Nintendo Switch 2’s C Button Was A “Very Last-Minute Request”

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As an ardent gaming enthusiast, I must say that during the development process of the much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, a crucial component – the C Button – was incorporated following an urgent and nearly last-second appeal.

The enigmatic C button on the new Joy-Cons for the Nintendo Switch 2 stirred up discussions prior to the Nintendo Direct presentation for the Switch 2, during which it was disclosed that this button is specifically designed for the console’s integrated GameChat functionality resembling Discord. In a collection of developer interviews published on Nintendo’s official website, detailing different facets of the Switch 2’s development, Sumikazu Ono, from Nintendo’s entertainment planning and development department, explained that the C button was added to ensure that the GameChat feature would be user-friendly.

As a gaming enthusiast, I found the constant interruption of having to leave my game, navigate through home screens, search for chat rooms, and then return to my game a tedious process. This frustration sparked the concept of the C button.

According to Ono, a late-stage request was made for an additional feature, which resembles a specific button. This request came up when the hardware design was almost complete, right before the controller’s molds were ready to be created.

According to Ono, it’s expected that GameChat’s user-friendly design and the integrated microphone on the Switch 2 could encourage newcomers to experiment with voice chat for the very first time.

He mentioned that for the feature to continue being popular among users, it was crucial that it be user-friendly. Therefore, they put in considerable effort to make it simple and hassle-free so anyone – whether friend or family – could enjoy using it together.

During the interview, Ono emphasized that GameChat is one of the key elements that will define the Switch 2, explaining that it was developed with the aim of replicating the atmosphere of a “social gathering spot,” such as a college lounge, where individuals can interact not only to play games but also to socialize.

So far, playing Nintendo games online has been about multiple players joining to experience the same title. However, our main goal was to establish an environment where individuals would spontaneously congregate – be it for collaborative gameplay of the same game, engaging in diverse game sessions, or simply watching each other play.

GameChat is accessible without charge until March 2026, although it’ll need a Nintendo Online subscription for usage starting then. This period extends approximately nine months following the launch of Switch 2 in June 2025.

During a prior developer conversation, Nintendo mentioned that the magnetic Joy-Con 2s for the Switch 2 were initially conceived as a concept for the original Switch. However, this plan was put aside after a discussion with the late Nintendo President Satoru Iwata during which he provided feedback on an early prototype.

The sequel to the Nintendo Switch, called the Nintendo Switch 2, is set to be released on June 5 at a price point of $450. Starting April 9, fans can pre-order the Switch 2 and a bundle featuring Mario Kart World. Additionally, during the announcement, Nintendo unveiled several new first-party games that will only be available on the Switch 2, such as Donkey Kong Bonanza and updated versions of popular titles like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

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2025-04-03 22:40