Nintendo’s Switch 2 controllers, including the Joy-Con and Pro Controller, will retain digital triggers, a decision now explained by the company’s hardware leads, Kouichi Kawamoto and Tetsuya Sasaki.
Nintendo representatives recently spoke with VentureBeat, providing insight into the decision-making process behind the choice of digital triggers for the Switch 2 controllers. According to Sasaki, the hardware team worked on what they were asked to do, and there were many “very fussy developers” who wanted digital triggers. This input from developers played a significant role in Nintendo’s decision.
Kawamoto elaborated on the pros and cons of analog buttons on the shoulders, stating that while there are positives, there are also negatives, such as losing a little bit of instancy. He explained that Nintendo considered these factors and decided that “instant input” would be the better option. This decision aligns with the company’s focus on providing a responsive gaming experience.
The use of digital triggers in the Switch 2 controllers differs from some other gaming platforms. PlayStation, Xbox, and Valve’s Steam Deck all use analog triggers, which are often preferred for certain game genres like racing games due to their pressure sensitivity. Although the Switch 2 Joy-Con and Pro Controllers won’t feature analog triggers, Nintendo is re-releasing the GameCube controller, which is known for its analog shoulder buttons and is still used by many gamers.
In addition to the trigger type, other features of the Switch 2 controllers have also been discussed. Nintendo has confirmed that the Switch 2 Joy-Con will not feature Hall Effect sticks, a detail that has been noted by gamers. However, the Pro Controller revision does include an audio jack, a feature that has been welcomed by some users.
The decision to use digital triggers in the Switch 2 controllers reflects Nintendo’s priorities in terms of controller design and the input they received from developers. While some gamers may prefer analog triggers for certain types of games, Nintendo has chosen to focus on instant input, which they believe provides a better gaming experience.
