According to recent reports, Nintendo’s upcoming console, expected to be called the Nintendo Switch 2, may finally resolve one of the most persistent issues that plagued its predecessor: Joy-Con drift. A Reddit user claiming to have seen the final retail unit reports that the new console will feature magnetic Joy-Con controllers utilizing Hall effect joysticks, eliminating the wear-prone sensor material that caused widespread controller malfunctions in the original model.
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The new console is also said to pack more power under the hood, with an enhanced dock rated for 60W and the console itself capable of handling 45W – a significant upgrade from the current model. The dock will reportedly feature two USB-A ports, one HDMI port, an ethernet port, and a USB-C port for power delivery.
Hardware details have begun emerging through various channels, with accessory manufacturers reportedly circulating mockups of the final design. Images that surfaced online in September suggest the new console will maintain a similar form factor to its predecessor, but with a larger 8-inch screen. The Verge has reported that NextHandheld, a gaming news outlet, finds these hardware details credible.
While Nintendo has yet to officially unveil the console, the company has confirmed plans to announce its Switch successor during the current fiscal year, which ends in March 2025. The reported magnetic attachment system for the controllers aligns with previously discovered Nintendo patents, lending additional credibility to these reports.
These improvements with the Nintendo Switch 2 could represent a significant step forward for Nintendo’s hardware, particularly in addressing the Joy-Con drift issue that has affected millions of users and led to multiple class-action lawsuits against the company.