Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con Controllers Designed from the Ground Up, But No Hall Effect Joysticks Confirmed

Nintendo has officially lifted the curtain on its next-generation hardware, the Nintendo Switch 2, with a focus on improved control experiences.

Since the launch of the original Nintendo Switch in 2017, stick drift—a recurring issue with the Joy-Con controllers—has led to widespread consumer complaints and several lawsuits.

Many fans have hoped that a significant hardware innovation would finally address this persistent problem in the upcoming console generation. In an exclusive interview, Nintendo of America’s Nate Bihldorff confirmed that while the Switch 2’s Joy-Con controllers have been reimagined from the ground up, they do not utilize Hall Effect joysticks—an advanced technology prized for its resistance to stick drift.

"The Joy-Con 2 controllers have been freshly designed, but they're not equipped with Hall Effect sticks," Bihldorff stated.

He emphasized, however, that the new controllers "feel really good" and offer a substantial improvement in user experience over the original Joy-Con and Pro Controller.

While he did not specifically address the inclusion of Hall Effect technology in the Switch 2 Pro Controller, his comments shifted to highlight other design elements. Bihldorff was particularly enthusiastic about the Pro Controller for Switch 2, drawing a nostalgic comparison to the GameCube controller’s comfortable design.

He remarked that what stood out most was its quiet operation: "The stick on the Pro Controller is especially quiet.

Thinking back to my Super Smash Bros.

days, the Pro Controller is one of the quietest controllers I've ever used." Further details on the Pro Controller improvements were discussed in a recent "Ask the Developer" interview with Nintendo’s production staff.

Producer Kouichi Kawamoto stated, "For the Pro Controller, both the left and right control sticks are significantly quieter.

Even when moved quickly to the edge, they don’t make noise and glide smoothly, earning the nickname 'smooth-gliding sticks' among the team." Senior director Takuhiro Dohta and general manager Tetsuya Sasaki added that Nintendo has been committed to a long-term project to create the "pinnacle of all controllers." However, the executives declined to explicitly say whether the Pro Controller now represents the ultimate in gamepad design for the company. As the gaming community anticipates the global launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025, attention remains fixed on whether the new Joy-Con 2 controllers will deliver the durability and quality users expect.

While Nintendo’s efforts to redesign and refine controller performance are evident, the absence of Hall Effect joystick technology leaves some questions on long-term reliability unanswered. For now, Nintendo fans must wait until release to fully evaluate the improvements introduced with the Nintendo Switch 2's Joy-Con and Pro Controller.

Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con Nintendo Switch Nintendo Pro Controller Switch 2 Switch