Nintendo Switch 2 GameChat Now Requires Phone Number Verification

Nintendo Switch 2 introduces GameChat, a built-in video calling feature that's set to enhance your gaming experience. However, to use this feature, you'll need to verify your identity by providing a phone number. If you've already linked a number to your Nintendo Account, you can use that; otherwise, you'll need to enter a new one. Nintendo will send a text message to the number you provide, linking your GameChat activities to it. So, it's important to keep things friendly and respectful!

For users under 16, GameChat will be initially blocked. A parent or guardian must enable it through the Parental Controls smart device app, and they'll need to verify their own phone number via text message. According to Nintendo's website, this verification process seems necessary for every Nintendo Account holder on a Switch 2, even if the console is shared. IGN has reached out to Nintendo for further clarification on this.

To start a GameChat session on the Nintendo Switch 2, simply press the new 'C' button on the console's controllers. This allows up to four people to video chat together or up to 24 to join a group audio call. During a video call, players can use a separately sold camera peripheral to broadcast themselves and stream their gameplay. This marks the first time Nintendo has provided such a service, having historically lagged behind other console makers in online features.

Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery

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Last week, Digital Foundry unveiled the final specifications for the Nintendo Switch 2, highlighting potential concerns about GameChat's impact on system resources. Developers are reportedly worried about this, as Nintendo offers a testing tool that simulates GameChat's effect on system performance, including API latency and L3 cache misses. This tool allows developers to test without active GameChat sessions.

Digital Foundry expressed curiosity about whether GameChat affects game performance for users, suggesting that if GameChat resources are allocated within the system, it shouldn't make a difference. However, the provision of emulation tools hints at some impact that developers need to consider. As Digital Foundry noted, "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." We'll have to wait until the Switch 2's launch on June 5 to see the real-world effects.

Remember, GameChat will be free for the first 10 months after the Switch 2's release. After March 31, 2026, you'll need a Nintendo Switch Online membership to continue using it.

Earlier this week, we had our first detailed look at a Switch 2 game cartridge and heard that Samsung is interested in providing OLED screens for a potential Switch 2 upgrade.