GameChat Moves Behind the Paywall
Remember that extra C Button on Switch 2? Nintendo is dangling 100 My Nintendo Platinum Points and new user icons if you press it and open GameChat this month. It’s a tidy nudge at a moment when the feature just slipped behind a subscription.
A year ago, fans obsessed over the C Button’s purpose. Nintendo later confirmed it launches GameChat, a system-level hub that promised voice chat with friends, optional video if you plug in a USB camera, and a shared gameplay feed so others can watch what you’re doing. As announced back then, GameChat would eventually become part of a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership on April 1, 2026. That change is now live.
With the paywall in place, Nintendo is trying to get people to actually use it. The company’s site posts a cheerier-than-usual prompt: “A new mission is buzzing in!” followed by a clear incentive. “Until April 22 at 5:59pm PT, Nintendo Switch Online members can earn 100 My Nintendo Platinum Points by hopping into GameChat, an exclusive feature for the Nintendo Switch 2 system… You’ll then be able to redeem your points for themed icon elements.”
Platinum Points Mission: How It Works
The process is simple. Fire up GameChat from the HOME Menu or hit the C Button on a Joy-Con 2 to launch it directly. If you’ve never opened GameChat, you’ll need to complete its initial setup before you qualify for the reward. Accidentally hitting C instead of Home? You might finally get something out of that muscle memory.
After you complete the mission, there’s one last step. Nintendo’s notice says you must visit the Nintendo Switch Online app on your system within 30 days to collect the Platinum Points. The time-limited mission and the matching icon elements both run through April 22 at 5:59 pm PT.