Switch 2’s GameChat includes a couple of clever features that Nintendo has so far been keeping under wraps: live subtitles and text-to-speech.
GameChat is Nintendo’s major new social feature for Switch 2 that allows for video calling and gameplay sharing, and is accessed via the console’s once-mysterious C button.
Now, videos have showcased how GameChat can transcribe what’s being said in real-time, providing a text-based feed for you to follow. GameChat can read out text you’ve typed out, too.
So far, Nintendo has showcased GameChat using videos of smiling Switch 2 owners sat at home, nattering away to each other. But it’s easy to imagine scenarios where you might want an alternative.
Playing Switch 2 in a quiet room? GameChat’s text-to-speech saves you from annoying anyone else nearby. Live subtitles, meanwhile, mean you can follow the chat even with the sound down, or when you might not have headphones.
Videos shared on social media by prolific Switch leaker OatmealDome show these features in action. As noted here, Switch 1 supports USB keyboards — so it’s likely (though not yet confirmed) Switch 2 will also.
While Nintendo has focused on the video calling function of GameChat so far, these options would allow for a more casual use of the feature (maybe you just don’t want to be on camera in your spare time, after hours of Microsoft Teams calls at work).
GameChat supports up to four people for video calls, and up to 12 people in the same voice chat.
The feature appears to always be available, whatever you’re doing on Switch 2, though this has led to some concern over how its implementation could impact system performance.
Nintendo fans have also criticised the fact that such a central part of the Switch 2 offering — with its own dedicated controller button, no less — will become paywalled as of March 31, 2026. After this point, it will require a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to use.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
