During Nintendo’s highly anticipated Direct presentation on April 2, 2025, the spotlight was on the new magnetic Joy-Con controllers for the upcoming Switch 2. What many might not know is that this groundbreaking design was initially planned for the original Switch. A recent developer interview published on Nintendo’s official website reveals that this technology had been in development as early as seven years ago.
Koichi Kawamoto, a producer from Nintendo’s Entertainment Planning & Development Division, disclosed: “We experimented with magnetic solutions during the first-gen Switch’s development phase. Magnetic connections allow for quick attach-and-detach functionality, ideal for multiplayer gaming.” However, back then, there was a critical flaw—the magnets weren’t strong enough, leading to noticeable wobbling once attached. The then-president Satoru Iwata scrapped this idea over concerns about player experience after testing it.
We eventually opted for a more stable rail system but never stopped chasing an easy attach-and-detach solution,” admitted Kawamoto. Tetsuya Sasaki from Technology Development added: “The hardware team initially laughed at what seemed like an ‘impossible task,’ but after years of trial and error, they finally developed a single-button release magnetic system that even kids can easily use.” 7 8Key breakthroughs in this technology include: 9 10· Utilizing new rare earth magnets to boost adhesion 11 12· Developing an innovative “single-button dual-lock” mechanical system 13 14· Conducting ergonomic tests to ensure ease of use across all age groups
Interestingly enough, developers also considered naming Switch2 as “Super Nintendo Switch,” but dropped it to avoid confusion with SNES.