The Nintendo community is abuzz with speculation regarding a new iteration on the Nintendo Switch hardware rumored to be launching later this year. Leaks claim that Nintendo will be upgrading the console's hardware and screen quality, but one aspect of the new Switch has remained undetailed; That being whether Nintendo has plans for a new style of Joy-Cons. That may have now changed, as a recently filed patent from Nintendo shows a potentially new direction for Joy-Cons.
The patent is just for the left Joy-Con, with the right Joy-Con isn't shown. On this Joy-Con there are three surprisingly significant changes immediately recognizable. The first and biggest is the removal of the four directional buttons, with them replaced by a D-Pad. The lack of a D-Pad on the Switch has been a major criticism by some fans, as D-Pads are especially important for fighting games and 2D games like platformers.
The second biggest change, which may be bigger considering how serious an issue faulty Joy-Cons have been, looks to be a redesign of the Joy-Con's joystick. It's difficult to say with certainty, as there's no written description of the Joy-Con, but it appears to old joystick has been replaced with a circle pad akin to the Nintendo 3DS. This style of joystick doesn't lean with thumb movements, but instead feels as if it's gliding.
The third change has the potential to make Nintendo Switch users have to relearn how they use the console's controls. The new D-Pad and circle pad are switched on the new Joy-Con patent design, with the D-Pad being above the circle pad. This will allow users to control movement with the knuckle of their thumb while still being able to press the D-Pad. Alternatively, it makes the D-Pad more of a priority.
There is one other change, though exactly what it implies isn't clear. The "+" the capture buttons are replaced by two standard circle buttons on the controller. These are found below the circle pad on the controller, but aren't labeled in the patent.
While Nintendo fans may be quick the leap at the idea that this is a new Nintendo Switch controller for the upgraded hardware launching later this year, there's another possibility. It could just be an alternative left controller for Switch users who want a D-Pad. There's a lot left to find out and no official announcement at this point, so Nintendo Switch users will have to wait for more information.
Sources: Nintendo Smash, USPTO