Nintendo has announced the release of an official Joy-Con charging stand after seven years. The accessory, first introduced in Japan, will now be available globally, including in the UK. The charging stand can be pre-ordered at the official Japanese My Nintendo Store for 3,300 yen. It is set to launch on October 17 in Japan and the UK, with no confirmation yet for a US release.
This charging stand allows users to charge their Joy-Con controllers without needing to attach them to the Nintendo Switch handheld. It features a USB-C connection and a detachable central charging unit, making it convenient for gamers who have multiple Joy-Cons or want to charge controllers while playing in portable mode. The stand can also charge the Family Computer Controller for the Nintendo Switch.
It is surprising that Nintendo has waited this long to release an official charging stand, especially when third-party options have been available since the Switch’s launch in 2017. This release may hint at potential changes coming with the rumored Nintendo Switch 2, such as revamped Joy-Con controllers that magnetically attach to the console. This charging stand could ensure older Joy-Cons remain compatible with the new system.
The timing of this accessory release raises questions about Nintendo’s future plans and upcoming hardware. It will be interesting to see how this charging stand fits into the rumored changes for the next iteration of the Nintendo Switch.
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