Nintendo Switch 2 owners seeking video chat capabilities are encountering significant compatibility issues with third-party webcams, despite the company’s assurance that users can employ “any compatible USB-C camera” alongside its official $55 camera accessory.
Testing reveals that numerous popular USB-C webcams fail to function with the Switch 2, including highly-rated models like the Logitech Brio 4K, Insta360 Link, and Elgato Facecam MK.2 that typically appear on recommended webcam lists. Ironically, older USB-A cameras such as the Logitech C920 connect and operate without issues.
The compatibility problems persist regardless of connection method. Whether users connect through the Switch’s USB-C ports, the dock’s USB-A ports, adapters, or USB hubs, the same pattern emerges: cameras either work immediately or not at all, with no apparent middle ground.
This situation suggests Nintendo’s statement about USB-C compatibility may be misleading. Rather than supporting standard USB-C cameras broadly, the Switch 2 appears to require specific “Switch 2 compatible” devices, though Nintendo has not clarified this distinction when contacted for comment.
The confusion extends throughout the industry, with no manufacturer providing compatibility lists at launch. Major webcam companies including Logitech, Razer, Microsoft, Anker, Elgato, Dell, Insta360, Obsbot, and Opal have yet to release guidance on which of their products work with Nintendo’s new console.
This lack of official information leaves consumers and media outlets to independently determine compatibility through trial and error. The situation adds another layer of expense and complexity to what Nintendo has already positioned as a more costly gaming ecosystem, with higher console prices, increased game costs, and subscription fees for chat functionality.
Users seeking video chat capabilities may need to wait for comprehensive compatibility testing or stick with Nintendo’s official camera accessory to ensure functionality.
