Friendly Gaming Sessions on Nintendo Switch 2 Turninto Chaotic Nightmares due to Overwhelming Companion Play
Revised Article:
Embracing Bedlam: Nintendo's GameChat and the Switch 2
In classic Nintendo style, the new Switch 2 isn't just about gaming; it's about creating a wild, unpredictable experience with its unique online video chat feature, GameChat. This feature lets you watch your friends' gameplay and their mugs right on your own screen, all while you're playing. And boy, does it bring the chaos!
GameChat is a dose of Discord-like functionality for Nintendo's revamped handheld. You can chat with up to a dozen friends using the Switch 2's built-in microphone. So, expect those red shells in Mario Kart World to feel more personal, or enjoy watching your buddy dominate other games in real-time. Up to four streams can run simultaneously, making for an experience that feels like a video call app on steroids.
The Switch 2 Camera is the cherry on top. This 1080p webcam sits on your TV stand, ready to show your face above your game character when playing in certain modes. Unfortunately, you can't move the stream window, but you can zoom in or out to see more of the screen.
In a 40-minute demo, the audio quality wasn't perfect, with a bit of distortion as multiple people talked over each other. However, once the noise settled, voices could be distinguished. The latency and maximum audio range weren't extensively tested. In team games like The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords, the chaos intensified as players smacked each other with swords, sending everyone tumbling.
GameChat's most endearing feature? It displays your face above your character in select games like Mario Kart World and Super Mario Party: Jamboree. So, when your friend gets beaned by a shell, their twisted expression is right there for you to see. Nintendo knows they can get away with hardware limitations as long as the features stay fun.
However, the 1080p webcam doesn't deliver the best image quality. It struggles to separate bodies from backgrounds, and the images can appear jagged on-screen. A better webcam, perhaps one dressed as Lakitu from Super Mario 64, could improve the picture quality.
Nintendo primarily recommends USB-C cameras, but the Switch 2 also supports USB-A webcams in docked mode[4]. You can even use your smartphone as a camera, but this requires additional hardware. When selecting a third-party webcam, check its compatibility using the "Test USB Camera" feature on the Switch 2[1].
See Nintendo Switch 2 at Walmart
See Switch 2+ Mario Kart World Bundle at Walmart
Update 06/06/25 at 11:37 a.m. ET: This post was updated to correct how players can use zoom to capture more or less of their body in GameChat.
The incorporation of GameChat, a Discord-like feature in the Switch 2, transforms the gaming experience by allowing up to a dozen friends to chat using the device's built-in microphone. This, combined with the simultaneous streaming of up to four gameplays, creates animal-like chaos that is akin to a video call app on steroids.
Moreover, the Switch 2 Camera, a 1080p webcam, enhances this chaotic setup by displaying your face above your game character in select games, offering a unique and fun interactive experience. Despite its struggles with image quality, Nintendo's integration of AI-based technology into the webcam brings a new dimension to gaming, making it feel more personal.
