Nintendo’s legacy in controller innovation is well-established, with the company having originated the iconic cross D-Pad on its earlier consoles.
However, the approach to control schemes on the Nintendo Switch and its successor, the Switch 2, has garnered mixed reactions from the gaming community—especially among fans of classic 2D titles.
While the Nintendo Switch Lite and official Pro Controller maintain the familiar D-Pad, the standard Joy-Con controllers for both mainline Switch iterations feature only individual directional buttons.
This design decision has left certain players, particularly those nostalgic for traditional control methods, feeling underserved. One such voice is Hideki Kamiya, the acclaimed designer behind genre-defining titles such as Devil May Cry, The Wonderful 101, and Bayonetta.
Speaking recently to 4Gamer about his 2025 gaming outlook, Kamiya addressed a longstanding point of contention.
"Despite the diversity offered in today’s gaming landscape, the manufacturer has consistently declined to provide a Joy-Con model equipped with a classic D-Pad since the launch of the original Switch.
This omission doesn’t align with my personal gaming habits, especially since I prefer playing games while reclining, which makes the Joy-Con my only practical option," Kamiya explained in a clear and direct statement. Kamiya shared that his frustration over the lack of a proper D-Pad led him to continue favoring his original Nintendo Switch, supplemented with third-party peripherals like Hori’s specialized D-Pad Joy-Con.
This workaround sustained his daily "Tetris 99" sessions and other gaming routines.
However, as the Switch 2 emerged as the platform moving forward, Kamiya decided to adapt creatively.
He detailed his approach: after acquiring a new Cyber Gadget "mini grip with D-Pad" designed for the original Switch, he modified and sanded the accessory for compatibility with the Switch 2, whose button layout varies slightly.
This personal project resulted in a custom-modified "D-Pad Joy-Con 2," finally allowing him to fully enjoy titles from the "Arcade Archives 2" series on the updated console. Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 continue to be at the forefront of hybrid gaming hardware, boasting strong software sales and a robust library of classic and contemporary titles available through the eShop and physical releases.
Despite their innovation, the lack of an official Joy-Con with a traditional D-Pad remains a sticking point for devotees of precise, arcade-style play. With third-party manufacturers like Hori and Cyber Gadget stepping in to fill the void, and high-profile voices like hideki kamiya joining the conversation, attention on Nintendo’s controller design choices continues as a significant topic within the industry.
While many players are content with the default analog stick layout, the enduring call for customizable and classic control options highlights the value of hardware diversity for the Nintendo fanbase.
However, the approach to control schemes on the Nintendo Switch and its successor, the Switch 2, has garnered mixed reactions from the gaming community—especially among fans of classic 2D titles.
While the Nintendo Switch Lite and official Pro Controller maintain the familiar D-Pad, the standard Joy-Con controllers for both mainline Switch iterations feature only individual directional buttons.
This design decision has left certain players, particularly those nostalgic for traditional control methods, feeling underserved. One such voice is Hideki Kamiya, the acclaimed designer behind genre-defining titles such as Devil May Cry, The Wonderful 101, and Bayonetta.
Speaking recently to 4Gamer about his 2025 gaming outlook, Kamiya addressed a longstanding point of contention.
"Despite the diversity offered in today’s gaming landscape, the manufacturer has consistently declined to provide a Joy-Con model equipped with a classic D-Pad since the launch of the original Switch.
This omission doesn’t align with my personal gaming habits, especially since I prefer playing games while reclining, which makes the Joy-Con my only practical option," Kamiya explained in a clear and direct statement. Kamiya shared that his frustration over the lack of a proper D-Pad led him to continue favoring his original Nintendo Switch, supplemented with third-party peripherals like Hori’s specialized D-Pad Joy-Con.
This workaround sustained his daily "Tetris 99" sessions and other gaming routines.
However, as the Switch 2 emerged as the platform moving forward, Kamiya decided to adapt creatively.
He detailed his approach: after acquiring a new Cyber Gadget "mini grip with D-Pad" designed for the original Switch, he modified and sanded the accessory for compatibility with the Switch 2, whose button layout varies slightly.
This personal project resulted in a custom-modified "D-Pad Joy-Con 2," finally allowing him to fully enjoy titles from the "Arcade Archives 2" series on the updated console. Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 continue to be at the forefront of hybrid gaming hardware, boasting strong software sales and a robust library of classic and contemporary titles available through the eShop and physical releases.
Despite their innovation, the lack of an official Joy-Con with a traditional D-Pad remains a sticking point for devotees of precise, arcade-style play. With third-party manufacturers like Hori and Cyber Gadget stepping in to fill the void, and high-profile voices like hideki kamiya joining the conversation, attention on Nintendo’s controller design choices continues as a significant topic within the industry.
While many players are content with the default analog stick layout, the enduring call for customizable and classic control options highlights the value of hardware diversity for the Nintendo fanbase.
