The Nintendo Switch 2’s backward compatibility has been a major selling point for nostalgic gamers—but a hilariously awkward glitch in Portal 2’s co-op mode proves that reviving old gems isn’t always seamless. Players testing the upcoming console have discovered that the game forcibly activates the microphone indefinitely during split-screen play, turning silent puzzle-solving into an unintended comedy of errors.
The issue surfaced when users booted the critically acclaimed puzzle game via backward compatibility. In co-op mode, the game defaults to microphone-enabled voice chat—a legacy feature from the Wii U version—but fails to let players disable it. Even weirder? The mic stays active during loading screens, cinematic sequences, and even when pausing the game. One player reported their character’s in-game "voice" echoing through menus after their dog barked in the background.
A Reddit thread detailing the bug exploded with anecdotes. "My roommate started snoring off-camera, and GLaDOS roasted me for ‘auditory negligence,’" wrote user PortalMaster42. Others shared workarounds, like muting the mic via system settings or—in true gamer fashion—shoving socks into the controller’s microphone holes.
Why Is This Happening?
Experts suspect the glitch stems from how the Switch 2 handles legacy hardware features. The original Wii U version of Portal 2 used the GamePad’s built-in mic for voice chat, but the Switch lacks dedicated mic hardware. When emulating the Wii U version, the Switch 2 seems to "force" microphone access as a default setting without an off-ramp. Nintendo’s official compatibility guide confirms Portal 2 is playable but lists "audio settings may require adjustment" under known issues—an understatement for a bug that turns your living room into an open-mic night.
Bigger Than Portal
This isn’t just a quirky footnote. It underscores the challenges of backward compatibility in an ecosystem spanning multiple hardware generations. While most Switch 2 titles run flawlessly, Portal 2’s mic glitch reveals how legacy code can collide with modern architecture. Valve patched the Switch port in 2022 to disable mic support entirely, but the Wii U version’s ghost appears to haunt the emulation.
Nintendo hasn’t commented on fixes yet, but the community’s response has been surprisingly upbeat. "It’s annoying, but also kind of amazing," tweeted streamer LenaKitsune. "Now I can blame my failed portals on ‘audio interference.’"
For now, co-op partners might want to invest in a mute button—or embrace the chaos. After all, what’s a test chamber without unintended consequences?
*Update 7/21/2025: Nintendo’s compatibility page notes mic-related issues for 17 legacy titles. Valve has not announced a patch.*
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