Nintendo Switch 2 Will Have Important Accessibility Feature

Summary

GameChat on Switch 2 supports text-to-speech and live subtitles for accessibility.
Live subtitles can transcribe conversations and display them on-screen.
GameChat will be free for Switch 2 users until March 31, 2026, then require a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.

According to Nintendo, the GameChat feature of the upcoming Switch 2 system will support text-to-speech and live subtitles as accessibility options that players can use as needed. A short video was posted that demonstrated how text-to-speech works in GameChat on the Switch 2, along with a follow-up that explained how live subtitles will look on the console.

GameChat is one of the main selling points of the Switch 2. Based on programs like Discord, GameChat will allow groups of friends to host video and audio calls while playing Switch 2 games. GameChat utilizes the built-in microphone on the Switch 2 system and the Pro Controller, and video calls will support any USB-C camera. GameChat can be accessed by pressing the C button on the right Joy-Con 2 Controller or in the middle of the Pro Controller. GameChat will be a free feature for all Switch 2 users until March 31, 2026. After that, GameChat will require an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription to use.

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By Michael Brandon Ingram

Although Nintendo can monitor any GameChat video and audio calls, the feature will also include some accessibility options that players can utilize. As reported by VGC and OatmealDome on social media, GameChat will include text-to-speech and live subtitles as options for players to use during a call. OatmealDome posted a short video that showed how GameChat's text-to-speech can be utilized. After pressing the C button and pulling up the GameChat menu, an option for text-to-speech will appear above the mic and camera options.

GameChat Will Include Text-To-Speech and Live Subtitle Options

[Switch 2] GameChat supports text-to-speech. If enabled, you can type in text and the system will read it for you. While not explicitly confirmed, USB keyboards should be supported too (the Switch 1 already supports them for text input). — OatmealDome (@oatmealdome.bsky.social) 2025-05-16T15:49:03.5157015Z

Following that, a keyboard in the user's language will appear on the screen, which can then be used to type a message to be transcribed by the system, such as a statement or a question. The Switch 2 will then read out the question in the system's language, though it is not known how many voices will be included. In a follow-up post, OatmealDome stated that GameChat will also include live, automatically generated subtitles that can transcribe what each user says and display it on the right side.

[Switch 2] GameChat supports live subtitles. The system can transcribe what everyone is saying and display it in a "chat box" on screen. — OatmealDome (@oatmealdome.bsky.social) 2025-05-17T16:00:03.0380394Z

Although it is unclear if the Switch 2 will support USB keyboards like the original Switch does, the text-to-speech option leaves that door open for Nintendo to utilize. This accessibility feature follows a pattern that other gaming giants like Steam have taken toward providing more accessibility options to gamers across the globe.

Though demand for the Switch 2 will test Nintendo's supply, features like GameChat could make multiplayer games more enjoyable for users. It remains to be seen how Nintendo will improve GameChat's accessibility options after the new system launches on June 5.

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