Nintendo Switch 2 Cameras

The licensed Nintendo Switch 2 Camera boasts a 1080p resolution lens and connects to the console via USB-C. Tailored with the Switch 2’s GameChat functionality in consideration, the elegant camera showcases an adjustable lens that can be repositioned to various angles. It efficiently captures small spaces with one or two individuals present as well as larger rooms with an expansive view.

This official camera can be engaged through the new C menu button on the Switch 2 Pro Controller, Joy-Con 2, and officially licensed third-party controllers like the Horipad Turbo and PowerA Super Mario-themed controllers. The C button triggers GameChat; however, the visual aspects of the new communication suite remain optional.

With GameChat, it’s possible to converse with friends utilizing the built-in mics of the Switch 2, share your gameplay, and conduct video calls (assuming you possess a camera).

Gameplay attributes reliant on the camera will also be accessible in specific games, including Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV.

Hori’s Piranha Plant Camera serves as an adorable display item for Super Mario enthusiasts. It even features the Switch 2 emblem on the warp pipe. However, there is a significant drawback to this officially sanctioned camera: It is limited to 480p resolution, which is considerably inferior from a technological standpoint compared to the camera produced by Nintendo.

If you desire this primarily as a stylish ornament, it’s noteworthy that the Lego Super Mario Piranha Plant is listed for $48 (was $60) on Amazon.

On the topic of Amazon: The reason Amazon stocks the Piranha Plant Camera is due to it being created by Hori. Amazon continues to offer officially licensed third-party Nintendo accessories, but does not stock first-party items. Hence, the official Switch 2 Camera isn’t available on Amazon.

While Amazon currently has no preorders available for the Piranha Plant Camera, the other

Hori’s camera is currently obtainable at Amazon and Best Buy. Similar to the Piranha Plant Camera, Hori’s mini Switch 2 USB Camera is constrained to a resolution of 480p.

So, what makes this $60 camera preferable to the official one? It may lack the visual appeal of the Piranha Plant Camera, but it boasts its own enticing feature: portability. This compact USB-C camera can function when the Switch 2 is docked, and also in handheld and tabletop configurations. In handheld and tabletop settings, the camera effectively acts as a dongle, giving the appearance of a webcam linked to a laptop. Additionally, it includes a detachable privacy lens cover.

The first-party Nintendo camera also accommodates tabletop and handheld modes, yet it’s evidently less convenient for travel. You would need to either hold it or set it on a level surface, which might be cumbersome in various scenarios. Given its elongated neck, tossing Nintendo’s camera into a backpack probably isn’t advisable.