Joy-Con are the primary game controllers for the
Nintendo Switch video game console
A video game console is an electronic device that outputs a video signal or image to display a video game that can be played with a game controller. These may be home consoles, which are generally placed in a permanent location connected to ...
. They consist of two individual units, each containing an
analog stick
An analog stick (or analogue stick in British English), sometimes called a control stick or thumbstick, is an input device for a controller (often a game controller) that is used for two-dimensional input. An analog stick is a variation of a joy ...
and an array of buttons. They can be used while attached to the main Nintendo Switch console unit, or detached and used wirelessly; when detached, a pair of Joy-Con can be used by a single player, or divided between two as individual controllers. The controllers have been criticized for the tendency of the analog sticks to register inputs when not being touched (also known as ''drift'').
Design
![Nintendo Switch Joy-Con illustration](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/33/Nintendo_Switch_Joy-Con_illustration.svg)
Joy-Con are distributed in pairs, designated as "Joy-Con L" and "Joy-Con R" respectively. They each measure , and the Joy-Con L and R weigh and , respectively. When measured from the top of the analog stick to the tip of the ZL/ZR trigger it has an extreme depth of .
Joy-Con can be attached to the sides of the Switch console via rails, or detached and used wirelessly—either as a pair (comparable to a
Wii Remote
The Wii Remote, also known colloquially as the Wiimote, is the primary game controller for Nintendo's Wii home video game console. An essential capability of the Wii Remote is its motion sensing capability, which allows the user to interact wi ...
and Nunchuk), or divided between two different players. Up to 8 Joy-Con can connect to a single Switch console at a time.
The Joy-Con can be optionally attached to a "Joy-Con Grip" accessory, with or without charging capabilities, that convert the controllers to a more traditional
gamepad
A gamepad is a type of video game controller held in two hands, where the fingers (especially thumbs) are used to provide input. They are typically the main input device for video game consoles.
Features
Gamepads generally feature a set o ...
-like form factor.
When detached from the console, both Joy-Con units operate autonomously of each other, and communicate with the console via
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology standard that is used for exchanging data between fixed and mobile devices over short distances and building personal area networks (PANs). In the most widely used mode, transmission power is limi ...
.
Wrist strap attachments are provided, which are similarly installed by sliding them onto the controllers' rails. The strap attachments have a rounded shape and raised shoulder buttons to improve the ergonomics of the Joy-Con when used individually.
Joy-Con contain non-removable 3.7 volt 525 mAh 1.9 watt hour
lithium-ion polymer
A lithium polymer battery, or more correctly lithium-ion polymer battery (abbreviated as LiPo, LIP, Li-poly, lithium-poly and others), is a rechargeable battery of lithium-ion battery, lithium-ion technology using a polymer electrolyte instead o ...
batteries; they are charged when attached to a Switch console that itself is charging. A separate "charging grip" accessory allows the controllers to be charged in a gamepad configuration via
USB-C
USB-C (properly known as USB Type-C) is a 24-pin USB connector system with a rotationally symmetrical connector. The designation C refers only to the connector's physical configuration or form factor and should not be confused with the conn ...
.
Nintendo released a Joy-Con
AA battery pack attachment on June 16, 2017, which slide onto the Joy-Con similarly to the wrist strap attachments.
Colors and variations
![Nintendo-Switch-Konsole mit gedockten Joy-Cons HOF08215 RAW-Export 20211130000188corr07](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/Nintendo-Switch-Konsole_mit_gedockten_Joy-Cons_HOF08215_RAW-Export_20211130000188corr07.png)
Joy-Con can be obtained in various colors, either with the purchase of the Switch console or individually, both separately or as a pair. At launch, Joy-Con were available in slate gray, neon red R and neon blue L colors.
Black Joy-Con are also issued with Switch
development kits. In mid-2017, Nintendo introduced neon yellow Joy-Con, released alongside ''
Arms
Arms or ARMS may refer to:
*Arm or arms, the upper limbs of the body
Arm, Arms, or ARMS may also refer to:
People
* Ida A. T. Arms (1856–1931), American missionary-educator, temperance leader
Coat of arms or weapons
*Armaments or weapons
**Fi ...
'' as well as neon green and neon pink Joy-Con which launched alongside ''
Splatoon 2
is a 2017 third-person shooter game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It was released on July 21, 2017, and is a direct sequel to ''Splatoon'', which includes a new story-driven single-player mode and various onl ...
''. A pair of red Joy-Con were released as part of the ''
Super Mario Odyssey
is a 2017 platform game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. An entry in the ''Super Mario'' series, it follows Mario and his new ally Cappy—a sentient hat that allows Mario to control other characters and objects†...
'' bundle, except in Japan and Europe (My Nintendo Store only) where they are available standalone, which was released in October 2017. An exclusive ''
Nintendo Labo
is a toys-to-life concept developed by Nintendo and released in April 2018. Labo consists of 2 parts, where one part is a game and one part is multiple sheets of cardboard.
The games come as kits that include cardboard cut-outs and other materi ...
'' Joy-Con design, light brown in color, was released in 2018. It was exclusively available to winners of the Nintendo Labo Creators Contest. In July 2018, Hori, a video game peripheral company, released a dark blue left Joy-Con featuring a classic D-pad in lieu of directional buttons. The controller lacked features such as HD rumble, SL and SR buttons, gyroscope, and wireless connectivity standard to Nintendo-produced Joy-Con, forcing its users to be restricted to handheld mode. This was notably the first officially licensed Joy-Con to be released by a third-party company. Two more officially licensed D-pad variants featuring ''
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild'' and ''
Super Mario Odyssey
is a 2017 platform game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. An entry in the ''Super Mario'' series, it follows Mario and his new ally Cappy—a sentient hat that allows Mario to control other characters and objects†...
'' themes were later released by Hori in September 2018. Joy-Con colors based on Eevee and Pikachu's color schemes were released alongside
''Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!'' and ''Let's Go, Eevee!'' on November 16, 2018, as part of the Switch bundle for the games, and Hori released a fourth D-pad Joy-Con variant featuring a Pikachu theme on the same day. Gray Joy-Con variants featuring a silver ''
Super Smash Bros.'' series cross logo became available for pre-order alongside ''
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' is a 2018 crossover fighting video game developed by Bandai Namco Studios and Sora Ltd. and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It is the fifth installment in the '' Super Smash Bros.'' series, succeed ...
'' on November 2, 2018, and were later released on December 7, 2018, as part of the ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' Switch bundle. In July 2019, Nintendo announced that the neon purple and neon orange Joy-Con would be released on October 4, 2019, as well as the blue and neon yellow Joy-Con. Ultramarine blue Joy-Con launched alongside ''
Dragon Quest XI S
''Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age'' is a role-playing video game by Square Enix. The eleventh entry in the long-running ''Dragon Quest'' video game series, it was released in Japan for the Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation 4 in July 2017 an ...
'' in Japan on September 27, 2019, as part of the ''Dragon Quest XI S'' Loto Edition Switch bundle. Pink and mulberry ''
Tsum Tsum'' Joy-Con launched alongside ''
Disney Tsum Tsum Festival
''Disney Tsum Tsum Festival'' is a party video game for Nintendo Switch developed by B.B. Studio and Hyde, and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. It is the first console game to be based on the Disney Tsum Tsum toyline. It was released in J ...
'' in Japan on October 10, 2019, as part of the ''Disney Tsum Tsum Festival'' Switch bundle. Gray Joy-Con variants with a thunderbolt symbol on the left and a Pikachu silhouette on the right were released in Japan on November 29, 2019, as part of the ''Thunderbolt Project'' Switch bundle. Medium aquamarine and sky blue Joy-Con became available for pre-order alongside ''
Animal Crossing: New Horizons'' on March 13, 2020, and were later released on March 20, 2020, as part of the ''Animal Crossing: New Horizons'' Switch bundle. Sunglow yellow and French blue Joy-Con were released as part of two ''
Fortnite
''Fortnite'' is an online video game developed by Epic Games and released in 2017. It is available in three distinct game mode versions that otherwise share the same general gameplay and game engine: ''Fortnite Battle Royale'', a free-to- ...
'' bundles; the sunglow yellow Joy-Con L and French blue Joy-Con R were released on October 6, 2020 in Europe and November 6, 2020 in Australia and New Zealand as part of the ''Fortnite'' special edition Switch bundle, and the French blue Joy-Con L and sunglow yellow Joy-Con R were released as part of the ''Fortnite'' - Fleet Force bundle on June 4, 2021. Red ''
Mario
is a character created by Japanese video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. He is the title character of the ''Mario'' franchise and the mascot of Japanese video game company Nintendo. Mario has appeared in over 200 video games since his cre ...
'' Joy-Con launched on January 12, 2021, as part of the ''Mario Red & Blue Edition''-themed Switch bundle. Gray Joy-Con variants featuring silver and gold ''
Monster Hunter Rise
is a 2021 action role-playing game by Capcom. It is the sixth mainline installment in the ''Monster Hunter'' series and was released for the Nintendo Switch in March 2021 and Windows in January 2022. An expansion pack, ''Monster Hunter Rise: Sun ...
'' artwork were released on March 26, 2021, as part of the ''Monster Hunter Rise'' Switch bundle. A blue Joy-Con pair themed after the Master Sword and Hylian Shield from ''
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD'' was released alongside the game on July 16, 2021. White Joy-Con were released on October 8, 2021, as part of the white Nintendo Switch – OLED Model bundle. Blue and neon yellow Joy-Con variants with artwork themed after ''
Splatoon 3
is a third-person shooter video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. Like its predecessors in the ''Splatoon'' series, the game consists of online multiplayer ( PvP and PvE) alongside a story-driven single-player ...
'' became available to pre-order alongside ''Splatoon 3'' on August 26, 2022, and were later released on September 9, 2022, as part of the ''Splatoon 3'' Switch – OLED Model bundle. Dark red and purple Joy-Con variants with artwork themed after
''Pokémon Scarlet'' and ''Violet'' were available to pre-order alongside ''Pokémon Scarlet'' and ''Violet'' on November 4, 2022, and were later released on November 18, 2022, as part of the ''Pokémon Scarlet'' and ''Violet'' Switch – OLED Model bundle.
In December 2018, Nintendo also released two Joy-Con variants with designs resembling classic
Nintendo Entertainment System and
Nintendo Famicom
The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) is an 8-bit third-generation home video game console produced by Nintendo. It was first released in Japan in 1983 as the commonly known as the The NES, a redesigned version, was released in America ...
controllers, available exclusively to individuals with an active
Nintendo Switch Online
Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) is an online subscription service for the Nintendo Switch video game console. Nintendo Switch Online features include online multiplayer, cloud saving, voice chat via a smartphone app, access to a library of Nint ...
subscription. The Famicom variants were only available to Nintendo Switch Online members in Japan. These variants were designed to be used specifically with the library of classic Nintendo titles available through the Nintendo Switch Online service, as well as with select modern Switch titles. Both are notable for heavily deviating from the normal Joy-Con design, instead being taller and more rectangular in shape, having fewer buttons than standard Joy-Con, and, in the case of the Famicom variants, featuring a working microphone in the right controller. Similar Joy-Con based on both the
Nintendo 64
The (N64) is a home video game console developed by Nintendo. The successor to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, it was released on June 23, 1996, in Japan, on September 29, 1996, in North America, and on March 1, 1997, in Europe and ...
controller as well as the 3-button
Sega Genesis controller are available to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers starting in October 2021, along with a 6-button Sega Mega Drive-based Joy-Con exclusively released in Japan.
Notes
:Not all colors or L/R variants are available in all regions.
Features
The feature set of the Joy-Con was partially inspired by feedback from players using the
Wii Remote
The Wii Remote, also known colloquially as the Wiimote, is the primary game controller for Nintendo's Wii home video game console. An essential capability of the Wii Remote is its motion sensing capability, which allows the user to interact wi ...
, according to Nintendo's
Shinya Takahashi
commonly abbreviated as Nintendo EPD, is the largest division within the Japanese video game company Nintendo. The division focuses on developing and producing video games, mobile apps, and other related entertainment software for the company. E ...
. After releasing games that heavily used the Wii Remote with the Wii, such as ''
Wii Sports
''Wii Sports'' is a 2006 sports simulation video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Wii video game console. The 1.0 (pre-release) version of the game was released in North America along with the Wii on November 19, 2006, and the ...
'' and ''
Wii Fit
is an exergaming video game designed by Nintendo's Hiroshi Matsunaga for the Wii home video game console, featuring a variety of yoga, strength training, aerobics, and balance mini-games for use with the Wii Balance Board peripheral. Matsunag ...
'', players had asked for different design features, such as having a smaller form factor, or being able to be strapped to a part of the body. Nintendo envisioned what benefits towards innovative design and gameplay could come from a smaller form factor, which led to the idea of a console that could be portable, controlled through these smaller controllers. This became the fundamental principle of the Switch, and directly into the Joy-Con design.
Both controllers contain a clickable analog stick, four face buttons, two top buttons, two side buttons accessible when detached (which become shoulder buttons when held horizontally) and designated as and , a or button, a sync button, and player indicator lights. Joy-Con L contains directional buttons, a button, top buttons designated as and , and a screenshot button, which enables the player to upload screenshots to social media. In an update released on October 18, 2017, the screenshot button is also able to record up to 30 seconds of gameplay in select games when held down for a second. Joy-Con R contains , , , and buttons, a button, top buttons designated as and , and a Home button.
Each Joy-Con contains an
accelerometer
An accelerometer is a tool that measures proper acceleration. Proper acceleration is the acceleration (the rate of change of velocity) of a body in its own instantaneous rest frame; this is different from coordinate acceleration, which is acc ...
and
gyroscope, which can be used for
motion tracking.
Games can support using the Joy-Con for pointing controls similar to the Wii Remote while detached without the need of a sensor bar. Joy-Con R contains an infrared depth tracking sensor, which can read objects and motions held in front of it; as an example of its functionality, Nintendo stated that the sensor could distinguish between the hand shapes of
rock–paper–scissors
Rock paper scissors (also known by other orderings of the three items, with "rock" sometimes being called "stone," or as Rochambeau, roshambo, or ro-sham-bo) is a hand game originating in China, usually played between two people, in which each p ...
.
Joy-Con R also contains a
near-field communication
Near-field communication (NFC) is a set of communication protocols that enables communication between two electronic devices over a distance of 4 cm (1 in) or less. NFC offers a low-speed connection through a simple setup that can be u ...
reader for use with
Amiibo.
The Joy-Con contain a
haptic feedback engine known as "HD Rumble", which was developed in partnership with
Immersion Corporation
Immersion Corporation is an Aventura, Florida based developer and licensor of touch feedback technology, also known as haptic technology. Immersion Corporation has been accused of being a patent troll. Founded in 1993 by Louis Rosenberg, it is c ...
. Nintendo stated that the system could generate fine tactile feedback, such as the sensation of individual ice cubes and water in a glass.
Other platforms
It was discovered shortly after public release that Joy-Con can connect to and be used with other Bluetooth-enabled personal computers and mobile devices.
Official Joy-Con support was also added to
iPhones and
iPad
The iPad is a brand of iOS and iPadOS-based tablet computers that are developed by Apple Inc. The iPad was conceived before the related iPhone but the iPhone was developed and released first. Speculation about the development, operating ...
s as part of its
iOS 16
iOS 16 is the 16th and current major release of the iOS mobile operating system developed by Apple for its iPhone line of products. It was announced at the company's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 6, 2022, as the successor to ...
update.
Reception
Technical issues
Prior to the public release of Nintendo Switch, various video gaming websites reported that the controllers—most commonly the Joy-Con L—were susceptible to connection losses when used wirelessly. It was initially unknown whether these problems were the result of an interference issue, or caused by the pre-launch software on review units.
A Nintendo spokesperson stated to ''
Polygon
In geometry, a polygon () is a plane figure that is described by a finite number of straight line segments connected to form a closed ''polygonal chain'' (or ''polygonal circuit''). The bounded plane region, the bounding circuit, or the two to ...
'' that the company would "continue to monitor the performance of Nintendo Switch hardware and software, and make improvements when necessary". The company posted guidance on its support website for minimizing Bluetooth signal interference, including recommendations that the Switch console be placed away from other wireless-enabled devices.
On March 22, 2017, Nintendo confirmed that the interference issues were caused by a "manufacturing variant" in a small number of Joy-Con from early production runs, and that the company would allow owners to send in their affected Joy-Con for repairs free-of-charge.
On launch, it was reported that the wrist strap attachments for the Joy-Con were hard to detach from the controllers. It was also reported that a wrist strap could easily be attached to the Joy-Con incorrectly and become difficult to remove.
One of the more common issues to be found with the Joy-Con is joystick drift. This issue occurs when dust or other small particles come in contact with the internal sensors of the analog stick. A common remedy for this issue is to apply compressed air or contact cleaner under the rubber skirt of the joystick.
Nintendo repairs this issue for free if under warranty, but the cost of repair for an out of warranty Joy-Con could be over 40 United States dollars according to many reports on the topic. The high price of repair leads many to buy an entirely new Joy-Con as they only cost slightly more than a repair, a single being $49.99 and a set of two $79.99.
In response to increased complaints and potential legal action for the drift issue, Nintendo stated that they were aware of the frequent reports, but did not offer immediate advice outside of contacting their technical support lines. On July 23, 2019, three days after the filing of a class action lawsuit, an internal Nintendo memo was leaked; the memo instructed the firm's customer service employees in North America to start offering repairs for drifting Joy-Con controllers for free, regardless of warranty status.
Nintendo president
Shuntaro Furukawa
is a Japanese businessman and executive. He is the sixth and current president of the video game company Nintendo in Japan. He took over as company president in June 2018, succeeding Tatsumi Kimishima.
Early life
Furukawa was born in Tokyo, ...
issued a public apology from the company for the drift problem as part of an investors' meeting in June 2020, stating "We apologize for any inconvenience caused to our customers regarding Joy-Con controllers. We are continuing to improve our products", but could not comment further due to ongoing legal cases related to the controllers.
With the release of the OLED revision of the Switch in October 2021, Nintendo said that the new Joy-Con design should reduce the drift problem but they did not expect that they could ever eliminate the drift as it is an issue related to wear from long-term usage. The new design of the joysticks in the OLED Joy-Con were made to reduce how much wear occurs to make them more durable but the company still anticipates drifting could still occur.
Legal issues
Patent challenge
In August 2017, Los Angeles-based tablet peripheral manufacturer
Gamevice
Gamevice, Inc. (formerly Wikipad, Inc.) is a Simi Valley, California based tablet and tablet peripherals manufacturer specializing in gaming products.
The debut product was the Wikipad, a proprietary Android tablet hardware engineered for mob ...
filed a lawsuit against Nintendo in the
, alleging that the design of the Joy-Con controllers conflicts with its patent on the design for the
Wikipad
Gamevice, Inc. (formerly Wikipad, Inc.) is a Simi Valley, California based tablet and tablet peripherals manufacturer specializing in gaming products.
The debut product was the Wikipad, a proprietary Android tablet hardware engineered for mob ...
, an
Android-based gaming device that also features a tablet with a detachable controller. The lawsuit sought damages on existing Switch sales and banning further sales of the console. The lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed by Gamevice on October 23, 2017.
However, in March 2018, Gamevice initiated a second patent infringement lawsuit on Nintendo related to a different set of patents. Gamevice also sought action through the
United States International Trade Commission
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC or I.T.C.) is an agency of the United States federal government that advises the legislative and executive branches on matters of trade. It is an independent, bipartisan entity that analyze ...
related to patent infringement under Section 337 of the
Tariff Act of 1930
A tariff is a tax imposed by the government of a country or by a supranational union on imports or exports of goods. Besides being a source of revenue for the government, import duties can also be a form of regulation of foreign trade and polic ...
, and was seeking to block imports of the Switch into the United States.
Joy-Con drift lawsuits
Two
class action lawsuits
A class action, also known as a class-action lawsuit, class suit, or representative action, is a type of lawsuit where one of the parties is a group of people who are represented collectively by a member or members of that group. The class action ...
were filed in the
United States District Court for the Western District of Washington in July 2019 and September 2019 over the Joy-Con drift issue. The first suit alleges that Nintendo is well aware of the defect but does not "disclose the defect and routinely refuses to repair the joysticks without charge"; the second suit alleges that the Joy-Con controllers are defective. It asserts claims for breach of warranty, fraud, and violations of numerous state consumer protection statutes. The court refused to dismiss the suits, and as of October 2020, are currently under arbitration hearings.
Two additional class action lawsuits were filed in October and November 2020 in the United States, respectively in the Northern California District Court and in the Western Washington District Court. Both suits allege Nintendo of having defective manufacturing processes for the Joy-Con, even after the company apologized for the problem, as the primary clients in both cases has purchased multiple Joy-Con but found the drift occurred over time in each set purchased.
The French consumer group
UFC-Que Choisir
UFC-Que Choisir French consumers group with 160 domestic local groups.
UFC-Que Choisir defends the rights of consumers in litigation against corporations, and pushes for public policies reinforcing the rights of consumers.
It publishes a magazi ...
filed a lawsuit against Nintendo in September 2020 alleging that the Joy-Con were designed with planned obsolescence intended to fail or break due to the drift issue and other factors. The suit seeks to compel Nintendo to change its manufacturing process to improve the durability of the Joy-Con.
A consortium of nine European consumer organizations requested consumers inform them on Joy-Con drift issues in December 2020 as they negotiated with Nintendo on how to resolve the matters in that region. The organizations stated that they would plan legal action if they could not come to an agreement with Nintendo.
The European Consumer Organisation
The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC (), from the French name ''Bureau Européen des Unions de Consommateurs'', "European Bureau of Consumers' Unions") is an umbrella consumers' group, founded in 1962. Based in Brussels, Belgium, it brings to ...
(BEUC), which represents 40 consumers groups in the region, also urged the European Commission to investigate the Joy-Con drift issue in January 2021 after the body received 25,000 complaints.
Footnotes
References
{{Nintendo hardware
Gesture recognition
Nintendo controllers
Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch accessories