The Switch 2 Places Its “C” Button Behind a Paywall

When the Nintendo Switch debuted in 2017, people started daydreaming about what an upgraded model would look like. Nintendo is known for producing creative consoles that redefine gaming, but it took until this year for the Switch 2 to arrive. While everyone’s excited about the more powerful processor and better joy-con functionality, the C button is causing yet another Nintendo paywall controversy.

What’s the C Button?

The Switch 2 C Button is a small button below the right joystick that activates in-game actions for easier gameplay. Pressing it opens quick menus, activates your USB-C Nintendo camera and allows you to join a live GameChat server with up to 11 people on your friends list. The button can even share your screen or give you a tiny box so you can watch your friend’s screen while still playing your game.

Did the Original Switch Have One?

The original Switch model didn’t have a C button, which makes the Switch 2 more appealing. If you wanted to join a voice server during a game, you had to use a platform like Discord. The new button integrates a Discord-like server into your Switch, so you don’t have to leave the world of Nintendo to play games with your friends more easily.

Everything You Should Know About the Paywall Controversy

People might think buying a Switch 2 is the only step to accessing their C buttons, but there’s a catch. Although your new Switch will come with the button, the full GameChat functionality is only available if you pay a monthly Nintendo Switch Online subscription. If you don’t, the button won’t do anything. The subscription will also let you compete in global competitions and get exclusive games, but it’s an additional fee that surprises people.

Gamers feel torn. The idea of paying for another monthly subscription to use a modern service — especially one you bought outright — frustrates people. The Nintendo Switch Online membership ranges between $3.99 monthly for individuals and $79.99 annually for family plans with the expansion pack.

Source: r/NintendoSwitch2

Source: r/NintendoSwitch2

Source: r/NintendoSwitch2

Other people don’t mind the idea. If you’re one of the many people who spend their time playing the more than 4,500 Switch games with friends and family, paying for a simplified voice chat server might not seem terrible. You might also not feel upset if you’re among the 34 million people who already had an NSO subscription last year.

Source: r/NintendoSwitch2

Source: r/nintendo

Why Is There a Paywall?

Paywalls make it easy for companies to make long-term passive revenue from their fan bases. People can choose the subscription that best suits their gaming needs while the company receiving their payment makes extra cash between game releases, console updates and other product creations.

Nintendo is known for increasing prices, sometimes to the detriment of fans. The company recently announced that Switch 2 games will cost $80 each and not have a physical product, like a game cartridge, to show for your payment. If you’ve been a Nintendo fan for years, the price hike is steep compared to the previous $30-$40 for GameBoy and Nintendo DS games. That doesn’t even scratch the surface of the company suing fans who make emulators that generate a larger gamer base.

The brand may also think people will pay for the Switch 2 C Button because paywall practices are more common. Bethesda locked any discounts for the $100 “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle” debut behind the company’s $70 GamePass subscription, which makes “Great Circle” only $35. You’re ultimately paying $105, which isn’t a discount at all.

Xbox even provides Cloud Gaming, which saves your games to the cloud so you can access them through any hardware. Convenience is behind more video game paywalls than ever, so Nintendo’s C button requirements feel like salt in the wound to many.

Nintendo’s Response to the Outrage

Nintendo hasn’t responded to the backlash against the Switch 2 C button subscription requirement. Instead, the company emphasizes that anyone buying the new model will get a free GameChat trial through March 31, 2026. The appeal is that buying your new Switch sooner will maximize how long you can use the GameChat button without paying any extra money.

The company doesn’t respond to fan outrage often, so the silence isn’t a shock. However, Nintendo leaders are also sending a message. Integrating subscription features in future consoles may become the norm. Nintendo stands to make more money that way, especially if they don’t start adding in-game microtransactions like other leading developers that are losing wallet-weary fans quickly.

Potential Other Options

If you really want the Nintendo Switch 2, you don’t have to factor that NSO subscription into your long-term budget. There are other ways to join voice servers. Discord remains a free service where you can enjoy encrypted voice calls over your desktop or the Discord app. GameTree also has a one-tap voice chat that doesn’t charge a dime.

The difference is that none of the current third-party platforms will integrate with your Switch. You can’t program the C button to open them, although creative minds behind jailbreaking previous Nintendo consoles may figure that out eventually.

The C button also activates the Nintendo camera, which you can buy separately. Although you can use any USB-C camera with the Switch 2, you can’t share the feed with a third-party platform. The good news is that options like Discord also have free video calls within their voice servers. You can also use FaceTime or Zoom to hang out on camera while playing Nintendo games with your friends.

Prepare to Pay Extra for the Switch 2 C Button 

However you feel about Nintendo’s GameChat button is likely shared by many other people. If you already pay an NSO subscription, the C button is a great perk. If you don’t want to add another bill to your budget, free alternatives for voice and video calls are widely available. You’ll only have to make peace with the button remaining unused long after your Switch 2 arrives. 

FAQs

What Does the C Button Stand For?

The C button stands for GameChat button. The inspiration comes from the Nintendo 64 and GameCube, which also had C buttons for their cameras. The GameChat button activates a USB-C camera when plugged in, but primarily opens a voice chat menu.

Does the C Button Have a Subscription Fee?

Yes, the C button requires a Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) subscription, which has multiple tiers. The button doesn’t do anything without paying for one of the tiered packages.

What Is the Function of the C Button?

The C button opens a voice chat menu, activates a plugged-in camera and shares screens between players. You can also use it to automatically jump into a voice server with up to 11 people on your friends list.