Skip the Switch 2 Piranha Plant Camera – It’s a Dud

▼ Summary
– The Hori Piranha Plant camera for the Nintendo Switch 2 has appealing design and packaging but performs poorly as a camera.
– Its resolution is only 640×480, making it significantly inferior to the official Nintendo camera’s 1080p quality.
– The camera’s clever design includes a USB-C plug for handheld mode and a privacy cover activated by squeezing the Piranha Plant’s jaws.
– Despite its low resolution being disclosed in marketing, the Hori camera is criticized for prioritizing style over functionality.
– The author recommends avoiding the Hori camera and opting for the official Nintendo camera or a high-quality third-party alternative instead.
Nintendo Switch 2 owners looking for a camera accessory might be tempted by the charming Piranha Plant-shaped option, but this cute peripheral falls far short in performance. While its playful design and clever features initially impress, the actual camera quality makes it hard to recommend.
At first glance, the Hori Piranha Plant camera seems like a winner. The packaging is eye-catching, and the design is undeniably charming. The USB-C connection allows direct plug-in to the Switch 2, making it the only current option optimized for handheld mode. A clever privacy cover, activated by squeezing the plant’s jaws, adds another layer of appeal, even surpassing Nintendo’s official camera in usability.
But the moment you start using it, the flaws become glaringly obvious. The resolution maxes out at a dismal 640×480, a standard that feels outdated by nearly two decades. Colors appear washed out, details are fuzzy, and the narrow field of view struggles to capture more than one person clearly. By comparison, Nintendo’s official 1080p camera delivers crisp, wide-angle shots perfect for group gaming sessions.
The Piranha Plant camera’s specs aren’t hidden, retail listings clearly state its limitations, and it’s slightly cheaper than the official model. But the gap in quality is so vast that the savings hardly justify the purchase. For serious gamers anticipating future camera-based features like GameChat or motion tracking, this accessory simply isn’t up to the task.
While the novelty factor might tempt collectors, anyone planning to actually use a camera with their Switch 2 should steer clear. Opting for Nintendo’s official model or a high-quality third-party alternative ensures better performance and future-proofing. Sometimes, functionality should trump aesthetics, and this is definitely one of those times.
The Piranha Plant camera was purchased for review, proving that even the cutest accessories can disappoint where it counts.
(Source: Eurogamer)