Nintendo Switch 2 will not use Hall Effect joysticks

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It was recently announced that the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con controllers will not incorporate Hall Effect joysticks, as previously speculated. For some time, it was thought that this might be Nintendo’s approach to addressing the ongoing issue of Joy-Con drift, which led to several legal actions against the gaming company. The idea of Joy-Cons connecting to the new console via magnets (a theory later confirmed) sparked conjecture that the joysticks would also employ magnetic technology.

Nintendo confirms its Joy-Cons do not use Hall Effect joysticks

If you’re unfamiliar with the term Hall Effect, it doesn’t refer to a joystick that uses magnets, but rather a type of joystick that employs magnets and electrical conductors to determine its position, distance traveled, and movement while in use. As Windows Central puts it: “A Hall Effect joystick is a joystick that utilizes magnets and electrical conductors to gauge its position and motion.” The unique advantage of these joysticks is their non-contact design, which helps prevent wear and tear that’s common in traditional joysticks, resulting in the elimination of unwanted or unpredictable movements during gameplay, a problem often encountered by those who have owned a Nintendo Switch for some time and experienced stick drift.

In an interview with Nintendo Life, Nintendo’s Senior Vice President of Product Development & Publishing, Nate Bihldorff, stated: “…the Joy-Con 2 controllers have been developed entirely from scratch. They aren’t Hall Effect sticks, but they offer a pleasant feel.” Initially, this might cause some concern about potential drift issues in the Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Cons. However, since they are not using Hall Effect joysticks, it is unclear if this will be an issue. Bihldorff’s comments suggest that with each new piece of hardware, including systems and accessories, Nintendo aims to provide the best possible experience for its customers, focusing on factors such as the immediate feel of the Joy-Cons, their interaction with games, and their durability.

It’s worrisome that Nintendo hasn’t shared their strategy for addressing stick drift on their upcoming console. Yet, it’s hard to imagine them ignoring this problem given its significance with the Switch 1. The Joy-Con drift issue led to legal action and compelled Nintendo to act. In fact, their CEO apologized in 2020 and offered free repairs for affected controllers. To avoid a repeat of that situation, it’s likely we’ll see them announce some new technical measure to combat stick drift. Although they’re not adopting Hall Effect joysticks, it seems unlikely they wouldn’t introduce another preventative change.

It’s probable that we’ll have to wait for consumers to actually own the Switch 2 to assess its durability and the resilience of its new joysticks. Given that many are currently using them as mice, it will be intriguing to observe any impact on their longevity. Furthermore, the high price point of $90 for replacement controllers could pose a challenge. This becomes even more crucial considering fan discontent over the higher-than-anticipated prices of games like Mario Kart World and the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour. In light of these circumstances, Nintendo can’t afford to make any mistakes with the Switch 2 controllers.

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2025-04-08 02:32