Nintendo of America has shared some intriguing details regarding the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, notably revealing that its Joy-Cons and Pro Controllers won’t be utilizing Hall effect sensors in their analog sticks. This information came to light during an interview with Nintendo Life, where Nate Bihldorff, the Senior Vice President of Product Development & Publishing, assured fans that the new console’s sticks are still built with durability in mind.
“The Joy-Con 2 controllers are completely revamped. They may not have Hall Effect sticks, but their feel is impressive,” Bihldorff explained. “Whenever we release new hardware, Nintendo aims to create the best possible experience for our users, considering everything from the Joy-Cons you handle to their interaction with games and their longevity.”
The original Nintendo Switch, as many users know, suffered from stick drift, a recurring issue where the analog sticks would slightly move in random directions without any input. This problem led to several class-action lawsuits, prompting apologies from Nintendo’s leadership and the offer of free repairs for affected users.
So, why the buzz about Hall effect sticks? These sticks represent a shift from traditional potentiometer-based systems. Instead of relying on a wiper that glides over contact pads, altering voltage to read stick position, Hall effect sticks use magnets to more precisely gauge movement. The downside of the older method is the wear and tear on contact pads, which can lead to stick drift over time. The fact that many third-party controllers and some magnetic PC keyboards now feature Hall effect technology makes Nintendo’s omission of this system an interesting choice.
Bihldorff emphasized that durability was a significant focus in reconstructing the Switch’s controllers, sharing insights from a developer roundtable that included some of Nintendo’s top product developers for the Switch 2. Kouichi Kawamoto, a producer for the Switch 2, remarked, “While the new Pro Controller might seem similar at first glance, it’s been completely reimagined.”
Moreover, Tetsuya Sasaki, the hardware lead, spoke about Nintendo’s broader ambitions in developing their controllers. “We’ve had an ongoing project aiming to craft the ultimate controller,” Sasaki noted. Although he didn’t confirm whether this goal has been met with the Switch 2, the “smooth-gliding switches” are something the engineering team is particularly proud of.
Ultimately, only time will determine if Nintendo has truly managed to fix the long-standing stick drift issue with the Switch 2. Given that many users experienced drift with their Joy-Cons in as little as six months, we’ll likely find out by 2026 whether this issue has been resolved without using Hall effect technology. For further details on what Nintendo has to say about its new hardware, including its DLSS and ray tracing capabilities, make sure to check out our continued coverage on the Switch 2.
