How To Stream Nintendo Switch To Discord (2024)

Ever pulled off a heart-pounding Switch finish that needed to be seen to be believed? Captured hilarious gameplay footage with friends crying from laughter? Or even speedrun Mario Kart tracks so flawlessly that the highlight reel deserves witnessing? Well, why keep these gaming gems all to yourself?! Share the Switch magic through Discord game streaming!

This guide illuminates the exact equipment and apps needed to broadcast Nintendo gameplay directly to all your Discord diehards. We’ll talk you through the required hardware and software setup, discuss optimized broadcast settings, and even drop hot tips for maximizing viewers and cementing your streaming stardom! Let's take a look.

Stuff You'll Need

Before we get to the steps for setup and streaming, let's quickly go over the equipment you'll need:

• A Nintendo Switch console (duh).
• A compatible HDMI capture card (such as the Elgato HD60 S+).
• A stable internet connection (preferably wired).
• A Windows(or macOS) laptop/desktop PC.
• A Discord account.
• HDMI and 3.5mm audio cables.
• A standard USB-microphone or gaming headset with mic.
• Streaming and recording software such as OBS Studio or Streamlabs OBS.

Setting It Up

Once you have all the necessary gear, we can move onto installation and configuration:

First, you're gonna wanna connect your Nintendo Switch dock to the HDMI input on the Elgato capture card. Use another HDMI cable to hook up the passthrough video output from the Elgato (or whatever capture card you're using) to your TV or monitor. This will let you view and play the Switch normally while also capturing video.

Use a 3.5mm audio cable to link Nintendo Switch audio out to the audio Line In port on the capture device. Next, connect the capture card to your streaming PC using the included USB cable. Doing these two things is basically gonna bridge the audio-video transmission between the Switch and your computer. You can also plug any USB microphone (or gaming headset with a mic) directly into an open USB port on your streaming computer if you're doing commentary.

On your Windows PC or Mac, install the Elgato Game Capture software. Open the program and ensure it detects input from the HDMI passthrough. You can then adjust any needed settings like enabling HDR, configuring resolution quality, saving presets, etc.

At the same time, you also need your streaming and production software open and running on the computer. Within those apps, look for options to 'Add' or 'Create New Video Capture Device Sources', and select the connected Elgato Game Capture HD60 S+ card (or whichever card you're using). If everything is set up correctly, you should now see the live feed of your Switch gameplay screen ready for streaming and recording!

Configuring Your Stream Settings

Now that all our apps and devices can “talk” to each other, we can dial in stream quality and performance settings. Now to each their own and everything, but if you're looking for a somewhat standard setup that's gonna work out for you in most scenarios, take a look at this:

• Video bitrate: As a rule of thumb, setting it somewhere between 3500-6000 kbps is optimal. This controls the amount of data transmitted representing your video stream per second measured in kilobits.
• Output resolution: 1280x720 (720p) or 1920x1080 (1080p). Match your target rendering resolution in pixels to common HD resolutions. BUT keep in mind that the higher you go, the more strain you're gonna put on your setup.
• FPS: 30 or 60 frames per second. Oh, and match the FPS to the games you're playing (when possible).
• Keyframe interval: 2 sec or 250 frames should work just fine.

In your OBS/Streamlabs audio mixer panel, enable sound input from your default microphone device and monitor the input levels. Adjust the mic volume in system settings and mic boost in streaming software as needed.

Start out conservative with these settings until you can monitor stream quality and make tweaks according to your taste. It sounds a little complicated, but trust us, once you get the hang of it, it's gonna be pretty much smooth sailing from there.

Streaming To Discord

Alright, with all the gear and apps firing on all cylinders, you're finally ready to stream Nintendo Switch gameplay to Discord!

From your Discord app, enable Go Live on any text channel or DM. Select the streaming software app as your video source instead of a webcam. You'll then see your running stream pop up in that Discord chat. That's it, you're all set!

Here are some quick pro tips when streaming your Switch gameplay in Discord:

• Keep an eye on stream quality and FPS in OBS/Streamlabs.
• Keep checking the chat for any lag or sound complaints.
• Use a Discord-friendly audio setup with console/game audio mixing.
• Make sure your commentary (if you're doing that) is on point.
• Interact with your beloved audience through text and voice chat.

It takes some practice to manage playing while providing an engaging stream. But the most important thing to remember is to have fun with it! By the way, taking requests, doing speedruns, or demonstrating tricks for viewers makes for great streaming content.

Frequently Asked Questions

What internet speeds do I need for streaming Switch games to Discord?

You'll want reliable internet speeds of at least 10 Mbps upload for 720p at 30FPS. You can go higher if you want 1080p uploads as well. Reduce your in-game resolution and stream settings if needed based on your actual upload speed. Making sure you use a wired Ethernet connection to your streaming PC rather than Wi-Fi helps consistency too.

Can I overlay my webcam, mic, alerts and graphics onto my Switch stream?

Absolutely! Software like OBS Studio provides full creative control over your Discord broadcast. You can configure video mixer and audio mixer panels to combine your Switch gameplay footage, webcam video, PC audio sources, and unique graphics like borders and overlays into a professional, polished-looking stream.

Does Discord have any server requirements that I need to follow?

If you're planning to go live on Discord, either your server or your direct messages need to be a boosted server (or you must have Discord Nitro). Also, if you're going down the Nitro route, you'll need a Nitro Classic subscription or higher for broadcasting.