What is the Joy-Con?
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The Joy-Con is a pair of innovative, versatile controllers designed for use with the Nintendo Switch, offering multiple surprising new ways for players to have fun, with each controller utilizing its own CPU, memory, lithium-ion battery, battery management chip, thumbstick, inertial measurement unit (IMU), linear resonant actuator (LRA), and haptic driver. The Joy-Con can be used independently in each hand or together as one game controller when attached to the Joy-Con grip, providing a unique gaming experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Joy-Con
- What’s inside a Joy-Con?: Each left and right controller utilizes its own CPU, memory, lithium-ion battery, battery management chip, thumbstick, inertial measurement unit (IMU), linear resonant actuator (LRA), and haptic driver, however, only the right controller includes a near-field communication (NFC) reader and infrared (IR) camera.
- What is the black thing under the Joy-Con?: The IR Motion Camera is located at the bottom of the (R) Joy-Con, and its functionality can be checked using compatible software.
- Are Joy-Con controllers worth it?: Overall, Joy-Con controllers are great for players with smaller hand sizes to play fun, quick multiplayer games and for using the Switch in handheld mode.
- Do the Joy-Con controllers charge?: With the standard Joy-Con controller, it takes about 3 and a half hours to fully charge it by connecting it to the console.
- How many hours do Joy-Con last?: When fully charged, the battery duration for the Joy-Con controllers can last approximately 20 hours.
- Can you charge Joy-Con without Switch?: If the Joy-Con are removed from the Switch, they can be charged with the Charging Grip, which has a USB-C connection.
- Why are Joy-Con so expensive?: Joy-Con controllers are expensive to manufacture, packing a lot of tech into a small space, and according to teardowns, Nintendo was originally selling them at a loss.
- Why do Joy-Con drift so easily?: Joy-Con drift occurs when dust and dirt make their way under the rubber diaphragm protecting the electrical contacts beneath the joystick on the Joy-Con, and the problem is made worse as the contacts are worn down over time.
- How many Joy-Con for one Switch?: Regardless of controller type, you can pair up to eight controllers with your Nintendo Switch console simultaneously.
- Do Joy-Con have cameras?: The IR Motion Camera is located at the bottom of the (R) Joy-Con, and the Nintendo Switch console does not have a built-in feature to verify its functionality.
- Why do Joy-Con have cameras?: The IR camera is a good way to transfer information and could be used to communicate with a variety of potential peripherals.
- Do Joy-Con wear out?: On average, with daily use of a few hours, it’s probably about a month before Joy-Con drift starts happening, and there is no expiration time, as it will vary.
- What is the L button on Switch?: The square Capture Button on the Joy-Con (L) can capture screenshots of gameplay and videos, which can be shared over social media.
- What is the C button on Switch?: The Nintendo Switch‘s wireless Nintendo 64 controller has C buttons that act as digital inputs for the right control stick, allowing for smash attack buttons.
- Did Nintendo ever fix Joy-Con drift?: Although Nintendo says it’s made some improvements, Joy-Con drift is still a problem, and the sticks will inevitably start drifting again, even after a free repair or buying a new set.