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

Nintendo of America has recently announced some intriguing details about the forthcoming Nintendo Switch 2, particularly concerning the analog sticks on its Joy-Cons and Pro Controllers. According to Nate Bihldorff, who serves as Senior Vice President of Product Development & Publishing, the latest console won’t be utilizing Hall effect sensors. He shared this update during an interview with Nintendo Life, assuring that despite this choice, the analog sticks have been crafted with durability in mind.

Bihldorff explained, “The Joy-Con 2 controllers have been redesigned from scratch. Although we’re not using Hall Effect technology, they still offer a fantastic experience.” He further highlighted Nintendo’s commitment to crafting hardware that provides not only immediate engagement but also long-lasting quality.

The original Nintendo Switch had its fair share of issues with stick drift—a pesky problem where the analog sticks move on their own even when untouched. This led to several class-action lawsuits and prompted multiple apologies from both Nintendo and Nintendo of America, along with free replacement programs for the affected components.

Hall effect sticks, meanwhile, present a modern solution for detecting joystick movement. Unlike traditional potentiometers that rely on physical contact to determine position, Hall effect sensors use magnetic fields for this purpose. The wear-down of contact pads in potentiometer-based sticks can lead to drift, which makes Nintendo’s decision not to adopt Hall effect technology even more puzzling—especially as it’s becoming standard among third-party controllers.

Bihldorff stressed that durability was a key focus as Nintendo developed the replacements for the Switch’s controllers. This was echoed in a discussion with Nintendo’s product leaders, including Switch 2 producer Kouichi Kawamoto. He noted that while the Switch 2 Pro Controller might look similar to its predecessor, it’s been completely reimagined internally.

Tetsuya Sasaki, the hardware lead, shed light on Nintendo’s broader ambitions in controller technology, mentioning a project aimed at creating the ultimate controller. Although he didn’t confirm if this has been achieved with the Switch 2, the introduction of “smooth-gliding switches” signifies a step forward that Nintendo seems quite proud of.

It’s ultimately the practical test of time that will reveal if Nintendo’s efforts to tackle stick drift have succeeded. Given that drift issues can manifest within six months, the coming years will tell whether the Switch 2 stands resilient without embracing Hall effect solutions. Meanwhile, Nintendo fans can look forward to more details on the new hardware’s features, like DLSS and ray tracing, through our ongoing Switch 2 coverage.