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

Nintendo has recently declared that the much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 won’t be employing Hall effect sensors for its Joy-Cons or Pro Controllers’ analog sticks. Nate Bihldorff, who oversees Product Development and Publishing at Nintendo of America, delivered this update in a chat with Nintendo Life. He emphasized that despite missing out on Hall effect technology, the upcoming console’s analog sticks are crafted with longevity and user experience in mind.

“The new Joy-Con 2 controllers are built from scratch,” Bihldorff shared. “Though they’re not Hall effect sticks, they offer a satisfying feel. With every hardware launch, Nintendo aims to provide the best possible experiences, from the way Joy-Cons connect with games to their overall durability.”

The original Nintendo Switch faced significant issues over time with ‘stick drift,’ a problem where the analog sticks would register movement even when untouched. This flaw led to several class-action lawsuits, prompting Nintendo and its leaders to publicly apologize and initiate free stick replacement initiatives for affected users.

To give you some context, Hall effect sticks present an advanced method for detecting joystick movement. Unlike traditional systems that rely on potentiometers with wipers sliding over contact surfaces thereby altering voltage levels, Hall effect technology utilizes magnets to sense movements. This newer system eliminates wear and tear issues common with potentiometers, thereby reducing drift problems. Many third-party controllers and even some PC keyboards have embraced this technology, which makes Nintendo’s decision to forgo it somewhat perplexing.

According to Bihldorff, durability was at the forefront of Nintendo’s considerations when redesigning the Switch 2 controllers. This was echoed in a recent developer session with Nintendo’s heads of product for the new console. Kouichi Kawamoto, producer for Switch 2, noted that while the Pro Controller might look similar to its predecessor, it has been completely reimagined.

Tetsuya Sasaki, who leads the hardware division, offered some insight into Nintendo’s ongoing controller development endeavors. “Nintendo has devotedly pursued the ultimate controller design over many years.” Sasaki didn’t confirm if they achieved this with Switch 2, but the engineering team seems particularly proud of their new “smooth-gliding switches.”

Ultimately, we’ll have to wait and see if Nintendo’s solution effectively tackles the notorious stick drift issue this time around. Given that drift could surface as early as six months into use with the original Joy-Cons, the Switch 2 will be under scrutiny to see if the issue persists without adopting Hall effect technology. For more updates on Nintendo’s latest hardware, including its DLSS and ray tracing capabilities, make sure you check out our comprehensive Switch 2 coverage.