© Jard-dod on Reddit
This time, it's the left Joy-Con of the Nintendo Switch 2 that is revealed through photos shared on the Chinese forum Baidu Tieba. These images, which quickly went viral, show a sleek design in matte black that marks a break with the colorful aesthetic of the first Switch. But beyond its appearance, it's a new feature that's grabbing the attention of gamers.
A refined design that hides a revolution
The new Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-con have leaked pic.twitter.com/ULGM2l879o
— Centro LEAKS (@CentroLeaks) January 5, 2025
Nintendo has clearly chosen to evolve its Joy-Con with subtlety. The Japanese manufacturer is keeping the fundamentals that made its hybrid console successful, but is innovating on crucial points. The first thing that jumps out is the choice of a matte black colorway for the outer shell, while the inner rail sports a sky blue hue. This new, more sober palette is part of a modern trend already adopted by Sony and Microsoft for their respective consoles. On this leak, it is impossible to see the front of the Joy-Con, but rumors suggest that the color of the edge would be taken up at the base of the joystick.
One of the innovations is however hidden in a new button placed on the back of the Joy-Con. According to several concordant sources, it would be a magnetic unlocking system. This technology would replace the physical mechanism of the first Switch, offering a more fluid and intuitive experience when detaching the controllers. A choice that could also significantly improve the durability of the Joy-Con, by reducing the risks of mechanical wear.
The real revolutionis located under the Joy-Con shell with what appears to be an optical mouse sensor. This innovation should transform the controller into a real mouse, allowing for unprecedented precision in shooters, strategy games or possibly in a new Super Mario Maker for example. The Joy-Con could thus be used directly on a flat surface, offering players an ergonomic alternative to traditional controls. If this feature becomes official, Nintendo will undoubtedly find innovative ways to exploit it.
Those aren’t my 💅 but it hides the underside of the analog sticks which also have a pop of color.
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000— NextHandheld (@NextHandheld) January 5, 2025
Authentication that reinforces the credibility of the leak
The authenticity of these photos gains credibility thanks to one crucial detail: the serial number visible on one of the Joy-Con. Astute users quickly verified this number via Nintendo’s official warranty system. The result? The number is recognized as valid by the manufacturer’s database. This indirect confirmation considerably strengthens the probability that these images do indeed show Nintendo’s next flagship accessory.
This leak also aligns with information shared in late 2024 by the NextHandheld account on X (formerly Twitter). The insider then mentioned a combination of ” blue and orange ” as the new base colors for the Switch 2. The presence of the sky blue rail in the photos corroborates these claims and suggests a consistency in the various leaks that have emerged over the past few months.
A strategic change for Nintendo
This evolution of the Joy-Con design marks a turning point in Nintendo's strategy. By opting for a more mature look and targeted technical innovations, the manufacturer seems to want to appeal to a wider audience while retaining its unique DNA. The magnetic system could notably respond to criticisms concerning the fragility of the first-generation Joy-Con, while providing a more modern user experience.
The decision not to provide backwards compatibility with older Joy-Cons, while potentially controversial, is explained by this desire for innovation. The new magnetic system likely requires a complete overhaul of the attachment system, making compatibility with existing accessories impossible.
The adoption of a more sober aesthetic, with bright colors now reserved for the interior rails, also demonstrates a desire for more premium positioning. Nintendo thus seems to be preparing the ground for a console capable of technically competing with its competitors, while retaining its unique gameplay philosophy.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is gradually taking shape as a natural, but ambitious, evolution of its predecessor. These new Joy-Con perfectly illustrate this approach: significant technical innovation, refined design, but respect for the fundamentals that made the success of the first Switch.
- New photos of the Switch 2's left Joy-Con reveal a matte black design with blue rails
- An innovative magnetic system replaces the classic detachment mechanism, with what appears to be an optical sensor to transform the controller into a mouse
- The authenticity of the leak is reinforced by the validation of an official Nintendo serial number
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