Switch 2 voice chat system , will require signature paid from 2026. The company linked access to GameChat to the new control button, releasing free use until March 31, 2026. After this period, only Nintendo Switch subscribers (NSO) will have access to the feature. Nintendo herself announced the measure and detailed the plans in an interview by Bill Trinen, Vice President of Product at Nintendo of America, to the Polygon website.
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Exclusive button will depend on online subscription
GameChat will work similar to Discord, allowing voice and video communication between players. Nintendo will integrate GameChat with the console with microphone and camera support - sold separately - and will allow players to share the screen during matches.
Despite being an important novelty for Switch 2, the system will be inactive if the player does not have a NSO signature. The C button, created exclusively for this use, cannot be relocated to another function. This means that without the signature, the control will have an unusable button.
Trinen justified the decision by stating that Gamechat is part of the “full experience” of the new console. According to him, the online service will be essential to access other advantages of the platform, such as remastered old games and free updates for titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
GameCube control has limited use in the new console
Another point that caused frustration among fans was the announcement of restrictions on new GameCube control. Nintendo will allocate the new GameCube control exclusively to Switch Subscribers online, allowing its use only in an initial selection of classic platform titles.
Among the titles already confirmed are The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, Soulcalibur 2 and F-Zero GX. All should receive graphic and performance improvements, but will not be available for those who do not sign the Nintendo service. In addition, the company has restricted access to GameCube games to the Nintendo Switch subscription platform online.
Nintendo will sell the control for $ 64.99 - about $ 400 - with an enhanced vibration system and the C button dedicated to Gamechat as the main differentials. However, restricted use should limit the adoption of the accessory among casual players.
Old consoles and nostalgia in focus
Nintendo's strategy for Switch 2 reinforces the nostalgic appeal, focusing on previous generations content. Gamecube games should be one of the new console's assets, but the cost involved can ward off part of the public. Unlike the thematic controls of NES, SNES and Nintendo 64, which had wider use, the new model will be attached to a few titles.
This decision mainly impacts fans of competitive games like Super Smash Bros Melee, which are still active in the community. Limitation on the use of the accessory can generate resistance, especially considering the price and lack of compatible games in launch.
In addition, the need for signature to access features such as GameChat and Classic Games raises questions about accessibility and cost-effectiveness of Switch 2 for new users.
Nintendo bets on service paid as switch axis 2
Nintendo Switch online has been consolidating itself as a central part of the company's digital strategy. Thus, the signature requirement to access basic console features is another step in this business model.
The promise of exclusive advantages, such as retro games and improvements for titles already released, indicates that the company intends to increase the added value of the service. Nintendo imposed the charge for Gamechat, creating an artificial limitation compared to competitors such as PlayStation and Xbox, which offer similar resources at no additional cost.
