Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Straps: A Look Back at Their Legacy and the Future with Switch 2

When the Nintendo Switch first launched worldwide in March 2017, it was celebrated for its transformative hybrid design and innovative Joy-Con controllers.

Among the included accessories was a set of Joy-Con straps—small plastic attachments that slide onto the controller's rails, offering enhanced grip and a wrist strap for security.

For many long-time Nintendo fans, these straps evoked memories of the Wii Remote era, a time when safety reminders were as ubiquitous as sensor bars and wrist lanyards. The Joy-Con strap serves two main purposes: it helps users comfortably access the SL and SR buttons during multiplayer sessions, and it secures the controller to the player’s wrist, preventing accidental drops.

However, despite Nintendo’s attention to user safety, many Switch owners found themselves puzzled or even frustrated by the straps.

It was easy to mistakenly attach them upside down, leading to tense moments prying off a stuck plastic rail—a hiccup that left some users wary.

Many, after an initial misstep, stashed the Joy-Con straps away, untouched in the box ever since. These accessories are a direct legacy of Nintendo's previous experiments with motion controls, most notably during the Wii era.

Back then, controller security was paramount, as countless viral videos captured Wii Remotes flying into television screens during energetic Wii Sports matches.

The design philosophy carried over to the Switch era, with Nintendo taking extra care by bundling Joy-Con straps with every console sold since 2017. Recent images reportedly showcasing the new Joy-Con for the anticipated Switch 2 appear to show a significant design evolution, potentially replacing the physical rail mechanism with a magnetic attachment system.

If realized, this would align with prior reports that Nintendo could streamline accessory design by introducing magnetic Joy-Con attachments—although this shift would present new engineering challenges, such as ensuring sufficient holding force for active gaming sessions. Despite the millions of Joy-Con straps included with the more than 125 million Switch units sold worldwide as of April 2024, industry observers note that actual day-to-day use of these straps among players remains low.

The resource and manufacturing costs involved in producing and bundling these accessories are likely modest, yet at scale, they represent a considerable commitment to user safety and product consistency.

Developers and hardware designers within Nintendo are known for their meticulous approach to user experience, and such decisions are always weighed against safety, utility, and player feedback. With the forthcoming Switch 2 still largely under wraps, the design of its Joy-Con and associated accessories stands as a focal point for both hardware enthusiasts and long-time Nintendo fans.

As the company continues its tradition of innovation, questions remain about which legacy features will be carried forward and what role, if any, the Joy-Con strap will play in the next generation of Nintendo hardware. As anticipation builds for the next Nintendo Direct and official details regarding the Switch 2, one thing is certain: Nintendo’s commitment to user experience and safety, even in seemingly minor hardware choices, continues to define its approach to gaming hardware.

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