Voice Chat on the Switch 2 Is a Total Game Changer
I just got my hands on the Nintendo Switch 2, and let me tell you—voice chat on this thing is on a whole new level. Compared to the original Switch, where talking to friends involved clunky workarounds and smartphone apps, the new GameChat feature feels like a breath of fresh air. Nintendo has finally embraced modern online communication, and it shows.
Right out of the box, GameChat is integrated deep into the Switch 2 experience. There’s even a dedicated “C” button on the Joy-Con just for it. Press it, and up pops a clean interface where you can see who’s online, create chat lobbies, or jump into conversations without fumbling with extra devices. It’s so intuitive, and finally—no more juggling apps on your phone while trying to play a game.
During my demo, I tested GameChat with The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords , which now supports online co-op. Having real-time voice chat during a team-based Zelda adventure was incredibly smooth. It wasn’t limited to just that game, though. You can hang out in a lobby with friends regardless of what anyone’s playing. And if you see someone enjoying a game you don’t own, you can head straight to the eShop from the GameChat interface to grab it.
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Visually, GameChat looks a lot like Discord. There’s a main window with your game and a small webcam view of you, plus smaller feeds showing your friends. You can drag and resize windows, mute audio, and even turn off your camera entirely. The Switch 2 supports most USB-C webcams, and while Nintendo’s official 1080p cam worked perfectly for me, it’s great that you don’t need top-tier gear to get in on the action.
The audio quality, while not studio-level, held up well enough. The built-in mic does a decent job at canceling out background noise, though voices can still sound a bit flat. There’s an audio jack in the new Pro Controller, so if you’re picky about sound, a good headset might make a noticeable difference.
And then there are the extra touches—like real-time speech-to-text and text-to-speech tools, which are incredible for accessibility. Nintendo also gets playful with the camera integration. For example, in Mario Kart World , your face can pop up on screen after you land a hit on another racer. It’s silly, sure, but it adds personality—and a little friendly trolling—to multiplayer sessions.
Performance-wise, GameChat didn’t mess with my gameplay at all. I didn’t feel any lag while chatting and playing. Yes, your friends’ game feeds run at lower frame rates, but they’re more for ambiance than constant watching.
Nintendo is even letting you use GameChat for free until next March, after which you’ll need the $19.99/year Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Will it dethrone Discord? Probably not. But having a reliable, built-in voice chat that actually works makes Switch 2 feel like the modern gaming console it always should’ve been.
For anyone who loves playing with friends, GameChat might be the surprise MVP of the Switch 2. You’ll get to try it for yourself when the system launches June 5.
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