The Nintendo Switch just saw one of its larger updates to date, including new icons, quality of life improvements, and more. One of the major changes with the update for the Switch is the ability to re-map buttons on the Joy-Con, as well as many other controllers.
The 10.0 update for the Nintendo Switch allows players to save up to five custom button configurations for each Joy-Con/controller. While some games, like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, allow limited forms of button mapping, the 10.0 update for the Switch goes all out and allows players to fully customize their controllers.
How to Re-Map a Joy-Con on the Nintendo Switch
Before anyone can work on re-mapping a Joy-Con, it should first be first paired with the Switch. This is done from the "Controllers" settings on the main menu, and or by simply sliding in a pair of Joy-Con into the Switch when in handheld mode.
From here, go to the "System Settings" section from the main menu and navigate down to the "Controller and Sensors" option. Next, click on the "Change Button Mapping" (the second from the top option).
The next page will show players all of the controllers currently available for button mapping. From here, players can select a Joy-Con.
Once in the button mapping screen, players can toy around with the setting to their heart's content.
What Type of Controllers Can Be Re-Mapped
As of now, not all Nintendo Switch controllers can be re-mapped. The Pro Controller, considered one of the best Nintendo controllers of all time, can be remapped, which is good as it is usually the second controller purchased by Switch aficionados.
Third-party controllers might not be able to be re-mapped, and the special controllers such as the very snazzy SNES Switch controller cannot be re-mapped at this time. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate fans may not be thrilled to learn that the GameCube controller also cannot be altered, however, as mentioned earlier, it can be re-mapped in-game so this shouldn't be a huge deal.
Many consoles have button re-mapping functionality, in fact, it is one of the 10 hidden features of the Xbox One that some may not realize. It is wonderful to see Nintendo utilize a feature that it may have been considered behind on before this 10.0 update.
Many fans will enjoy the freedom of being able to simply change a button or two here and there, some argue it can it make a difference in competitive games, for example. However, perhaps much more importantly, button re-mapping allows for players with disabilities to control where they'd like their buttons to be. Recently an awesome father modified the Xbox Adaptive Controller for his daughter so that she could play Breath of the Wild. Whatever way gamers can come together and enjoy games more easily is always a step in the right direction.