The Nintendo Direct event has given gamers a lot of new information on what is coming, and it also included new Switch 2 hardware. In particular, the event debuted the Joy-Con 2's latest colorway.
The new colorway is based on a famous game franchise, which was also announced during the June Direct event.
Nintendo Unveils New Joy-Con 2 Colors in June Direct
Nintendo's June Direct event introduced the Nintendo Switch 2's new Joy-Con 2 color pattern, which is inspired by the members of Deep Cut from the "Splatoon" series, specifically Shiver, Frye, and Big Man.
The controllers feature the same black finish as the ones bundled with the system itself, but the accents around the thumbsticks and on the magnetic connection are blue on the left side and yellow on the right side.
The reveal follows a pattern that Nintendo has established, going all the way back to the original Switch era. Both "Splatoon 2" and "Splatoon 3" received their own special Joy-Con pairs when they launched on the original system. The new "Splatoon Raiders" controllers continue that tradition on Switch 2.
Thus far, Nintendo has been more reserved with variations of the Switch 2 Joy-Con controllers. New Joy-Con 2 colors were previously released alongside "Mario Tennis Fever," but options have been mostly limited for the new system.
Nintendo's New Joy-Con 2 Colors Release Date
"Splatoon Raiders" comes out on July 23, and the new Joy-Con controllers will be available on the same day. The simultaneous launch with the game makes the controllers a natural companion purchase for anyone planning to pick up "Splatoon Raiders" at launch.
Alongside the new Joy-Con colors, a trio of amiibo based on "Splatoon Raiders" will also be available on July 23, and this means that players will have a lot of accessories to purchase alongside the game.
How Much Are the New Joy-Con 2 Colors?
Nintendo has not officially confirmed the retail price of the "Splatoon Raiders" Joy-Con 2 pair as of press time.
According to the Japanese gaming company's website, the new Joy-Con 2 set will retail at $99.99 per pair, a similar price point to the previous releases of extra Joy-Con 2 and its other color, which is the Light Purple and Light Green colorway.
According to GameRant, fans have been vocal about their frustration with Switch 2 Joy-Con designs overall as, according to the report, Nintendo has avoided replacing its black shell since its release last year.
Unlike the original Joy-Cons that got special designs, colors, and looks in the entirety of their bodies, the Joy-Con 2 retains its black shell and only replaces the LED pad and magnetic connector on the side of the Switch 2.
Since the magnetic connections are hidden when the system is in handheld mode, only the colors around the thumbsticks can be seen, which limits how much the new colorways actually stand out during regular play.
More Switch 2 Joy-Con options may still be on the way before the year ends as "Nintendo Switch Sports Resort" and a "Zelda: Ocarina of Time" remake are both scheduled for 2026. Nintendo has historically released controller designs to accompany major first-party titles.
