Do You Need a Capture Card to Stream on Nintendo Switch?

Many Switch streamers are unsure whether they need a capture card to stream on their console. In this article, I’ll take a closer look at whether you need a capture card to stream on the Nintendo Switch.

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The short answer is yes — you do need a capture card

Don’t be too sad however; getting a capture card set up to stream on the Switch is easy

First, let’s understand what a capture card is. A capture card is a device that enables you to record or stream game play footage from your Nintendo Switch to your computer. It acts as an intermediary device between the Switch and the computer, capturing the game play footage and transmitting it to the computer.

You also need a computer capable of encoding and sending your stream to sites like Twitch and YouTube

Most mid-end laptops and desktops should be more than capable of this. Check out this guide on how to get OBS set-up for streaming

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The next question is what capture card should you get for the nintendo switch?

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If you want a hassle-free, plug and play option for streaming on your Nintendo Switch, I highly recommend the Elgato HD60 X. I recommend it personally as well, because this is the capture card I’ve used myself on Twitch, and have never run into a single issue

However, it is a hefty investment — with a base price of $199.99

If you’d prefer something significantly cheaper, I highly recommend reading this guide on cheaper capture cards for the Switch

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