Nintendo has announced that it will launch a standalone charger for Switch Joy-Con controllers on October 17th. Many Switch gamers welcomed the accessory when the handheld launched seven years ago, and while third parties have long offered alternatives, Nintendo’s arrival comes with some additional flexibility.
Unlike most wireless controllers that can be charged using a USB-C cable, the Nintendo Joy-Con and the company’s retro wireless NES and Famicom gaming controllers can only be charged when connected to the Switch. A separate charger makes it easier to keep more than two Joy-Con controllers powered, so it’s important for the company to release one just as the original Switch is nearing the end of its life cycle and its successor is expected to be released early next year. The accessories are an odd move.
Nintendo’s Joy-Con Charging Dock (two-way) accessory holds two controllers at the same time and draws power from the Switch dock’s USB-C port or another power adapter. The charger’s vertical stand can also be removed, improving its portability.
Nintendo has yet to reveal pricing for the accessory. edge The company has also been contacted to confirm that the charging stand will be available in North America, with the launch so far only announced in Europe and Japan.
