Latest news with #GameChat
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Here's what a Nintendo superfan says about the new Switch 2
Nintendo's new Switch 2 is already off to a strong start – selling over 3.5 million consoles in just its first four days. I've been testing it out to see what's new and how it compares to the original. The Switch 2 builds on what made the original so popular – portability, flexibility, and a huge library of great games. But it adds a bunch of smart upgrades. First off, the screen is bigger. So is the unit itself – but it's still manageable to hold. The controllers now attach magnetically instead of sliding in, and that in itself is a big improvement. 'On this one it's just like a nice little snap and you're done,' said Nintendo fan Henry Mayhew, who helped me put the Switch 2 through its paces. He bought his console on day one. The dock is redesigned and adds to the system's versatility. You can play on your TV in up to 4K, take it on the go for HD graphics, or prop it up tabletop style. The controllers even work like a mouse now. Buttons feel better, the software runs faster, and graphics, haptics, and sound are all improved. 'The graphics are definitely improved and then it's more engaging to play' said Mayhew. Another big upgrade is game sharing. Downloadable titles now act as virtual game cards, which means you can share them with friends or use them across profiles. 'It's really nice not having the other person to have to have the game for you to be able to play it with them,' Mayhew said. One standout new feature is GameChat. It lets you voice chat while playing, and even plug in a USB-C camera. There's a new 'C' button to activate it. It's free through March 2026, and kids under 16 will need parental controls enabled to use it. 'I mean it's pretty fun…' said Mayhew. The only real downside? Battery life. 'Controllers… those will last you a decade,' said Mayhew. 'But then the battery life on the Switch 2… that only lasts 2–6 hours, and for me personally, it only lasts 3 hours before I have to dock it or plug it in again.' The Switch 2 starts at $450 – or $500 with the new Mario Kart bundled. The next big release? Donkey Kong Bananza, coming mid-July for $70. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Verge
2 days ago
- The Verge
Logitech says all its webcams work with Nintendo Switch 2, save one
If you're looking for a webcam that works with the Nintendo Switch 2's new GameChat mode that lets you video chat with friends and see their faces within games, it looks like the biggest brand in PC accessories is still your best bet. Logitech is the first webcam maker to confirm to The Verge that the vast majority of its cameras work — all of them, in fact, save for the high-end Logitech Brio 4K. 'All of our webcams except Brio 4K work out of the box with Switch 2,' Logitech spokesperson Leila Lewis definitively tells The Verge. When the Nintendo Switch 2 launched three weeks ago, webcam manufacturers had no idea which cameras would be compatible with the new Switch, and some of the best-reviewed cameras simply didn't work. It was a weird mystery, a wild west, and webcam makers had to figure it out on their own. Many didn't even have a Switch 2 to test with, my sources tell me, and had to compete with consumers to buy the fastest-selling game console of all time. Nor did Nintendo provide compatibility guidelines, it seems, as manufacturers like Elgato and Ugreen had to reverse-engineer why their seemingly compatible cameras weren't showing up when they plugged them in. But that mystery now seems to be solved — the answers are not what we expected! — and manufacturers are now seemingly free to update any of their firmware-updatable webcams and make them compatible with the new Switch. Logitech doesn't seem to be promising an update for the Brio 4K. 'Brio 4K is built with the security features of Windows Hello that are not supported on the Switch 2 anyway,' Lewis tells The Verge. But again, all its other webcams reportedly work — which won't be all that surprising to anyone who's been following the webcam saga. When Nintendo and webcam makers weren't originally able to provide lists of working webcams, Redditors crowdsourced their own list, which includes far more working webcams from Logitech than any other manufacturer. A few Redditors say you can even get the Brio 4K working if you want, with a firmware downgrade. Do that at your own risk, though. So far, Elgato and Ugreen have committed to upgrading specific cameras to work with the Nintendo Switch 2. Obsbot has generically confirmed it will do some sort of firmware updates, and Insta360 is still looking into it. Anker is non-committal.
The Verge
2 days ago
- The Verge
Logitech says all its webcams work with Nintendo Switch 2 — save one
If you're looking for a webcam that works with the Nintendo Switch 2's new GameChat mode that lets you video chat with friends and see their faces within games, it looks like the biggest brand in PC accessories is still your best bet. Logitech is the first webcam maker to confirm to The Verge that the vast majority of its cameras work — all of them, in fact, save for the high-end Logitech Brio 4K. 'All of our webcams except Brio 4K work out of the box with Switch 2,' Logitech spokesperson Leila Lewis definitively tells The Verge. When the Nintendo Switch 2 launched three weeks ago, webcam manufacturers had no idea which cameras would be compatible with the new Switch, and some of the best-reviewed cameras simply didn't work. It was a weird mystery, a wild west, and webcam makers had to figure it out on their own. Many didn't even have a Switch 2 to test with, my sources tell me, and had to compete with consumers to buy the fastest-selling game console of all time. Nor did Nintendo provide compatibility guidelines, it seems, as manufacturers like Elgato and Ugreen had to reverse-engineer why their seemingly compatible cameras weren't showing up when they plugged them in. But that mystery now seems to be solved — the answers are not what we expected! — and manufacturers are now seemingly free to update any of their firmware-updatable webcams and make them compatible with the new Switch. Logitech doesn't seem to be promising an update for the Brio 4K. 'Brio 4K is built with the security features of Windows Hello that are not supported on the Switch 2 anyway,' Lewis tells The Verge. But again, all its other webcams reportedly work — which won't be all that surprising to anyone who's been following the webcam saga. When Nintendo and webcam makers weren't originally able to provide lists of working webcams, Redditors crowdsourced their own list, which includes far more working webcams from Logitech than any other manufacturer. A few Redditors say you can even get the Brio 4K working if you want, with a firmware downgrade. Do that at your own risk, though. So far, Elgato and Ugreen have committed to upgrading specific cameras to work with the Nintendo Switch 2. Obsbot has generically confirmed it will do some sort of firmware updates, and Insta360 is still looking into it. Anker is non-committal.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Give the Switch 2 Camera time – I've seen enough to know it's a fun option
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. When Nintendo properly unveiled the Switch 2, just a matter of weeks before the console finally went on sale, it didn't throw that many curveballs our way. After all, months of leaks had already confirmed that this would basically be the Switch, but a little bigger and a lot more powerful. If there was a twist, though, it might have come in the form of the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera, an official accessory that Nintendo's clearly very proud of. It integrates tightly with the new GameChat feature to let you basically video call with your friends while you play, but can also be used by games to offer novel new ways to play and have fun. Or, at least, that's how Nintendo would probably put it. The camera is an oddity, a throwback to the era of PlayStation 2's EyeToy and the Xbox Kinect in some ways, and has had plenty of people questioning it. The reality is that it's not exactly the most necessary of accessories, whichever way you look at it. Still, I've got one for myself, and after using it a little, I've been moderately impressed. Certainly, I now appreciate it enough to imagine some very credible cases where it could be really impressive. For one thing, I played a good few hours of Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour after first setting up my console, and it features a little showcase of the Camera's fidelity. One minigame has you mimicking the extreme facial expressions of an emoji, underlining the way it can track your face and facial features. This shows that this isn't just a simple webcam; still, it's GameChat that confirms why some people might need the camera. Let's be clear, I don't see myself using it very much at all. However, I've always maintained that the only console parents should consider getting for their kids until they're at least teenagers should be the Switch, and now the Switch 2. It's far safer to use, and has a huge library of genuinely great games that aren't violent or scary. Now, it has a way for kids to talk to their friends while playing together, and even to see their faces, without any external or third-party software or hardware needed. That's huge! I'm not going to try to claim that virtual hangouts can be as good for kids as in-person ones, but this feature closes the gap impressively, and the camera is what takes it up a new level. So, if you're a parent or part of a friendship group that plays a lot of Switch together, don't rule it out yet.
Business Insider
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
The Switch 2 is restocking at Walmart tonight — Here's how to score one
Ever since its announcement, gamers everywhere have been excited about the Nintendo Switch 2. It comes as no surprise that the console sold out of pre-orders shortly after release. If you want one of the highly coveted handhelds, you'll need to be prepared, so I've broken down what you need to know about getting one from Walmart's incoming restock tonight. Walmart is officially restocking the Nintendo Switch 2 at 9 p.m. Eastern time today, June 25. Walmart Plus members will have one hour of early access before everyone else. Nintendo Switch 2 $449 Like the original Switch, the Nintendo Switch 2 can be used as a handheld gaming system or connected to your TV at home. This new model has more powerful hardware and supports 4K resolution, HDR, and 120 FPS gaming. View at Walmart Anyone who has dabbled in buying a high-demand item knows that an hour spent waiting equates to an eternity when it comes to scoring an order. For most orders, turning up an hour late is the same as not trying at all. That makes a Walmart Plus membership an essential tool for getting in on tonight's Switch 2 restock — and luckily, there's a free 30-day trial that newcomers can take advantage of for that window. I highly recommend signing up during these hours before the restock if you're really dedicated to getting a console. It's free and may be your only chance to get a Switch 2 anytime soon. It also comes with a slew of other perks that any shopper can enjoy, like free grocery delivery, free shipping, Paramount Plus access, and more. Nintendo Switch 2 first impressions If you're unsure whether you want a new Switch 2, we've already reviewed the console. It feels great and is a clear improvement upon its predecessor without too many unnecessary bells and whistles. While it may not be worth the monetary investment from current Switch owners, newcomers to this generation of Nintendo gaming should definitely consider picking one up instead of the older model. I was lucky enough to score a Switch 2 during the preorder phase, and after some light gaming on it, I've loved the quality-of-life changes the device offers. It feels great in hand, and collaborative gaming is easier than ever with the built-in GameChat features. As a longtime Nintendo gamer, I'm glad I scored one, but due to its very limited amount of exclusive titles right now (literally only Mario Kart World as of writing), I can easily tell my friends to wait for more games to release before feeling any major FOMO.
