Rumour: 'Switch 2' Will Reportedly Feature Magnetic Joy-Cons

But how do they work?

If it's magnetic, it could easily come off when playing in handheld mode. Needs something to lock it in place.

magnetic Joy-Cons... huh??

Does that mean less stability though? The Switch has enough to keep the economy stable, what about the Switch 2: Electric Boogaloo 3D All-Stars Racing Transformed Plus Deluxe Returns 3D Deluxe & Knuckles featuring Dante from the Devil May Cry series? (featuring a new Funky Mode, obviously)

I hope nintendo does make a new Pro Controller for switch 2.
just like one without drift

Sounds good to me. Hopefully the joy STICKS are also magnet-based.

I’m pretty sure I remember Yoshiaki Koizumi (Nintendo Switch producer) saying in a Nintendo Minute interview that they tried a magnetic Joy-Con attachment method with the original Nintendo Switch and decided against it, as it wasn’t reliable enough. If I am remembering this correctly, I don’t necessarily think magnetic Joy-Con attachment will be a change on the supposed ‘Nintendo Switch 2’.

(Sadly I can’t easily verify this as Nintendo took down all the Nintendo Minute videos).

I vaguely remember reading or watching something a few years ago about how Nintendo had prototyped the use magnets on the original switch as well before they opted for going with the current rail setup. I however, cannot seem to find any information about this any longer...

@AltCode I think Yoshiaki Koizumi said that in a now removed Nintendo Minute interview (as per my comment #8 above).

@Kaiffe123 Yes! You're absolutely right, I think the Nintendo Minute video was indeed where I had heard this before. Thanks to you, I was actually able to find an article about the video: https://www.cbr.com/nintendo-switch-joy-con-clicking-history/

Koizumi said, "One I was particularly excited about at the time was using magnets, where you could snap it right to the console." While simply being able to attach the Joy-Con on the side with magnets sounds satisfying, Koizumi demonstrated the concept's crucial design flaw. Sometimes, the controllers would detach if tugged too hard, or the magnates would fail to hold up the tablet's weight, which meant "as you would play, sometimes it would just fall into your lap."

@nukatha Talk to a scientist.

@nukatha
Talk to a Juggalo

@AltCode Vandal doesn't have a great track record, either. Apparently they usually just pull stuff from the r/GamingLeaksandRumors subreddit - didn't happen in this case, but if magnetic Joy-Con didn't work out before, then I highly doubt they would've even considered going back to the idea and making some breakthrough resulting in it being a viable prospect again. If it is actually the approach they're taking, though, then they probably sorted out the issues that came up when initially creating the Switch. Yet I have a very hard time believing that the Pro Controllers would still be supported on the successor and not the Joy-Con. The rail system works just fine and is intuitive. No need to fix what isn't broken.

Honestly im hoping it's same set up. If its magnetic, i can see people easily removing one during a intense moment while playing.

If the magnets are stable it could be cool.

This is good news. I can stick them to my fridge when they start drifting instead of adding them to the pile.

Nintendo Magneto confirmed!

Also people worried it could detach easily...I've had some pretty strong magnets in my hands before. Believe me, it's possible to have something rock solid with magnets. How you'd take them off to play on TV when they're that strong is another question though

Not impossible, but they would have to withstand an incredible amount of shake force to not pop of the Switch. Not saying magnets that powerful don't exist, but to what feasibility, cost, etc.?

The current joycon are already too wobbly for my taste, so hopefully they can get it rock-solid if they go with this setup.

The real magnet confirmation we need is magnetic aka hall-effect analog sticks, which have been rumored. I replaced my Pro controller less than a year ago because it was finally drifting too much, at least I'll get use out of the new one's lifetime if this rumor is true.

They’d definitely be smart to let you use current joy cons (even if only wirelessly if the new ones are magnetic) and Pro controller on the next Switch. Helps incentivize the upgrade if they can say you already have everything you need for multiplayer etc. and that you don’t need to start from scratch again. Assuming the new controllers don’t do something fundamentally different and crucial to new games anyway…

These magnets would have to be seriously strong though which surely would add massive bulk to a handheld device?

Would be good but a rail system seems a cheaper and possibly more stable solution?

Happy for the pro controller to be compatible though!

@Olliemar28 @PikaPhantom Based on Koizumi's past comments regarding magnets (see my comment at #11) I think it's unlikely that they would go back to magnets if the current rail system works so well, or at least if they were to replace the current system, I don't think they would switch to a magnets-only system.
Despite a decade of time having passed, I highly doubt that there has been much change in magnet technology in that time. Also, there's a limit to how strong you can make a magnet before they make detachment inconvenient, or start damaging electronic devices (the switch included).

But what I can imagine is that perhaps they've come up with a new system that combines magnets with an additional locking mechanism: the magnets snap the controllers, and then you click a mechanical button (like the one already present on the back of the current joy cons) or flip a lock mechanism (like the one seen in the joy con straps) on the back of the controller that further secures the controllers to the main device.

I... really don't want magnetic JC. They could work, but i just love the feel of sliding the controller into place. (I am a handheld diehard BTW)

@AltCode Thanks for the article link & quote from Koizumi! I agree with your comment #25 also.

@Olliemar28 Oh definitely, those are really good points. I never thought of it like that, so thanks for your reply.

I just thought it was worth pointing out that Nintendo had mentioned this magnet prototyping previously in an interview. Whether it’s relevant today I’m not sure, but even so.

Magnets strong enough to hold joy-con securely in place would also by definition be strong enough to pinch a child’s finger very hard. Very bad PR in other words. Mark my words, this rumor is bogus.

Man, these rumors. At this rate until actual a reveal of some sort I'm expecting to hear the "Switch 2" will be able to do your taxes. That should be a joke but I'm sure someone will believe it and debate it.

@PikminMarioKirby exactly this. Couldn't care less about how it connects, just use hal-effect or anything needed to stop drifting and I am in.

“ accessory manufacturers who have reportedly seen and touched the new console “

I thought the rumour said they couldn’t see it, only touch it in a bag like some weird Christmas white elephant gift exchange? At which point I just disregarded the whole thing, magnets and all. Though I do think magnets could work if the joint is done well, maybe like this, but that’s a lot of wasted 3xtra plastic, may as well just slot it on. It would take a lot of effort to pull them off.

Magnets next to a screen?

@nukatha Through some miracle, I'm sure 😉

Like Ganner up above said that people believes in everything on internet now.

"Switch 2" hasn't been announced yet, or that its codename has been revealed yet, yet those "Switch 2" rumors has greatly exceed the insanity of NX, despite not having. a codename yet!

Fact here now...
Steam Deck OLED costs around $1000 in my country so no way in the hell Switch 2 is gonna to be at PS4 level while having 1080p screen while Steam Deck just has 800p and is a bit below PS4 in power level...

If "Switch 2" indeed has some or many of the following things... like many people here has "speculated"
magnetic detachable joy-cons, dual OLED
detachable screens, PS4 Pro to PS5 level power, 4K, Virtual Reality, ray-tracing, and much more, while max costs $399.
I hope now that some of you realizes by how dumb it sounds now.

Do you seriously believes that Nintendo is gonna to do as Sony does to giving away a +$2000 tech for "free"?

Many people (especially young ones) tends to believe and taking everything seriously on internet even if it's just a pure speculation, fantasy, or rumor etc..

I still struggles to see how the heck Nintendo is gonna to use a PS4 power level into their games... It's a bit overkill. It's a different story with third-parties, but Nintendo always makes a new console for their own sake, for the mostly.

How will they even improving the next Mario Kart game on "Switch 2" with 4x-5x (if at PS4 level) more power than Switch? 2.5x more graphical power while having a rock-stable 1080p and 30fps is more than enough for a Nintendo game honestly.

It's just some vocal fanboys on internet who wants 8K+ray-tracing+400fps on everything, while regular non-internet active games are satisfied with what they has now.
Switch has now sold +140m despite not having "anything" according to many people on internet... Wii U had everything according to many, yet it failed hard. Switch has now soon been sold +130m more than Wii U!

I'm cautious with this news. It's possible Nintendo could ditch the Switch formula for whatever their new console might be, or whatever is coming next might just be a "Pro" console rather than a true next gen experience. It's impossible to trust anything unless it's from Nintendo themselves.

Absolutely fake.

If the Pro Controller is compatible, then do we write off analogue triggers?

These comments are hilarious. Y’all completely forgot about MagSafe? Apple and third parties have been making magnetic cases, magnetic battery packs, magnetic PopSockets, and magnetic car phone holders for YEARS. Joy-Cons are much lighter than an iPhone. It’s completely possible for Nintendo to make magnetically secured Joy-Cons.

Wasn’t this a plan for the original Switch that got scrapped because it was a bad idea? Why ditch something that works perfectly fine just to be “different”? I know being different is Nintendo's thing but it’s harmed them in the past (i.e. the GameCube using mini-discs instead of regular DVDs as well as not having DVD functionality for it, which was a big reason people bought a PS2 or Xbox)

Alright, I’m calling it now. It’s going to be called the “Nintendo Snap.” Because of magnetic snapping Joy Cons. 😄

Making the current Pro Controller compatible would be music to my ears. Not too sure I like the idea of magnetic controllers, surely would be easy to cone apart whilst playing.

@GrailUK

Why not? It is not in front of the screen, where it could cause decoloring, but with e.g. OLED this would be no issue. The only issue I see is that the connector could be used as an excuse to not use Hall-Effect sticks.

I recently updated all my switch and ps5 controllers to hall effect versions and I don't want to be back. Especially the JoyCon allow so much more precise movement compared to ***** rubbing resistor plates.

"the Switch Pro Controller will work just fine."

lack of analog triggers, confirmed.

(ps - for the record i dont believe or endorse nintendo "rumors" as I've learned better over the decades. this salvo in particular seems unlikely, as well. I personally pray that the new design does not use magnets ffs 🙄)

Maybe if it was electromagnetism they could have a button that turned it off and on for removing and connecting the Joy Cons? But does magnetism affect electronic circuitry? I frankly don't know, but maybe it could be a problem.

I’ve played my Splatoon 3 OLED ever since I’ve gotten it, and the Joy-Cons can easily pop off in handheld since I mainly play Splatoon handheld and I play it HARD. Would magnetic controllers be any sturdier, and if so, for how long?

I would like the Switch Pro controller to be compatible though. Unless the new system gets its own pro, that is.

They’ll have to change the Switch intro with the satisfying “click” sound 🥲

I'm done with the rumors. Until Nintendo themselves comes out with something, I'm not believing it. Nobody really knows, except perhaps Nvidia and some of the bigger developers, what's going on at Nintendo. RGT 85, Spawnwave, all the other YouTubers who have no content right now and live and die off rumors, are just regurgitating what they see on Google. You can tell they are scrapping the bottom of the barrel for content with all their "look at how woke this is!" videos now. Until something comes out, I will continue playing my Switch, which has plenty of games on it I still need to play.

I'm glad if the Pro Controller works, but I really hope that Nintendo dishes the + - buttons for the new console. It just been awful right from the start. And the magnetic solution sounds like a typical Nintendo solution, which they will have to "improve" later on.

Good to know they will use something like magnetic joycon sticks. Maybe they can retro make them replace previous Joy-Cons and Pro stick???

My idea is that they aren't fully dropping the railing system, but rather using magnets to further stabilize the railing system.
They are rather wobbly and sometimes prone to connection failures in my experience.

This rumor is so fake, just like all the other ones I guess.

Great, let’s keep the worst Nintendo controller in history … now with magnets. Yey!

@Samalik.

Now that would make far more sense, and current Joycon would be compatible.

As long as I don’t have to rebuy pro controllers I’m fine with that. I probably wouldn’t buy any joycons anyway.

old hockey nets use to have poles to keep the net in place which would not give and could cause injuries since then hockey nets are attached by magnets they will give but usually do the job and stay in place most of the time time ....

B-S : next Nintendo console will have NO separate joycons ( its form factor will remind that of Switch Lite ) and the TV connection will be wireless ( like in WiiU ) , the quality of games will be the same for handheld and TV , also ( like WiiU ) it will be able to use " dual srceens " - Tv and handheld !

Besides , how will you charge the " joycons " if they are magnetic - there is NO simple and intuitive way like Switch .

@ZonaiResearcher It is possible , but Nintendo is costs - oriented .

I'd like it to be true if only to get a bunch of stories of people pinching their fingers between the joycon and screen. Like when people were showing off they were incapable of sliding onto the rails without cutting up their fingers as some sort of gotcha on the Switch.

@versionfiv Well, if the tech is there, then ok! Mind you, I can't imagine how much confidence (not sure that is the word, but can't think of another) I would have held together with magnets. It's a similar kind of feeling to using a touchscreen as a controller. It might work, but it doesn't feel...I dunno...tactile? Bah, I know what I mean lol.

Magnets, always with the magnets.

Why is everyone assuming magnetic Joycons would lose the signature Switch click, and would not use any kind of hinge to snap it in place? The rail system has a hinge that snaps the Joycon in place, and the magnetic Joycons probably will be similar, with a button to release the hinge before pulling them off. There's no way Nintendo would make the Switch 2 Joycons connect solely with magnets.

I've believed for a while that Nintendo needs to design a new way for Joycons to click into place for the Switch 2, so I'm all for this.

As long as the new console is named Switch, it will retain a clicking sound for the controllers. That's the Switch's quintessential hardware characteristic.

@Ulysses I dunno, I would imagine 'showing' it blind so it's 100% hands on might be a cool way of showing how reliable the magnets are? (It was reported that folk had to put their hands into an opaque box lol. It's too bonkers without context.)

Just want to mention that a cheap magnet the size of a small coin can be quite powerful. Netgear 12-port network switches which are as big as a Series S come with four of these coin-sized magnets, and can be mounted on walls or even ceilings (if you're weird) this way.

Two of these should easily hold a handheld system, especially if the controllers have an indentation to support the system, though I do have to wonder if it's even possible for the magnet strength to sit in a sweet spot: it has to be weak enough for kids to detach the controllers if they need to, but strong enough that larger adults won't accidentally pull the controllers off and fling the system away during a heated game of Mario Kart 8 Super Deluxe Plus!

@GrailUK I think you replied to the wrong person 🙃

I totally read the headline as “magic” instead of “magnetic.” Disappointment abounds.

@Ulysses huh. Well, enjoy your reply lol

Hope the OLED screen rumor is true. Definitely helps games feel next-gen.

Pretty sure there will be the following issues:

Just magnets: won't hold together for playing. They'll need a lock of some sort.

Magnets will interfere with Bluetooth, IR and control stick causing drift again. Maybe Drift is a feature?

At launch they should have 3 skus ready to go!
1- Switch Successor (Standard-LCD screen)
2- Switch Successor (OLED version)
3- Switch Successor (Stationary/home only)

I'd get the home only version. My Switch has almost never left the dock!

That said, if they bring back StreetPass, I'm definitely getting a portable one.

@GrailUK
Switch and TVs have speakers next to the screen. Speakers are magnets...

They could be made out of human teeth for all I care as long as they fix the drift problem.

@RappinRootbeer same here anything for a functioning controller, if its not too much to ask can we sell products that actually work please and thank you

@GrailUK I did, thank you, made me feel seen for a day 😌

@Keman I dunno where you're from. But a Steam Deck Oled costs around 500 bucks. Nearly everywhere.

Considering the ‘click’ of the joy con attaching was half of switch’s advertising strategy it will need a visceral sensation when it connects

Maybe they will use the rail and add magnets to prevent any instability when connected and prevent any rocking.

The real question is: Why? Why choose magnets over clips? What problem is trying to be addressed? It sounds ridiculous on every level. Perhaps it's simply to force people into buying new joycons? 🤣

I personally hope all accessories are compatible in each direction. Imagine if you could just buy the basic device. It would be the cheapest and most efficient upgrade ever. The only hiccup might be the original dock handling higher definition throughput. Who knows! Most of all, Nintendo must insure Switch 2 is powerful enough, meaning near PS5 level. That would still be relatively old given the release is 4.5 years after the PS5. So minimum of 1080p and 60 FPS across the board, with some games potentially running at 4k.

I'm down for all rumors

Magnetocons. Nah, don't believe it.

Just fix the drift problem. It's 2024-25 guys.

This Vandal rando asserted confidently the OLED Switch would output at 4K while docked...

But sure, tell me more about how accurate they were... 🙄

@LEGEND_MARIOID Mail your Joycons to Nintendo for a free repair is at the very least a fair remedy to such a widespread problem.

I don't care about magnetic JoyCons. Reads a bit like "we make the JoyCons different for the sake of being different".
If Pro Controllers would still work this would be great news!
The thing that really concerns me is if the new Switch is really getting no OLED. But nobody's talking about as if this would be acceptable.

@EVIL-C After three repairs in as many months since launch, they still refused to replace it. I’ve had permanent drift since then and I refuse to give them more money. I already paid for a working controller and I never got that.
If anyone wonders why I tend to be ‘negative’ about Nintendo’s business side, that’s why. They do stuff like this on a massive scale and people refuse to see it because there’s talking mushrooms and pink dresses.

I am trying to understand the concept of what this looks like.
magnetic Joy-Cons
Anyone knows what this would look like at????

Really have no idea what to expect from magnetic joycons lol.
Probably fake, dont see that happening.

I think the pro controller is not the best Nintendo pro controller and I hope they are going for a new one. The dpad needs fixing and the sticks need to be hal. Tbh I think overall both the classic controller and the U pro were better even though these big face buttons on the switch Pro imo are the one feature they need to keep on a future pro controller.

Just mix the U pro and the switch pro and we're gold.

@EVIL-C I did that as soon as the announced the problem. Previous to that (launch till announcement) I had purchased new joycons though