Nintendo VP Confirms Switch 2 Joy-Cons Will Exclude Hall Effect Sticks

Nintendo has officially announced that the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 will not incorporate Hall effect sensors in its Joy-Con or Pro Controllers. Instead, they maintain a focus on durability with their new analog stick design. Nate Bihldorff, the Senior Vice President of Product Development & Publishing at Nintendo of America, shared this information during a chat with Nintendo Life, emphasizing the company’s commitment to crafting reliable and enjoyable gaming experiences.

“The Joy-Con 2 controllers were built from scratch,” Bihldorff explained. “Even though they aren’t Hall Effect sticks, they feel amazing. Every time we introduce new hardware, our goal is to deliver the best experience possible, whether that’s through the interaction with the Joy-Cons or their longevity.”

The original Nintendo Switch faced criticism because of stick drift issues, where analog sticks would register movement without being touched. This led to several class-action lawsuits and prompted Nintendo to offer apologies and free stick replacements for affected users.

Hall effect sticks represent a more modern approach, using magnets to track joystick movement, unlike traditional methods that rely on contact pads. The old style wears down over time, leading to stick drift, whereas Hall effect technology offers a more reliable solution. This choice by Nintendo to stick with conventional tech raises questions, especially when Hall effect joysticks have become popular among other brands.

Durability was a top priority, according to Bihldorff, as Nintendo worked to improve the Switch’s controllers. This commitment was echoed during a developer discussion where Nintendo’s hardware team shared insights. Kouichi Kawamoto, the Switch 2 producer, noted that while the Pro Controller might seem similar at first look, it’s a completely new design.

Meanwhile, Tetsuya Sasaki, the hardware lead, talked about Nintendo’s ambitious plan to create the ultimate controller. Though Sasaki stopped short of claiming they achieved this with the Switch 2, the new smooth-gliding switches have clearly been a significant focus.

It’s a waiting game to see if Nintendo has effectively tackled the stick drift problem this time around. Considering that past Joy-Con issues surfaced within six months, we’ll likely see if the new design holds by 2026. Keep an eye on our updates for more details on the Switch 2, including its features like DLSS and ray tracing, as we continue to cover Nintendo’s latest developments.