Nintendo Switch 2 Patent Reveals Innovative Reversible Joy-Con Design

Nintendo has filed a new patent revealing potential design enhancements for its upcoming Switch 2 hardware, signaling the company's continued push for versatile and user-friendly gaming devices.

According to official documents published on Patentscope and first highlighted by Video Games Chronicle (VGC), the patent describes a major update to the Nintendo Switch’s iconic Joy-Con controllers.

The patent drawings demonstrate that, unlike the original Nintendo Switch controllers, the new Joy-Con system is designed to be fully reversible.

Thanks to a magnetic connection technology, players could attach Joy-Cons to either side of the Switch 2 console, meaning the device can be flipped 180 degrees based on user preferences.

This flexibility marks a notable hardware evolution, since the original Joy-Con design only permitted one specific orientation.

Attempting the reverse setup on existing models would cause the controllers to face backward, which is far from ideal for gameplay. One of the practical implications of this new design is the ability for users to choose the orientation of core console features.

For instance, flipping the Nintendo Switch 2 upside down would swap the position of the single headphone jack, power button, volume controls, and cartridge slot, theoretically catering to user comfort and different play environments.

Such adaptability could address feedback from long-term Switch players seeking more ergonomic options. The documentation also highlights an intriguing addition: the presence of a USB slot integrated into both the top and bottom of the device.

The bottom USB port is expected to enable the standard TV dock functionality, familiar to current Nintendo Switch players.

However, the top USB slot, positioned slightly off-center, raises questions regarding docking possibilities or future unknown peripherals.

While the actual function of this new USB slot is yet to be confirmed by Nintendo, industry watchers note that its placement could limit upside-down docking, though users may still connect using a Pro Controller or remove the Joy-Cons as desired. As with all patents, these innovative features remain unconfirmed until Nintendo officially unveils the Switch 2.

While the magnetic Joy-Con system and reversible handheld design seem likely given their inclusion in official patent filings, fans and industry experts should await further announcements from Nintendo.

The company's next major hardware reveal is expected to address these and other advancements, building anticipation across the gaming world. The original Nintendo Switch, released in March 2017, saw worldwide acclaim for its hybrid design and innovative Joy-Con controllers, contributing to over 125 million lifetime unit sales worldwide and numerous gaming awards.

Nintendo's ongoing commitment to hardware innovation reinforces its leading role in the interactive entertainment industry.

For more information about Nintendo’s hardware developments and patent filings, visit the official Nintendo Direct site or explore the latest details on the Nintendo eShop.

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