Nintendo Switch 2 GameChat Now Requires Phone Number Verification

The Nintendo Switch 2 introduces a new feature called GameChat, which is integrated into all consoles and highlighted as a pivotal part of the system. To set up GameChat, users must verify their identity by providing a phone number. If your phone number is already linked to your Nintendo Account, you can use that; otherwise, you'll need to enter a new one. Once submitted, Nintendo will send a text message to that number to link your GameChat activity, ensuring responsible use of the feature.

For users under 16, GameChat remains inaccessible until a parent or guardian approves its use through the Parental Controls app on their smart device. The guardian will also need to provide their phone number for verification via text message. According to information found on Nintendo's website, every user with a Nintendo Account will likely need to go through this verification process, even if the Switch 2 console is shared among multiple players. IGN has reached out to Nintendo for further clarification on this policy.

Accessing GameChat is straightforward: simply press the new 'C' button on the Switch 2 controllers during gameplay. This feature allows up to four players to engage in video chat, while up to 24 can join an audio call. To participate in video calls, users can utilize a separately sold camera peripheral to broadcast themselves and stream their gameplay. This marks Nintendo's first foray into such interactive services, having previously trailed behind other console manufacturers in online features.

Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery

View 91 Images

Recent reports from Digital Foundry have shed light on the Nintendo Switch 2's final specifications, raising concerns about the impact of GameChat on system performance. Developers have access to a GameChat testing tool that simulates the feature's impact on the system, including API latency and L3 cache misses. This allows them to test game performance without running active GameChat sessions. The concern is whether GameChat affects the gaming experience when it's active. While it's designed to be within the system's resource allocation, the provision of these testing tools suggests there might be a performance impact that developers need to consider.

Digital Foundry expressed curiosity about the potential effects of GameChat on game performance, highlighting it as a notable area of concern for developers. The full impact won't be known until the Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5. As a reminder, GameChat will be available for free for the first 10 months after the Switch 2's release. Starting April 1, 2026, using GameChat will require a Nintendo Switch Online membership.

In other news, we've recently seen the first look at a Switch 2 game cartridge and heard rumors that Samsung is interested in supplying OLED screens for a potential Switch 2 upgrade.