It’s perhaps no surprise that Nintendo opened its Switch 2 Direct with Mario Kart World, a Switch 2-exclusive launch title that’s a sequel to the original Switch’s most popular game. But it was more of a surprise that the Direct’s second segment, instead of focusing on the console’s specs, was all about Nintendo’s Discord-like GameChat system – a system that seems to show that Nintendo is finally catching up with its online services. For playing with your pals, GameChat looks like it could be a lot of fun. You can join a shared call with your buddies and play games together or hang out and share screens of the games you’re playing separately. The Switch 2’s onboard microphone picks up your voice for voice chat, and you can use the Switch 2 Camera accessory, which is designed to sit next to your TV while you play on the couch, to host video chats. Nintendo says other “compatible” USB-C cameras will work, too. Even in Nintendo’s demo video, you can see that the shared screens have lower framerates than your main screen, and the sound quality from the mics seems iffy. But it appears to be a pretty low-fuss way to hang out and play games with your friends that could be a major selling point for the Switch 2 and a Nintendo Switch Online membership. (Though GameChat will be available in an “Open-Access Period” that doesn’t require Nintendo Switch Online through March 31st, 2026.) GameChat is just one of a few smart new things Nintendo is doing with its online services. GameShare, which lets you share a Switch game you have with friends who don’t have it so you can play multiplayer together, works online. (This was another feature Nintendo showed before digging into the Switch 2’s specs.)  The Nintendo Switch Online app is getting some upgrades, too. There’s a new name: just Nintendo Switch App. Nintendo Switch 2 players will also be able to access their most recent 100 screenshots or video captures. And the app will contain a new section called “Zelda Notes” that you can use for help while playing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears for the Kingdom. Nintendo Switch Online is becoming a better deal, too – at least the premium Expansion Pack tier. That more expensive option will let you play Nintendo’s available collection of GameCube games, which will include The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, and will let you access upgraded Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of certain games at no extra cost. Nintendo has so far only said that this benefit applies to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. But an image on a Nintendo website discussing the perk includes an image of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Super Mario Party Jamboree, and Kirby and the Forgotten Land, so it seems like those Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrades, when they’re available, will be eventually included in the Expansion Pack, too. All of these new changes are in addition to the recent launch of the dedicated Nintendo Music app, to which Nintendo is drip-feeding some of its best soundtracks, and the Nintendo Today news app, which it’s already used to break news. It seems like Nintendo is taking its online services more seriously than ever to make its games better and broaden its overall footprint in your life, and all in a very Nintendo way. Let’s just hope that GameChat is actually good. ...read more read less