Nintendo of America has made it official: the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 won’t feature Hall effect sensors in its Joy-Con or Pro Controller analog sticks. In a recent chat with Nintendo Life, Nate Bihldorff, Nintendo of America’s SVP of Product Development & Publishing, confirmed this detail. He assured fans that the new console will prioritize durability in its analog stick design, even though Hall effect technology isn’t the chosen path.
Bihldorff put it this way: “We’ve built the Joy-Con 2 controllers entirely anew. They aren’t equipped with Hall Effect sticks, but the feel is really satisfying,” he mentioned. “Every piece of hardware we release is crafted to elevate the user experience—from gameplay interaction to longevity.”
Reflecting on the history of the original Nintendo Switch, many will recall it was beset by the notorious problem of stick drift. This issue caused analog sticks to veer slightly on their own, even when untouched, sparking several class-action lawsuits over the years. Nintendo responded by issuing apologies and initiating complimentary stick repair programs.
Now, you might be wondering about Hall effect sticks. These innovative sticks redefine how joystick movements are gauged, utilizing magnets rather than traditional wipers moving across contact pads that alter voltage. Unlike standard potentiometer-based sticks, where contact pads can degrade and lead to drift, Hall effect models avoid wear and tear. This tech is already common in third-party controllers and magnetic PC keyboards, leaving some puzzled by Nintendo’s decision not to incorporate it.
Durability was top of mind as Nintendo set out to revamp its controllers for the Switch 2, Bihldorff noted, a sentiment echoed in a recent developers’ meeting. Kouichi Kawamoto, the Switch 2’s producer, highlighted that while the Pro Controller might look similar to its predecessor, it was entirely reimagined internally.
Adding to this, hardware lead Tetsuya Sasaki shared insights into Nintendo’s broader vision for controller development. “We’ve been striving toward creating the ultimate controller,” Sasaki hinted. Whether they’ve hit that mark with the Switch 2 was left open-ended, but the team clearly takes pride in their refined “smooth-gliding switches.”
We’ll have to wait and see if Nintendo has truly conquered stick drift with the Switch 2. Stick drift often rears its head within six months, so by 2026, we’ll know if this issue continues sans Hall effect adoption. Stay tuned for our full exploration of Nintendo’s promises, including exciting features like DLSS and ray tracing on the Switch 2.
