If you’re trying to keep up with everyone wrestling with the many nuances to Nintendo’s new Switch console, you’ve likely seen a bit of dust kicked up over one of the more necessary inclusions in the box – the JoyCon Grip. This plastic shell acts as a housing for the two JoyCon controllers, allowing you to use them as a more traditional controller setup without shelling out for a Pro controller. The problem here is that the Grip is exactly what is implied – a plastic grip with no additional functionality beyond that.
At a glance, there’s no issue with that, until you start taking into account just how these controllers function and, more importantly, charge. The JoyCon will charge anytime they’re connected to the main Switch unit, be it in portable or docked modes. The JoyCon Grip, however, features no way to do that. There’s no USB-C port at the top of the shell to let you plug in and charge while you play, which means if your JoyCon happen to go flat during a session your only option is to continue in portable mode. Not convenient.
This problem is alleviated by an accessory Nintendo is now selling, called the JoyCon Charging Grip. Visibly it’s almost the same, with the Charging Grip featuring a translucency akin to the Pro Controller. The real difference is in functionality, in that the Charging Grip does exactly what the name implies – it’s able to charge your JoyCon. The shell features what the included one lacks, with a USB connection at the top allowing you to plug the Grip into power at anytime.
Nintendo are aiming to sell this accessory for a full $29.99, so clearly don’t see the issue in the fact that the only way to charge the JoyCon out of the box is to connect them to the Switch. The proposed battery life of 20 hours makes that an easier sell, along with the idea that you’re probably going to be connecting your JoyCon to your Switch overnight anyway. But that just doesn’t alleviate the inconvenience of having them die mid-session, and realising that you’re now going to have to put your couch and TV session on pause to charge controllers.
It’s a really strange oversight, and just another sticking point to the Switch overall. It’s out on March 3rd.
Last Updated: January 17, 2017
Gavin Mannion
January 17, 2017 at 08:06
I can’t really see the problem here.. it’ll only affect the guys who play a ton and they would be happy to shell out for the charging station.
To me it’s simply Nintendo nickle and diming the consumer but since literally everyone does that now we can’t really blame them
Admiral Chief
January 17, 2017 at 08:13
Ninty took a page out of Apple’s books it seems
Alessandro Barbosa
January 17, 2017 at 08:19
You play a bit one day, forget to hook them up to charge, so the day after you can’t play on your TV for four hours while they charge. That’s just stupid design
Christian Valiente
January 17, 2017 at 09:56
That’s your fault for forgetting. If you are so forgetful, then get the charge pad. Not an issue. Stupid article.
Admiral Chief
January 17, 2017 at 09:59
Come now, that wasn’t very nice of you
Christian Valiente
January 17, 2017 at 10:02
It is a stupid article that brings up a non-issue. The writer states human error as a problem for the Switch. Dude said “If you forget to charge them”. That’s entirely the users fault.
Admiral Chief
January 17, 2017 at 10:15
I thought it was informative, and brought his opinion forward, but as some other commenters noted, should not be a big issue.
Either way, calling it a “stupid article” seems a bit harsh
Guild
January 17, 2017 at 10:26
Nope, it’s a stupid design and should have included the charging capability. Instead Nintendo are cashing in as much as possible by selling the charging unit separately. It’s a nice money grab for them.
Galbedir
January 17, 2017 at 08:07
So the only time this would be a problem, is if you play for 20 hrs straight, and don’t plug the controllers back in to charge overnight?…Move along people, no problem here.
PurplePariah
January 17, 2017 at 09:40
Exactly what I was thinking. O_o
Admiral Chief
January 17, 2017 at 08:12
2 days after a certain Ninty fanboi’s bday nogal…
schitsophrenic-toothbrush
January 17, 2017 at 09:17
Nintendo should just move to the accessories industry. Was super keen on the switch but slightly turned off by the high priced accessories that would most probably be needed to give you the best experience.
Viper_ZA
January 17, 2017 at 14:07
I am already envisioning the extreme, “ULTIMATE” bundle at R9999.99
Admiral Chief
January 17, 2017 at 09:42
They should sell dongles next
Guild
January 17, 2017 at 10:52
Or iPads.
PurplePariah
January 17, 2017 at 09:43
I wonder how much extra the console would cost with a charging joycon included. Probably locally around R300 more. That’s enough to make people not buy the console, because people seem to be looking for anything at all to fault it on.
When did we all turn into a bunch of cynical bastards?
Viper_ZA
January 17, 2017 at 10:02
I’ll wait for a bundle deal. Heck, with the Scorpio in sight & a Ryzen build to compete with, the Nintendo will have to wait. Maybe a Christmas purchase for me xD
Ghost In The Rift
January 17, 2017 at 10:39
DLC consoles HAHAHA!!
Magoo
January 17, 2017 at 11:49
You guys are trying really hard to refrain from calling it what it is. A bogus cash cow.
Kikmi
January 17, 2017 at 16:16
Nintenapple.