Nintendo Switch 2 GameChat Now Requires Phone Number Verification

Setting up GameChat on the Nintendo Switch 2 requires users to verify their identity by providing a phone number. This feature, integrated into all Nintendo Switch 2 consoles, is highlighted as a significant addition to the new system. When setting up GameChat, users must input a phone number, which Nintendo will use to send a verification text message. This links your GameChat activity directly to that number, so it's essential to use it responsibly.

For users under the age of 16, GameChat is initially blocked. A parent or guardian must enable this feature through the Parental Controls smart device app and provide their own phone number for verification. According to information found on Nintendo's website, it seems that every Nintendo Account user will need to follow this verification process when using a Switch 2, even if the console is shared. IGN has reached out to Nintendo for further confirmation.

To access GameChat, players can press the new 'C' button on the Switch 2 controllers at any time during gameplay. This allows up to four people to participate in a video chat, or up to 24 people to join a group audio call. During a video call, users can use a separately sold camera peripheral to broadcast themselves and stream their gameplay. This marks the first time Nintendo has introduced such a feature, aiming to catch up with other console makers in terms of online services.

Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery

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Recently, Digital Foundry disclosed the final specifications for the Nintendo Switch 2 and noted that GameChat has a significant impact on the console's resources. This has raised concerns among developers. Nintendo offers a GameChat testing tool that simulates the API latency and L3 cache misses experienced by the real-world GameChat system, allowing developers to test their games without needing an active GameChat session.

The question remains whether GameChat affects game performance for the end user. If GameChat resources are allocated within the system's capabilities, it should not make a difference. However, the provision of GameChat emulation tools suggests that there might be some performance impact that developers need to account for. As Digital Foundry stated, "We'll be interested to see how GameChat may (or may not) impact game performance as this does seem to be an area of developer concern." The full impact won't be clear until the Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5.

It's worth noting that GameChat will be free to use for the first 10 months after the Switch 2's release. After March 31, 2026, a Nintendo Switch Online membership will be required to continue using the feature.

This week, we got a glimpse of a Switch 2 game cartridge and heard rumors that Samsung might be interested in supplying OLED screens for a potential Switch 2 upgrade.