Nintendo's Upcoming Switch 2 Model Skips Drift-Resistant Hall Effect Joysticks, Offering Possible Alternatives Instead
The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to revolutionise gaming with its new Joy-Con 2 controllers, which feature Tunnel Magnetoresistance (TMR) joystick technology. This contactless, magnetic sensor technology offers a longer lifespan, higher precision, and reduced issues like stick drift compared to older methods.
TMR joysticks, at the heart of the Switch 2 controllers, avoid the wear and friction typical of potentiometer-based sticks, resulting in a much longer usable life. Moreover, TMR offers higher resolution and more precise positional input, improving accuracy in gameplay.
This technology also helps combat interference and reduces stick drift, a common complaint with the original Switch Joy-Cons. While some third-party manufacturers still use Hall effect modules with contact-free magnetic sensors for fluid feel and longevity, the genuine Joy-Con 2 controllers for the Nintendo Switch 2 specifically employ TMR joysticks as the next step beyond Hall effect sticks for improved durability and precision.
The Switch 2's Joy-Con joysticks adopt this advanced TMR contactless magnetoresistive technology, meaningfully enhancing both lifespan and precision. This technology reduces errors like stick drift and enables superior control fidelity compared to previous generations using Hall effect or potentiometer-based sticks.
Nintendo's commitment to quality is evident in the design of the controllers for the Switch 2, which are "designed from the ground up to be the best possible experience for our consumers." Nintendo of America VP of product development and publishing, Nate Bihldorff, has confirmed that the Joy-Con 2 are "not Hall effect sticks."
The new Joy-Cons 2 are necessary for games like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Civilization VII that feature mouse controls. However, the preorder date for the Switch 2 is still up in the air.
GuliKit, a company that makes Hall effect stick module upgrades for the Switch, is working on Hall joystick conversions for the Joy-Con 2 controllers, similar to its $20 hall effect retrofit sticks on the original Switch. GuliKit's older controllers like the KK3 and new controllers to be released next month will be compatible with the Switch 2 on its release date, June 5.
Despite the increased price of the Nintendo Switch 2 console and controllers, Nintendo is still insisting it will be fine. Some annoyed Switch owners took legal action over their broken controllers, but most cases were dismissed. Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa issued an apology and promised free fixes for stick drift issues, but rarely offered insight into the problem.
In a 2022 study by UK consumer group Which?, wear on the contact points between the circuit board and joysticks as well as dirt buildup on components was blamed for stick drift issues. The new TMR technology in the Joy-Con 2 controllers addresses these concerns, offering a more durable and reliable solution.
The new Joy-Con 2 controllers felt better in hands-on testing, with no sense of sponginess. Some high-end controller makers, like SCUF, are moving toward Hall effect technology for its proven ability to provide precise controls for a long time. However, the Switch 2 controllers stand out with their TMR technology, offering a significant leap forward in terms of lifespan and precision.
The new Joy-Con 2 controllers for the Nintendo Switch 2 are designed to be "durable," and with the adoption of TMR technology, they are set to deliver a superior gaming experience. The new controllers will cost $90, which is practically as much as some Switch 2 games. Despite the price, the advanced technology and improved durability may justify the investment for many gamers.
- The Nintendo Switch 2's Joy-Con 2 controllers, employing TMR joystick technology, offer a superior gaming experience by providing a longer usable life, higher resolution, and more precise positional input, compared to previous hall effect or potentiometer-based sticks.
- GuliKit, a company specializing in Hall effect stick module upgrades, is working on Hall joystick conversions for the new Joy-Con 2 controllers, acknowledging the improved durability and precision offered by TMR technology.
- In response to stick drift issues, many third-party manufacturers and high-end controller makers, like SCUF, are shifting towards Hall effect technology, yet the Nintendo Switch 2's Joy-Con 2 controllers stand out with their TMR technology, providing a significant leap forward in terms of lifespan and precision.
