Nintendo has made four patents public, offering a glimpse into the design and technology behind the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console. The most intriguing patent seems to confirm the long-rumored magnetic Joy-Con design, allowing players to use their controllers like computer mice.
The original Switch used a rail system for its Joy-Con controllers, but when the new console was revealed earlier this year, it adopted a snap-on design instead. Patents filed in 2023 and published on Thursday reveal that Nintendo plans to use magnets in its Joy-Cons to keep them connected to the main console.
One patent describes how the controllers detach from the body, using two buttons that must be pressed to release the magnet’s hold. The design ensures a secure connection between the controller and the main device, with both components attracted to their respective magnets by magnetic force.
Two other patents detail the technology behind keeping the Joy-Con controllers connected to the main console. One patent explains how the game housing and electronic circuit work together to attract the magnets, while another patent focuses on the attachments used to protect the plugs and connections.
The patents offer insight into Nintendo’s design and engineering efforts for the Switch 2, providing fans with a clearer understanding of what to expect from the upcoming console.
Source: https://www.polygon.com/nintendo-switch-2/520435/nintendo-joy-con-magnet-patent