direct first suggested that only a few players could discuss simultaneously, we now know that Up to 12 players can exchange, share their screen or camera at the same time.
The revolutionary microphone of the Switch 2: we ask to see
Always with a goal of simplicity, The new Nintendo console has its own microphone, integrated directly into the body of the console. This one makes the promise of being able Communicate without additional accessory, both in portable mode and in living room mode, thanks to advanced noise reduction technology which automatically filters unwanted sounds, such as playing or other people. When we see the difficulties encountered by certain noise reduction technologies, such as KRISP on Discord, it is difficult to imagine that the micro of the Switch 2 can hold such promises: go in June for the verdict.
The Switch 2 camera
The GameChat feature can however be accompanied by an additional accessory: The Nintendo Switch 2 camera, sold separately at the Price of € 59.99. This connects directly to the console via the additional USB-C port located on the upper part of the machine and allows you to encrust your face in GameChat as in a professional stream … with a quality worthy of the 2000s. Add to this direct integration in certain games such as Super Mario Party Jamboree To remind us of the big hours of the Eyetoy camera on PlayStation 2.
If the price of the camera seems to you a little too high for the quality offered, there is already an official alternative offered by the manufacturer Hori which, in addition to being billed only € 39.99, takes the appearance of a Piranha plant for a small sympathetic effect.
A free service … Not for long
Nintendo Switch 2 players will be able to enjoy the GameChat for free until March 31, 2026. After this date, it will be imperative to subscribe to a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to use this community service. As a reminder, the classic subscription is billed € 19.99 per year, or € 39.99 for the additional formula which contains certain DLCs among other applications such as retro game catalogs. Besides, GameCube games will enter Nintendo Switch 2, finally!
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