Nintendo Switch 2 Patent Suggests Joy-Cons Can be Rotated and the Console Played Upside Down

Nintendo's latest patent filing hints at a fascinating feature for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2: Joy-Con controllers that can be attached upside down. As reported by VGC, this design leverages gyro mechanics similar to how smartphones automatically orient their screens. The Switch 2's Joy-Cons, unlike their predecessors, will likely use magnets for attachment, enabling this flexible configuration.

This seemingly small change offers significant potential. Players can customize button placement, headphone jack access, and potentially unlock unique gameplay mechanics. The patent explicitly states, "The user can use the game system by mounting the right controller and the left controller on the opposite side to the main body device," and further explains the flexibility for headphone jack use.

While the hardware implications are minimal, the upside-down functionality could be a game-changer. We'll likely see a full unveiling of this feature, along with other details, during Nintendo's upcoming Direct event on April 2nd at 6am Pacific / 9am Eastern / 2pm UK time.

Speculation on the Switch 2's release window points to a launch sometime between June and September. While Nintendo remains tight-lipped, industry insiders and hints from publishers like Nacon (referencing a pre-September release for Greedfall 2) fuel this prediction. Hands-on events scheduled through June also support this timeframe.

The Switch 2 was initially teased in January with a brief trailer showcasing backwards compatibility and a second USB-C port. Many details remain shrouded in mystery, including the purpose of a new Joy-Con button, a subject of much online speculation.