Nintendo finally pulled back the curtain on the Switch 2's mysterious "C" button during its Switch 2 Direct presentation, revealing its function ties directly into a new communication suite called GameChat. Located under the home button on the right Joy-Con, the C button serves as a dedicated shortcut to initiate voice calls, video chats, and screen sharing among friends.

The new GameChat system effectively brings Discord-like functionality natively to a Nintendo console for the first time. Pressing the C button opens the GameChat menu, allowing players to jump into voice chats using the Switch 2's built-in microphone, even in noisy environments. The feature supports communication between players regardless of whether they're playing the same game, fostering what Nintendo calls a “same-room” experience remotely. Up to 12 players can join a single GameChat session, with four able to share their screens simultaneously.

Beyond voice, GameChat integrates video capabilities through a separate Nintendo Switch 2 Camera accessory, launching alongside the console on June 5. This camera connects to the dock and enables video feeds during chat sessions. Players can also use GameChat to share their game screens with friends in the call, allowing others to watch gameplay or offer advice, as demonstrated with Mario Kart World during the Direct. The C button also functions as a mute toggle for the microphone and can even capture group pictures within the chat interface.

Accessing GameChat will eventually require a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, but Nintendo is offering the feature free for all users until March 31, 2026. This marks a significant upgrade from the original Switch's cumbersome reliance on a separate smartphone app for voice communication, integrating social features directly into the console experience via the convenient C button.