GameChat
GameChat is a voice and video communication application developed by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch 2 video game system. It is the successor to the voice chat feature on the Nintendo Switch Mobile App that is intended for the Nintendo Switch. Launched on June 5, 2025, alongside the Nintendo Switch 2, it serves as the primary social communication application for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. GameChat received mostly positive reception, with critics comparing the application as a family-friendly alternative to Discord.
| GameChat | |
|---|---|
 | |
 A GameChat chat room showcasing the simultaneous screen-sharing capabilities | |
| Developer | Nintendo |
| Initial release | June 5, 2025 |
| Platform | Nintendo Switch 2 |
| Predecessor | Nintendo Switch App voice chat feature |
| Type | VoIP, screen sharing, video chat |
GameChat[a] is a voice and video communication application developed by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch 2 video game system. It is the successor to the voice chat feature on the Nintendo Switch Mobile App that is intended for the Nintendo Switch. Launched on June 5, 2025, alongside the Nintendo Switch 2, it serves as the primary social communication application for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. GameChat received mostly positive reception, with critics comparing the application as a family-friendly alternative to Discord.
Overview
[edit]
GameChat is a voice chat application that is part of the Nintendo Switch 2 system software. The application can be launched from the HOME Menu or at any time by pressing the "C" button on supported controllers, such as the right Joy-Con 2. Prior to March 31, 2026, GameChat was available for free for users with a Nintendo Account as part of the GameChat Open-Access Period. After that date, the service requires an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription.[1][2]
Before using GameChat, users must go through text message verification with the phone number that is registered to their Nintendo Account.[3] A console that has users under the age of 16 requires parental controls to be set up on the console via the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app. Parents then are able to control what GameChat features children can use, including viewing interaction history and grant approval for camera access.[2]
Features
[edit]- Voice chat: Up to 12 players can join one chat room and use voice chat to communicate with others in the chat room.[1] GameChat has a noise filtering feature to filter out unwanted sounds, allowing users' voices to be heard clearly.[4]
- Video chat: GameChat allows for video chat using a supported webcam, like the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera.[5] Capture cards can also be used in place of a camera, allowing users to connect other devices such as supported Android and iPhone devices.[6][7] Users can also set video chat backgrounds. During a GameChat session, CameraPlay can be used, allowing users to interact with select games with the camera during a game session.[8]
- Screen sharing: Up to 4 players can share their screen simultaneously to others in the chat room, even if they are playing different games.[9] Not all games and applications support screen sharing, as support is determined by the games' developer.[10]
- GameShare over GameChat: GameChat allows users to share supported games via GameShare inside the chat room to play together online, even when users don't own a copy of the game.[11] GameShare has been compared to DS Download Play.[12]
Accessibility features
[edit]- Text-to-speech: Users can type their message on the keyboard and the system can read it out inside the chat room using text-to-speech.[13]
- Speech-to-text: The voice chat can be transcribed to text by the system to produce a chat transcript.[14]
Development and release
[edit]Development of the Nintendo Switch 2 console ramped up in around 2019, where early focus was on improving the consoles' software performance through tech upgrades.[‡ 1] However, the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 interfered with the development of the console, as it forced Nintendo developers to work at home during the lockdowns and shutdowns. To communicate among developers, they used video conferencing systems to check the software that is being worked among the team. However, Nintendo developers expressed frustrations with the software, particularly the limitation of only being able to use screen sharing once at the time, so much so that developers have to have "each person place their game screen in front of their camera instead of their faces." Developers enjoyed the idea, as Switch 2 lead producer Kawamoto said that it felt like they were "in the same place, each bringing our own console to play the game together,"[15] influencing the idea of GameChat. It was later pitched to Nintendo executives as one of the standout features of the console, comparing it to development of Super NES and Nintendo 64 games.[16][‡ 2]
The first demo for GameChat was created in just under six months on a standard Nintendo Switch console with a faster CPU and more RAM, as the Switch 2 wasn't ready back then. Nintendo developers wanted GameChat to feel like a student lounge atmosphere, whey they can gather and mingle around together regardless of what they are playing, creating a new voice chat atmosphere. The Nintendo Switch 2 Camera was later added to the proposal with the atmosphere in mind. When testing the GameChat demo with various existing games, developers felt like that in some games, including single-player ones such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, some developers felt like playing an online game, even though it is not one. The screen sharing feature was implemented as a way to help players show game tips to other players.[‡ 2] Nintendo developers pressured the hardware team to design the Switch 2 with the GameChat ideas in mind for seamless setup and use, such as adding the microphone with built-in chips that have the ability to process sounds, noise filtering, and capabilities for smooth livestreaming.[‡ 3] To make GameChat easier to launch, developers suggested the idea of adding a "C" button to the controller to easily launch GameChat without much effort.[‡ 2] Developers also included privacy and safety features such as the camera shutter and the ability for parents to monitor children's GameChat activity using the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app.[‡ 4]
GameChat was announced in the Nintendo Switch 2's introductory Nintendo Direct on April 2, 2025. showcasing the features of the application, the "C" button, and the interactive CameraPlay features in games such as Mario Kart World and Super Mario Party Jamboree - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV.[1][5] GameChat was released on June 5, 2025, alongside the Switch 2 through a day-one software update.[17] Nintendo made GameChat free until March 31, 2026, as part of the GameChat Open-Access Period, when it later requires a Nintendo Switch Online subscription after that date.[2]
Reception
[edit]GameChat received generally favorable reviews from critics. Wired described GameChat as "the most notable, wholly new feature" of the Switch 2.[18] Many critics compared GameChat to the likes of Discord[19][20][21] and Zoom,[22][23][24] with many calling it more of a family friendly alternative.[25][26] Many reviewers praised the ease of use,[9][26] such as Mashable, calling the inclusion of the "C" button useful, making it "very easy to bop in and out of chat rooms" without needing to return to the HOME Menu.[25] Business Insider felt it was "made for quick, casual multiplayer sessions" rather than specialist communication.[27] Gizmodo described the CameraPlay features in GameChat chaotic, such as allowing users to see players' expressions when getting hit by a blue shell in Mario Kart, calling it "priceless, especially since you no longer have to look away from the screen to witness their agony."[28] Many critics praised the accuracy of the speech-to-text option and its ability to discern specific speakers.[25][29]
Some criticism of GameChat was about requiring a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, leading to the perception of the "C" button locked behind a paywall,[9][30][31] though it is remappable.[32] The screen sharing capabilities was criticized for low framerates and large amounts of compression,[33] with The Verge calling it "choppy and hard to follow."[9]
See also
[edit]- Online video game networks with voice chat functionality
- Wii U Chat
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c Phillips, Tom (May 19, 2025). "Switch 2 GameChat Includes 2 Big Features We've Not Seen Before on a Nintendo Console". IGN. Archived from the original on May 19, 2025. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ a b c Life, Nintendo (May 7, 2025). "Nintendo Switch 2: GameChat Guide - How Does It Work?". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on December 30, 2025. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ Dashiell Wood (May 23, 2025). "Nintendo Switch 2 GameChat will require a mobile number". TechRadar. Archived from the original on December 8, 2025. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ Mauran, Cecily (April 2, 2025). "Nintendo brings Gamechat live chatting to the Switch 2". Mashable. Archived from the original on January 7, 2026. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
- ^ a b "GameChat Linked to Switch 2 C-Button, Webcam announced - News". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on January 7, 2026. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
- ^ Liszewski, Andrew (December 5, 2025). "You can now use Pixel phones as a Switch 2 webcam". The Verge. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
- ^ Hardwick, Tim (June 6, 2025). "Use Your iPhone As a Webcam for Nintendo Switch 2". MacRumors. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
- ^ Stewart, Marcus (June 5, 2025). "Mario Kart World's CameraPlay Lets You Broadcast Your Live Facial Reactions". Game Informer. Archived from the original on January 7, 2026. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
- ^ a b c d Marino, Andru (June 11, 2025). "The Verge tries Nintendo's Switch 2 GameChat". The Verge. Archived from the original on December 13, 2025. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ Colantonio, Giovanni (June 4, 2025). "The Nintendo Switch 2's GameChat has a hidden screen sharing restriction". Digital Trends. Archived from the original on January 7, 2026. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
- ^ Broadwell, Josh (June 5, 2025). "How GameShare and GameChat work with Nintendo Switch 2". Polygon. Archived from the original on January 7, 2026. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
- ^ Lee, Julia (April 2, 2025). "Nintendo's GameShare will let you play with friends using just one game copy". Polygon. Archived from the original on January 7, 2026. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
- ^ Demi Williams (May 20, 2025). "Nintendo Switch 2's GameChat will support more accessibility features like text-to-speech and live subtitles". TechRadar. Archived from the original on January 7, 2026. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
- ^ "Switch 2 Includes These Helpful GameChat Accessibility Features - Report". GameSpot. Archived from the original on January 7, 2026. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
- ^ Patches, Matt (April 6, 2025). "Nintendo built the Switch 2 for the next societal shutdown". Polygon. Archived from the original on December 20, 2025. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
- ^ Daniels, Joelle. "Nintendo Switch 2 – GameChat is Internally Considered a "Defining Feature" of the Console". GamingBolt. Archived from the original on May 25, 2025. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
- ^ Life, Nintendo (June 4, 2025). "Nintendo Switch 2 Day One Update Is Out Now, Here Are The Patch Notes". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on July 18, 2025. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
- ^ Kamen, Matt (June 13, 2025). "Review: Nintendo Switch 2 Is Recognizably Amazing". WIRED. Archived from the original on June 14, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ Cripe, Michael (April 2, 2025). "Nintendo Switch 2 Finally Implements a Real, Normal Voice Chat Feature With Its New C Button". IGN. Archived from the original on January 7, 2026. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
- ^ Tony Polanco (April 2, 2025). "Nintendo Switch 2 unveils GameChat — here's what the C button can do". Tom's Guide. Archived from the original on January 13, 2026. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ Parrish, Ash (April 2, 2025). "Nintendo's Switch 2 'C' button is a Discord-like GameChat feature". The Verge. Archived from the original on April 2, 2025. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ Phil Hayton (June 5, 2025). "Nintendo Switch 2 GameChat explained: how to use the handheld's new social hub". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on January 7, 2026. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
- ^ Wilson, Tom (April 4, 2025). "The Switch 2 Game Chat Function Is Innovative, But Was Announced Too Early". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on June 9, 2025. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ McWhertor, Michael (June 3, 2025). "Nintendo's GameChat isn't revolutionary, but it's a smart addition to Switch 2". Polygon. Archived from the original on January 7, 2026. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
- ^ a b c Perry, Alex (June 3, 2025). "I tried the Switch 2 GameChat feature, and so far I'm impressed". Mashable. Archived from the original on July 24, 2025. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ a b "I Can't Believe How Much Easier Voice Chat Is on the Switch 2". PC Magazine. June 3, 2025. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ Antonelli, William. "Nintendo Switch 2 review: A fun console with tons of potential, but where are the exclusive games?". Business Insider. Archived from the original on June 14, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ Barr, Kyle (June 3, 2025). "GameChat on Nintendo Switch 2 Makes Playing Games with Friends Hectic as Hell". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on November 28, 2025. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ Colantonio, Giovanni (June 10, 2025). "Nintendo Switch 2 review: exactly the upgrade we needed, with a few catches". Digital Trends. Archived from the original on June 13, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ Colp, Tyler (April 8, 2025). "Nintendo confirms you will have to pay to use the Switch 2's C button". Polygon. Archived from the original on December 28, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ Faulkner, Cameron (April 8, 2025). "We need a Joy-Con 2 skin that covers the C button for Switch 2". Polygon. Archived from the original on August 31, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ Rattray, Tim (July 5, 2025). "I Remapped My Switch 2's C Button—You Should Too". How-To Geek. Archived from the original on August 19, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ Orland, Kyle (June 6, 2025). "Our first impressions after 48 hours with the Switch 2". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on August 17, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
Primary sources
In the text, these references are preceded by a double dagger (‡):
- ^ "Ask the Developer Vol. 16: Nintendo Switch 2 — Part 1 - News - Nintendo Official Site". nintendo.com. Archived from the original on April 4, 2025. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
- ^ a b c "Ask the Developer Vol. 17: GameChat — Part 1 - News - Nintendo Official Site". nintendo.com. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
- ^ "Ask the Developer Vol. 17: GameChat — Part 2 - News - Nintendo Official Site". nintendo.com. Archived from the original on July 10, 2025. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
- ^ "Ask the Developer Vol. 17: GameChat — Part 3 - News - Nintendo Official Site". nintendo.com. Archived from the original on July 10, 2025. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
External links
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