Streaming Nintendo Switch video games over Twitch is one of the most popular activities these days. Gamers from all over the world share their most successful games and successes over the Internet. Some of them do it live, as they play – some others record themselves and post their videos later on. All in all, this activity is suitable to everyone, but it takes a little effort to learn how to stream to Twitch from Nintendo Switch.

The activity is excellent for both beginners and experienced gamers. Professional streamers will end up with dozens of thousands of viewers, so they can actually earn some money out of it. Meanwhile, beginners will gain some reputation and a good audience. However, there is an issue. There is no such thing as a Twitch application for Nintendo Switch. In other words, you will need to overcome this minus in order to stream. What kind of equipment do you need and how do you do it like a pro?

What you need to stream to Twitch from Nintendo Switch

You obviously need a Nintendo Switch first. This is the most important part of the game. Other than that, make sure your computer is good. It makes no difference if you use a classic personal computer or a Mac. However, PCs seem to be a bit more efficient at streaming over the Internet. According to Twitch recommendations, the computer should feature at least 8GB of RAM. You need a bit of speed too. As for the graphics card, it is irrelevant – yet, newer will always be better.

Second, you will need a video game capture device. Apart from your actual computer, this will be the most expensive part in your setup. It is also the most important one, as there is no replacement for it. This part is mandatory in the setup in order to compensate for the lack of a Twitch application for Nintendo Switch. The good news is there are plenty of options out there – again, a quality one is better than a random item.

If you have seen other gamers streaming themselves over the Internet, you have probably noticed already that some of them include a small window with themselves – you can see them talking or perhaps observe their reactions or setup. If you want to show yourself to your audience, you will also require a decent webcam and a good microphone. Each of them has its own purpose – the microphone allows adding some commentary.

Now, you will need a software to connect your Nintendo Switch to Twitch. There are more options out there. Ideally, you should go through a few reviews and get a smooth program. You want the gaming experience to be smooth – latency and lags will ruin the experience for you, but you will also look bad in front of your audience. While you can find a few premium softwares too, many of them are available for free.

Last, but not least, get yourself a Twitch account. The registration takes a few minutes and there are no fees for it. It is totally free.

How to stream to Twitch from Nintendo Switch

Learning how to stream to Twitch from Nintendo Switch does not ask for too much hassle. There are a few steps to follow.

  • Make sure the Nintendo Switch is in its dock. Get the HDMI cable from the television set, then plug it into the capture card – whichever card you chose to buy.
  • Use the USB cable to connect the capture card to your computer. Obviously, most of your things must be close together in a tight setup for this technique to work.
  • Grab another HDMI cable and check out the output HDMI port in the capture card. Hook it up and connect the other end to the television setup. At this point, everything you have should be well connected for your streaming experience.
  • Launch the software you got for the stream. You will have to link it to the Twitch account. Different programs use different settings. Lots of professional gamers rely on OBS Studio, which is available for free. If you choose this software, you will have to go to the settings menu. Go to the streaming part, choose the service menu and you will find a button for Twitch. Once done, OBS will give you a unique number. Make sure you write it down or keep it at hand, as you will need it.
  • During the same step, right click on the OBS application – anywhere on it. A popup window will come up. Choose to add, then go to the video capture device option. You will then have the option to add the capture card.
  • A new window will pop up, and it will show the live game from Nintendo Switch. You can play with it a little – move it around or resize it, depending on your preferences.
  • Once you have everything ready, you can start streaming. If you use OBS Studio, there will be a button to start streaming in the lower right corner.
  • Congratulations. You are live.

Final words

Bottom line, learning how to stream to Twitch from Nintendo Switch is not the most complicated job in the world. Twitch does not have an application for Nintendo Switch, so you will need to improvise. The good news is your improvisation will not affect the streaming experience at all – in fact, lots of gamers rely on this solution to share their experience with others.

There is room for a few changes in this setup and it depends on what kind of tools you use. While each element will affect the experience (such as the power of your computer or the capture card), the software you use is the biggest difference. Different programs come with different settings – ideally, you should go for something free, as they provide the same value.

If anything fails to work, repeat the above steps and make sure everything is hooked up correctly. Going live should be a matter of minutes only.