Nintendo’s Switch 2 Joy-Con Will Not Use Hall Effect Sticks

Summary: Nintendo has confirmed that the Switch 2 Joy-Con controllers are not using Hall Effect sticks. The company has also stated that the sticks are more durable and have smoother movement.

Before Nintendo announced the Switch 2, one question that has been on everybody’s mind is whether or not the Joy-Con controllers will use Hall Effect sticks. An understandable thing to wonder about, given the stick drift that ran rampant throughout the world of the original Switch Joy-Con. People were curious if Nintendo made the Switch to a different joystick technology to prevent the same problems.

The answer is apparently yes and no. No, Nintendo is not using Hall Effect sticks in the new Switch 2 Joy-Con. Yes, however, Nintendo has changed the joystick technology. Presumably, at least in part, so the stick drift isn’t an issue like it was with the previous system. Although it’s not clear what other motives Nintendo may have had for updating this tech. Or if it were entirely based on stick drift prevention.

Whatever Nintendo’s reasons are, consumers are likely thinking (and hoping) the same thing. That Nintendo’s new stick technology doesn’t lead to stick drift problems.

Nintendo designed the Switch 2 Joy-Con sticks from the ground up

Here’s where things get a bit interesting. In a response to Nintendo Life, Nintendo’s Nate Bihldorff has confirmed it’s not using Hall Effect sticks in the Switch 2 Joy-Con. Instead, it designed the stick technology from the ground up for the Switch 2. This resulted in the joysticks being bigger and, likely, more comfortable to use. Bihldorff also talks a bit about the new Pro controller. Noting that the joysticks on that are really quiet.

“I don’t know if you tried really whacking the stick around but it really is [quiet]. I’m thinking back to my Smash Brothers days, where you just whack it. [The Switch 2 Pro Controller] is one of the quietest controllers I’ve ever played.” With regard to the new Joy-Con, the new sticks are also more durable with smoother movement, according to Switch 2 Producer Kouichi Kawamoto. Exactly how durable is still unclear but any improvement to the durability is going to be good for users.

Nintendo is still keeping a lid on what the technology is

Although Nintendo has confirmed it’s not using Hall Effect sticks in the new Joy-Con, it isn’t confirming what the technology is. That being said, this is information that Nintendo can’t keep under wraps forever. Someone is eventually going to tear down those Joy-Con controllers to find out what’s under the hood. Nintendo may also end up sharing that information with the public. Is it anything like what 8Bitdo is using in its new version of the Ultimate 2 controller, or something else entirely? Time will tell.