The Nintendo Switch 2 Could Have Built-In Voice Chat

The Nintendo Switch 2 is still surrounded by mystery when it comes to features, but there have been a few rumors, and the latest one revolves around OS-level voice chat.

While it hasn’t been confirmed what Nintendo’s plans are for voice chat on its upcoming console, a recently discovered patent suggests that voice chat capabilities will be integrated into it. Voice chat was possible on the Nintendo Switch, but it wasn’t directly available on the hardware. To use it, you would need to install the Nintendo Switch Online app on your smartphone and then log in with your Nintendo Account. Then, launch the game on your console.

It wasn’t exactly straightforward, and for many, it may have been too tedious to go through with using it. Then again, if you aren’t using apps like Discord, it’s your only real option. With the Nintendo Switch 2, this may be a thing of the past.

Nintendo Switch 2 voice chat could be available directly on the hardware

According to a report by Wccftech, Nintendo published a patent in late February that points to the possibility of OS voice chat. In other words, voice chat that would work at the OS level on the Switch 2 hardware. Without the need for connecting your Nintendo account to a phone app.

The patent more specifically references proximity chat in online games. So, it’s possible that Nintendo has plans to add proximity chat to its first-party titles. This would be in addition to allowing on-device voice chat without the use of an app. This would be a major upgrade for the console and a huge boon for users. As it would be much simpler to chat with friends while playing games.

A new button on the Joy-Con controller might be for voice chat

If Nintendo’s new console does have integrated voice chat, then a new button seen on the Nintendo Switch 2’s Joy-Con controllers might be what activates it. The button in question sits right below the home button on the right controller. It’s worth noting that this is highly speculative. So far, there’s been no confirmation from Nintendo on what features the console has. That includes what this new button on the controller does.

However, Nintendo is set to reveal more about the Switch 2 during a dedicated Nintendo Direct live stream in April. So, it’s possible that integrated voice chat could be revealed at that time. The Nintendo Switch 2 is thought to be releasing sometime in the next few months at a rumored price of $399.99.