Nintendo Confirms That Switch 2 Joy-Cons Will Not Utilize Hall Effect Stick Technology

[T0@st]

Following last week's jam-packed Switch 2 presentation, Nintendo staffers engaged in conversation with media outlets. To the surprise of many, a high level member of the incoming console's design team was quite comfortable with his name-dropping of NVIDIA graphics technologies. Meanwhile, Team Green was tasked with the disclosing of Switch 2's "internal" workings. Attention has turned to the much anticipated-hybrid console's bundled-in detachable Joy-Cons—in the lead up to official unveilings, online debates swirled around potential next-gen controllers being upgraded with Hall Effect joystick modules. Many owners of first-gen Switch systems have expressed frustration regarding faulty Joy-Cons—eventually, Nintendo was coerced into offering free repairs for customers affected by dreaded "stick drift" issues. Unfortunately, it seems that the House of Mario has not opted to outfit its Gen 2.0 Joy-Cons with popular "anti-drift" tech.

As reported by Nintendo Life, Nate Bihldorff—senior vice president of product development and publishing at Nintendo of America—"outright confirmed the exclusion" of Hall Effect. Up until the publication of Nintendo Life's sit down interview, other company representatives have opined that Switch 2's default control system features very "durable feeling" sticks. When asked about the reason behind "new-gen modules (feeling) so different to the original Switch's analog stick," Bihldorff responded with: "well, the Joy-Con 2's controllers have been designed from the ground up. They're not Hall Effect sticks, but they feel really good. Did you experience both the Joy-Con and the Pro Controller?" The interviewer confirmed that they had prior experience with both new models. In response, Bihldorff continued: "so, I like both, but that Pro Controller, for some reason the first time I grabbed it, I was like, 'this feels like a GameCube controller.' I was a GameCube guy. Something about it felt so familiar, but the stick on that especially. I tried to spend a lot of time making sure that it was quiet. I don't know if you tried really whacking the stick around, but it really is (quiet)...(The Switch 2 Pro Controller) is one of the quietest controllers I've ever played." Nintendo will likely not discuss the "ins and outs" of its proprietary stick design, but inevitable independent teardowns of commercial hardware could verify the provenance of underlying mechanisms. Nowadays, hardcore game controller snobs prefer third-party solutions that sport Tunneling Magnetoresistance (TMR) joysticks.



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[ty_ger]

So dumb. Why?

 

[Onasi]

Why the fuck NOT? Do you truly strive to save EVERY penny? It’s not like HE stick modules are even that expensive - they are now easily found on budget controllers. First party console manufacturers and their persistent insistence on shoveling out dogshit default baseline peripherals for their ostensibly “premium” gaming systems never fails to baffle me.

 

[lexluthermiester]

They have their own tech that works effectively. They fixed the drift problem, so why wouldn't they use it? They don't need hall-effect..

 

[KaitouX]

They have their own tech that works effectively. The fixed the drift problem, so why wouldn't they use it? They don't need hall-effect..

I don't see anything that says they fixed the drift issue.

 

[bonehead123]

1. Delayed launch
2. Jacked up price, supposedly due to tarriffs or whatever
3. Now this, more corner cutting to increase their margins.... SOOOOO typical, yet so disappointing

Even if they have their own tech that "works", there is no real reason to skimp out on a feature that practically EVERYONE wants in a nex-gen device, except as stated above....

I'm sooooo glad I don't do gamz, & don't have to deal with this crap

 

[dir_d]

I see no reason for them not to use Hall effect unless they just didn't want to R&D or maybe pay a patent fee, most likely the latter. We will see if this pisses off consumers, if we have drift like in the OG Switch then the only person that wins is Nintendo. You will have to buy a new controller.

 

[yfn_ratchet]

[Translation]: "Uhhh I know $449 is a lot to charge guys and it's gonna be even worse when the Switch 2 launches in the US, but the controllers feel JUST like the Gamecube gais!!!! Believe me!!! Drift? Bah, drift, schift. Feel my controllers! Don't they just feel like latent nostalgia-fueled hype?"

What a crock. Nintendo didn't put Hall Effects in their Joy-Cons because they didn't want to admit defeat to filthy modders and just put the damned sticks in there. The pussyfooting over whether the new Joy-Cons will experience drift in the forseeable future (which is about 5 years, let's be real) is even more insulting. If I'm being cynical, they know the new Joy-Cons will still drift, and they know you'll suck it up and buy a new pair, because the money says so.

 

[lexluthermiester]

I don't see anything that says they fixed the drift issue.

Then you've not been paying attention... for years..

 

[Deleted member 232130]

No gaa-fet litho for the soc (which is supposed to bring 42% more performance)
No InkJet printed oled screen
No TMR joycons

Anyone mentally sane here buying this overpriced piece of abomination?

 

[_roman_]

I highly doubt the build quality. We will see it anyway over the years how well the device is build. We need more e-waste anyway for certain "replaceable" parts.

 

[Bruno_O]

No gaa-fet litho for the soc (which is supposed to bring 42% more performance)
No InkJet printed oled screen
No TMR joycons

Anyone mentally sane here buying this overpriced piece of abomination?

overall performance is around 10x faster when including DLSS, or 4-6x faster when not, so yeah not needed
the LCD is amazing, many first hands own reviewers are saying it's brighter and more vivid than the current Switch OLED, while being HDR10/VRR/120Hz
joycon drift has been fixed for years with their in house tech

I'm very critical of Nintendo, bought / sold Switch 1 after 2 months since the hw was pathetic, but people - like you - are just trying to find reasons to shit on a very decent piece of hardware just because of pricing or no pre-orders in the US. Heck, it's not even expensive, $50 more than the base Steam Deck while being bigger, faster, better screen, etc.

I highly doubt the build quality. We will see it anyway over the years how well the device is build. We need more e-waste anyway for certain "replaceable" parts.

don't, go watch initial hands own reviews on youtube, everyone is saying how amazing the build quality feels on the S2

 

[freeagent]

Thats kind of a bummer. Hopefully it is fixed. I am on my third set of controllers for my switch.. the first two sets drift.

 

[Onasi]

Then you've not been paying attention... for years..

joycon drift has been fixed for years with their in house tech

They haven’t really fixed anything, they SAID they did and started offering replacements for busted Joycons. That’s it. I don’t usually link to Reddit, since it’s a hive of scum and villainy, but there is a banger of a thread with all relevant links documenting the whole sordid affair.

https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/13u0vcj

There is no factual evidence that there is any magical technology from the big N that fixes the issue. That’s because the very design of the classic potentiometers used is inherently flawed and the way to make sure the issue isn’t happening again IS HE or TMR sticks. End of. Not offering them is bogus and I am willing to bet that once there are full tear-downs available it will be obvious that there is no special sauce in the new Joycons at all.

 

[yfn_ratchet]

Heck, it's not even expensive, $50 more than the base Steam Deck while being bigger, faster, better screen, etc.

That's discounting a few things:

• Perf between Steam Deck and Switch 2 is projected to be like-for-like in handheld mode, which is going to be the primary way to play for both systems.
• Associated costs for the Steam Deck are significantly lower; you share your entire Steam library with it OOTB, and multiplayer is, as is with any PC game, largely free. NS2's library is expensive on average, has limited backwards compatibility, and requires a subscription for online services to the tune of $20/yr. Steam also provides Family Sharing, meaning a single household can easily share their combined game library, with caveats.
• You can tinker with your Steam Deck and replacements for individual parts are easy to come by. Storage expansions are also decently affordable a la carte, either as SD cards or expanded NVMe drives.
• Depending on stock, base SD LCD (256GB) is actually $320. The 'Certified Refurbuished' version is covered by the same warranty as brand-new Steam Decks.
• Screen PPI is similar, though technically in favor of the NS2. HDR and 120Hz/VRR is nice, though, I'll give the NS2 that. It remains to be seen how many games tickle the 8.3ms threshold in handheld mode, though.
• Ergonomics on the Steam Deck are unmatched even now. I'll say it. Wider control scheme support, some of the most comfortable grips on the market, and by God's grace, a top-mounted USB-C port before Nintendo 'innovated' with it!

I could be pedantic and say the Steam Deck LCD has also been on the market for 3 years now, but that doesn't make much of a point when there's what is very likely a GA10B-based SoC in the NS2, which is only a year younger.

 

[Deleted member 232130]

but people - like you - are just trying to find reasons to shit on a very decent piece of hardware just because of pricing or no pre-orders in the US.

People like me are just saying the raw truth.

Everyone is jumping on gaa-fet litho to enjoy the greatest performance seen on a silicon mosfet, but not here, because Nintedo says: fuck you!
InkJet printed Oled is already here, but not for switch 2, because Nintedo says: fuck you!
TMR joycon??? seriosly??? FUUUUCK YOOOOOUU !!!
Silicon carbon batteries to make your dindi-dandy playing longer ??? No! because Nintedo says: fuck you!

Have a nice day bro.

 

[Bruno_O]

That's discounting a few things:

• Perf between Steam Deck and Switch 2 is projected to be like-for-like in handheld mode, which is going to be the primary way to play for both systems.
• Associated costs for the Steam Deck are significantly lower; you share your entire Steam library with it OOTB, and multiplayer is, as is with any PC game, largely free. NS2's library is expensive on average, has limited backwards compatibility, and requires a subscription for online services to the tune of $20/yr.
• You can tinker with your Steam Deck and replacements for individual parts are easy to come by. Storage expansions are also decently affordable a la carte, either as SD cards or expanded NVMe drives.
• Depending on stock, base SD LCD (256GB) is actually $320. The 'Certified Refurbuished' version is covered by the same warranty as brand-new Steam Decks.
• Screen PPI is similar, though technically in favor of the NS2. HDR and 120Hz/VRR is nice, though, I'll give the NS2 that. It remains to be seen how many games tickle the 8.3ms threshold in handheld mode, though.
• Ergonomics on the Steam Deck are unmatched even now. I'll say it. Wider control scheme support, some of the most comfortable grips on the market, and by God's grace, a top-mounted USB-C port before Nintendo 'innovated' with it!

I could be pedantic and say the Steam Deck LCD has also been on the market for 3 years now, but that doesn't make much of a point when there's what is very likely a GA10B-based SoC in the NS2, which is only a year younger.

In handled mode, yes, but discounting the 4x bump in performance while docked is disingenuous. Many people play docked only, something you cannot do with the Deck, and by itself worth extra 50.
Yes and no. More expensive in general? Yes. But no one will ever buy a Nintendo console to play 3rd party / steam games. You buy a Nintendo console to play Nintendo games.
You can also expand the S2 storage with new microSD cards. It will be surely easy to replace parts as it is as popular / more popular than the deck.
Ergonomics are entirely subjective.

Yeah, could the S2 be faster / have better hw? For sure. It is not a direct competitor to Deck, all these Windows handled devices are.

Everything needs context, and the context for the S2 are Nintendo consoles - that have had pathetic hw wise since the original Wii (Nintendo gave up after the GameCube). From that perspective, the S2 is a massive jump and a very decent piece of hw, and I hate Nintendo.

 

[Raffles]

No gaa-fet litho for the soc (which is supposed to bring 42% more performance)
No InkJet printed oled screen
No TMR joycons

Anyone mentally sane here buying this overpriced piece of abomination?

lol wtf, this isn't an enthusiast piece of technology, it's a portable game console, relatively affordable, that of course millions of people are going to buy to play Nintendo games.

 

[Deleted member 190956]

Courage.

 

[Deleted member 232130]

lol wtf, this isn't an enthusiast piece of technology, it's a portable game console, relatively affordable, that of course millions of people are going to buy to play Nintendo games.

My dear, if in your life you can't live at least for once without buying any crap around you, then congratulations!
because your parents has failed to raise you in a decent way.

 

[Raffles]

My dear, if in your life you can't live at least for once without buying any crap around you, then congratulations!
because your parents has failed to raise you in a decent way.

What on earth are you talking about? You're deranged.

 

[Deleted member 232130]

What on earth are you talking about? You're deranged.

What else are you ready to tell me just to defend this piece of junk that Nintendo sells you???

 

[lexluthermiester]

No gaa-fet litho for the soc (which is supposed to bring 42% more performance)
No InkJet printed oled screen
No TMR joycons

Anyone mentally sane here buying this overpriced piece of abomination?

Oh goodness! Is it THAT bad? Oh my.. I'll get one ASAFP! Thank you oh wise sage!...

What else are you ready to tell me just to defend this piece of junk that Nintendo sells you???

Just go away and take your silliness with you.

They haven’t really fixed anything, they SAID they did and started offering replacements for busted Joycons. That’s it. I don’t usually link to Reddit, since it’s a hive of scum and villainy, but there is a banger of a thread with all relevant links documenting the whole sordid affair.

https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/13u0vcj

There is no factual evidence that there is any magical technology from the big N that fixes the issue. That’s because the very design of the classic potentiometers used is inherently flawed and the way to make sure the issue isn’t happening again IS HE or TMR sticks. End of. Not offering them is bogus and I am willing to bet that once there are full tear-downs available it will be obvious that there is no special sauce in the new Joycons at all.

Oh gee wiz, a Reddit post.. Lemee just go read that... some day... maybe.

Put another way, got anything other than a reddit post?

 

[Raffles]

What else are you ready to tell me just to defend your piece of junk that Nintendo sells you???

I'm not defending anything. Pertaining to the thread itself, I'm surprised they're not using Hall Effect sticks, given the massive backlash over the original JoyCons.

I'm simply saying you're a retard for acting like this is an enthuastic level piece of tech, where everything should be cutting edge.

It costs £396, less than a mediocre GPU like the upcoming 5060ti, and you expect it to have a cutting edge SOC and screen

If you want a more enthusiast level handheld, something like the Rog Ally X is twice the price, and it can't play Nintendo games.

So you're expecting a bit much for the price - because you're retarded.

Oh goodness! Is it THAT bad? Oh my.. I'll get one ASAFP! Thank you oh wise sage!...


Just go away and take your silliness with you.

He seems like quite the bitter little turd. An astonishing level of saltiness for such trivial reasons

It's possible these extreme sodium levels are because his parents are refusing to buy him one.

 

[Hecate91]

Just because the Switch 2 isn't an "enthusiast" device doesn't mean it needs to be a locked down overpriced toy. At $450 I would expect it to have an OLED display and hall effect joy sticks, having a newer SoC would have been nice as well. But I only would've considered paying that much for a console if it could also work as a streaming box and had a full OS with a browser.