Overview of Upcoming Changes to the Nintendo Switch Online App
- The Nintendo Switch Online app will be rebranded as the Nintendo Switch App in late May 2025.
- Expect new features such as Zelda Notes and improved access to Switch 2 gameplay captures.
Nintendo has announced a significant update that includes a rebranding of the Nintendo Switch Online app, which is slated to take place in late May 2025. This mobile application is essential for Switch users, providing various features that enhance their gaming experience. One of its primary uses is facilitating online voice chat for Nintendo Switch 1 players, a feature that is notably lacking in the console’s native system.
With the imminent launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, players can anticipate a new party chat option termed GameChat. Unlike traditional systems, GameChat allows players to interact not only via voice but also by streaming live gameplay. Users who purchase the Switch 2 Camera will even have the opportunity to include themselves in the stream, adding a personal touch to multiplayer experiences. This evolution signifies a marked advancement from the existing limitations of voice chat on the original Switch.
Despite speculation that the arrival of the Switch 2 may render the Nintendo Switch Online app obsolete, Nintendo aims to continue its relevance. The app will retain its voice chat support for Switch 1 titles and maintain additional services even post-Switch 2 launch. As part of the transition, Nintendo will simplify the app’s title to the Nintendo Switch App by late May 2025. Notably, specific details regarding the rationale for this renaming have not been disclosed.
Nintendo Renames Switch Online App
- The rebranding will officially occur in late May 2025, transitioning to the name Nintendo Switch App.
Post-renaming, the Nintendo Switch App will not only sustain its current functionalities but also roll out a suite of new features. A significant addition will be the Zelda Notes service, designed to support players engaging with the Nintendo Switch 2 editions of titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Zelda Notes will introduce in-game achievements, potentially encouraging fans to revisit these classic titles. Furthermore, players will gain access to the last 100 screenshots and video captures made on the Switch 2, vastly improving the convenience of managing gameplay media compared to the original console’s capabilities.
While Nintendo has scaled back its mobile game development, it hasn’t completely exited the mobile space. Alongside the updates to the Nintendo Switch App, the company has recently launched Nintendo Today, a dedicated platform for sharing news and updates about upcoming Nintendo projects. This includes exciting developments, such as the live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda currently under production.