The Nintendo Switch has risen to enormous popularity thanks to its fantastic exclusive games and hybrid handheld/docked gameplay. But while it‘s easy to share short video clips and screenshots directly from your Switch, recording and streaming longer uninterrupted gameplay requires some additional gear.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to capture, record, edit, and share videos of your Nintendo Switch gaming sessions up to 60fps.
Built-In Capture Features on the Nintendo Switch
The Switch actually has some integrated recording and screenshot capabilities using the small Capture button located below the directional buttons on the left Joy-Con controller.
Taking Screenshots
Simply press the Capture button once while playing a game to immediately save a screenshot.
Recording Video Clips
If you hold down the Capture button for about 3 seconds, your Switch will automatically record the last 30 seconds of gameplay video without any audio.
You‘re limited to capturing 30 second long clips, but you can record multiple times in succession to string longer videos together if needed.
Accessing Your Captured Videos and Screenshots
After you’ve taken some screenshots or recorded short gameplay clips using the Capture button, you’re probably wondering how to view or export them.
It’s easy to manage your captured videos and images right from the Album app on your Switch. Here‘s how:
- From your Switch‘s main Home screen, scroll down and select Album.
- Select either Screenshots or Videos to view your captures.
- Choose a specific video or screenshot to bring up additional options:
- Edit: Trim length of videos or add drawn elements, text, filters to images.
- Delete: Permanently remove the capture.
- Post: Share directly to supported social media accounts you‘ve connected like Twitter or Facebook.
From the Album, you can also choose to transfer screenshots and gameplay clips to a connected smartphone device using the Switch‘s mobile Transfer feature.
But for more advanced editing, longer form videos, or archiving footage, you‘ll want to move your captures to a computer or external storage device.
Now let‘s dive deeper into steps for recording extended, high-quality Nintendo Switch gameplay using standalone video capture cards and streaming gear.
Video Capture Card Models Comparison
If your goal is capturing footage beyond 30 seconds to produce content or live stream, you’ll need an external video capture card or recorder along with software to save and edit the gameplay video on a computer.
There are a few major models tailored to reliably record Nintendo Switch gameplay:
Elgato Game Capture HD60 S+
- Resolution: 1080p 60fps
- Connection: USB 3.0, HDMI in/out
- Software: Elgato Game Capture app
- Price: $179.99
The Elgato HD60 S+ is a compact, external capture card that seamlessly records 1080p HDR10 video from the Switch without lag thanks to its high-speed USB 3.0 data transfer to your computer. It also supports the max frame rate of 60fps offered by the Switch.
The dedicated Windows/Mac software makes it simple to record gameplay, archive footage, or even live stream video directly to YouTube, Twitch and more.
AVerMedia Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus
- Resolution: 1080p 60fps
- Connection: USB 3.0, HDMI in/out
- Software: RECentral
- Price: $149.99
The Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus (LGP2+) from AVerMedia is a highly portable capture card and hardware encoder, making it easier to record Switch games on the move without a computer.
But it still offers uncompressed video passthrough to your TV and laptop via USB 3.0 similar to the Elgato devices. It‘s a great budget option for capture Nintendo Switch footage that doesn‘t require extensive software and streaming features.
Razer Ripsaw HD
- Resolution: 1080p 60fps
- Connection: USB 3.0, HDMI in/out
- Software: Razer Streaming App
- Price: $159.99
Razer targets the streaming and gameplay content creation crowd with the Ripsaw HD. It‘s an easy plug and play capture card supporting 1080p 60fps passthrough from the Nintendo Switch.
While the Razer software may not be as full-featured as Elgato‘s offering, their capture device tends to be cheaper and offers wide compatibility with Open Broadcasting Software (OBS) for advanced video production and streaming needs.
Maximum Nintendo Switch Capture Resolution and Framerate
When shopping for a proper video capture card to record from your Nintendo Switch, it‘s important to understand the direct feed output limitations:
- Maximum Resolution: 1080p
- Maximum Framerate: 60fps
No current Switch games exceed 1920 x 1080 progressive scan resolution or 60 frames per second output.
So spending extra for a 4K passthrough capture card isn‘t necessary, as the Switch‘s max signal will only result in marginally improved 1080p recordings when downsampling a higher input.
Connecting Your Capture Card to Record Switch
Here are the key steps to hooking up an external HD video capture device to record extended gameplay and audio from your Nintendo Switch:
Step 1. Connect Your Capture Card
Connect cables from the input ports on your capture card to the Switch‘s HDMI out port and your television:
- HDMI Cable: Nintendo Switch Dock → Capture Card HDMI In
- HDMI Cable: Capture Card HDMI Out → TV HDMI In
This creates a direct passthrough allowing extended recording while still playing the Switch normally on your TV.
Step 2. Connect Your Capture Hardware to Your Computer
Use a USB cable to connect your computer with the external capture card device. This passes through the HDMI input video from the Switch into software on your computer for processing, recording, and live streaming.
For example, Elgato Game Capture HD60 S+ model connects directly to your computer via SuperSpeed USB 3.0.
At this point you‘ll want to install any required drivers and software packages that accompanied your specific video capture hardware. Popular options include:
- Elgato Game Capture HD
- XSplit
- Open Broadcaster Software (OBS)
- Razer Streaming App
- RECentral by AVerMedia
Step 3. Configure Your Recording and Streaming Software
Launch your capturing software like Elgato Game Capture HD or OBS Studio:
Within your recording software, ensure your USB video capture feed is selected as the primary Source.
Then configure any additional settings like video resolution quality, enable HDR, setup overlays or external streaming platforms.
Step 4. Initiate Your Extended Screen Recording or Stream!
You‘re now ready to record buttery smooth, extended length Nintendo Switch gameplay video for as long as you want while playing on your television.
Simply press record in your software package while playing your Switch games to capture crystal clear 1080p 60fps HDMI input. Be sure to stop the recording when finished with your gameplay session.
Streaming Nintendo Switch Games on Twitch, YouTube and More
With the proper HD video capture solution setup, you can not only record Switch gameplay – but also live stream it in real time at 60fps to popular platforms:
YouTube Live
YouTube Live only requires 1000 subscribers to begin steaming gaming content to a massive potential audience. While not as gaming centric as Twitch, YouTube presents huge revenue opportunities thanks to its 2 billion monthly users.
Recommended Encoder Settings
- 720p or 1080p
- 60fps
- Bitrate 4500-6000kbps
- x264 or NVENC encoder
This presents a balanced compromise between high video quality and manageable stream bandwidth for your viewers.
Twitch
As the world‘s leading live streaming platform focused exclusively on video game content, Twitch offers features tailored specifically to console streamers.
Take advantage of Twitch extensions for overlays and engagement along with Channel Points rewards for subscribers.
Suggested Encoder Guidelines
- 720p60 or 900p60
- Bitrate: 3500-5000kbps
- Keyframe: 2 seconds
- Profile: main
Staying at 60fps is critical for fast motion Nintendo gameplay on Twitch. A lower output resolution helps allocate more bandwidth towards a quality image when gaming at 60fps.
Facebook Gaming
The Facebook Gaming platform competes heavily with Twitch and YouTube for top gaming creators. Take advantage of FB‘s tools for growth including Stars monetization and Loyalty subscriber badges.
Facebook recommends between 3000 – 6000kbps for a 720p 60fps live stream of your Nintendo Switch gaming sessions.
Building The Ultimate Nintendo Switch Streaming Setup
Capturing Nintendo Switch gameplay is one thing, but streaming demands stable computer hardware and quality peripherals to product a polished broadcast:
Starter Streaming Gear
- Nintendo Switch + Capture Card
- Laptop or Desktop PC
- Webcam
- USB Microphone
- Pop Filter
This basic setup allows you to start streaming Switch games on a budget using a solid computer for encoding, average microphone for commentary audio, and webcam for adding your reactions.
Mid-Range Streaming Gear
- Dedicated Streaming PC ($800)
- Green Screen Kit
- Console Stream Deck
- Boom Arm Mic Stand
- Studio Headphones
Here you‘ve invested in gear explicitly for game streaming like a PC built for encoding streams, Stream Deck for overlay shortcuts, and high end mic for professional voiceovers.
Advanced Streaming Gear
- Dual PC Setup ($2000)
- Professional Camera
- Dynamic XLR Microphone
- Custom Overlays
- Commercial Lighting Kit
At the top tier you have an incredibly powerful two computer configuration with the first encoding only the video gameplay feed, while the second handles all streaming operations and overlays using an NDI network video feed.
Getting Approval to Stream Nintendo Games
If you want to stream Switch gameplay legally on platforms like Twitch and monetize it, you’ll need explicit permission from Nintendo through their Creators Program.
Requirements and key details on Nintendo’s policies for streaming their content include:
- Enroll your YouTube or Twitch channel in the Nintendo Creators Program
- Revenue share – Nintendo takes a cut of any channel subscription income
- Family friendly content without mods
- Public display of Nintendo affiliate badge
Review the full guidelines and sign up to apply for the Nintendo Creators Program at the official website below:
https://creators.nintendo.com/
Well hopefully this expanded guide has given you all the tools to perfectly configure software, hardware, and internet connectivity to record stunning gameplay footage and live stream Nintendo Switch content.
Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m happy to help troubleshoot any capture card or streaming issues.
