Good vibrations
So, if you’ve ever misplaced one of your Switch 1 Joy-Cons, chances are you’ve stumbled upon the ‘Search for Controllers’ feature. It’s in the ‘Controller’ settings menu, allowing you to pick any paired controller lurking somewhere in the vicinity and make it vibrate. This nifty feature helps you hunt down your Joy-Con, be it in a pocket, under the sofa, or even in the fridge after you left it there for a mid-game snack.
Switch 2, on the other hand, comes with a similar feature but with a twist—HD Rumble 2. This new addition makes tracking down controllers even easier. With the magic of vibrations, the new Joy-Con can now output sound at a surprisingly high volume, adding a whole new dimension to the search process.
In a recent post on the Nintendo Today! app, shared by @Stealth40k, the enhanced sound output capabilities of the Joy-Con 2 were on full display. The video showcased how HD Rumble 2 can emit loud beeps and boops, ensuring no controller remains hidden for long. The sound output is so impressive that it almost seems like the Joy-Con 2 is equipped with a tiny speaker, although Nintendo hasn’t confirmed such an addition.
Now, I’m not really sure why this matters, but it’s worth noting that the Joy-Con 2’s sound output is quite a step up from its predecessor. While we’ve seen HD Rumble used for musical purposes before, the level of volume achieved with HD Rumble 2 is unmatched. Despite previous claims that the new console’s HD Rumble wouldn’t be as loud as that of Switch 1, tracking down lost Joy-Cons seems to be a different story.
In the real world, things might play out differently, with the noise of everyday life affecting the clarity of HD Rumble 2. However, based on the video, it’s safe to say that the new controllers have indeed upped their game. Moving beyond just sound output, the HD Rumble feature of the Joy-Con 2 was one of the standout elements we experienced during our hands-on time with Switch 2 last month. While it may not have the same initial impact as it did on Switch 1, the good vibrations are still there.
Not really sure why this matters, but what do you think of the Joy-Con 2’s beeps and boops? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like Nintendo has really amped up the controller game this time around.
