It feels like an age since Nintendo announced that a Switch successor will become a reality but in that time, there have been leaks aplenty — some more trustworthy than others.
We’ve seen potential specs, comparing it to a PS4 Pro, suggesting that AAA games have been in development for the console since 2022, and more.
This latest discovery definitely leans more towards fact, showcasing images of the ‘official’ Switch 2 Joy-Cons physically in someone’s hands.
Could these be the real Switch 2 Joy-Cons?
These leaked photos give us the clearest look yet at what the Switch 2 Joy-Con design is, input placement, and even some interesting new additions that could shake the market up a little.
Rumor: More images of Switch 2 Joy-Cons have immerged from China.
Source: https://t.co/MplOUwKhRi pic.twitter.com/5ZdFmVlggl
— Stealth (@Stealth40k) January 5, 2025
Focusing initially on the overall look, as you’d expect, this new variant shares the aesthetics of its predecessor with SL and SR buttons on the connecting side, coupled with an analog stick and shoulder/trigger buttons.
The analog stick appears to be somewhat similar in size but the shoulder and trigger button has gone through a redesign, potentially increasing its footprint and making it easier to use.
Yes, the colors have been mixed up with the body being black but the classic blue hue does seemingly make a comeback.
The biggest departure though is the lack of a ‘rail’ to slide the controller onto the body of the console.
What may be the case now is that the Joy-Con is attached via a magnetic plate, slotting into the small opening in the middle.
The most interesting element to the image is the apparent inclusion of an optical sensor, placed just above this aforementioned opening.
This, and what could be glide pads at the top and bottom — akin to that of a traditional mouse — may suggest that Nintendo is going after Steam Deck users to bring part of the PC market over.
We’ve seen an inclusion like this before on the Lenovo Legion Go but it is clunky and doesn’t have too many use cases, so why might have Nintendo gone to the trouble? We’ll just have to wait and see.
The ‘official’ markings on the back of the Joy-Con do look legit with not only the Nintendo logo in seemingly perfect proportions but also the rest of the logos for various safety regulations.
Even looking closer at the letter and number combinations point to the leak’s validity, with BEE being rumored to be part of shipping data for the console.
Now we’re in early 2025, Nintendo do have to officially give us a look at the console sooner than later and we’ll be able to put these leaks to bed on what’s real and what isn’t.
Hopefully these are the real Switch 2 Joy-Cons and we can start to get hyped for how the new innovations will feel in-hand.
