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The new Nintendo Switch 2 Star Fox reveal definitely caught me off guard. During my first watch, I couldn't look away from the hyper-realistic and slimy Slippy, but it was the new Game Chat AR Filters that piqued my interest the most.
If you have one of the best Nintendo Switch 2 cameras, you can select from a range of filters and transform yourself into a member of the Starfox team. If you are grabbing one ahead of the June 25 launch date, I beg that you barrel roll yourself away from the Hori Piranha Plant Camera as far as you possibly can.
I can get why picking up the Hori Piranha Plant Switch 2 camera would be enticing. Almost a year into the handheld's lifespan, it still remains the cutest officially licensed camera out there. The first-party option is an uninspired all-black accessory that looks incredibly dull and lifeless compared to the faithful recreation of the Super Mario series baddie.
The mouth of the Piranha Planet opens and closes, and acts as the camera's privacy shutter. It's compatible in handheld mode, and even its base has been given much thought, as it takes on the design of an iconic Warp Pipe. But as great as this camera looks, it can only muster up a measly 480p resolution, which isn't going to cut it when it comes to your future Star Fox Game Chat shenanigans.
To represent just how dodgy the camera quality is, I've provided an example in the image above. I did zoom into the screen, but even in the middle of the day and with the addition of a ring light bouncing off the faces of my partner and I, we still came out as blurry messes that look almost as scary as Falco's bizarre new feather fingers.
Switch 2 Star Fox isn't out yet, so I can't put the camera to its paces to see exactly how it copes with the new Game Chat features, but I can only imagine it's not going to do the job. AR Filters work by using computer algorithms and your camera to detect and map movements of your face, much in the same way that VTubers use for face-tracking. For the best result, you want to have as clear an image quality as you can, and having a better quality Switch 2 camera that can manage at least 1080p will serve you better.
The official first-party Switch 2 camera has a 1080p resolution and is currently $54.99 at Amazon. It won't work in handheld mode unless you have a table to set it out on, but it should at least allow you to transform into the ever-cool Fox McCloud while chatting to your friends via GameChat.
I get that the cute factor and cheap price of Hori's Piranha Plant alternative (which is down to $29.99 at Amazon right now) will be more alluring. However, if you want to get your money's worth, 480p cameras are ones to be avoided. Remember, you don't have to even fork out the $54.99 for the first-party version, as the handheld is compatible with most USB-C cameras, so you spend nothing if you've already got a worthy 1080p webcam lying around.
- View all Nintendo Switch 2 cameras at Amazon
Our guides to the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers, the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express Cards, and the best Nintendo Switch headsets are full of more accessories that can aid you on your upcoming Switch 2 Star Fox adventures.
