Bluetooth audio 'impossible' with Nintendo Switch

Today in disappointing news from Nintendo, we learned that the Nintendo Switch is not compatible with wireless Bluetooth headsets.

[rjason12]

That's really dumb, Ian it too much to ask for a jack on the pro controller?

[DJ]

Agreed, it would have been simple to include. I use the jack on my PS4 controller all the time to play games and watch movies with my noise cancelling headphones. It's absolute bliss.

[EddieNX]

No, it Iant... And Ian would know...

[G20WLY]

He's making a fair point, but sure, ignore it and focus on a typo...that's worthwhile.

It makes no sense not to have this feature. Some systems have had this for years now and it seems to be a negligible cost, so..?

[Sono421]

lol G20WLY that's EddieNX you're talking to... of course he won't acknowledge a valid point. The Switch could cost the same price as the PS4 and Xbox one with an online service that only rivals services from over 10 years ago and even weaker specs than the Xbox one and PS4 with the only one gimmick of being able to play nintendo games on the go (which you could already do with a 3ds). With severely overpriced peripherals and almost neceserary other purchases such as a battery pack, more storage, Ethernet port adapter(WTF) and a pro controller. And he would still defend it to his dying breath (of the wild) ;) oh wait... that's sadly a reality.. not to mention the fact that you need to do voice chat over your smart device.. yeah... revolutionary.

I don't see how people expect the switch to sell more than the Wii U when it is the Wii U on the go.. another Nitnendo games only console. Well except it's actually a handheld.. but you know.

[CannonB8]

Deleed

[XStation4pio_Pro]

It is dumb. Having both Bluetooth and a jack is fantastic. I have the Sony platinum headset and you literally just turn them on and go. Great for multiplayer due to it's built in mic and sim'd 7.1, great for playing games alone, great for watching movies. Also you can use pretty much any headphones thru the controller, but not having wires is surprisingly liberating.

[Utalkin2me]

@EddieNX

I honestly believe Eddie works for Nintendo.

[NotoriousWhiz]

Maybe they'll go the Xbox one route and include it in the 2nd version of the pro controller.

[3-4-5]

Have to make cuts to cost somewhere to keep it in the $300 range while being as powerful as it is.

[rjason12]

I'm a big ninty fan, prob one of its bigger defenders on this site. But there are just some things that absolutely can not be defended. I mean if it is able to use bluetooth headsets that's one thing (though it's looking like a no) but to not have any option other than using the systems jack is just stupid (similar to the Wii U)

@sono
On another note I personally think this thing is guaranteed to outsell the Wii U. The Switch has had more advertisements and buzz about it (before it is even released) then the Wii U had in its entire lifetime.

[Tetsujin]

WOW! I hope in the future there's some support for Bluetooth, even if it's just for audio and not chat.

[jaymacx]

you can use this ... not really a big deal... https://www.amazon.com/Mpow...

[dubal-e]

I think you could buy one of these

http://m.ebay.com/itm/3-5mm...

[PainUzumaki]

Yea im definitely not buying this thing

[porkChop]

The other platforms don't support Bluetooth headsets either, so this is hardly a dealbreaker. I'm guessing the reasoning is due to the audio lag that usually comes with Bluetooth. Bluetooth is fine for phone calls and music, but the lag in game audio would make games unplayable.

I am curious why the Switch has Bluetooth 4.2 though, when the joy-cons only support Bluetooth 3.0. If 4.2 isn't being used for headphones, then what is it being used for?

[KeeseToast]

"Bluetooth is fine for phone calls and music, but the lag in game audio would make games unplayable."

No, just no. This is such a bunch of BS. Bluetooth Headsets are fine for gaming and even the Vita supports them. There is no excuse for Nintendo not including even the simplest features, so stop trying to defend everything. If you don't care about those features, fine theres nothing wrong with that, but people nare definitely not asking for too much.

[Knushwood Butt]

@ Keese

For sure. I use Bluetooth audio with my Vita and there is no issue.

[Vegamyster]

KeeseToast

The only reason i can think of is the joycon controllers, they each have there own bluetooth signal so a 3rd one might interfere with the connection too much.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

Anything wireless has some amount of lag, even if it's not noticable. Unplayable is a very strong word. It sounds like you've never played any multiplayer in your life with a wireless headset.

[porkChop]

@Kwiet

I have a wireless headset, and the lag isn't noticeable. But the only pair of Bluetooth headphones I've used that didn't require a special dongle, and didn't sound like it had more than a second of lag, was like $150+. In competitive games that kind of lag would be an issue for game audio, not chat.

[FallenAngel1984]

@ pork

PS4 does in fact support Bluetooth headsets. Or are you telling me that my using one is just an imagination

[Iceman X]

The PS4 does not support any bluetooth mics at all.

[Liqu1d]

PS4 doesn't support bluetooth audio devices.

[porkChop]

What Bluetooth headset are you using? I don't know why you're getting so many agrees when it is a fact that the PS4 doesn't support Bluetooth headsets or headphones. Go ahead and try to pair a Bluetooth headset with your PS4.

[Liqu1d]

I'm assuming he's taking about headsets with dongles because it is known fact that if you pair a bluetooth audio device you will get a notification telling you that bluetooth audio devices are not supported.

[jaymacx]

any device can use bluetooth as long as it has 3.5 mm jack.. https://www.amazon.com/Mpow...

[KwietStorm_BLM]

I guess it is your imagination because PS4 does not support audio over Bluetooth. But hey PlayStation disagree force is out and about again.

[EddieNX]

Gtfooh

[Summons75]

Bluetooth sounds like crap and eats battery life...but throw a fit see if anyone cares.

[Utalkin2me]

My Bluetooth audio-technica says other wise. And its about portability and not having a bunch of wires and crap. Just another miss from Nintendo, not surprised. And im also not surprised you defending as your normally do.

[Money-Mike]

Corny

[killbillvolume12]

Honestly those who are defending this please read:

Stockholm syndrome is a psychological condition that causes hostages to develop sympathetic sentiments towards their captors, often sharing their opinions and acquiring romantic feelings for them as a survival strategy during captivity. These feelings, resulting from a bond formed between captor and captives during intimate time spent together, are generally considered irrational in light of the danger or risk endured by the victims.

[ShadowKnight]

Thanks for sharing that buddy 👍

[Sono421]

and even after ShadowKnight being shown the error of his ways still chose to be faithful to his captors... i've said it before and i'll say it again.. the only ones Nintendo are hurting is their fanbase. Because you know they will eat up all the crap they put out... hell the LOZ: BOTW guide book was the number one on amazon's best sellers!! WTF! That thing is $40!!! $20 and you could have bought another game!! well I know that's the only worthwhile launch game but still!! and you know they are getting that zelda season pass.. talk about sad, not to mention the countless overpriced switch carrying cases you know they're going to sell when any old strap bag would work just fine. They will buy every Nintendo game that releases because those are the only games worth wild on the system. They will buy the LAN adapter, more storage, battery packs, over priced controllers and even pay for a terrible online service all just to stay loyal to their captors. It's just sad.

[ShadowKnight]

Who said I was going to buy the switch? I might get Zelda for the Wii U😏🤔

[Sono421]

oh.. uh idk... you?

"Can't wait! Gonna put so many hours in this game and the Switch" - ShadowKnight

nice try tho bud

[ShadowKnight]

Humans can always change their mind. One day you'll learn that. I have options. Either way I will be playing Zelda on the Switch or Wi U

[Sono421]

Changed your mind in 2 days? Great man

[Ol_G]

And nobody cared
Its very simple dont buy
Stop raining on people's parade it's an annoying habit to have you're essentially saying people Who dont complain are brainwashed
Not everybody complains about everything you should try that sometimes

[Utalkin2me]

@Ol_G

So people being objective about a new product, is raining on peoples parade? So you're saying people shouldn't criticize the switch and its lack of offerings cause it offends you? I have a tip for you, dont like it. Then stay out of the articles.

[Quetzll]

@Utalkin2me

OP equated Ninty fans to mentally broken victims of Stockholm Syndrome (lol). That's not being objective towards a product, but instead toward individual people. You missed OL_G's point.

I know OP was joking, but I do get what he is saying: some fans will always defend what they like, even if it's irrational.

As a 27yo, lifelong fan of nintendo games, I really super duper hope they don't make me feel like I'm biting the bullet(bill) when I inevitably buy the Switch. Because right now, my balls are sending my brain hazard signals. And once my brain gets those same signals from my butthole, it's time to SWITCH OFF.

[notachance]

damn, should've shared that to xbox fanboys

[jaymacx]

Good info ..make sure you post that on Xbox and PS4 articles to keep things in focus.

There is no excuse not to have bluetooth audio in Switch.

[DualWielding]

Nintendoomed

[badz149]

Nintendumb!

[Einhander1971]

I really don't care about a silly feature like that it's not a deal breaker. I have a gaming chair linked up to my setup can plug headphones In job done. I expect some where down the line that feature will come anyway.

[stuna1]

I guess you're going to be sitting on the airplane in your gaming chair? Or in your car, or maybe on the roof, or even at the basketball court! It is a portable console Afterall.

[Next_gen_2015]

You can just use wired headphones. Who cares?

[MasterCornholio]

Bluetooth headphones seem like a good match with a portable. I know with my Vita I used them all the time and it was great gaming on the go without having to worry about cables.

[tigertron]

The more I hear about this console, the less it makes me want to buy it. =/

[demonicale]

That's why i pre-ordered,cancelled,pre-orde red and have now cancelled. If i'm being this in decisive i reckon i should pass on it for now.

[tigertron]

Smart thing, if you ever find yourself questioning yourself about making a purchase, then perhaps you shouldn't be buying it, or maybe just waiting for a price drop (like me).

[akaFullMetal]

Sucks that it doesn't support bluetooth and the people saying just buy an addon, well that is really starting to add up and be expensive. Switch having only 2.5 hour battery life on the go when playing games, just buy and external battery charger, for Bluetooth just buy another add on, I mean how much money is this thing going to cost just to play? In the end all this with the switch is getting into the 400-500 range when you add controllers.

[The-rain-maker]

Well Nintendo I think I will Stay

[GNCFLYER]

Umm. I use my gold wireless headset all the time on PS4. If they aren't charged I plug into the controller.

So chat is going to be used with phone. What if I get a call during a game? Actually I won't be taking switch on the go so my android tablet it is.

[KuroKiko]

You guys are silly, it will be sold as a separate add-on.

[Bismarn]

okay but what does this have to do with iPad, Vita, PS2, Arcade, etc based on the Tags?