According to a recently discovered patent by Nintendo Patents Watch, Nintendo plans to add a Playdate-style stylus to the Switch 2. The hypothetical accessory will add rotational motion tracking to the existing feature set of the Joy-Con 2 controller, which includes motion and mouse controls.
According to the patent application, the crank accessory attaches to the side of the Joy-Con 2 using a magnet, similar to the wrist straps for controllers. Any game that supports this accessory can use the Joy-Con 2 mouse sensor to track the crank’s rotations as input. Fishing games or games with special fishing mini-games, such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons, seem like obvious candidates for using such an accessory, but knowing Nintendo, we can assume even more surprising options.
Another patent envisages the use of a similar design for a wheel that can be pressed. In the patent illustrations, it resembles a lighter, but this accessory can be used just as easily by dragging the Joy-Con 2 across a surface. It can even add extra resistance or friction to the Switch 2 mouse.
Given that these are patent applications, there is no guarantee that Nintendo plans to turn any of them into actual products. However, they do give an idea of the untapped potential of the Switch 2 to support fun accessories, which defined a significant part of the Wii’s lifespan.
Nintendo’s boldest move with the original Switch was Nintendo Labo — cardboard accessories that transformed the console into everything from a VR headset to a simple fishing rod. The handle could be the first in a series of bold accessories for Nintendo’s new console.
