Nintendo Switch 2 GameChat Camera: 1080p vs Hori's Piranha Plant: 480p

Hori's Nintendo Switch 2 Piranha Plant camera boasts a resolution of just 480p, significantly lower than the 1080p resolution of Nintendo's official Switch 2 camera. The UK My Nintendo Store has confirmed these resolutions, highlighting the stark difference in video quality between the two options.

Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 C Button & Camera Slideshow

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Despite its lower resolution, Hori's Piranha Plant camera, which is officially licensed by Nintendo, comes at a more affordable price than Nintendo's own $49.99 camera. It's worth noting that users have the flexibility to choose between the Nintendo Switch 2 camera accessory or any compatible USB-C camera for their Switch 2. Both cameras are set to launch alongside the Switch 2 on June 5.

The Piranha Plant camera offers unique functionality; the part of the Piranha that houses the webcam can detach from the pot, allowing for direct placement on top of the Switch 2. This feature enhances its portability, a benefit not available with Nintendo's own camera. Additionally, users can close the plant's mouth to obscure the lens, adding a playful element to the device.

Nintendo fans expressed surprise and humor at the Piranha Plant camera's 480p resolution. Reddit user Ramen536Pie questioned, "How do you even make a 480p camera in 2025? That must be harder to do than a 1080p camera." LizardsoftheGhost found it amusing, suggesting, "Maybe they meant to release this back when the Wii U came out." Meanwhile, pokemonfitness1420 pondered if 480p resolution was outdated, stating, "Isn't 480p a crime nowadays?"

During the recent Nintendo Direct, Nintendo unveiled the Switch 2's GameChat functionality, activated by pressing the C button on the new Joy-Con. This feature enables players to watch each other playing the same or different games and, with the help of a camera, even see one another. The built-in microphone is designed to perform reliably across various gaming environments. The C button's chat menu is poised to be a comprehensive multiplayer feature, potentially marking Nintendo's most successful online initiative in years.

For more on the Nintendo Switch 2, check out everything announced during the Nintendo Direct, our exclusive interview with Nintendo of America's Bill Trinen, and the latest updates on how Trump's tariffs might affect the Switch 2's pricing.