For more information, see our ethics policy. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. With this controller and any set of mic-equipped headphones, you can participate in chatter from friends and opponents in the games listed above that natively support voice chat. It connects via one of the USB-A ports on the side of the Switch dock, and it lets you enjoy gaming on the big screen. If you want to chat while your Switch is docked near the TV, the $25 Faceoff Deluxe+ wired Switch controller by PDP featuring a 3.5mm headphone jack could be useful.
Nintendo now allows multiplayer games to ship with native support for voice chat, even if they aren’t included on Nintendo’s Switch Online app. So check out the section below to see if your current favorite game is included.
A similarly small group of Switch games allow for native voice chat, meaning you don’t need any extra software or hardware other than the headphones you likely already own. Thankfully, this isn’t the only option that Switch players have to voice chat. But there’s a good chance that you’ll be looking for alternatives. If you only want to pop into voice chat during a multiplayer round and leave once it’s over, Nintendo’s app might be just enough to help you get your voice chat fix. What makes the situation worse is that voice chatting through the Switch Online app will drain your phone’s battery, and the audio quality isn’t great. Other consoles can maintain voice chat sessions throughout various menus or other game components, so the fact that Nintendo’s app can’t handle this is disappointing. Frustratingly, voice chat will sometimes end without warning if you exit the match. In my experience, the feature is usually restricted to specific game modes, and it will only be available to use during the match. Initiating voice chat isn’t as simple as booting up one of these games.
Ultimate or Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, you’ll be able to chat with friends by using Nintendo’s Switch Online app on your iOS or Android device. If you’re playing a multiplayer game made by Nintendo, like Smash Bros. Games that offer voice chat via Nintendo’s mobile app We’ll be monitoring Nintendo’s progress in building out voice chat support for the Switch and will add new products as they appear.
What follows is a catalog of the games that allow voice chat as well as the accessories that make it easier. WhatsApp and Discord are simple apps to use if you want to remove the uncertainty of being able to corral your friends, but not everyone wants to rely on outside apps or services. That’s not to say that voice chat isn’t possible it’s just much more limited, and the process differs depending on the multiplayer game that you want to play. This is probably not something you want to hear if you want to talk trash with your friends while settling the score in Super Smash Bros.
Unlike the PS4 or Xbox One, the Nintendo Switch doesn’t make voice chatting easy.