The Nintendo Switch 2 has captured the attention of gamers worldwide, and a particularly intriguing feature may be the magnetic connection between the Joy-Con controllers and the console.
While this concept had been rumored for some time, it turns out that Nintendo had considered using magnets even for the original Switch, back in 2017.
In a now-deleted Nintendo Minute video from that year, Yoshiaki Koizumi, the producer of the Switch, revealed that the company had experimented with magnetic attachments for the Joy-Con controllers. Koizumi expressed excitement about the idea, noting that it would allow users to simply “snap” the controllers onto the console.
However, the concept didn’t work as intended due to a key flaw: the magnets weren’t strong enough to keep the Joy-Con securely attached during gameplay, leading to them occasionally falling off.
This early attempt at using magnets was ultimately shelved in favor of the mechanical rail system that became a defining feature of the original Switch.
The rails provided a sturdier connection while still delivering a satisfying “click” when the controllers were attached.
Now, with the Switch 2 on the horizon, the idea of magnetic controllers appears to have made a comeback.
While Nintendo has yet to officially confirm whether the Switch 2’s Joy-Cons will be magnetic, the way they attach in the reveal trailer—along with numerous leaks pointing to this feature—strongly suggests it’s a key design element.
The fact that Nintendo is revisiting this idea after nearly eight years shows the company’s commitment to refining and reintroducing concepts when the technology is ready.
As Koizumi’s comments indicate, the company doesn’t let good ideas go to waste, even if they need to wait for the right moment to be fully realized.
With the Nintendo Switch 2 expected to launch in the near future, it’s exciting to think about how other ideas that may have been put on hold could resurface in the next iteration of the console.
Fans will likely get more details during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct in April, where the company may finally reveal whether magnetic Joy-Con controllers will be a part of the new system.
