Turn, press, feel. The operation in the era of Switch 2 becomes "handwork": Will fishing games become more realistic with Joy-Con 2?

photo:nintendo

New Nintendo patent documents released on August 7, 2025, have sparked the imagination of gaming fans by indicating the existence of attachments such as a "crank" and a "clickable wheel" for the next-generation Joy-Con for Switch 2 (hereafter referred to as "Joy-Con 2"). Media outlets have reported this patent as "resembling a fishing reel," drawing attention to the new input experience when combined with the new features of Joy-Con 2. Nintendo EverythingGamesRadar+

What We Learned: The "Rotating" Interface Shown in the Drawings

The patent drawings depict a mechanism for detecting the amount of rotation by placing a "rotating disk" close to the side of the Joy-Con 2. This utilizes the "optical mouse sensor (mouse-like tracking on the bottom)" added to the Joy-Con 2 to read the movement of the disk or wheel. The application itself was filed in February 2024, and the documents were published on August 7, 2025. Notebookcheck

Additionally, another proposal shows a mechanism that allows the wheel to be "clicked," bringing into view a two-axis operation of rotation + click. Both are designed to function as "interchangeable accessories" that leverage the sensors of Joy-Con 2, allowing games to interpret them as standard buttons, scrolling, or winding actions. Nintendo EverythingTheGamer

The Foundation of Joy-Con 2: Magnetic Attachment and Mouse Operation

Related patents have suggested and reported that Joy-Con 2 will support magnetic attachment and "sliding like a mouse on a desk" operations around the launch of Switch 2. The use of magnetic docks/straps and holding one side upright while using the other as a "mouse" are among the new input and output possibilities considered from the design stage. The crank/wheel can be seen as "additional gear" built on this foundation. The Verge

The Switch 2 console was released on June 5, 2025, and Nintendo has officially promoted the magnetic attachment and mouse-like operation of Joy-Con 2. The continuity between the patent and the actual specifications enhances the realism of the "rotating" accessory. Nintendo

Reactions on Social Media: Playdate Associations, Anglers' Delight, and Skepticism

Shortly after the release, the following reactions were prominent on social media.

• On X (formerly Twitter), gaming accounts introduced the "crank & click wheel patent for Joy-Con 2," garnering thousands of views. Despite the simple reactions, the association with "like Playdate" spread across threads. X (formerly Twitter)

• On Reddit, sarcastic comments like "Will they sue Playdate?" and playful remarks like "Nintendo's lawyers probably get bored if not actively drafting legal papers" were among the top comments, all in the context of the "rotating" interface being Playdate-like.
  "I was thinking they'd now try to sue Playdate instead."
  "Their lawyers probably get bored if not actively drafting legal papers." Reddit

• Headlines from international media were also upbeat, with phrases like "Good news for fishing enthusiasts" and "Looks like a reel." It has been noted that this is particularly compatible with Japan, where fishing game culture is deeply rooted. GamesRadar+

Overall,expectations (expansion of fishing, scrolling, tactile feedback),skepticism (patent ≠ product), and **associations (Playdate/Wii-era experiential direction)** create an "eve of a festival" atmosphere.

What Kind of Play Will Emerge: Not Just Fishing with "Rotation × Click"

Fishing is, of course, a staple. If line tension is expressed through crank rotation speed, continuous rotation time, and reverse rotation detection, the tactile feedback is intuitively conveyed. The click can function as a "winding milestone" or "clutch," potentially serving as a clearer cue than the traditional "button mashing."

Beyond fishing, for example——

• Hacking/Safe Cracking: Turn the dial and align the "pins" with tactile feedback (vibration + click).

• Crafting/Workshop: Immerse yourself in processes like spinning wheels, whetstones, and hand-cranked generators where "turning advances progress."

• Music/DJ: Scratch or reel-like fade. Clicks can confirm beats or cue points.

• Puzzle: Precisely control the "rewinding" of time with the amount of rotation.

If the optical mouse sensor of Joy-Con 2 can detect rotational changes with high resolution, the role division of **"turning = analog, pressing = digital"** becomes more refined. Notebookcheck

From a Hardware Design Perspective: Magnets, Durability, and the Accessory Economy

Magnetic attachment pairs well with interchangeable accessories, promoting the experience of "snapping it on when needed." On the other hand, adding moving parts involves challenges in durability and cost. Since the Wii era, Nintendo has released numerous "experiential dedicated gear," but the Joy-Con 2's approach seems to aim for an optimal balance of **"dedicated gear with minimal mechanisms + software-side expansion."** 

Moreover, these small gears are well-suited forbundled versions, limited colors, and game tie-ins, allowing the physical "grasping" of the software's world. With the Switch 2 console now stably circulating in the market post-launch, differentiating peripherals could become a weapon in the year-end sales battle. Tom's Guide

"Patent ≠ Product Release"—Yet Reasons to Be Hopeful

Nintendo-related patents often end up as "just concepts." It's important to note that this isnot a guarantee. However, considering the already progressing "foundation" of Joy-Con 2's sensor expansion (mouse-like functionality) and the "generalization of interfaces" through magnetic attachment on the actual device side, the implementation hurdle of the "rotating gear" is not particularly high. Nintendo LifeThe Verge

Future Checkpoints

1. Whether Nintendo's official PR or Direct will present examples of "rotating" operations.

2. Announcement of a top-tier title featuring fishing as the main attraction (or a major update).

3. How third parties will utilize the rotational input API.

4. Whether "rotating" highlights will emerge in the context of eSports and streaming.

In the era of Switch 2, Joy-Con is steadily moving towardsincreasing the "vocabulary of movement" with tactile feedback. This patent has faintly illuminated the outline of the "next input experience" that lies ahead. Nintendo

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