Nintendo is gearing up to unveil more insights regarding the much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 during this week’s Direct Showcase. However, leaks may have already divulged significant features ahead of the official announcement. While the original Nintendo Switch has enjoyed remarkable success, it has notably lacked certain enhancements, particularly in its hardware design. A key omission is the absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack in the controller, which the upcoming Switch 2 is poised to address.
Recent reports from Video Games Chronicle indicate that the Switch 2 Pro Controller will include a headphone jack, a feature that has become standard in modern gaming consoles. This information is derived from a Nintendo equipment filing with the FCC, which hints at the Pro Controller’s return alongside RFID and Bluetooth capabilities. The filing, approved on March 31, refers simply to it as a “Game Controller”and includes details about a different battery voltage, suggesting possible improvements in battery performance, although specifics about capacity remain uncertain.
The Switch 2: Introducing a Standard Feature
Entering the Fray
The addition of a headphone jack to the controller has become a requisite feature in nearly all contemporary gaming systems. Sony led the charge by incorporating a headphone jack into its DualShock 4 controller for the PlayStation 4 in 2013 and continued this trend with the DualSense for PlayStation 5 in 2020. Microsoft mirrored this move with its Xbox One controller around the same time, extending the feature to the Xbox Series X|S controllers in 2020.
Conversely, Nintendo has not offered a headphone jack in any of its first-party Switch controllers, including both the Joy-Cons and the Pro Controller, which has limited users’ experience. According to the FCC documentation, the modification in the Switch 2’s Pro Controller will represent a noteworthy upgrade. However, it appears that the standard Joy-Cons for the Nintendo Switch 2 will not be equipped with a headphone jack. While the main body of the Switch 2 will allow for wired headphone use, the Joy-Cons may remain restrictive in this regard.
The forthcoming Nintendo Direct is expected to provide more information regarding the Pro Controller and should clarify circulating rumors about pre-order timelines that surfaced earlier this week. Additionally, focused live demonstrations later this week will showcase the full capabilities of the Switch 2.
Anticipating a Superior Switch 2 Pro Controller
Learning from Experience
The information surrounding the new filing implies that the Switch 2’s Pro Controller could indeed be a significant enhancement over its predecessor. In addition to including a headphone jack, there’s chatter about a new C button that has been highlighted in Nintendo’s teasers throughout the week. This intriguing button was first hinted at in the reveal video earlier this year and has sparked curiosity among fans. Although Nintendo confirmed the presence of this button on the Joy-Con, its function remains a mystery.
Discussion in a Reddit thread about the Pro Controller filing suggests that the mysterious C button could be linked to voice and chat functionalities for the Nintendo Switch 2. This theory was shared by Joseki1000, the thread creator, although it’s important to note that credible sources are pending. Should this rumor hold water, it would mark a significant improvement over the original Switch, which was lacking in voice and chat support.
Furthermore, the filing points to an upgraded higher-voltage battery, which may address some user concerns regarding the original Pro Controller. Despite its impressive 40-hour battery life, which surpassed both PlayStation and Xbox offerings, it fell short of the Wii U Pro Controller’s performance. Users have also expressed dissatisfaction with the original Pro Controller’s button layout, size, and the absence of USB-C charging. It is hoped that Nintendo will integrate user feedback into future designs, starting with the inclusion of the headphone jack in the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller.
Source: Video Games Chronicle, Reddit