Nintendo’s recent announcement about the upcoming Switch 2 is stirring quite the conversation. They confirmed that neither Joy-Cons nor Pro Controllers will incorporate Hall effect sensors in their analog sticks. Senior Vice President of Product Development & Publishing, Nate Bihldorff, shared this bit of news in a chat with Nintendo Life. Despite not using Hall effect technology, he assures that these sticks have been meticulously crafted to prioritize durability.
Bihldorff explained, “We’ve rebuilt the Joy-Con 2 controllers from scratch. While they aren’t Hall Effect sticks, they offer a very satisfying feel.” He emphasized Nintendo’s dedication to crafting hardware that enhances user experience, focusing on both the gaming interaction and the longevity of the controllers.
The original Nintendo Switch often struggled with a notorious issue – stick drift. This problem caused analog sticks to move on their own without being touched, leading to numerous class-action lawsuits against Nintendo. Both the main company and Nintendo of America’s leaders have issued apologies and offered free stick replacements over the years.
Hall effect technology in joysticks offers a modern alternative to the traditional potentiometer method. Instead of relying on contact pads that can wear out and cause drift, Hall effect sticks use magnets for movement detection. This tech is increasingly common in third-party controllers and even some fancy PC keyboards. Nintendo’s choice to stick with the older technology raises some eyebrows given this trend.
Bihldorff highlighted that durability was the focus as they developed the Switch 2’s controllers. This sentiment was echoed during a recent developer roundtable with the Switch 2 team. Kouichi Kawamoto, the project lead, pointed out that while the new Pro Controller may look similar to its predecessor, it actually features a whole new design.
Tetsuya Sasaki, who leads the hardware team, talked about Nintendo’s long-term ambition of creating the “ultimate controller.” Although he didn’t confirm if they’ve achieved this with the Switch 2, the move to “smooth-gliding switches” is definitely a significant step they’re proud of.
The ultimate test for Nintendo’s new approach will be time. If the infamous stick drift emerges again, especially within six months, there could be renewed calls for the adoption of Hall effect technology. Until then, keep an eye on our updates as we explore more about the Switch 2, including its advanced DLSS and ray tracing capabilities.
