The Surprising Reason Nintendo’s New Switch 2 Joy-Con Colors Are a Disappointment

9 Jun at 14:02 Comment Views: 5

Polygon
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Whenever Nintendo launches a major flagship title, they typically accompany it with themed hardware, ranging from limited-edition console decals to vibrant controller variations. The upcoming single-player shooter Splatoon Raiders is following this tradition, introducing a fresh blue and yellow colorway for the Switch 2 Joy-Cons. While the aesthetic is polished and understated, which will certainly appeal to some, longtime fans and dedicated collectors might find this particular design choice a bit underwhelming.

A huge part of the original Switch’s charm was its unapologetic playfulness. Beyond its eccentric game library, much of that whimsical character was built into the hardware itself via the quirky Joy-Con color options. The classic red-and-blue pairing, for instance, became the unofficial mascot of the system. Interestingly, those hues aren’t strictly complementary, yet they worked because the Switch leaned into a high-contrast, bold visual identity—something rarely seen in the more reserved palettes favored by PlayStation or Xbox.

Over the years, the Switch lineup expanded to include a vast array of designs. Yet, it was the more daring color combinations—neon yellow, electric pink, vibrant green, and bold purple—that truly defined the console’s spirit. The iconic Splatoon-themed watermelon aesthetic, featuring saturated pink and bright green, perfectly captured the fashionable, high-energy essence of the franchise.

Neon pink and neon green Joy-Cons from the Splatoon series

Viewed through that lens, the new Joy-Con colors feel surprisingly conventional. While Nintendo notes that this scheme pays homage to the Splatoon 3 band, Deep Cut, it is hard not to feel a sense of disappointment. For a franchise known for its loud, chaotic aesthetic, these controllers feel more like a step back than an evolution of the vibrant styles that came before.

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Ultimately, enthusiasts always have alternatives, from third-party shells to the existing pastel options that might better suit individual tastes. Besides, once you’re locked into a session, the color of your controllers hardly matters—especially when the console is docked and the action is centered on the screen.

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