Nintendo Switch Pro could have a Joy-Con upgrade — here's how

Nintendo Switch Pro could take a Joy-Con upgrade — here's how

Nintendo Switch Pro could redesign the Joy-Cons of the current Switch

(Paradigm credit: SOPA Images | Getty Images)

A recently-canonical Joy-Con patent might be our first glimpse of what the controller on the Nintendo Switch Pro will look like.

Spotted by Nintendo Academy on USPTO, this patent features a Joy-Con with a redesigned and repositioned D-Pad like to the 1 found on the Nintendo Switch Lite and the Nintendo 3DS. It likewise includes a Circumvolve Pad underneath the main joystick, again similar to the pad featured on the Nintendo 3DS.

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Nosotros'd definitely be pleased to see Nintendo bring the Switch Lite's D-Pad over to the Joy-Cons proper; information technology's a significant upgrade over the original Nintendo Switch which features four individual buttons.

We're not quite so enthusiastic about the prospect of a Circle Pad being added to the left Joy-Con. While nosotros e'er appreciate more input options on a controller, the Circle Pad was not universally loved on the 3DS and information technology could be quite a task to use, specially in games that require precision.

Nintendo Switch Joy Con patent — (Image credit: Nintendo)

Aside from these additions, the general expect of the controller is pretty much identical to the Joy-Cons of the current Switch. No tweaks have been made to the rail system used to slide the Joy-Cons onto the Switch itself, and the triggers remain untouched also. This patent very much hints that Nintendo is looking to brand smaller tweaks, rather than completely redesign the Joy-Cons.

The big issue that any redesigned Joy-Cons would need to set is the persistent joystick drift consequence that has plagued the Nintendo Switch pretty much since launch. It's got and so bad that Nintendo has faced multiple lawsuits over the problem, so we'd certainly expect a controller re-pattern to accost this problem.

The patent was originally filed in 2018 only has only been approved this month. Of course, information technology's worth noting that companies often file patents for products that don't ultimately terminate up entering product. And then there's certainly no guarantee that this tweaked Joy-Con will always see the calorie-free of day.

Yet, the discovery of this patent has got plenty of gamers speculating as to whether this is a further indication that the Nintendo Switch Pro is indeed real, and coming this year.

Bloomberg recently indicated that the Nintendo Switch Pro could brand apply of Nvidia's AI technology to upscale games to 4K resolution. This report merely added further fuel to the Nintendo Switch Pro rumor burn down, which has been growing steadily over the final few weeks. It definitely seems like Nintendo has something in the works, this patent could exist the latest hint.

With and so many rumors and theories flying around about the Switch Pro hopefully, Nintendo is planning an official unveiling this year. And if this patent is any indication nosotros could be getting a refreshed prepare of Joy-Cons aslope the more powerful device.

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Rory is a Deals Editor at Tom'south Guide based in the Uk. He covers a wide range of topics but with a detail focus on deals, gaming and streaming. When he's non scouring retailers for PS5 restock or writing hot takes on the latest gaming hardware and streaming shows, he can be found attention music festivals and being thoroughly disappointed by his terrible football game team.