Nintendo of America has made it official: the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 won’t be featuring Hall effect sensors in either the Joy-Cons or Pro Controllers’ analog sticks. This revelation came directly from Nate Bihldorff, the Senior VP of Product Development & Publishing, during a chat with Nintendo Life. Bihldorff was quick to reassure fans that despite not using Hall effect sensors, the new console’s analog sticks are crafted with durability as a priority.
“The Joy-Con 2 controllers are a fresh take,” Bihldorff explained. “They’re not equipped with Hall Effect technology, but trust me, they feel fantastic. Every time we introduce new hardware, our design philosophy starts from scratch because we want to deliver the finest experience for our users—whether that’s in terms of how the Joy-Cons feel during gameplay, their interaction, or their lasting power.”
No one has forgotten the stick drift issues that troubled the original Nintendo Switch. This problem caused the analog sticks to randomly deviate without any pressure being applied, leading to numerous class-action lawsuits. Both Nintendo and Nintendo of America’s leaders expressed regrets over these headaches and offered free replacements for the drifting sticks.
Now, let’s talk about what “Hall effect” sticks are about. Unlike the standard analog sticks that use potentiometers—where a small wiper moves over contact pads and alters the voltage to determine stick position—Hall effect sticks use magnets to gauge movement. The traditional method risks wearing out over time, which is why stick drift happens. Third-party controllers and even some PC keyboards have embraced Hall effect technology, making Nintendo’s decision to steer clear somewhat puzzling to fans.
As Bihldorff emphasized, when it came to crafting a replacement for the Switch’s controllers, durability was front and center for Nintendo. This dedication was echoed during a developer roundtable involving the Switch 2’s product leaders. Kouichi Kawamoto, the producer for Switch 2, shared that “even though the Pro Controller for Switch 2 might seem identical to its predecessor at first glance, it’s completely rebuilt.”
Further details were provided by Tetsuya Sasaki, the head of hardware development, who discussed Nintendo’s ongoing efforts to create the “ultimate controller.” Sasaki didn’t comment on whether they’ve achieved this with the Switch 2, but there’s no hiding the pride in the newly-developed “smooth-gliding switches.”
We’ll have to wait and see if Nintendo has indeed cracked the code for preventing early stick drift with the Switch 2. With past reports of drift emerging within just six months, we’ll know by 2026 if the problem lingers because of bypassing Hall effect technology. Keep an eye on our extended coverage for all the latest insights on Switch 2, including features like DLSS and ray tracing.
