One of the new features the Switch 2 offers is support for USB cameras, with some games allowing live in-game video feeds. While you can use any USB camera, Nintendo has released two official options – the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera at £49.99/€59.99 and the Piranha Plant Camera at £33.99/€39.99.

Both differ in specs and appearance. The Piranha Plant Camera is more playful and Nintendo-themed, but we tested its sleeker, more subdued sibling—the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera.

Trendy Minimalism

It’s a stylish black device that wouldn’t look out of place on a desk, shelf, or coffee table. That’s a smart move, as the Piranha Plant version, while colourful and fun, does come across as a bit childish.

Out of the box, you get the camera and a 1.5m cable—nothing more. But to be fair, it’s a USB cam, not a high-end piece of tech.

Nintendo has made camera integration a key part of the Switch 2’s launch, embracing online play more directly than ever. Even die-hard fans would admit online features have never been Nintendo’s strong suit.

Nintendo Switch 2 Camera in box image review

The camera captures at 1080p, though image quality drops noticeably when zoomed in too far. Still, it generally delivers a clean, crisp picture. It feels well-built, nicely weighted, and stands 17cm tall. It’s not bulky, and the metal-style base is cushioned. However, the camera housing itself feels a bit flimsy—one or two knocks could easily damage it.

New Toy

Setup is simple, just a few menu steps. One issue I found was the default view being too zoomed out in my living room. I had to zoom in to frame my head and shoulders, which caused some image muddiness. Eventually, I repositioned the camera and used less zoom for a better balance.

NS2 with accessories cam UBC-C Pro Controller

I tested it with Super Mario Party Jamboree Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, Mario Kart World, and Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, across both GameChat and CameraPlay. GameChat worked as expected—a small circle with my face reacting as I got thrashed in Mario Kart again and again.

CameraPlay was the real highlight. It felt like a modern EyeToy, turning me into the controller and hinting at future possibilities for camera-based gameplay.

The Nintendo Switch 2 Camera is a solid piece of kit. The digital zoom could use improvement, but with a bit of tweaking, you can get a great setup. It’s a welcome addition to the console’s online features and shows promise for future use in CameraPlay.

Is it essential? Not quite, unless you’re big into Mario Party or enjoy chatting with friends online. Still, it’s a slick accessory that rounds out your Switch 2 setup and will likely prove useful sooner rather than later.