I tested the official Nintendo Switch 2 camera against its Piranha Plant rival – here’s the model I’d buy

If you want to take your GameChat experiences to the next level on Nintendo Switch 2, you’re going to need a USB camera. But which one should you get?

Well, during my time searching for the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories, I’ve been able to get hands on with both the official Nintendo Switch 2 Camera and the Hori Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2. I’ve compared everything from picture quality, through to field of view, and value for money in order to pick a definitive overall winner.

Interested to hear how these two cameras fared? I’ve broken it all down for you below, so let’s get right into this contest!

Nintendo Switch 2 Camera vs Hori Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2: price & specs

Nintendo Switch 2 Camera vs Hori Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2: design

When it comes to looks, these two cameras really couldn’t be any more different! The official Switch 2 camera assumes a slim, sleek build, with the webcam itself sitting atop a flower-like stem, which is attached to a circular metal base.

It’s not the most interesting or exciting design, but its understated all-black appearance complements the Switch 2 console nicely.

Meanwhile, the Hori Piranha Plant camera has a real fun-factor and goes all out on charm. Of course, it’s shaped just like the classic Super Mario baddie, with an eye-catching red head, attachable leaves, and a plant pot to really seal the deal.

It comes with a poseable stem that can be molded to angle the webcam, and the Piranha Plant’s mouth that can be opened or closed to reveal or conceal the camera. It should be noted that the official camera also has a privacy shutter, which is quick and easy to activate or deactivate.

Something else that really sets these cameras apart in the design department is their flexibility… or lack thereof. The Piranha Plant can be used in TV mode by connecting a USB-C cable from its port to your console. But the lil’ Plant can also be removed from its pot, and directly plugged into your Switch 2 console’s USB-C port. That’s ideal if you’re using GameChat while playing in handheld mode, and ensures seamless connectivity, however you play.

There’s also a clip-mount on the plant pot, so if you want to attach the camera to the top of your TV or monitor, you can do so. It won’t fit every screen, but it will undoubtedly be handy for a lot of users.

Unfortunately, Nintendo’s official camera takes a more rigid approach. There’s no mount on this one, and it can’t be taken off its stand. So, if you’re playing in handheld mode, you’ll need a surface nearby to place the camera’s stand on – and then you’ll also have to connect the cam to your console with a USB-C cable. That felt a tad clunky to me.

As much as I appreciate the build quality and neat appearance of Nintendo’s official camera, the sheer flexibility (and adorability) of Hori’s Piranha Plant camera sees it take the cake in this category.

Nintendo Switch 2 Camera vs Hori Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2: performance

Unfortunately, this is an area where Hori’s Piranha Plant begins to wilt. Look, as much as I love its design, performance-wise, it’s pretty disappointing.

“What’s so bad about it?” I hear you cry. Well, the Piranha Plant’s issue is its low resolution, which is just 480p. This is very restrictive indeed and is actually the same quality available on the Nintendo DSi, which came out in 2008. It's also a lot lower than the solid 1080p on offer from Nintendo’s official camera.

Just to see the difference for myself, I decided to hook both cameras up to my Switch 2 and compare the results, and unsurprisingly, the results were as I expected.

Now, don’t get me wrong, the official camera didn’t look stellar or anything. We mentioned in our full review how surroundings can look a tad fuzzy, and in my testing, I also felt that some details – like stubble on my face – didn’t look as defined as I would have liked. Still, though, I looked clear on-screen and my face wasn’t blurred or obscured at any stage.

Moving on to the Piranha Plant, and the restrictions of 480p became all too obvious. My hair blended into one brown blob, with individual strands harder to make out, and details on my clothing were trickier to discern. I was wearing a purple sweater on a bright day, and the Piranha Plant made it appear devoid of saturation, with my face also looking too blurry.

The Piranha Plant cam also really struggled when I was sitting a decent distance from my TV. As I mentioned in my review, it sometimes looked as if my face was melting when sitting a meter away or more. The official camera coped much better in this regard.

It's also worth noting that the official camera has a better field of view – about 110 degrees, compared to the Plant’s 85 degrees. That additional scope is useful for party games, say, where you may want to capture a bunch of players sitting in the same room while playing with GameChat.

Both cameras run at 30fps, and motion seemed consistent on each model. But there can only be one winner when it comes to performance, and that is, of course, Nintendo’s official Switch 2 camera.

Nintendo Switch 2 Camera vs Hori Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2: value

And so we come to the final category: value. This one’s interesting, as although both cameras are intended to serve the same purpose, they’re different in just about every meaningful way.

First, Hori’s Piranha Plant camera. This one’s not going to be a good value buy if you’re looking for good performance during GameChat. The archaic 480p resolution and smaller field of view make it impossible to recommend performance-wise.

Having said that, it is a versatile option, especially as it can be plugged directly into your console in handheld mode. It's also got a seriously eye-catching design, and some Mario fans may want to buy it for that alone – I have to say, it looks pretty neat alongside my extensive amiibo collection!

Its price has seemingly been reduced for good in the US and UK, now standing at $39.99 / £24.99 / AU$64.95. So, if you need a camera that simply functions, and you’re a fan of the design on offer, it could be worth considering.

Nintendo’s official camera is pricier, but for good reason – its picture quality is actually pretty decent, with the wide field of view and strong build quality making it feel more premium.

At $54.99 / £49.99 / AU$69.95, it may feel a little too expensive for many, but you are getting that official branding and quality guarantee. The lack of versatility is disappointing to me, but if I were going to recommend a camera for performance, this would be it.

Another interesting question would be: is it worth buying a Switch 2 camera at all? Well, if you’re not going to be using GameChat or any of the games that support camera capabilities – like Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV, then perhaps not. There aren’t a ton of titles that make use of the camera – at least not yet, which makes a camera feel non-essential.

It's also worth flagging that if you have a PC webcam laying around, it may work with the Switch 2 via USB-A or USB-C – just make sure to try for yourself, as some models are incompatible with the console.

For those looking to get the most out of online multi-player, a Switch 2 camera certainly enhances the experience. If you’re playing Mario Kart World online and want to see your friend’s real-time reaction as you red shell ‘em and overtake on the finish line, then go for it! You’ll also need one to access certain minigames in the aforementioned Switch 2 edition of Super Mario Party Jamboree and content in a small handful of other games.

Ultimately, if you do decide to invest in a Switch 2 camera, I think you get a little more bang for your buck with the official camera, mainly due to its far superior resolution. But the undeniable charm and lower cost of the Piranha Plant ensures its not a total write-off.

Nintendo Switch 2 Camera vs Hori Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2: verdict

So, it may not be a huge surprise if you’ve got this far, but there’s a pretty clear winner in this showdown – the official Nintendo Switch 2 camera.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the look of Hori’s Piranha Plant cam. It has an original, fun design, and its ability to be used seamlessly in TV and handheld mode is a big bonus. As a huge Nintendo fan, the aesthetic alone makes it a cool camera to own.

But performance-wise, it doesn't hold up well. 480p in 2025 (and beyond) simply isn’t good enough – if Hori had even made this 720p, it might’ve been a closer fight. But the official Switch 2 camera has solid 1080p picture quality, an attractive, sleek look, and can capture everyone on your sofa with a wide field of view.

I wish it was a little more flexible, and I’d recommend buying it on sale rather than full price, but if you want a camera for your new console, it’s the better overall choice.

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